California’s 2022 General Deer Season Begins
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) public deer season is scheduled to open in many parts of the state on Saturday, September 17th. Deer season is already underway in the A and B4 zones along the California coast. Hunters are encouraged to visit his CDFW Emergency Closures webpage for information and resources before heading to their favorite hunting spots.
Most of California’s general deer hunting zones (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, D6, D7) will open on Saturday, September 17th. Siskiyou County, Shasta County, Tehama County, Mono County, Inyo County and surrounding areas. Several other popular deer hunting zones in D3, D4, D5, D8, D9, and D10 will open next Saturday, September 24, in parts of Alpine and Tulare counties and surrounding areas. The same is true for Premium Hunting Zones X8 and X10.
To improve the accuracy of deer population estimation and monitoring, CDFW is moving to a modern approach that employs recent innovations in population modeling. These models allow scientists to combine data from different sources to generate estimates of population processes. Over the past few years, CDFW has employed numerous methods to collect data for each parameter needed to fit the model. One of the main methods involves walking along the transect, picking up deer droppings, sending the samples to a laboratory to sequence the DNA to identify individual deer, and allowing collectors to repeat the droppings from the same individual. Estimating the total population based on frequency of encounters. beyond space and time.
The data is currently being analyzed, but initial results show a statewide range from averaging about 10 deer per square mile in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to averaging about 50 deer per square mile in Marin County and other areas. It has been suggested that deer densities differ. coast. Based on reported harvest records and other harvest sources, it is estimated that in 2021 he will harvest 31,986 deer, for an overall hunter success rate of 18.3%. Overall hunter success rate does not include hunting effort.
Recall that hunters are required to report deer tags – even hunters who were unsuccessful or never had the chance to hunt at all. and made a video on how to report it (Video).
As a friendly reminder, California has phased out the use of non-lead ammunition for hunting.All wild game harvesting with firearms requires non-lead ammunition. Additional deer hunting information, including hunt zone descriptions, maps, and special hunts, is available on CDFW’s deer hunting webpage.
CDFW also encourages hunters to participate in the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Program. After harvesting deer or elk in California, stop by a CWD sampling station to collect samples for testing, or ask your local butcher or taxidermist if they participate in the program. CWD does not exist in California, but robust surveillance allows for early detection and better options if found. Help protect California’s deer and moose populations and hunting opportunities.
A list of CWD sampling stations can also be found on the CDFW website.
photo credit: Robert/stock.adobe.com
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Media contact:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858
