Buyer’s Remorse

October 28, 2010

Question:I bought an A Zone deer tag and want to trade it in for a D Zone tag. What is the deadline to do so?

Answer: The tag could have been exchanged back in July, prior to the opening of the A Zone archery season, but once the season opens the tag can no longer be exchanged. It doesn’t matter if the tag holder intended to hunt only during the zone’s rifle season (which opens after the archery season). Once archery season opens, it is too late to exchange the tag. This is the rule for all deer tags to prevent someone from purchasing a tag, going hunting, then exchanging the tag for a different deer zone tag because he or she was unsuccessful.

Because California hunters are allowed to purchase two deer tags, the holder of the A Zone tag can still purchase a D Zone tag afterwards if there are any left. To check on which tags are still available, go to DFG’s website at www.dfg.ca.gov/about/hunting/ and click on the “Daily account of tags available” link.