CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1912

Introduced by Assembly Member Hadwick
(Principal coauthor: Senator Dahle)

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 introduced, 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.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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. Except as provided in subdivision (b), a person taking or attempting to take deer during such archery season shall neither carry, nor have under his or her immediate control, any firearm of any kind.
(b) A peace officer listed in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, whether active or honorably retired, A person may carry a firearm capable of being concealed on his or her 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.