1. (a) Upon the killing of any deer the tag holder shall immediately fill out all portions of the tag including the report card completely, legibly, and permanently, and cut out or punch out and completely remove notches or punch holes for the month and date of the kill. The deer license tag shall be attached to the antlers of an antlered deer or to the ear of any other deer and kept attached during the open season and for 15 days thereafter. Except as otherwise provided, possession of any untagged deer shall be a violation. (Refer to Fish and Game Code, Section 4336).

2. (b) Every person to whom a deer license tag is issued shall report to the Department their deer harvest.

   1. (1) Successful deer tag holders are required to report deer harvested within 30 days of the date of harvest or by January 31, whichever date is first.
   2. (2) Unsuccessful deer tag holders, whether they hunted or not, are required to report no harvest by January 31 annually.

3. (c) Harvest Report Card Return and Reporting Mechanisms.

   1. (1) By mail at the address specified on the harvest report card. A harvest report card returned by mail shall be postmarked by the date applicable to that card as specified in this section. If a report card is submitted by mail and not received by the department, it is considered not reported.
   2. (2) Online through the department's internet license sales service website by the date specified in the section. Tag holders reporting online will be provided a confirmation number upon successful submission. The tag holder must record the provided confirmation number in the space provided on the harvest report card and retain the harvest report card until March 1 annually. Tags reported online must be surrendered to the department upon demand.
4. (d) Beginning July 1, 2016, deer tag holders, whether successful or unsuccessful, who fail to report by the date specified in this section shall be subject to a Deer Harvest Non-reporting Fee. The fee specified in Section 702 shall be charged prior to the issuance of a deer tag or deer tag drawing application in the following year.

5. (e) Chronic wasting disease (CWD) Management Zones (CMZ) are defined as:

   1. (1) Any deer hunt zone in which a CWD-positive animal has been detected, excluding Zone A, using sampling and testing methods based on credible science as defined in Fish and Game Code Section 33.
   2. (2) Any deer hunt zone, excluding Zone A, within 5 miles of the location where a CWD-positive animal has been detected, using sampling and testing methods based on credible science as defined in Fish and Game Code Section 33.
   3. (3) Any county within Zone A where a CWD-positive animal has been detected or is within 5 miles of where a CWD-positive animal has been detected, using sampling and testing methods based on credible science as defined in Fish and Game Code Section 33.

6. (f) Annually, and prior to July 1, the director of the department shall designate any CMZ that will be a “testing CMZ” or a “testing and handling CMZ.”

   1. (1) Testing CMZs shall be designated based on the need to better define new or ongoing CWD outbreak(s), the department's capacity to collect and test samples, and to support management actions for the protection of natural resources.

      1. (A) All hunters who harvest and possess a deer from a testing CMZ shall provide the department a sample, using only permissible sampling methods, for the purpose of CWD testing within 10 days of harvest. The following are the permissible sampling methods:

         1. 1. Bring the deer head (must include the retropharyngeal lymph nodes) to a California CWD sampling station or a participating meat processor or taxidermist. The department will maintain a list of sampling stations on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station) and will maintain a list of participating meat processors and taxidermists on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Meat-Processors-Taxidermists); or
         2. 2. Self-sample the deer and bring the retropharyngeal lymph nodes directly to a California CWD sampling station. The department will maintain an optional how-to-guide and data card for CWD sampling, data collection, and self-sample submissions on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Collect-Submit-Samples); or
         3. 3. Bring the deer (must include the retropharyngeal lymph nodes to a California CWD sampling station or a participating meat processor or taxidermist. The department will maintain a list of sampling stations on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station) and will maintain a list of participating meat processors and taxidermists on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Meat-Processors-Taxidermists).
      2. (B) When submitting a sample, the following information shall be provided: the hunter's name, GO ID number, deer tag or document number, and harvest location (GPS coordinates preferred).

   2. (2) Testing and handling CMZs shall be designated based on the criteria of (f)(1) in addition to the risk of spreading CWD through the movement of hunter-harvested carcasses or their parts, and the department's capacity to facilitate both CWD sampling and disposal of high-risk materials.

      1. (A) All hunters who harvest and possess a deer from a testing and handling CMZ shall provide the department with a sample, using only permissible sampling methods, for the purpose of CWD testing within 10 days of harvest. The following are the permissible sampling methods:

         1. 1. Bring the deer head (must include the retropharyngeal lymph nodes) to a California CWD sampling station. The department will maintain a list of sampling stations on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station for locations); or
         2. 2. Self-sample the deer and bring the retropharyngeal lymph nodes directly to a California CWD sampling station. The department will maintain an optional how-to-guide and data card for CWD sampling, data collection, and self-sample submissions on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Collect-Submit-Samples).
      2. (B) When submitting a sample, the following information shall be provided: the hunter's name, GO ID number, deer tag or document number, and harvest location (GPS coordinates preferred).

      3. (C) All hunters who harvest a deer within a testing and handling CMZ shall leave all portions of the brain, spinal column, and entrails (gut pile) at the harvest site. Exceptions are:

         1. 1. Any portion of the brain and spinal column possessed for the purpose of providing a sample for CWD testing in accordance with permissible sampling methods outlined in subsection (f)(2)(A)1 or 2, and brought directly to a department office, or California CWD sampling station within the same or an adjacent CMZ. Heads (except that portion required to comply with subsection (a)), and any portion of the brain or spinal column removed from the harvest site for the purpose of CWD testing shall be relinquished to the department.
         2. 2. Heart, liver, and kidneys if possessed for human consumption.
7. (g) The department shall maintain and update a website detailing current CMZs as defined in subsection (e), CMZ designations pursuant to subsection (f), and current CWD surveillance information, including general locations and deer hunt zones where CWD-positive animals have been detected (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 203, 265 and 1050, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 1050 and 4336, Fish and Game Code.

History

1. New section filed 7-8-2011; operative 7-8-2011 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 27).

2. Amendment of subsection (b) and new subsections (b)(1)-(d) filed 6-22-2015; operative 7-1-2015 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(A) (Register 2015, No. 26).

3. Amendment of subsection (c)(1) and amendment of Note filed 7-19-2017; operative 10-1-2017 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 265 (Register 2017, No. 29).

4. Amendment of section heading and new subsections (e)-(g) filed 7-22-2024 as an emergency; operative 7-22-2024 (Register 2024, No. 30). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-21-2025 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

5. Reinstatement of section as it existed prior to 7-22-2024 emergency amendment by operation of Government Code section 11346.1(f) (Register 2025, No. 4).

6. New subsections (e)-(g) filed 7-3-2025; operative 7-3-2025 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2025, No. 27).