Chapter 7. Wild Pigs of California Fish And Game Code >> Division 4. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 7.

Wild pigs, as used in this chapter, means free-roaming pigs not distinguished by branding, ear marking, or other permanent identification methods.

(a) The department shall prepare a plan for the management of wild pigs. Under the plan, the status and trend of wild pig populations shall be determined and management units shall be designated within the state. The plan may establish pig management zones to address regional needs and opportunities. In preparing the plan, the department shall consider available, existing information and literature relative to wild pigs.
  (b) The plan may include all of the following:
  (1) The distribution and abundance of wild pigs, as described in Section 3950.
  (2) A survey of range conditions.
  (3) Recommendations for investigations and utilization of wild pigs.
  (4) Encouraging mitigation of depredation by sport hunting pursuant to this chapter.
  (5) Live trapping and relocation of wild pigs to areas suitable and accessible to mitigation of depredation, with the consent of the landowner and after prior consultation with adjacent landowners who, in the department's opinion may be impacted, pursuant to this chapter.

It is unlawful to take any wild pig, except as provided in Section 4181, without first procuring a tag authorizing the taking of that wild pig in accordance with this chapter.

The department may determine the design and type of information to be included on the wild pig tag and prescribe the procedures for the issuance and use of the tag.

(a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of age or older, who possesses a valid hunting license, may procure the number of wild pig tags corresponding to the number of wild pigs that may legally be taken by one person during the license year upon payment of a base fee of fifteen dollars ($15), for each wild pig tag.
  (b) Any nonresident, 12 years of age or older, who possesses a valid California nonresident hunting license, may procure the number of wild pig tags corresponding to the number of wild pigs that may legally be taken by one person during the license year upon payment of a base fee of fifty dollars ($50), for each wild pig tag.
  (c) The base fees specified in this section are applicable to the 2004 license year, and shall be adjusted annually thereafter pursuant to Section 713.

Wild pig tags are valid only during that portion of the current hunting license year in which wild pigs may be taken or possessed in any area of the state.

Revenues received pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the Big Game Management Account established in Section 3953. These funds shall be available for expenditure by the department as set forth in Section 3953. The department shall maintain all internal accounting measures necessary to ensure that all restrictions on these funds are met.

The holder of a wild pig tag shall keep the tag in his or her possession while hunting wild pig. Before the taking of any wild pig, the holder of a wild pig tag, except for wild pig tags issued through the Automated License Data System, shall legibly write or otherwise affix his or her hunting license number to the wild pig tag. Upon the killing of any wild pig, the date of the kill shall be clearly marked by the holder of the tag on both parts of the tag. Before transporting the pig, a tag shall be attached to the carcass by the holder of the tag. The holder of the wild pig tag shall immediately, upon harvesting a pig, notify the department in a manner specified by the commission.