Hunting, Fishing and Shooting

We have fishing and hunting opportunities in the Los Padres National Forest.

Hunting

Shooting and Hunting Regulations: The following rules apply when hunting in Los Padres NF.

No discharging of a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling or other building, campground, recreation site or other occupied area.
No discharging of a firearm on or across a National Forest System Road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
Hunting on private land requires permission from the landowner.
All Federal, State and local laws apply to hunters on Federal land.

Follow the state laws and regulations pertaining to hunting, including seasons, dates and licensing. Forests and grasslands may place some areas as off limits to hunting. So call your local ranger station to be sure you are following all the rules. Phone numbers are listed below under Zone A and Zone D13 information.

Los Padres National Forest Hunting Informational Brochure

Hunting is permitted during hunting seasons designated by the California State Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Licenses are available Online, at any CDFW License Sales Office or License Agent.

The California Department of Fish and Game has primary responsibility for the management of wildlife in the State of California. State regulations control licensing requirements, hunting seasons, shooting hours, limits and other considerations. Copies of regulations are available from California State Fish and Game offices, local sporting goods stores and licensing agents. Remember, a California State Hunting License is required for hunting game in the National Forest.

Big Game:
Big game that can be found in the forest are: Deer, Black Bear and Wild Boar. Columbian Black-Tailed and California Mule Deer account for the majority of Big Game in the forest. Not all species are available in all areas.

More information about deer hunting in California (CDFW)

Small Game:
Quail, Rabbits, Band-Tailed Pigeons, Dove, Turkey and Chukar are small game species that are present in the forest. Tree Squirrels may be hunted only in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. Waterfowl populations are very limited in numbers and diversity.

Wild Pigs:
Some suggested hunting areas in the forest for Wild Pigs are: Chew’s Ridge, Upper San Antonio and the Arroyo Seco River drainages on the Monterey Ranger District. For more information about these areas, call: (831) 385-5434 ext. 0. The Pozo/La Panza area on the Santa Lucia Ranger District (805-925-9538 ext. 0) and the U.S. Army installation at Fort Hunter Liggett: Home - Fort Hunter Liggett - iSportsman also offer good prospects for Wild Pig hunting.

Hunting Zones:

Zone A
Monterey Ranger District (831) 385-5434 ext 0
Santa Lucia ranger District (805) 925-9538 ext. 0
Santa Barbara Ranger District: Call (805) 967-3481
Zone D13
Ojai Ranger District (805) 646-4348
Mt. Pinos Ranger District (661) 245-3731 ext. 0