MammalsWild Pigs

Section § 4650

Explanation

This law section defines what qualifies as a 'wild pig' for legal purposes. A wild pig is one that has certain physical traits like a unique coat, dark snout, and a large skull, lacks any markings like brands or tags indicating it's part of a domestic herd, or is a free-roaming, feral, or European wild boar without domestic herd indicators. This definition will be effective starting July 1, 2024.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a) For purposes of this code, “wild pig” means any of the following:
(1)Copy CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)
(A)Copy CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A) A pig having two or more phenotypical characteristics specified in subparagraph (B) that does not have a brand, tattoo, or other permanent mark or visible tag approved by the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to Section 10791 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(B)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B) Phenotypical characteristics include all of the following:
(i)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B)(i) Having a coat described by all of the following: long, dark, coarse bristles and guard hairs; the undercoat, when present, is lighter in color than the overlaying coat; and individual hairs have bristle tips that are lighter in color than the rest of the hair shaft.
(ii)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B)(ii) Having dark “point” coloration: distal portion of the snout, ears, legs, and tail are dark brown to black in coloration.
(iii)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B)(iii) Having a skeletal appearance that has both of the following characteristics: the skull is large, measuring up to one-third of the total body length; and a short massive trunk with underdeveloped hindquarters.
(iv)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B)(iv) Having a head with small, deep-set eyes and an elongated snout.
(v)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B)(v) Having a tail held straight or slightly curved but containing muscular structure to curl the tail.
(vi)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(1)(A)(B)(vi) Having teeth satisfying all of the following, as applicable: males have well-developed canine teeth; upper canines are relatively short and grow sideways early in life and gradually curl upwards with age; lower canines are sharper and longer with exposed parts measuring up to 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length.
(2)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(a)(2) A free-roaming pig, feral pig, or European wild boar having no visible tags, markings, or characteristics indicating that the pig or boar is from a domestic herd.
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4650(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4651.5

Explanation

Starting July 1, 2024, California's wildlife department will work with landowners to manage wild pig issues through sport hunting. This includes using the SHARE program to better recreational hunting opportunities. However, using poison to hunt wild pigs is not allowed.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4651.5(a) The department shall work with landowners to mitigate depredation by sport hunting pursuant to this chapter, including the application of the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program (Article 3 (commencing with Section 1570) of Chapter 5 of Division 2).
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4651.5(b) The use of poison to take wild pigs is prohibited.
(c)CA Fish And Game Code § 4651.5(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4652

Explanation

Starting July 1, 2024, it will be illegal to hunt any wild pigs without getting proper permission or validation first, except in certain situations described in another section of the law (Section 4181).

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652(a) It is unlawful to take any wild pig, except as provided in Section 4181, without first procuring a validation authorizing the taking of that wild pig in accordance with this chapter.
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4652.5

Explanation

This law makes it illegal to intentionally let hogs, boars, pigs, or swine live in the wild on any land. It also bans running or helping with hunting preserves that keep wild types of pigs or swine in fenced areas in California, unless they were operating such a preserve before January 1, 2022, but they can't expand beyond existing land size or sell the preserve as of that date. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652.5(a) It shall be unlawful to intentionally or knowingly release any hog, boar, pig, or swine to live in a wild or feral state upon public or private land.
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652.5(b) It shall be unlawful to engage in, sponsor, or assist in the operation of a contained hunting preserve of wild pig, feral pig, European wild boar, or domestic swine within this state. For purposes of this subdivision, any tract of land on which a fence or other apparatus is used to prevent the free roaming of swine that are to be taken pursuant to Section 86 and not used solely for domestic swine production shall be deemed to be a contained hunting preserve.
(c)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652.5(c) This section does not apply to an individual or entity that operated a contained hunting preserve on or before January 1, 2022, provided the individual or entity shall not operate more acres than the number of acres the individual or entity had in operation on or before January 1, 2022.
(d)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652.5(d) An individual or entity that operated a contained hunting preserve of wild pig, feral pig, European wild boar, or domestic swine on or before January 1, 2022, shall be prohibited from selling, transferring, or passing on the contained hunting preserve operation.
(e)CA Fish And Game Code § 4652.5(e) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4653

Explanation

This law gives the department the authority to decide what the wild pig validation should look like and what details it needs to include. The department also sets the rules for how this validation is issued and used. Keep in mind, this law goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4653(a) The department may determine the design and type of information to be included on the wild pig validation and prescribe the procedures for the issuance and use of the validation.
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4653(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4654

Explanation

If you're 12 or older and have a valid hunting license in California, you can get a wild pig validation, which is a special permit. If you're a resident of California, it costs $25. If you're not a resident, it costs $90.

These fees start on July 1, 2024, and may change later. This law becomes active on that same date.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4654(a) To obtain a wild pig validation, a person must be 12 years of age or older, and possess a valid hunting license, or if a nonresident, a valid California nonresident hunting license.
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4654(b) A person authorized to obtain a wild pig validation may obtain a wild pig validation upon payment of a base fee, as follows:
(1)CA Fish And Game Code § 4654(b)(1) For a resident of the state, twenty-five dollars ($25).
(2)CA Fish And Game Code § 4654(b)(2) For a nonresident, ninety dollars ($90).
(c)CA Fish And Game Code § 4654(c) The base fees specified in this section are applicable for the license year beginning July 1, 2024, and shall be adjusted under Section 713 for subsequent license years.
(d)CA Fish And Game Code § 4654(d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4655

Explanation

This law states that permits for hunting wild pigs in California are valid only during the specific times in the current hunting season when it is legal to hunt or possess wild pigs in any part of the state. This rule takes effect starting July 1, 2024.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4655(a) Wild pig validations 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.
(b)CA Fish And Game Code § 4655(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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Section § 4657

Explanation

If you're hunting wild pigs in California, you need to have your wild pig validation with you. Starting July 1, 2024, there will be rules about how to transport the pig and report the hunt. You'll have to report electronically and include information like who you are, where and when you caught the pig, and any other details needed to track pig populations and enforce hunting laws.

(a)CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(a) The holder of a wild pig validation shall keep the validation in their possession while hunting wild pig.
(b)Copy CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(b)
(1)Copy CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(b)(1) The commission shall adopt regulations governing the transportation of a wild pig carcass and the reporting of any take of a wild pig.
(2)CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(b)(2) The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall provide for reporting of any take of a wild pig electronically, and shall require the following information:
(A)CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(b)(2)(A) The identity of the person taking the wild pig.
(B)CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(b)(2)(B) The date and location of the taking of the wild pig.
(C)CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(b)(2)(C) Any other information the commission finds would be appropriate to better understand the location and abundance, and rate of take, of wild pigs or to enforce the provisions of this code or Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
(c)CA Fish And Game Code § 4657(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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