Marmot Hunting

December 16, 2010

Question:A friend and I have been invited by some ranchers/farmers in the Klamath Basin area of northern California to hunt ground squirrels and marmots on their property. Since we will be on private property, my friends are not sure if we will need a license. Where would I find any applicable regulations? (Jeff R.)

Answer: Ground squirrels and marmots are “nongame” mammals under Fish and Game law. Recreational take of any nongame mammals requires hunters to possess a current hunting license. There are a few license exemptions that allow for the taking of nongame mammals that are damaging property, but in the situation you describe, a hunting license would be required.