AB 1912
Deer: archery season: concealed firearms.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
In Floor Process
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- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill changes the rules about carrying firearms during California’s deer archery season. Currently, only peace officers are allowed to carry firearms while hunting with a bow and arrow. This bill would allow any licensed hunter to carry a concealed firearm while taking or attempting to take deer during the archery season, provided they do not use the firearm to take the deer.
Key provisions
- Allows any person to carry a concealed firearm during deer archery season.
- Replaces the current prohibition on carrying firearms during archery season for non-peace officers.
- Does not permit the use of a firearm to take a deer.
- Maintains the existing archery season regulations.
Who is affected
- Deer hunters in California
- California Department of Fish and Game
- Licensed firearm owners
Notable changes
- Removes the restriction on carrying firearms during archery season for non-peace officers.
- Creates an exception to the general rule prohibiting firearms during archery season.
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AB1912:v98#DOCUMENT
Bill Start
| Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1912
| Introduced by Assembly Member Hadwick (Principal coauthor: Senator Dahle) (Coauthor: Assembly Member Alanis) (Coauthors: Senators Cortese and Grove) |
| February 12, 2026 |
An act to amend Section 4370 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to hunting.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1912, as amended, Hadwick. Deer: archery season: concealed firearms.
Existing law establishes an archery season for the taking of deer with bow and arrow. Existing law generally prohibits a person taking or attempting to take deer during that archery season from carrying, or having under their immediate control, a firearm of any kind, except for an active or honorably retired peace officer, as specified.
This bill would instead authorize any person to carry a firearm capable of being concealed on their person while engaging in taking or attempting to take a deer with a bow and arrow, as specified. repeal that prohibition.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 4370 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to read:
4370.
(a)In every area in which deer may lawfully be taken during the general open season there is an archery season for the taking of deer with bow and arrow. The season for each area shall be as the commission may prescribe, with a minimum interposing interval of three days immediately preceding the regular open season on deer in that area.
(b)A person may carry a firearm capable of being concealed on their person while engaged in the taking of deer with bow and arrow in accordance with subdivision (a), but shall not take or attempt to take deer with the firearm.