Free hunting days.

Existing law generally requires a license to take a bird or mammal. Existing law requires the Department of Fish and Game to issue hunting licenses, upon payment of a fee, to eligible California residents and nonresidents, as specified. Existing law authorizes the Director of Fish and Game to designate not more than 2 days a year as free sportfishing days during which residents and nonresidents may, without having a sportfishing license and without the payment of any fee, exercise the privileges of a holder of a sportfishing license, subject to all of the limitations, restrictions, conditions, laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the holder of a sportfishing license. This bill would authorize the director to establish 2 free hunting days per year. The bill would authorize a California resident to hunt during a free hunting day if accompanied by a licensed hunter who meets prescribed requirements and if the unlicensed hunter, while engaged in hunting activities, remains in close visual and verbal contact with the licensed hunter at all times. Under the bill, the unlicensed hunter would be subject to all of the limitations, restrictions, conditions, statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to the holder of a valid hunting license, except as specified, and would be required to meet specified additional requirements. The bill would prohibit the above provisions from being implemented until the department's Automated License Data System is fully operational for at least one year.