California · Fish and Game Code - FGC

FGC §12002.1: (a) Notwithstanding Section 12002, the punishment for taking a mammal or bird for which a hunting license issued pursuant to Section 3031 is required or a tag, seal, or stamp is required, including a

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Taking protected mammals or birds without required licenses, tags, or stamps, or outside permitted seasons/areas, is punishable by fine and/or up to one year county jail. Court may reduce to infraction if valid documentation is produced.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Notwithstanding Section 12002, the punishment for taking a mammal or bird for which a hunting license issued pursuant to Section 3031 is required or a tag, seal, or stamp is required, including a deer tag issued pursuant to Section 3407, without having in one’s possession the required valid license, or without having in one’s possession any required tag, seal, or stamp, or when the taking of that mammal or bird is prohibited by allowable season, limit, time, or area, is punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment, or by any greater punishment prescribed by this code. (b) If a person is charged with an offense described in subdivision (a) and produces in court a license, tag, seal, or stamp, issued to the person and valid at the time of the person’s arrest and if the taking was otherwise lawful with respect to season, limit, time, and area, the court may reduce the charge to an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

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.