CHAPTER 7. Wild Pigs [4650. - 4657.]

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC 7.

in effect

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4650. Section 4650.

(a) For purposes of this code, “wild pig” means any of the following: (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) Phenotypical characteristics include all of the following: (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) Having dark “point” coloration: distal portion of the snout, ears, legs, and tail are dark brown to black in coloration. (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) Having a head with small, deep-set eyes and an elongated snout. (v) Having a tail held straight or slightly curved but containing muscular structure to curl the tail. (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) 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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4651.5. Section 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) The use of poison to take wild pigs is prohibited. (c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4652. Section 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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4652.5. Section 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) 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) 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) 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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4653. Section 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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4654. Section 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) A person authorized to obtain a wild pig validation may obtain a wild pig validation upon payment of a base fee, as follows: (1) For a resident of the state, twenty-five dollars ($25). (2) For a nonresident, ninety dollars ($90). (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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4655. Section 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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 4657. Section 4657.

(a) The holder of a wild pig validation shall keep the validation in their possession while hunting wild pig. (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) 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) The identity of the person taking the wild pig. (B) The date and location of the taking of the wild pig. (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) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026