(a) Notwithstanding Section 3031, the director may designate two days per year as “Free Hunting Days.” One free hunting day may be established during the fall hunting season, and the other free hunting day may be established during the winter hunting season. The department shall publish the exact dates of the free hunting days in annual publications of the department regarding current hunting regulations.
(b) During a free hunting day, a California resident may hunt if accompanied by a hunter who holds a valid hunting license issued by the State of California, has held a valid hunting license for at least the last three consecutive years, is at least 21 years of age, and accompanies only one unlicensed hunter in the field at a time. An unlicensed hunter shall participate in the free hunting days for only one license year and shall complete a hunter education course approved by the department and register with the department, or an agent of the department, prior to participating in a free hunting day. While engaged in hunting activities, the unlicensed hunter shall remain in close visual and verbal contact with the licensed hunter at all times so that the licensed hunter is able to provide adequate direction and immediately assume control of a firearm from the unlicensed hunter at any time.
(c) An unlicensed hunter who participates in a free hunting day shall have in his or her possession all of the following:
(1) A certificate of completion of a course in hunter education as required in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 3050.
(2) Any required tags or report cards.
(3) Any required federal entitlements.
(4) Any required entry permits.
(d) Unlicensed hunters participating in free hunting days shall not take any species that requires a draw or lottery to obtain a tag.
(e) An unlicensed hunter hunting pursuant to this section is subject to all of the limitations, restrictions, conditions, statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to the holder of a valid hunting license, except the requirement to possess a valid hunting license.
(f) The department may adopt additional minimum requirements and restrictions for a licensed hunter or unlicensed hunter participating in a free hunting day pursuant to this section.
(g) This section shall not be implemented until the department’s Automated License Data System is fully operational for at least one year.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 410, Sec. 2. (SB 1179) Effective January 1, 2011.)