SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced new legislation today that would increase the eligibility age for a junior hunting license in California, opening opportunities to participate in outdoor sports to a greater number of young people.
“The higher price for an adult hunting license has proven to be a barrier to many teenagers,” Sen. Dodd said. “That’s a shame because they miss out on junior hunting activities that foster life-long participation in outdoor sports. My bill will give them more time in the field so they can learn about all California has to offer.”
Currently, anyone 16 or older must pay a higher price for an adult hunting license and related hunting stamps. Junior licenses, which cost less, were temporarily available to hunters up to 17 but that provision expired in 2020.
Sen. Dodd’s bill, Senate Bill 865, would permanently increase the maximum age of eligibility for a junior hunting license from 15 to 17 years old. Sponsors said the shift would allow teens to participate in high-quality junior hunting activities sponsored by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and nonprofit wildlife conservation groups.
“Research has proven that both cost and limited opportunity are substantial barriers to our youth participating in hunting activities,” said Bill Gaines, a spokesperson for the sponsors. “Raising junior hunting license age eligibility from 15 to 17 would ensure more of our youth get out in the field today and for years to come, while also bringing hunting licenses in line with other California laws which deem someone an adult at 18.”
Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.
