A California deer hunt can cost a resident a little over $100 in fees for a weekend on national forest land, or $8,000 or more for a guided hunt on a private ranch. Nonresidents pay much more for the license and tag, but the biggest cost for most people is access to good private ground. Here is where the money goes.
License and tag costs (2026–27)
These are fixed costs from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
| Item | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual hunting license | $64.54 | $225.46 |
| First deer tag (or drawing application) | $42.38 | $377.35 |
| Total for one deer tag | $106.92 | $602.81 |
| Second deer tag, if you want one | $52.92 | $377.35 |
| Junior hunting license (under 16 on July 1) | $17.02 | $17.02 |
License and tag fees already include a 3% nonrefundable application fee, capped at $7.50 per item. Buying from a license agent adds a 5% handling fee. If you didn’t report last year’s deer tag by January 31, you’ll also pay a $21.60 non-reporting fee.
In California, the deer tag and the draw application are the same purchase, so there is no separate application fee for deer. Nonresidents who don’t get a tag can ask for a refund of the difference between the nonresident and resident fees by March 1.
DIY hunt: what to budget
Hunting a B zone or a D zone on national forest land is the cheapest way to hunt deer in California. A typical trip includes:
| Expense | Typical range |
|---|---|
| License and tag | $107 (resident) to $603 (nonresident) |
| Travel (gas or flights, rental) | $150–$1,200 |
| Food and camp supplies for 4–5 days | $100–$300 |
| Lodging if not camping | $0–$800 |
| Meat processing | $150–$400 |
| Nonlead ammunition | $50–$100 |
| Trip total, not counting gear | about $550–$3,400 |
These ranges are estimates. Remember that nonlead ammunition is required for all hunting in California, and it costs more than lead ammo. Sight in with the same load you’ll hunt with.
Ranch hunts and leases
Much of the best blacktail country in the A zone and the coastal B and D zones is private. You can’t hunt it without permission, and landowners usually charge for access. Common options are:
- Day or trespass fees on a working ranch, sometimes with a fee per deer taken.
- Seasonal leases that a club or group of hunters shares for the year. Browse hunting leases.
- Private Lands Management (PLM) ranches. These ranches work with CDFW on habitat and receive their own tags, which can come with longer seasons. A PLM hunt can be a way to hunt a zone you didn’t draw.
Ask what the price covers: lodging, meals, a guide, and whether there is an extra fee if you take a deer.
Guided hunt prices
Here are real examples from California outfitters’ published prices:
| Hunt type | Example price |
|---|---|
| Blacktail on leased ranches, 3 days / 2 nights | $2,500 |
| Wilderness blacktail on public land, 3 days | $4,300 |
| Wilderness blacktail on public land, 6 days | $6,600 |
| A zone blacktail on private land, guided | from $7,500 |
| Private ranch (PLM) mule deer, DIY with ranch tag | $6,500 |
| Private ranch (PLM) mule deer, guided | $8,000 |
Prices depend on the zone, private vs. public land, how long the hunt is, how many hunters share a guide, and the size of bucks the outfitter usually takes.
What’s usually NOT included in a guided hunt
- Your hunting license and deer tag (unless the ranch provides a PLM tag)
- Travel to and from the hunt
- Meat processing and shipping
- Taxidermy
- Trophy or extra-animal fees, which some outfitters charge
- Meals and lodging on some short ranch hunts
- Tips. Many guides expect 10% to 20% of the hunt price.
Ways to save
- Hunt public land in a B or D zone. National forest hunting costs only your license, tag, and trip.
- Buy the Archery Only tag. One tag lets a bowhunter hunt the A, B, and D zones.
- Split a lease. Sharing a lease with a few friends can cost far less than a guided hunt.
- Look for discount and last-minute hunts. Outfitters sometimes fill cancellations at a lower price. See discount guided hunts.
- Go self-guided. Some ranches and outfitters offer access and lodging without a full-time guide. Browse DIY and self-guided hunts.
Compare prices
See California deer outfitters and what they charge
Contact outfitters and ranches directly through their Horn & Fin listings.
Related: How California draw points work · Draw odds by unit · California Deer Hunting Guide · Guided vs. ranch vs. DIY · How to apply for the deer draw
License and tag fees are from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the 2026–27 license year. Guided hunt examples are from outfitters’ published price lists and can change at any time.