2009 California Fish and Game Code - Section 4750-4763 :: Chapter 9. Bear

4750.  It is unlawful to take any bear with firearm, trap, or bow
and arrow without first procuring a tag authorizing the taking of
that bear in accordance with this chapter, but no iron or steel-jawed
or any type of metal-jawed trap shall be used to take any bear.

4751.  (a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who
possesses a valid hunting license, may procure the number of bear
tags corresponding to the number of bear that may legally be taken by
one person during the current license year, upon payment of a base
fee of fifteen dollars ($15), as adjusted under Section 713, for each
bear tag.
   (b) Any nonresident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who
possesses a valid California hunting license, may procure the number
of bear tags corresponding to the number of bear that may be legally
taken by one person during the current license year upon payment of
the base fee of one hundred five dollars ($105), as adjusted under
Section 713, for each bear tag.

4752.  Bear tags are valid only during that portion of the current
hunting license year in which bear may be taken or possessed in any
district.

4753.  The person to whom a bear tag has been issued shall carry the
tag while hunting bear. Upon the killing of any bear, that person
shall immediately fill out the tag completely, legibly, and
permanently, and cut out or punch out and completely remove notches
or punch holes for the month and the date of the kill. One part of
the tag shall be immediately attached to the ear of the bear and kept
attached during the open season and for 15 days thereafter. The
holder of the bear tag shall immediately, upon harvesting a bear,
notify the department in a manner specified by the commission. Except
as otherwise provided by this code or regulations adopted pursuant
to this code, it is unlawful to possess any untagged bear.

4754.  (a) Any person who is convicted of a violation of any
provision of this code, or of any rule, regulation, or order made or
adopted under this code, relating to bears shall forfeit his or her
bear tags, and new bear tags shall not be issued to that person
during the then current license year for hunting licenses.
   (b) A person described in subdivision (a) shall not apply for bear
tags for the following license year.

4755.  Any person legally killing a bear in this state shall have
the tag countersigned by a fish and game commissioner, a person
employed in the department, a person designated for this purpose by
the commission, or by a notary public, postmaster, postmistress,
peace officer or by an officer authorized to administer oaths, before
transporting that bear except for the purpose of taking it to the
nearest officer authorized to countersign the tag, on the route being
followed from the point where the bear is taken.

4756.  Except as provided in this section it is unlawful to use dogs
to hunt, pursue, or molest bears.
   The use of one dog per hunter is permitted for the hunting of
bears during the time that the season is open for the taking of deer
in the area of the state affected.
   The use of more than one dog per hunter is permitted in the
hunting of bears during the open season on bears in the area of the
state affected except during the period when archery deer seasons or
regular deer seasons are open.

4757.  Any person taking any bear must retain in his possession
during the open season thereon, and for 15 days thereafter, the skin
and portion of the head bearing the ears, and must produce the skin
and portion of the head upon the demand of any officer authorized to
enforce the provisions of this code.

4758.  (a) Subject to the provisions of this code permitting the
sale of domestically raised game mammals, it is unlawful to sell or
purchase, or possess for sale, the meat, skin, hide, teeth, claws, or
other parts of any bear in this state.
   (b) The possession of more than one bear gall bladder is prima
facie evidence that the bear gall bladders are possessed for sale.
   (c) Nothing in this section prohibits a sale authorized pursuant
to Section 3087.

4759.  The skin, hide, teeth, claws, or other parts of any bear
lawfully taken and possessed for the period provided in Section 4757
may be tanned or utilized for personal use only. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 4757, the skin, hide, teeth, claws, or other
parts of any bear lawfully taken may be donated any time to veterans'
organizations or veterans' service committees for use by veterans
for rehabilitation purposes. The donor shall obtain a receipt which
shall be retained during the period stipulated by Section 4757.

4760.  The provisions of this chapter relating to the possession of
bear apply to bear taken outside this State and transported into this
State.

4763.  The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the taking of
bear which is otherwise authorized to protect livestock, land, or
property from damage or threatened damage from bear.