Are Certain People Not Allowed to Hold a Hunting License?

June 11, 2009

Question: Can a convicted felon apply and receive a hunting license? If so, can a felon use a bow and arrow to hunt? (Anonymous)

Answer: Yes to both questions. Although convicted felons may not possess firearms, the Fish and Game Code does not consider a bow and arrow to be a firearm for the purposes of hunting. Thus, as long as the person is not on parole they may possess and use archery equipment.

Use of a crossbow is another story though. Fish and Game Code regulations treat the crossbow like a firearm for the purposes of hunting and so crossbows cannot be used during the archery season for hunting. Yet, it is allowable for a felon to possess this weapon as it is not considered to be a firearm by the California Penal Code.

Felons can also hunt with air powered rifles