There may be more then 10 areas available for hunting but hunters may only occupy 10 areas at one time.  Once the numbers of an area are zero'd out a new area may be utilized for hunting.

In order to hunt aboard Camp Pendleton you must:

• Be Active Duty, Retired from Active Duty, DOD Civilian, or a Dependant of the prior.
• Have a current year CA State hunting license.
• Have a current year Camp Pendleton hunting permit.

You MUST Check in and out with the game wardens before hunting each time.

• Hunting is normally open on most weekends and holidays.
• All dates and times are subject to change based upon Fire Danger Rating and/or Threat condition.

• Check the Hunting Seasons
• Dates and Times for the Hunter Safety Brief
• Prior Years Deer Harvest Report: 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007
• All Harvest Report: 2007
  

Resource Enforcement and Compliance Branch Federal Game Wardens and Wildlife Technicians

Important Camp Pendleton Hunting Regulations

Detailed instructions regarding Camp Pendleton’s Hunting Program are published in the 1710 Battalion Bulletin Series.  The following information is provided as a brief summary.  Hunters are still responsible to know and abide by all Base, State and Federal Regulations.  Any Resource Enforcement and Compliance (REC) Branch employee can answer any questions you may have.  Our office number is 760-725-3360 and we are located in Building 2648. Our regular hours of operation are 0800 to 1800 daily (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and News Years Day).

Personnel Authorized for Hunting:  Active Duty, Retired, Active Reserve, DOD and authorized MCCS employees and their dependents.  The minimum age to hunt on base is 12 years old, and must be accompanied by an authorized adult sponsor.

Check-in Procedures:  All personnel must physically check in with REC Branch employees at building 2648 before entering any area of the Base to Hunt, scout or train hunting dogs.  The REC Branch office hours do change during specific hunting seasons and dates.  Please ask for specific information that pertains to the species and seasons you wish to hunt. 

Changing Hunting Areas:  Once small game, archery deer, and waterfowl hunters have checked into an area, they may call the REC Branch to change from their assigned hunting area into another hunting area.  Rifle deer hunters must physically return to the office to change their assigned hunting area or change from deer to small, upland or waterfowl hunting.

Violation of Regulations and Check In/Out Procedures:  Failure to comply with any of the Base, State or Federal regulations can result in automatic suspension or revocation of hunting privileges.

Hunting Hours, Seasons, and Bag Limits:  Hunting hours, seasons and bag limits are the same as those published by the State of California.  Hunting aboard Camp Pendleton is restricted to weekends and specified holidays.  The Chief Game Warden may modify and restrict areas, seasons and bag limits for game management, safety, security and/or Fire Danger Ratings (FRD).

Legal Weapons:  Legal hunting weapons allowed aboard Camp Pendleton are rifle, shotguns, crossbows, and archery equipment.  Pistols may be used to hunt coyote only.  All weapons and ammunition must conform to California Dept. of Fish and Game criteria.

Weapons Registration:  Hunters should contact the Base Provost Marshall regarding regulations for weapons registration.  PMO is located in building 1523 and can be reached at 760-725-0819.  They are open from 0800-1500 Monday through Friday.

Area Boundaries:  Hunters are responsible to know the boundaries of the training area they are checking into.  Hunters are required to stay within their designated training / hunting area.   Personnel that are unsure of the boundaries should ask one of the employees and also request an area hunting map.  Hunters traveling to and from their hunting area must use the most direct route to these areas. Hunters should be cognizant that due to safety and training, they can be asked to move out of their area at any time by authorized personnel.  No hunting is permitted outside of your authorized area or within 400 yards of housing/cantonment areas or within 150 yards of any structure or building.  This includes sewage treatment plants and adjoining oxidation and filtration ponds.  Shooting is not allowed across any established roadway open to vehicle traffic.

Special Hunting Areas:  Bravo-3, Juliet, Mike, November and the Santa Margarita River areas are designated as special hunting areas.  Rifle equipment is not allowed within special use areas. Specific areas may be temporarily or permanently designated as special hunting areas as determined by the Assistant Chief of Staff, Environmental Security or his designated representative.

Hunting Dog Training:  Persons authorized hunting privileges may train or practice on any wild/domestic bird between 1 July and 31 March provided such birds are not killed, captured, or injured and no instrument (weapon), capable of killing or capturing, injuring the animal may be possessed by the trainer or other persons. Only authorized manufactured training devices may be used for training. All personnel must check in with the REC Branch for the time and area authorized for training.  Once training is completed the owner shall comply with the Base’s leash regulations, which stipulates that at no time, are dogs authorized to run freely, except as indicated above.

Violations and Suspensions:  Procedures for disposition of hunting violations are outlined in Base Order P5000.J. Violation of any State, Federal or Base Regulation can result in suspension and/or revocation of permits. Notification of suspension requires that personnel must relinquish their hunting permits immediately.

Safety: All hunters are required to wear a hunter orange safety vest, excluding waterfowl and archery deer hunters, while hunting in a non co-use hunting area.  Waterfowl and archery deer hunters hunting an area where they have exclusive use of the hunting area and no other type of hunting is involved, do not have to wear hunter orange. No dependent under the age of 18 may carry or use any weapon on Camp Pendleton, unless accompanied by an adult, authorized the hunting privilege and assumes all responsibility for the underage person. Safety is paramount!  Rifle scopes will not be used for glassing an area.  Target plinking on base is strictly prohibited.  Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.  Hunters should always be aware of their target and what is behind it.  Hunters are responsible for carrying out all trash and litter brought into the area, to include shot shells, cartridges, etc.  Mandatory safety briefs may be given prior to allowing personnel to hunt.  Unexploded Ordnance:  If a hunter sees any unused ordnance, it should be left where it was found and report it to the REC Branch.  

Vehicles:  Weapons will be unloaded at all times when being transported in a vehicle.  Hunters are restricted to driving on paved and improved dirt roads only.  An improved dirt road is one that is graded.  Driving on firebreaks or off roading is prohibited.  Speed limit on all dirt roads is 15 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

Fire Danger Rating (FDR):  A FDR system is in effect on Base and is controlled by the Fire Chief.  As the rating increases, hunting areas/hunting may be restricted.  Only drive and park on designated roads or bare earth.  No exceptions, smoking is not allowed in the field while hunting.