Can a European Citizen Get a California Hunting License?

January 7, 2010

Question: My uncle who lives in Europe and is not a U.S. citizen is planning to visit me next year on a normal tourist visa. He took me hunting 30 years ago and so I’d like to now take him on a hunt or two. Is there a way for him to get a hunting license or some kind of permit? Can his out-of-state/country hunting license be used instead as proof of completion of a hunter’s education class? He’s been a hunter for more than 40 years but the chances for finding and completing a regular hunter’s education class during his visit are unrealistic. Thanks ahead. (Ivan K.)

Answer: Your uncle will be able to purchase a Nonresident Hunting License to hunt with you in California if he can present a current hunting license or a hunting license issued within the past two years from a European country. This is the proof he will need to demonstrate he meets California’s hunter education requirements.

Otherwise, if he is only going to be here a few days, there are a few one-day, 10-hour hunter safety courses still offered in California. There’s also an online course available that requires a four-hour certification with a certified hunter education instructor. If he does not have a hunting license in Europe, these options would only take one day of his trip to California. You can find out more about local courses at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx or at your local hunting stores.