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Recreation
Ethics of shooting birds on the water or the ground?
Question: Is it lawful to shoot a bird that is on the water, or if I’m field hunting, to shoot a bird that is standing on the ground?
I do not consider it sporting, but I was party to a group of hunters that took part in the above actions.
Just curious what the official word is on this. (Nick V.)
Answer: It’s not illegal, but it’s certainly not sporting as it violates the Fair Chase Principle.
“Fair chase” is the ethical, sportsman-like, lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an unfair advantage over such animals.
In addition, it can also be unsafe to shoot birds on the ground or on the water because nearby hunters might be in your line of fire.
Is it legal to keep legal-sized fish caught in hoop nets?
Question: If I catch fish in a hoop net while lobster fishing, are they legal to keep provided they meet any size requirements? I have been throwing them back because I’m not sure it is legal to catch them that way.
Someone told me they must be caught on fishing line only. What about sea snails and octopus that are caught in my hoops? Can other line-caught sportfish, such as tuna, be used as bait in lobster hoops? Please advise. (Steve G.)
Answer: You were correct to return fish caught in your hoop nets because hoop nets are not a legal method of take. Finfish may only be caught by hook-and-line except in very specific circumstances listed under “Finfish – Gear Restrictions” in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.65).
Taking sea snails and octopus caught incidentally in your lobster hoop net is not allowed (CCR Title 14, section 29.10(a)). Any finfish that is legal to take or possess in California may be used as bait in your lobster hoop net.
If license is forgotten, will a photo copy of license do?
Question: My son and I fish from our private boat almost exclusively and keep our sport fishing licenses aboard so they are always present.
On rare occasions we will attempt to fish without the boat, and a few times have forgotten to bring our licenses.
To prevent us from mistakenly being without our fishing licenses, can we show a photo copy of our licenses or can the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issue more than one copy to a sport fisherman? (Murray C.)
Answer: Good questions, but the answers to both are no. You must have a valid fishing license in your possession when fishing or attempting to take fish, and you must present it to a game warden upon request. Additionally, only one license may be issued to a person per year.
Importing buffalo hides and products?
Question: Are there any restrictions on importing buffalo hides or buffalo art productions into California?
Answer: American buffalo (Bison bison) are considered a domestic breed of bovine (like cattle, goats and sheep) and thus no Fish and Wildlife laws regulate them.
American buffalo hides are not restricted by CDFW and so they may be imported or possessed as long as they were obtained legally.
However, the live importation of other species of true buffalo (e.g. African Cape Buffalo, etc.) or their hides is restricted by law (CCR Title 14, section 671).
Is it legal to catch carp and trout by hand?
Question: I recently read a post from people saying they had caught carp by hand in a lake. Is this legal in California? I have caught trout by hand in streams when I was younger, but wasn’t sure if that was legal either. Can you please clarify? (Nick)
Answer: There are no freshwater finfish species that can be legally taken by hand from any California lake waters within the state (only exception: a few fish species are allowed to be caught by hand during specific times in a few non-lake areas, as per CCR Title 14, sections 1.76 and 2.30.)
Electronics and hunting
Question: Is there any law against mounting a camera to the scope of a rifle to record my hunting experience? (Barry N.)
Answer: No, there is no law against this as long as there is no light emitted from the camera.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
SACRAMENTO – California State Parks is launching the Annual Park Pass Program, bringing back the popular “Golden Poppy” and introducing a new Tahoe area regional pass.
The Annual Park Pass Program consists of four different passes with a variety of admissions to parks statewide, and price points designed to meet visitor’s individual needs.
Specifically, the 2015 annual passes include:
– “California Explorer” Annual Pass ($195): Offers vehicle entrance to 134 state parks, including the Southern California beaches along the Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego Coasts.
– “Golden Poppy” Annual Pass ($125): This popular pass is making a comeback, and includes vehicle entrance to 112 state parks.
– “Tahoe Regional” Annual Pass ($75): This new regional pass was created this year specifically for one of the jewels of the state, the Lake Tahoe region. The pass includes admission to D.L. Bliss State Park, Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Donner Memorial State Park.
– “Historian Passport” ($50): Includes admission for up to four people to State Historic Parks that generally charge a per-person admission fee. Pass holders will be able to tour a California missions, see where the gold rush happened and experience Native American culture.
– “Off Highway Vehicle” Day Use Annual Pass ($50): unchanged from last year.
Beginning Dec. 23, the Annual Passes are available in the following:
– California State Parks Online Store.
– Park Pass Sales Office at 1416 9th Street, Room 144 in Sacramento.
On Jan. 5, passes will be available at state park units where fees are collected.
All of these passes are valid for a floating 12-month period from the date of purchase.
The 2014 Annual Passes (Surf Explorer, 150th Commemorative, California Park Experience), are available for purchase until Dec. 31 at walk-in locations, and will be honored for a full year after the date of purchase. Sales of the 2014 passes will be discontinued on Jan. 1.
For more information on California State Park’s Annual Park Pass Program and the locations where each will be honored, visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 .
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Bowfishing in the surf?
Question: Is it legal to bowfish in the surf?
Regulations say bowfishing is not allowed within 100 yards of the mouth of a stream. I’m guessing on the beach it is OK for finfish, like spotfin croakers?
However, I do know some beaches prohibit bowfishing because they consider a bow and arrow a deadly weapon. Do you know which ones? (David T.)
Answer: You should check with your local police or sheriff’s department first to determine if there are any city or county ordinances prohibiting the use of bow and arrow fishing tackle.
If not, it is legal to bowfish in the surf under the following conditions: Spears, harpoons and bow and arrow fishing tackle may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays and sharks, except white sharks.
Such gear may not be possessed or used within 100 yards of the mouth of any stream in any ocean waters north of Ventura County, nor aboard any vessel on any day or on any trip when broadbill swordfish or marlin have been taken.
Bow and arrow fishing tackle may be used to take finfish other than giant (black) sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon, broadbill swordfish, white shark, green sturgeon and white sturgeon (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 28.95, 27.90 and 27.91).
Can you hunt waterfowl not listed in the regulations?
Question: I know there are quite a few types of ducks that are not listed in the waterfowl regulations (e.g. teal, mergansers, etc.).
If a species is not specifically mentioned, does this mean that they can or cannot be hunted? (Joe D.)
Answer: The waterfowl regulations apply to all species of geese, ducks and mergansers. Coots have different regulations.
As long as the waterfowl species you wish to take does not have more specific regulations than the general bag limits, then that non-specified waterfowl species can be included in your general bag.
Retrieving game from private property?
Question: Where can I find the regulations on retrieving game that has moved onto another’s property after being shot? I believe that it is legal but I can’t find the regs. (Joe D.)
Answer: There are no regulations which allow you to recover game that ends up on private property.
You are expected to retrieve all game you harvest and not to cause wanton waste by failing to recover something you’ve shot, but you must get permission from the landowner to legally enter their property.
If you are not able to reach them for permission, you may contact the local game warden or sheriff and request assistance.
Buying diamondback rattlesnakes from Texas for taxidermy?
Question: I want to buy dead western diamondback rattlesnakes for taxidermy from a seller in Texas.
From what I read in the regulations, it is OK. The shipper just needs to label the box with the contents.
If this is legal, can you please provide the code section regarding buying/importing dead rattlesnakes? (Bryan W.)
Answer: Dead rattlesnakes can be purchased and imported into California (Fish and Game Code, section 2353).
You will just need to make sure the shipment comes with a completed Declaration for Entry form identifying what it is and where it’s coming from.
This declaration must be submitted to the department or a designated state or federal agency at or immediately prior to the time of entry.
Declaration is not required if shipped by common carrier under a bill of lading.
This form may be photocopied. The original copy of the declaration form shall be retained by the person importing the fish or game into the state.
One copy shall be mailed to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento, CA 95814, within 24 hours after entering the state.
One copy shall be deposited at the point of entry with any state or federal agency or officer, and one copy shall remain with the fish or game if transported by other than owner or common carrier.
“Point of entry” refers to the city or town nearest your point of entry into California.
Lobster hooping from a public pier
Question: While lobster hooping from a public pier, the maximum number of nets per person is two.
Can a person with two nets deployed for crab/lobster simultaneously use a fishing rod for finfish? What about if the person has a fishing license and lobster card? (Steve G.)
Answer: No, the regulations state that people fishing from a public pier can fish with only two “appliances,” so the two hoop nets and one fishing rod for finfish would total three.
You don’t need a fishing license to fish from a public pier, but anyone fishing for lobsters must have a valid lobster report card.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has some suggestions.
The 2015 Warden Stamp, depicting the image of the iconic black bear, is a great way to brighten someone's holiday while also supporting California's wildlife officers.
For a donation of just $5, the decal can be displayed on vehicles, equipment and other items.
The Warden Stamp Program was initiated in 2010 to address the need for better equipment and training for the state's wildlife officers and to provide funding for special law enforcement programs.
There are fewer than 400 wildlife officers to patrol and protect 159,000 square miles of California's natural habitat.
All funds raised from the sales of the stamp go to purchase essential law enforcement equipment for wildlife officers and to support CDFW's K-9 program.
For the angler on your list, now is the perfect time to purchase a fishing license gift voucher for just $47.01.
CDFW fishing licenses are valid for the calendar year, so buying one early ensures you get to enjoy a full year of fishing.
From catching trout in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, to harvesting spiny lobster off the southern coast, California abounds with fishing opportunities.
In the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, there are striped bass and giant white sturgeon, and in the coastal and valley streams of northern California, steelhead trout provide an exhilarating challenge for anglers.
With more than 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,172 lakes and reservoirs, 80 major rivers, and more than 1,100 miles of coastline, there are fishing opportunities for everyone.
And for those curious about the diverse work that CDFW does, consider purchasing an annual subscription to the department's award-winning publication Outdoor California for just $12, a 20-percent discount for the holidays.
Outdoor California magazine celebrates the state's natural habitat and wildlife with stunning photography and in-depth features. In the six issues that arrive with a year's subscription, subscribers receive a behind-the-scenes perspective into the fascinating field work done by environmental scientists and an up-close look at wildlife investigations conducted by dedicated wildlife officers.
Contact Editor Troy Swauger at 916-322-8932 or
All items can be purchased online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales .
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- Written by: Editor