California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 2 - Game, Furbearers, Nongame, and Depredators
Chapter 6 - Nongame Animals
Section 472 - General Provisions

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 472

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 478, 485, and subsections (a) through (d) below, nongame birds and mammals may not be taken.

(a) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, domestic pigeon (Columba livia) except as prohibited in Fish and Game Code section 3680, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).

(b) Fallow, sambar, sika, and axis deer, of either sex, may be taken concurrently with the general deer season and on properties where an authorized deer, elk, or pronghorn antelope season is open. There is no bag or possession limit for deer taken pursuant to this subsection.

(1) It shall be unlawful to take any deer pursuant to this subsection without a valid hunting license in possession, but no tag, stamp, or additional endorsement of any kind is required.

(2) It shall be unlawful to detach or remove only the head, hide, or antlers of any deer taken pursuant to this subsection, or to leave through carelessness or neglect any portion of the flesh normally eaten by humans to go to waste.

(c) Aoudad, mouflon, tahr, and feral goats may be taken all year.

(d) American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

(1) May be taken only under the provisions of Section 485 and by landowners or tenants, or by persons authorized in writing by such landowners or tenants, when American crows are committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance. Persons authorized by landowners or tenants to take American crows shall keep such written authorization in their possession when taking, transporting or possessing American crows. American crows may be taken only on the lands where depredations are occurring or where they constitute a health hazard or nuisance. If required by Federal regulations, landowners or tenants shall obtain a Federal migratory bird depredation permit before taking any American crows or authorizing any other person to take them.

(2) American crows may be taken under the provisions of this subsection only by firearm, bow and arrow, falconry or by toxicants by the Department of Food and Agriculture for the specific purpose of taking depredating crows. Toxicants can be used for taking crows only under the supervision of employees or officers of the Department of Food and Agriculture or federal or county pest control officers or employees acting in their official capacities and possessing a qualified applicator certificate issued pursuant to sections 14151-14155 of the Food and Agriculture Code. Such toxicants must be applied according to their label requirements developed pursuant to sections 6151-6301, Title 3, California Code of Regulations.

(e) Pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 2003, it is unlawful to offer any prize or other inducement as a reward for the taking of nongame mammals in an individual contest, tournament, or derby.

1. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 6-7-74; designated effective 7-1-74 (Register 74, No. 23). For prior history, see Register 73, No. 50.
2. New subsection (f) filed 6-6-75; designated effective 7-1-75 (Register 75, No. 23).
3. Amendment filed 5-13-81; designated effective tenth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 20).
4. Amendment of subsections (d) and (e) filed 9-27-85; effective tenth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 39).
5. Amendment of initial sentence, and subsections (a), (b), (d) and (e) filed 8-29-86; operative 8-29-86 (Register 86, No. 36).
6. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 2-10-88; operative 3-11-88 (Register 88, No. 8).
7. Amendment of NOTE filed 6-26-96; operative 7-1-96 pursuant to section 11343.4(d) (Register 96, No. 26).
8. Amendment designating portions of subsection (d) as new subsections (d)(1) and (d)(2), new subsection (e) and amendment of NOTE filed 1-30-2015; operative 4-1-2015 (Register 2015, No. 5).
9. Amendment of first paragraph and subsections (a) and (b), new subsections (b)(1)-(2) and amendment of NOTE filed 12-22-2016; operative 4-1-2017 (Register 2016, No. 52).
10. Editorial correction of subsection (b)(2) (Register 2017, No. 13).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 3800 and 4150, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 2003, 3007, 3680, 3800, 3801, 3801.5, 4150 and 4304, Fish and Game Code.

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