Hunter Turns 16 During the Season. Hunting License Required?

August 20, 2009

Question: My grandson is now 15 years old and will turn 16 in early September. The way I read the big game regulations, he should still be a junior hunter for the 2009 /2010 season. The regulation book doesn’t address this clearly. Can you help? (Al C.)

Answer: As long as your grandson buys his junior license prior to his 16th birthday, he’s good to go for this year. Once he turns 16, though, he will need to purchase the federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting waterfowl) but will not need to buy state stamps yet. For a list of stamps and definitions of the various licenses, take a look at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/huntdescrip.html. There are also some junior hunts that are only available to those under 16 years of age, regardless of whether a junior license was purchased prior to the hunter’s 16th birthday.