Starting July 1, 2015, non-lead ammunition will be required when hunting on all California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) lands, and for all Nelson bighorn sheep hunts anywhere in the state.
In October 2013, Assembly Bill 711 was signed into law requiring the phase-out of lead ammunition for hunting anywhere in the state by July 1, 2019. The bill also required an implementation plan designed to impose the least burden on California's hunters while adhering to the intent of the law. In April 2015, the Fish and Game Commission adopted DFW's proposed regulations and implementation plan.
Further phase-out of lead ammunition for hunting in California will continue on July 1, 2016, when non-lead ammunition will be required when hunting with shotguns for upland game birds (except for dove, quail and snipe), small game mammals, fur-bearing mammals and nongame birds except for when hunting at licensed game bird clubs. Non-lead ammunition will also be required when taking wildlife with shotguns for depredation purposes anywhere in the state.
Detailed information on the phase-out of lead ammunition for hunting in California can be accessed here.