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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 9Ch. 1§ 12005 Bear Part Sale Penalties

§ 12005 Bear Part Sale Penalties

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

§ 12005 Bear Part Sale Penalties

This law says if you knowingly sell, buy, or have bear parts without permission, you get a $250 fine for each part and can also face up to a $5,000 fine, up to a year in jail, or both. Bigger offenses with bear gallbladders bring higher fines and longer jail time.

Key Takeaways

  • •You pay $250 for every bear part you illegally sell, buy, or keep for sale.
  • •Each violation can also bring an extra fine up to $5,000 or up to a year in jail, or both.
  • •If you have two bear gallbladders and get probation or a suspended sentence, you must serve at least 30 days in jail.
  • •If you have three or more gallbladders, the extra fine can be up to $10,000 and you must serve at least three months in jail if you get probation.
  • •Separate violations add up, so each illegal bear part counts as its own penalty.

Example

A person sells two bear gallbladders to a collector.

Because they sold two gallbladders, they must pay $250 for each gallbladder ($500 total) and, if the judge gives probation or suspends the sentence, they must still spend at least 30 days in county jail.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12005 Bear Part Sale Penalties

(a) Notwithstanding Section 12000, and except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), the punishment for each violation of Section 4758 shall include both of the following: (1) A fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each bear part. As used in this paragraph, “bear part” means an individual part or group of like parts of any bear that the defendant knowingly and unlawfully sells, purchases, or possesses for sale. For the purposes of this paragraph, claws, paws, or teeth from a single bear that are knowingly purchased, sold, or possessed for sale with the intent that they be delivered to a single end user shall be considered a single part. (2) An additional fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or both that fine and imprisonment. (b) If the conviction is for the possession of two bear gallbladders and probation is granted, or if the execution or imposition of sentence is suspended, it shall be a condition thereof that a minimum term of 30 days shall be served in a county jail. (c) (1) The possession of three or more bear gallbladders is punishable by both of the following: (A) The fine specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). (B) An additional fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or both that fine and imprisonment. (2) If probation is granted, or the execution or imposition of sentence is suspended, it shall be a condition thereof that a minimum term of three months shall be served in a county jail. (d) Consecutive sentences shall be imposed for separate violations of this section. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 117. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

imprisonmentprobationsentenceconvictionpossessionfinedefendantpunishment

Related Statutes

  • § 12003.1 Overlimiting Wildlife Punishment
  • § 12012.5 Commercial Fishing In Protected Areas
  • § 12002 Misdemeanor Penalty Limits
  • § 12003 Second Violation Penalties
  • § 12003.2 Penalty For Unauthorized Taking

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 12005.
View Official Source