A seagull flies over the California Coastal National Monument which stretches along the entire coast of California and extends 12 miles into the Pacific Ocean.  The Monument includes 20,000 rocks, islands, pinnacles and reefs.
BLM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wagon wheel in the Carrizo Plain National Monument Geothermal Well Rock Climbing Wild Horses River Rafters on Cache Creek
California
BLM>California>Recreation>Hunting
Print Page

Hunting and Target Shooting

Hunting is permitted on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  State of California hunting regulations must be followed on Federal lands.

man shooting a rifleTarget Shooting is allowed on public lands.  However, you must provide your own targets and remove your debris when you leave your site.  It is illegal to deface or destroy trees, signs, outbuildings, or other objects on federal lands that are for the public's enjoyment.  CFR 8365.1-5 (a) (1) & (2).  Please use paper targets only.  Shooting glass objects is prohibited. 

When you are finished target shooting, we require you to remove all your targets, gun shells, clay pigeons, and any and all items used for your target shooting.

Bureau of Land Management California policy is to allow the use of firearms on public lands, as provided for in state law, and to cooperate with state authorities in the enforcement of firearms regulations. 

Persons have the permission of the Bureau of Land Management to possess and use firearms, including lawfully registered assault weapons, on BLM-administered public lands, except when prohibited by other applicable laws and regulations.

Proper Access to public lands must be through public roads.  Crossing private lands to access public lands is not permitted unless you first obtain permission from the private landowner.  Surface management maps may help you in locating public (Federal) lands.

Safe and prudent actions should be followed at all times, (for example shooting with a berm).  As you know, the BLM is a multi-use agency, so please be aware of the other public land visitors who may be utilizing the same areas for other recreational uses, i.e., camping, hiking, biking, and rock-hounding.

If you have specific questions on areas that may be appropriate for hunting or shooting, you are encouraged to contact the BLM Field Office having jurisdiction over the area:

    • Map of Field Office boundaries and locations
    • List of Field Office addresses and telephone numbers
Other sites with hunting-related information: