Article 2. License Tags of California Fish And Game Code >> Division 4. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 2.

It is unlawful to take any deer without first procuring a deer tag or permit authorizing the taking of that deer.

The commission may determine the design and makeup of the deer tag and prescribe the procedures for issuance and use.

(a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who possesses a valid hunting license, may procure one tag for the taking of one deer by one person during the current license year, upon payment of the base fee of ten dollars ($10) for the license year beginning July 1, 1986, and the base fee as adjusted under Section 713 for subsequent license years.
  (b) Any nonresident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who possesses a valid hunting license, may procure one tag for the taking of one deer by one person during the current license year, upon payment of the base fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for the license year beginning July 1, 1986, and the base fee as adjusted under Section 713 for subsequent license years.
  (c) If provided in regulations adopted by the commission under Section 200, any resident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who possesses a deer tag may procure one additional deer tag for the taking of one additional deer during the current license season, upon payment of the base fee of twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) for the license years beginning July 1, 1986, and the base fee as adjusted under Section 713 for subsequent license years.
  (d) If provided in regulations adopted by the commission under Section 200, any nonresident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who possesses a deer tag may procure one additional deer tag for the taking of one additional deer during the current license season, upon payment of the base fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for the license year beginning July 1, 1986, and the base fee as adjusted under Section 713 for subsequent license years.
  (e) All revenues pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Big Game Management Account established in Section 3953 and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be expended as set forth in that section.

Tags are valid only during that portion of the current hunting license year in which deer may be taken or possessed in any area.

(a) The commission shall annually direct the department to authorize, pursuant to Section 1054.8, the sale of not more than 10 deer tags for the purpose of raising funds for programs and projects as set forth in Section 3953. All revenue from the sale of tags pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Big Game Management Account established in Section 3953 and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be expended as set forth in that section.
  (b) These tags may be sold to residents or nonresidents of the State of California at auction or by any other method and are not subject to the fees prescribed by Section 4332.
  (c) These funds shall augment, not supplant, any other funds appropriated to the department for the preservation, restoration, utilization, and management of deer. All revenues derived from the sale of these tags shall be remitted to the department by the seller.

(a) The person to whom a deer tag has been issued shall carry the tag while hunting deer. Upon the killing of any deer, that person shall immediately fill out the tag completely, legibly, and permanently, and cut out or punch out and completely remove notches or punch holes for the month and date of the kill. The deer tag shall be immediately attached to the antlers of antlered deer or to the ear of any other deer and kept attached during the open season and for 15 days thereafter. The holder of the deer tag shall immediately, upon harvesting a deer, notify the department in a manner specified by the commission.
  (b) Except as otherwise provided by this code or regulation adopted pursuant to this code, it is unlawful to possess any untagged deer.

(a) Any person who is convicted of a violation of any provision of this code, or of any rule, regulation, or order made or adopted under this code, relating to deer shall forfeit his or her deer tags, and no new deer tags shall be issued to that person during the then current license year for hunting licenses.
  (b) No person described in subdivision (a) may apply for deer tags for the following license year.

Any person legally killing a deer in this state shall have the tag countersigned by a person employed in the department, a person designated for this purpose by the commission, or by a notary public, postmaster, postmistress, peace officer, or an officer authorized to administer oaths, before transporting such deer, except for the purpose of taking it to the nearest person authorized to countersign the tag, on the route being followed from the point where the deer is taken.