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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 7Ch. 1Art. 1§ 10500 Game Refuge Protection Rules

§ 10500 Game Refuge Protection Rules

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

§ 10500 Game Refuge Protection Rules

This law says you can't take, keep, or hunt any animals or plants in special protected areas unless you have a permit.

Key Takeaways

  • •You need a permit to hunt, fish, or collect anything in a refuge.
  • •No guns, bows, BB guns, traps, or any hunting tools are allowed in a game refuge.
  • •You cannot take fish or use fishing gear in a fish refuge.
  • •Shooting or using weapons in a waterfowl refuge is prohibited.
  • •You can't take quail in a quail refuge.
  • •Collecting marine plants or invertebrates in a marine life refuge is not allowed.
  • •Digging for clams or using tools to get clams in a clam refuge is illegal.

Example

Someone goes to a fish refuge and tries to catch a trout with a net.

Because the area is a fish refuge, taking any fish there is illegal unless the person has a special permit, so they could be fined or charged.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10500 Game Refuge Protection Rules

Except under a permit or specific authorization, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (a) To take or possess a bird or mammal in a game refuge. (b) To use or have in possession in a game refuge, a firearm, BB device as defined in Section 16250 of the Penal Code, crossbow, bow and arrow, or a trap or other contrivance designed to be, or capable of being, used to take birds or mammals, or to discharge a firearm or BB device or to release an arrow or crossbow bolt into a game refuge. (c) To take or possess a fish or amphibian in a fish refuge, or to use or have in possession in that refuge a contrivance designed to be used for catching fish. (d) To take or possess a bird, discharge a firearm or BB device, or release an arrow or crossbow bolt, within or into a waterfowl refuge. (e) To take or possess a quail in a quail refuge. (f) To take or possess an invertebrate or specimen of marine plant life in a marine life refuge. (g) To take or possess a clam or an instrument or apparatus capable of being used to dig clams in a clam refuge. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 154, Sec. 95. (AB 1527) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

game refugefish refugewaterfowl refugequail refugemarine life refugeclam refuge

Related Statutes

  • § 10509 Fish And Game Refuges
  • § 10501 Deer Refuge Hearing Requirements
  • § 10507 Transporting Wildlife Through Refuges
  • § 10501.5 Condor Sanctuary Flight Restrictions
  • § 10502 Refuge Wildlife Control Permits

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 10500.
View Official Source