CA SB865

Increases the age of eligibility for reduced-fee junior hunting licenses from under 16 years of age to under 18 years of age, effective July 1, 2023.

Restores the age of eligibility back to under 16 years of age on July 1, 2028, creating a five-year trial period for the expanded age eligibility.

Requires the Director of Fish and Wildlife to submit a written report to the Legislature by October 1, 2026, evaluating the impact of the age change on hunting participation, including sales data, program costs, license holder retention, and new participant recruitment.

Modifies bear tag procurement rules until July 1, 2025, to allow any resident with a valid hunting license (other than a junior hunting license) to purchase bear tags, removing the previous 18-years-of-age minimum requirement.

Adds a separate provision allowing residents with valid junior hunting licenses who are at least 12 years of age to procure bear tags at a base fee of $20 per tag.