California

Hunting License Validating Stamps

Starting with the 1962-63 season, California printed one type of generic hunting license. The licenses were differentiated by separate hunting license validating stamps for residents, resident juniors and non residents. All of the stamps were non-pictorial with the exception of the resident stamps for 1970-71. The 1970-71 resident stamps featured an image of the California golden bear in the background, and served to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the California Department of Fish and Game. The hunting license validation stamps were the first required statewide to hunt waterfowl, along with other game birds and mammals, in California. When pictorial duck stamps were issued starting in 1971, both state stamps wererequired in addition to a federal waterfowl stamp.

The stamps were self-adhesive which required a protective backing. The 1962-63 stamps were issued in booklet panes of five (5x1) with a tab at the left. Five panes were stapled together to form a booklet. The stamps were issued with a plain rouletted tab at the top but were otherwise imperforate. When the validation stamps were issued, the date was written on the stamps with a pen. In addition, deer, bear, pheasant or shipping tag numbers were frequently written on the stamps. The most famous error in this long series occurred on the 1976-77 stamps for juniors, when "Deer Tag No." was printed under two separate lines on stamps from position one. This has become known as the "Deer-Deer Error". The normal stamps had lines for deer and bear tag numbers to be filled in.

Starting with the 1963-64 issues, the stamps were die cut, mounted on a protective backing and issued in fold-out booklets containing 25, 10 and five stamps for the three classifications, respectively. All stamps through 1968-69 have serial numbers printed in red ink. Starting with the 1969-70 issues, all stamps were numbered in black with the exception of the 1970-71 resident stamps which were numbered in blue. The serial numbers have three components. The left portion is an "H" indicating that the serial number pertains to hunting license validation stamps (as opposed to fishing). The center portion specifies the number of the booklet which contained the stamp. The right portion is a position number indicating the relative placement of the stamp within the booklet.

As originally reported by E. L.Vanderford (1973), California printed approximately 200 resident stamps each year for purchase by state officials. This practice started with the 1962-63 issues and continued through at least the 1974-75 issues. Known as "special prestige" stamps, the few recorded examples can be distinguished from regular resident stamps as follows: 1968-69 stamps are missing both the "H" and the position component fi-om the serial number; 1969-70 stamps are missing the position component from the serial number and were printed on light green paper vs. white for the regular stamps, and the 1974-75 stamps are missing the "H" as well as the position component from the serial number. In addition, the special prestige stamps were affixed to license forms with matching serial numbers printed on them.

Resident stamps were overprinted "NO FEE" with a rubber stamp and issued to disabled veterans at no charge through the 1980-81 season. A small number of stamps for each classification were overprinted "DUPLICATE" and issued to hunters who reported their original license and stamp as lost or destroyed prior to the end of the season. Stamps overprinted "VOID" were samples sent to the printer to be used as proofs the following year. Occasionally these were returned to the license section by the printer and subsequently given to collectors by friendly clerks.

Stamps issued from 1993-94 through 1995-96, had a white stripe printed on them so that the serial number was more readily visible. California discontinued issuing hunting license validating stamps following the 1995-96 seasons. At this time, the state resumed printing separate license forms for resident, junior and non-resident hunters. For more in-depth information, see Hunting License Validating Stamps.

Unsigned values are for unused stamps, free from any notations, that have been removed from their backing paper. This was once a common practice among collectors in order to prevent the adhesive from possibly migrating through the stamps and discoloring their face. Unsigned values for 1962-63 stamps are for those with the tab attached.

Figure CA3
Figure CA4
Figure CA5
Figure CA6

Series
Number
Figure
Number
Validity
Period
Face
Value
DescriptionUnused
Value
Unsigned
Value
Signed
Value
1.
F-CA31962-63$4.00black and red on white, resident
on license
650.00400.005.00
7.00
1a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
250.00200.00250.00
425.00
2.F-CA31962-63$1.00black and red on yellow, junior
on license
2,250.001,550.0075.00
95.00
3.F-CA31962-63$25.00black and red on green, non-resident
on license
4,500.003,750.00175.00
225.00
4.
F-CA41963-64$4.00black and red on green, resident
on license
2.00
4.00
4a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license

5.F-CA41963-64$1.00black and red on gray, junior
on license
20.00
30.00
6.F-CA41963-64$25.00black and red on yellow-orange, non-resident
on license
650.00
7.
F-CA41964-65$4.00black and red on pink, resident
on license
30.0015.001.00
1.50
7a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
250.00200.00250.00
400.00
8. F-CA41964-65$1.00black and red on yellow-brown, junior
on license
300.00225.0025.00
35.00
9.F-CA41964-65$25.00black and red on dark gray, non-resident
on license
overprinted "VOID"
450.0075.00
95.00
10.F-CA41965-66$4.00black and red on gray, resident
on license
20.0010.001.00
1.50
10a.overprinted "No Fee" for disabled veterans
on license

11.F-CA41965-66$1.00black and red on yellow-gray, junior
on license
150.0025.00
35.00
12.F-CA41965-66$25.00black and red on ivory, non-resident
on license
450.0075.00
95.00
13.
F-CA41966-67$4.00black and red on salmon, resident
on license
20.0010.001.00
1.50
13a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
350.00
14.
F-CA41966-67$1.00black and red on light blue, junior
on license
75.0045.0010.00
20.00
14a.light blue color missing along right side-
15.F-CA41966-67$25.00black and red on burgandy, non-resident
on license
375.0075.00
95.00
16.F-CA41967-68$4.00black and red on yellow, resident
on license
20.0010.001.00
1.50
16a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabaled veterans
on license
325.00
16b.booklet number missing, written in with a ballpoint pen950.00
16c.position number missing350.00
16d.yellow color missing along right side-
17.F-CA41967-68$1.00black and red on green, junior
on license
45.0025.005.00
10.00
17a.black and red on yellow-gray, paper error
on license

18.F-CA41967-68$25.00black and red on brown, non-resident
on license
75.0045.0025.00
50.00
19.F-CA41968-69$4.00black on pink, resident
on license
55.0025.001.00
1.50
19a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
325.00
19b.special "prestige number" for state officials
on license
20.F-CA41968-69$1.00black on blue-gray, junior
on license
175.00125.0020.00
30.00
20a.overprinted "DUPLICATE" in black
on license
21.F-CA41968-69$25.00black on light orange, non-resident
on license
85.00
125.00
22.F-CA41969-70$4.00black on white, resident
on license
45.0020.001.00
1.50
22a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
325.00
22b.special "prestiege number" for state officials, black on light green
on license
23.F-CA41969-70$1.00black on dark pink, junior
on license
175.00110.0020.00
30.00
24.F-CA41969-70$25.00black on light yellow, non-resident
on license
70.0035.0025.00
50.00
25.F-CA41970-71$4.00blue on manila, resident
on license
65.0035.002.00
5.00
25a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
1,500.00900.00
1,250.00
25b.overprinted "DUPLICATE" in red
on license
26.F-CA41970-71$1.00black on blue-gray, junior
on license
75.0030.0010.00
20.00
27.F-CA41970-71$25.00black on gray-brown, non resident
on license
75.0055.0025.00
50.00
28. F-CA41971-72$4.00black on green, resident
on license
30.0020.001.00
1.50
28a.overprinted "NO FEE" for disabled veterans
on license
325.00
28b.overprinted "DISABLED VETERAN/NO FEE"
on license
450.00
28c.green color missing along right side
29.F-CA41971-72$1.00black on lavender, junior
on license
95.0020.00
30.00
30.F-CA41971-72$25.00black on peach, non-resident
on license
275.00175.0035.00
60.00
31.F-CA41972-73$6.00black on pink, resident
on license
55.001.00
1.50
31a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE"
on license
450.00
32.F-CA41972-73$2.00black on light yellow, junior
on license
30.00
40.00
33.F-CA41972-73$35.00black on lavender, non-resident
on license
225.00125.0035.00
60.00
34.F-CA41973-74$6.00black on blue, resident
on license
35.001.00
1.50
34a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE"
on license
450.00
35.F-CA41973-74$2.00black on lavender, junior
on license
175.00100.0020.00
30.00
36.F-CA41973-74$35.00black on gray, non-resident
on license
275.00175.0035.00
60.00
37.F-CA41974-75$6.00black on green, resident
on license
35.0020.001.00
1.50
37a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE
on license
475.00
37b.special "prestige number" for state officials
on license

38.F-CA41974-75$2.00black on orange, junior
on license
20.00
30.00
39.F-CA41974-75$35.00black on reddish-purple, non-resident
on license
175.00100.0025.00
50.00
40.F-CA41975-76$10.00red-brown on brown, resident
on license
40.0020.001.00
1.50
40a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE"
on license
500.00
41.F-CA41975-76$2.00black on dark red, junior
on license
80.0050.0020.00
30.00
42.F-CA41975-76$35.00black on yellow, non-resident
on license
85.0050.0025.00
50.00
43.F-CA41976-77$10.00black on blue, resident
on license
30.0020.001.00
1.50
43a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE"
on license
750.00
44.F-CA41976-77$2.00black on gray-violet, junior
on license
100.0070.0020.00
30.00
44a.stamps from position one have "Deer Tag No." printed under the
line where "Bear Tag No." should be printed, in error
on license
44b.stamps from position nine have "Dear Tag No." printed under the
line where "Deer Tag No." should be printed, in error
on license
45.F-CA41976-77$35.00black on lavender, non-resident
on license
85.0055.0025.00
50.00
46.F-CA41977-78$10.00black on red-orange, resident
on license
25.0015.001.00
1.50
46a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE"
on license
450.00
550.00
47.F-CA41977-78$2.00black on yellow-green, junior
on license
70.0035.0020.00
30.00
48.F-CA41977-78$35.00black on pink, non-resident
on license
95.00
65.00
35.00
60.00
49.F-CA41978-79$10.00black on yellow, resident
on license
30.0020.001.00
1.50
49a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERANS/NO FEE"
on license
425.00
49b.overprinted "DISABLED VETERAN"
on license
50.F-CA41978-79$2.00black on red, junior
on license
70.0035.0020.00
30.00
51.F-CA41978-79$35.00black on light brown, non-resident
on license
85.0045.0025.00
50.00
51a.on heavy glassine backing
52.F-CA41979-80$10.00black on red, resident
on license
30.0020.001.00
1.50
52a.overprinted "Disabled Veterans/NO FEE"
on license
425.00
525.00
52b.overprinted "DISABLED VETERAN"
on license
53.F-CA41979-80$2.00black on yellow-green, junior
on license
70.0035.0020.00
30.00
54.F-CA41979-80$35.00black on dark blue, non-resident
on license
85.0045.0025.00
50.00
55.F-CA41980-81$10.25black on blue, resident
on license
25.0015.001.00
1.50
55a.overprinted "DISABLED VETERNS/NO FEE"
on license
1,100.00
56.F-CA41980-81$2.00black on light brown, junior
on license
50.0025.0015.00
25.00
57.F-CA41980-81$36.25black on tan, non-resident
on license
65.0035.0025.00
50.00
58.F-CA41981-82$11.50black on dark green, resident
on license
30.0020.001.00
1.50
59.F-CA41981-82$2.25black on blue, junior
on license
75.0045.0020.00
30.00
60.F-CA41981-82$40.00black on gray, non-resident
on license
200.00
100.00

35.00
60.00
61.F-CA41982-83$12.50black on pink, resident
on license
30.0020.001.00
1.50
62.F-CA41982-83$2.50black on brown, junior
on license
75.0045.0020.00
30.00
63.F-CA41982-83$43.50black on orange, non-resident
on license
140.00
85.00
25.00
50.00
64.F-CA41983-84$13.50black on blue, resident
on license
50.00
30.00
1.00
1.50
65.F-CA41983-84$2.75black on purple, junior
on license
150.00
95.00
20.00
30.00
66.F-CA41983-84$46.50black on green, non-resident
on license
175.00
125.00
25.00

67.F-CA41984-85$13.25black on yellow, resident
on license
50.00
30.00
1.00
1.50
68.F-CA41984-85$2.75black on green, junior
on license
150.00
95.00
20.00
30.00
69.F-CA41984-85$49.25black on brown, non-resident
on license
175.00
125.00
25.00
50.00
70.F-CA41985-86$14.00black on blue, resident
on license
50.00
30.00
1.00
1.50
71.F-CA41985-86$3.50black on yellow, junior
on license
150.00
95.00
20.00
30.00
72.F-CA41985-86$51.75black on purple, non-resident
on license
175.00
125.00
25.00
50.00
73.F-CA41986-87$18.50black on green, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
74.F-CA41986-87$4.50black on dark blue, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
75.F-CA41986-87(information needed)non-resident
76.F-CA41987-88$17.50black on dark blue, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
77.F-CA41987-88$4.50black on purple, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
78.F-CA41987-88(information needed)non-resident
79.F-CA41988-89$19.25black on tan, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
80.F-CA41988-89$5.00black on yellow, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
81.F-CA41988-89(information needed)non-resident
82.F-CA41989-90$19.75black on blue-gray, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
83.F-CA41989-90$5.00black on dark green, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
84.F-CA41989-90(information needed)non-resident
85.F-CA41990-91$21.50black on reddish-gray, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
86.F-CA41990-91$5.50black on yellow, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
87.F-CA41990-91$73.00black on pink, non-resident
on license
25.00
40.00
88.F-CA41991-92$23.10black on lime green, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
89.F-CA41991-92$5.50black on bluish-purple, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
90.F-CA41991-92$79.80black on brown, non-resident
on license
25.00
40.00
91.F-CA41992-93$24.15black on yellow, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
92.F-CA41992-93$5.80black on greenish-gold, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
93.F-CA41992-93$83.75black on mauve, non-resident
on license
25.00
40.00
94.F-CA61993-94$24.40black and white on green, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
95.F-CA61993-94$5.80black and white on light blue, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
96.F-CA61993-94-(information needed) non resident
97.F-CA61994-95$24.95black and white on pale yellow, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
98.F-CA61994-95$6.05black and white on lavender, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
99.F-CA61994-95$86.90black and white on gray, non-resident
on license
25.00
40.00
100.F-CA61995-96$24.45black and white on gray-brown, resident
on license
1.00
1.50
101.F-CA61995-96$6.30black and white on pink, junior
on license
15.00
20.00
102.F-CA61995-96$88.70black and white on pale blue, non-resident
on license
25.00
40.00