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Recreation
Deer hunting in an area closed following a fire
Question: My son and I have drawn G37 tags. We have been trying for 15 years to draw this once-in-a-lifetime hunt.
My concern is that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has closed a big portion of this area because of the Rim Fire and the El Portal Fire.
Is there anything that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) can do to get these closed areas open?
We don't want to exchange our tags for the G37 hunt, we would like the USFS to open the closed areas that are in the G37 zone that burned.
We and the other hunters would appreciate whatever CDFW can do for us. Thank you. (Dennis and Brent S.)
Answer: Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to require them to reopen the burned area.
The fire closures are implemented whenever the USFS decides they are warranted.
The best we can do is to refer you to the USFS district office so you can talk directly to those making the decisions. That might be your best hope.
And regarding your tags, even if you did want to exchange your tags, there are no refunds for deer tags. There are no exchanges for premium tags either.
We can exchange restricted and unrestricted deer tags provided the following: 1) the earliest season for their zone has not already started, 2) tag quota for the tag they want to exchange is not yet filled, 3) tags remain in the zone they want to exchange for, and 4) you pay the current exchange fee.
For more details, please check California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 708.14(j).
Shark took my salmon!
Question: While fishing off of Shelter Cove for salmon a while back, a large shark latched onto a salmon hooked on the line.
After a few minutes of fight, the shark raised its head out of the water and bit through the salmon it had in its jaws, leaving the salmon head and 6 to 8 inches of flesh.
My question is, by regulation, do we have to count the head as one of our take?
We kept the head in the fish box and salvaged as much of the flesh as we could so as not to waste resources. (Rick W., Shelter Cove)
Answer: Since you landed the remainder of the salmon, you must count the fish toward your bag limit.
However, since the fish was not retained in a whole condition, it would have been illegal to possess since it could not be measured to determine if it met the legal length requirement.
So, while salvaging as much of the flesh as you could so as not to waste resources may have been the “right” thing to do, legally, you should have sent the head and remaining carcass back to the ocean to let other marine organisms utilize it.
And if you had sent the carcass back down without salvaging the remainder of the fish, it would not count toward your daily bag limit.
How to pay for not returning lobster card?
Question: I did not return my lobster card last season, and I would like to know how/where I can pay my fine so I can get another card for this coming season.
Answer: When you go to purchase your 2014-2015 lobster report card, the clerk should tell you that you need to pay your $20 non-return fee first.
After paying this fee, you should be able to purchase your new lobster report card.
Nonlead for all hunting on a wildlife area?
Question: I won a G12 deer tag this year (either sex shotgun only, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area).
Because this is a popular waterfowl hunting area, am I legally allowed to use lead slugs or do I need to use nonlead slugs? (Philipp K.)
Answer: Yes, you may use lead slugs.
In 2014, the use of lead slugs to hunt on state wildlife areas is not prohibited. However, this may be the last year that you can use lead ammunition for big game at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.
In 2013, Assembly Bill 711 was approved by the governor and chaptered into law by the secretary of state.
AB 711 added several sections to the Fish and Game Code, one of which (3005.5(b)) requires a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition when taking wildlife for any purposes anywhere in the state by July 1, 2019.
This section also requires the Fish and Game Commission to develop a phase-in regulation by July 1, 2015, designed to impose the least burden on California's hunters while still implementing the intent of the law.
For more information regarding implementation of AB 711, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/lead-free/ .
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
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Access within Jackson Demonstration State Forest on Road 700 is temporarily closed to all unauthorized motor vehicle traffic.
As Road 700 is the primary access road to the Mendocino Woodlands State Park, an alternate route has been designated via JDSF Road 720.
This is a temporary area closure for public safety while a road improvement project is conducted on Forest Road 700.
The work is expected to take about three weeks, with area to be reopened by Friday, Oct. 3.
Forest officials thank the public for its understanding and cooperation.
Additional access information can be obtained by forest office at 707-964-5674 or visiting http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php .
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- Written by: Editor
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) would like to remind hunters that California’s waterfowl hunting seasons are just weeks away.
Opening and closing dates vary by zone and can be found by following the links below.
– Waterfowl season dates: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations/2014-Waterfowl-Hunting-Regulations ;
– Waterfowl hunting regulations: http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/waterfowlregs.aspx .
In most years, good public hunting access can be found on over two dozen national wildlife refuges and state wildlife areas.
This year, the ongoing drought is affecting waterfowl habitat on these areas. The amount of water available to wildlife areas and refuges varies.
Some areas will have significantly reduced amounts of water available for habitat management, while others will have normal to near-normal water conditions.
Therefore, some wildlife areas and refuges may be closed, may open later in the season or may have a reduced hunter quota.
CDFW is making every effort to only offer reservation applications to areas that will be open for hunting. However, last minute closures may occur due to uncertain water availability and refunds cannot be issued for applications submitted to areas that close due to lack of water.
Waterfowl hunters should stay up-to-date on reservation and quota numbers, which are expected to fluctuate frequently by checking online at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/waterfowl/areas.html .
Hunters can also check the Twitter tag #cawildlifeareaclosures for updates on state-operated wildlife area closures.
In an ongoing effort to expand public access, CDFW recently announced waterfowl hunting opportunities through the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program at the Merced Wildlife Management Area in Merced County.
The SHARE program has partnered with California Waterfowl to offer additional hunting opportunities, including the recently acquired Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area located approximately eight miles south of Kern National Wildlife Refuge.
For a full description of the hunts offered and step-by-step instructions on how to apply, visit https://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/share/#opp .
For more information about the California Waterfowl Hunt Program visit http://www.calwaterfowl.org/hunt-program .
A valid California hunting license, appropriate validations and a signed federal waterfowl conservation stamp must be obtained before entering the field.
In addition to these items, a wildlife area pass is required to hunt on many state-operated wildlife areas. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas, so hunters must purchase these items in advance.
For online license sales, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/ ; for CDFW license agents, visit https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/OutletSearch/FindOutlet .
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Each year approximately 30,000 students complete this requirement.
To find a hunter education course, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx .
Whether you’re hunting geese in the Klamath Basin, calling ducks somewhere in the vast wetlands of the Sacramento Valley or experiencing the large snow goose flights of the Wister Wildlife Area in Southern California, CDFW encourages hunters to get out and enjoy our state’s unmatched waterfowl hunting opportunities. Be safe and have fun.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold its Game Bird Heritage Apprentice pheasant junior hunt on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The hunt will be held at the Highland Springs Recreation Area, 3600 E. Highland Springs Road near Lakeport.
The deadline to apply is Oct. 15.
Apply online at the CDFW Web site, www.wildlife.ca.gov , or call 916-374-9137.
The Konocti Rod and Gun Club and Lake County Rod and Gun Club are cosponsors of the event.
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- Written by: Editor