Junior hunting licenses: age of eligibility.

(1) Under existing law, a hunting license grants the privilege to take birds and mammals. Existing law requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue an annual hunting license upon payment of a specified fee that varies in amount depending on whether the applicant is a resident of the state. Under existing law, an annual hunting license is valid for a term of one year beginning on July 1 or for the remainder of the term if issued after July 1. Existing law requires the department to issue a reduced-fee annual hunting license, known as a junior hunting license, upon payment of a specified fee, to a resident or nonresident who is under 16 years of age on July 1 of the licensing year for which that person seeks a license. This bill, on July 1, 2023, would increase the age of eligibility for an applicant for a reduced-fee junior hunting license from 16 to 18 years of age, as specified. The bill, on July 1, 2028, would restore the age of eligibility for an applicant for a reduced-fee junior hunting license to 16 years of age. The bill would also make related conforming changes. The bill would require the Director of Fish and Wildlife to prepare and submit, by October 1, 2026, a written report to the Legislature evaluating the effect of the change in age eligibility of the junior hunting license from under 16 years of age to under 18 years of age on participation in hunting, as specified. (2) Existing law, until July 1, 2025, authorizes any resident of the state who is 18 years of age or older and possesses a valid hunting license to procure the number of bear tags corresponding to the number of bear that may legally be taken by one person during the current license year, upon payment of a base fee, as provided, for each bear tag. This bill would instead, until that date, authorize any resident of the state who possesses a valid hunting license, other than a junior hunting license, to procure the number of bear tags corresponding to the number of bear that may legally be taken by one person during the current license year, upon payment of that base fee for each bear tag.