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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 2Ch. 5Art. 2§ 1528 Public Recreation Land Use

§ 1528 Public Recreation Land Use

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

§ 1528 Public Recreation Land Use

This law says lands set aside for public shooting, marine recreation, or wildlife areas must be run as a nonprofit, can have only basic facilities for things like camping, picnicking, boating, or swimming, and the commission can charge fees (except for organized youth and school groups) while only people with a valid hunting license can get shooting permits.

Key Takeaways

  • •Lands for shooting, marine recreation, or wildlife are run as nonprofit.
  • •Only basic facilities (camping, picnicking, boating, swimming) are provided, not full amenities.
  • •The commission can set and collect fees for use, but organized youth and school groups are exempt.
  • •Only people with a valid hunting license can apply for shooting permits.

Example

A family wants to camp and swim at a wildlife management area.

The area is run as a nonprofit and only has simple campsites, picnic tables, and a swimming spot. The family pays a small fee set by the commission, but if they were part of an organized school field trip, they wouldn't have to pay. If they wanted to hunt there, they would need a valid hunting license to get a shooting permit.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1528 Public Recreation Land Use

Lands, or lands and water, acquired for public shooting grounds, state marine (estuarine) recreational management areas, or wildlife management areas shall be operated on a nonprofit basis by the department. Multiple recreational use of wildlife management areas is desirable and that use shall be encouraged by the commission. Except for hunting and fishing purposes, only minimum facilities to permit other forms of multiple recreational use, such as camping, picnicking, boating, or swimming, shall be provided. Except as provided in Section 1765, and to defray the costs associated with multiple use, the commission may determine and fix the amount of, and the department shall collect, fees for any use privileges. However, tours by organized youth and school groups are exempt from the payment of those fees. Only persons holding valid hunting licenses may apply for or obtain shooting permits for public shooting grounds, state marine (estuarine) recreational management areas, or wildlife management areas. (Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 385, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

public shooting groundsstate marine (estuarine) recreational management areaswildlife management areasnonprofit basismultiple recreational use

Related Statutes

  • § 1525 Wildlife Habitat Management Authority
  • § 1526 Wildlife Area Acquisition Rules
  • § 1527 Wildlife Land Title Acquisition
  • § 1530 Wildlife Area Access Rules
  • § 1526.4 Recreational Homesite Lease Extension

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 1528.
View Official Source