LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 2Ch. 3Art. 1§ 1009 Public Hunting Access Rights

§ 1009 Public Hunting Access Rights

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1009 Public Hunting Access Rights

This law lets the department arrange for public hunting or fishing access across private land, but it can't force the landowner to give it up, and the department can build fences or signs to protect that access using its own money.

Key Takeaways

  • •The department can get access rights over private land for public hunting or fishing.
  • •The access must be judged necessary by the commission.
  • •The department cannot use eminent domain to take the land.
  • •The department may build fences, signs, or other structures to protect the access, using its own funds.

Example

A lake that is open for public fishing is only reachable by a dirt road that runs through a farmer's field.

The department can work with the farmer to let the public use that road to get to the lake, but it can't take the road by eminent domain. The department can put up a sign and a fence to keep the road safe, paying for it itself.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1009 Public Hunting Access Rights

The department may obtain for the State rights of way over private lands for the purpose of furnishing access for the public to lands or waters open to public hunting or fishing whenever such rights of way are determined by the commission to be necessary for such public use. Such rights of way shall not be acquired by eminent domain proceedings. The department may construct or cause to be constructed such fences, signs, and other structures as are necessary for the protection of any such right of way, and the cost of the construction shall be met out of the funds available to the department. (Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

rights of wayeminent domainpublic hunting or fishingcommission

Related Statutes

  • § 1000.6 North Coast Salmon Fisheries
  • § 301 Accidental Wildlife Disposition Rules
  • § 306 Hunting Seasons After Fire Closures
  • § 308 District 22 Wildlife Regulations
  • § 309 Witness Depositions And Hearings

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 1009.
View Official Source