By Mark Smith, DU Western Region Director of Public Policy

California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law AB 1709 (Frazier), which was sponsored by the California Waterfowl Association with the strong support of Ducks Unlimited. This great cooperative effort increases the age of a child for the purposes of purchasing a California hunting license from 16 to 18, meaning that teenagers now qualify for child rates through the age of 18.

It’s important to note that while the state is changing the age threshold, the federal limit has not changed and is still at 16. Therefore, on the early and late season youth hunt days that are federal hunt days, the age of 16 still applies. However, for all other youth hunts administered by the state of CA, the new increased age applies and extends to the free access fees, wildlife areas, etc, providing all of the same benefits that youth hunters receive now.