The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released its calendar of events for August 2026.

All calendar items are subject to change.

Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires, flooding or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.

Various Days

Kokanee Salmon at Stampede Reservoir, CA-89, Truckee. In May 2025, 50,000 kokanee fingerlings with clipped adipose fins were released into Stampede Reservoir. Anglers who catch kokanee from now through 2028 are encouraged to report their catch, whether the fish has a clipped fin or not. Your reports help CDFW understand how stocking contributes to the kokanee fishery. For more information, visit CDFW’s Fishing for Kokanee page or contact rachel.fichman@wildlife.ca.gov.

Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) access permit application deadlines for multiple hunting opportunities. Wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $15.12 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit the SHARE page.

Archery and Falconry-Only Tree Squirrel season opened on Aug. 1 and extends through Sept. 11. For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit the Small Game Mammal Hunting page.

Aug. 8

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Mobile Visitor Center Pop-Up, 9-11 a.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Parking Lot C, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Planning a self-guided tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area? Be sure to stop by the Mobile Visitor Center. Chat with friendly and knowledgeable ambassadors, pick up tips for exploring and discover displays filled with information about the wildlife area and Yolo Basin Foundation. Enjoy hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. For more information, visit the Yolo Basin Foundation website.

General Deer Season opens in Zone A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160). More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available on CDFW’s Deer Hunting page. All deer tags purchased, whether used for a hunt or not, must be reported. Successful hunters must report their tags within 30 days of their successful hunt or by Jan. 31, 2027, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are also required to report by Jan. 31, 2027. Visit the Online License Sales and Services page for information on reporting. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.

First General Season for Black Bears opens in A Zone. General bear season closes on Dec. 27, 2026, or earlier, if the department determines that 1,700 bears have been reported taken. This includes bears harvested during the archery season. The daily bag limit is one legal bear per day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit CDFW’s Bear Hunting page. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free (888) 277-6398.

Aug. 11

California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, 1 p.m., California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P Street, second floor, Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website.

Aug. 12-13

California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, 9 a.m. Aug. 12 and 8:30 a.m. Aug. 13, California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P Street, second floor, Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website.

Aug. 15

Spiny Lobster Report Cards go on sale. Sport lobster divers and hoopnetters can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card for the 2026-27 lobster season on CDFW’s Online License Sales site, at sporting goods stores and tackle shops, or by phone at (800) 565-1458. The 2026-27 recreational lobster season opens at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.

Falconry Season for pheasant, quail, chukar, ptarmigan and sooty (blue)/ruffed grouse opens (extending through Feb. 28, 2027). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.

Archery-Only quail, chukar and sooty (blue)/ruffed grouse seasons open (extending through Sept. 4). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.

Archery Season for black bears opens in all bear zones Aug. 15 and runs through Sept. 6. The daily bag limit is one legal bear per day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit CDFW’s Bear Hunting page. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free (888) 277-6398.

Archery deer season opens in many deer zones across the state, including B1-3, B5-6 and D3-10. For more information, visit the Deer Hunting page.

Los Banos Wildlife Area Bird Walk and Bioblitz, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 18110 Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos. Join CDFW on a guided tour for birding and a bioblitz at the Los Banos Wildlife Area to discover local birds and contribute to community science projects using iNaturalist and MerlinID. Meet at Los Banos Wildlife Area Parking Lot 11 on Wolfsen Road just past the Salt Slough Check Station. For more information and to RSVP, email losbanoswa@wildlife.ca.gov.

Aug. 22

Learn to Fish/Fishing in the City at Brannan Island SRA, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brannan Island State Recreation Area, Highway 160 south of Rio Vista. Join State Parks and CDFW at this Learn to Fish/Fishing in the City Program event at Brannan Island SRA. This program is open to anyone ages five and up with an interest in learning how to fish. Participants ages 16 and up require a fishing license, which can be purchased at CDFW’s Online License Sales page. The event is first come, first served. Meet at the picnic table by the BISRA Fishing Pier – after arriving, drive straight back passed the boat launch until the parking lot dead ends near the wooden pier. For more information, visit the Brannan Island SRA page or email tracy.kosinski@parks.ca.gov.

General Deer Season Opens in Zone B4. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available on CDFW’s Deer Hunting page.

Aug. 25

Hunter Input Meeting for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, the availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. State lands to be discussed are the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas, including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.

Aug. 29

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Volunteer Clean-Up Day, 8 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. CDFW is hosting a volunteer clean-up day to prepare for waterfowl season at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Participants should bring work gloves, water, sunscreen, bug spray and anything else they may need. Meet at the hunter check station at 8 a.m. For more information and to RSVP, email garrett.spaan@wildlife.ca.gov.