California · Fish and Game Code - FGC

FGC §10500: Except under a permit or specific authorization, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (a) To take or possess a bird or mammal in a game refuge.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to take, possess, or use weapons to hunt birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, or other wildlife in designated refuges without a permit or authorization.

Read the full statutory text
Except under a permit or specific authorization, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (a) To take or possess a bird or mammal in a game refuge. (b) To use or have in possession in a game refuge, a firearm, BB device as defined in Section 16250 of the Penal Code, crossbow, bow and arrow, or a trap or other contrivance designed to be, or capable of being, used to take birds or mammals, or to discharge a firearm or BB device or to release an arrow or crossbow bolt into a game refuge. (c) To take or possess a fish or amphibian in a fish refuge, or to use or have in possession in that refuge a contrivance designed to be used for catching fish. (d) To take or possess a bird, discharge a firearm or BB device, or release an arrow or crossbow bolt, within or into a waterfowl refuge. (e) To take or possess a quail in a quail refuge. (f) To take or possess an invertebrate or specimen of marine plant life in a marine life refuge. (g) To take or possess a clam or an instrument or apparatus capable of being used to dig clams in a clam refuge.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.