Recreation
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Nontoxic ammo
Q: Many sporting goods stores ran out of copper and steel ammo at the beginning of the pandemic. How can hunters continue to use the correct ammo?
A: It is true that finding nontoxic hunting ammunition as required by law in California has been a real challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors contributed to the ammo shortage during the past couple years including global supply chain issues, a lack of raw materials such as steel, bismuth, nickel and copper, and a huge demand among consumers who were buying – and often hoarding – ammo of all types and kinds.
The good news in the spring of 2022 is that the availability of nontoxic hunting ammunition appears to be increasing at most sporting goods stores. Availability likely will depend on the type of ammunition you are looking for and the time of year. Nontoxic ammunition for standard, popular rifle calibers and shotgun gauges may be easier to find in the brand and configuration you want compared to more niche rifle calibers and subgauge shotguns.
Similarly, it will be hard to find nontoxic dove loads and deer rounds right before those seasons open. The best advice we can offer is not to wait until hunting season to shop for ammo. Dove and deer hunters, for example, need to start looking now for seasons that open in September and might have to adjust expectations about finding their favorite brand and cartridge.
Additionally, different types of metals are used today to make nontoxic ammunition beyond just copper and steel. You may be able to find nontoxic ammunition more easily if you widen your search to include options such as bismuth, tungsten and metal alloys. These alternative metals can be even more effective than steel or lead; the downside is that they often are more expensive as well.
If you locate your nontoxic ammunition of choice online or from an out-of-state sporting goods store, you can work with your local Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder or licensed ammunition vendor to have the ammunition shipped and transferred to you in California. Licensed retailers in California typically charge a small handling fee for this service.
Grunion regulations
Q: I heard there are new regulations for California grunion. What do I need to know?
A: Effective June 1, 2022, the new regulations add the month of June to the seasonal no-take closure for grunion. The closure now extends from April 1 through June 30. Additionally, a bag and possession limit of 30 grunion per person was created. See CDFW’s news release for more information.
During the open season, a California fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No nets or appliances of any kind may be used to take grunion, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. Visit CDFW’s grunion web page for species facts, a schedule of expected runs and regulation information.
Desert tortoise
Q: I was at a public event where an organization was giving out a desert tortoise care sheet with instructions on how to care for one as a pet. Isn’t the desert tortoise a protected species?
A: Yes, the desert tortoise is listed as a threatened species under the federal and California Endangered Species Acts, and is currently under consideration for uplisting to endangered in California. It is illegal to remove desert tortoises from the wild, but some people had pet desert tortoises before the law was enacted. Possession of a desert tortoise requires a permit and a permit sticker from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)—which is how wildlife officers would determine whether a desert tortoise is legally possessed.
Once in captivity as a pet, desert tortoises can never be released back into the wild because they frequently contract a respiratory disease that can decimate the already dwindling wild populations. For this reason, pet tortoises that were abandoned can sometimes be legally re-homed. More information can be found on the California Turtle and Tortoise Club website.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LOWER LAKE, Calif. — The next in the series of monthly “Second Saturday” guided nature walks at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will be held on Saturday, June 11, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Each in the series of guided nature walks is led by a volunteer State Parks docent.
The hike will cover parts of the Cache Creek Nature Trail, the Marsh Trail and the Ridge Trail.
The hike is over mostly level terrain and will cover about 3 miles at a leisurely pace. The hike should last between 1.5 and two hours.
Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife that can be found in the ranch house and barn complex yard — the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.
There is no charge for the guided nature walk and parking is free for those attending.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
For more information about the guided walk, email
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
What happened to premium big game tags?
Q: Last year, hunters could apply for a draw for several premium big game tags that aren’t usually available to the public. This year, I haven’t heard anything about that opportunity. Did the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) stop doing this? What happened to the premium fundraising tags?
A: CDFW has authority to make special big game tags for deer, elk, desert bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope available for the purpose of raising funds for programs and projects that benefit big game species. These fundraising tags have historically been available through two processes: auctions conducted by nonprofit organizations to raise funds on behalf of CDFW, and through random draw raffle in the CDFW licensing system.
Nonprofits compete for the tags made available through a solicitation by submitting an application to CDFW. The nonprofits that are awarded tags can then auction or raffle the tags to raise funds on behalf of CDFW for projects and programs that benefit big game species. These tags are very popular at their fundraising dinners and other events, often drawing many bidders and bringing in many thousands of dollars. The nonprofit is allowed to retain five percent of the amount. The remainder is returned to CDFW and deposited into the Big Game Management Account to support big game conservation.
Several of these premium fundraising tags have also been made available to members of the public through the CDFW licensing system, through purchase of a random draw opportunity. Last year, the application fee for an opportunity to win one of the fundraising tags was $7.01. In 2021, the number of fundraising tags available through CDFW was unprecedented because of nonprofits having to cancel events due to the pandemic.
This year, all the fundraising tags were made available to nonprofits who are returning to normal operations and scheduling their in-person fundraising events to support their conservation work. Although the direct-to-the-public option is not available this year, we recognize that there is much interest in bringing this option back. CDFW is looking into this possibility and feasibility to make it a regular, annual option.
Native plants
Q: What kind of work does CDFW’s Native Plant Program do?
A: The Native Plant Program is a component of CDFW’s Habitat Conservation Planning Branch. The program coordinates CDFW’s statewide plant conservation efforts, issues scientific, educational and management permits for state-listed plants, manages grants for plant research and conservation through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (section 6) of the federal Endangered Species Act, evaluates petitions to protect plant species under the California Endangered Species Act and provides education and outreach regarding California’s native plants.
Mussel stickers
Q: I went to renew my boat registration for an upcoming fishing trip on the Delta and found out I had to pay an extra $16 for a new invasive mussel sticker. What gives?
A: Neither the sticker nor the fee is new. What is new is the process for acquiring the Mussel Fee Sticker to place on your boat.
Prior to September 2021, boat owners simply purchased their Mussel Fee Sticker either from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a third party and within the same transaction as their boat registration renewal. Beginning in September 2021, the Mussel Fee Sticker must be purchased directly from DMV and through a separate transaction. This process was changed to align with federal requirements. Boat owners can purchase the Mussel Fee Sticker directly from DMV’s website at dmv.ca.gov/musselfee or through their local DMV office.
The Mussel Fee Sticker – also known as the Quagga Sticker – funds statewide quagga and zebra mussel prevention efforts. Recreational boat owners are required to purchase and display a current sticker if their boat will be used in fresh water. This includes inland waterways, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. DMV will provide two stickers at the time of purchase, one for each side of the boat’s hull. Unless used exclusively in marine (salt) waters or specifically exempted by law, owners of motorized recreational vessels used in freshwater are mandated to display a current
sticker.
Quagga and zebra mussels pose serious risks and costs to you as a recreational boat owner. The mussels can block your boat’s engine and cause overheating, increase the drag on the bottom of your boat and jam your boat’s steering equipment. The spread of these invasive freshwater mussels also threatens aquatic ecosystems and the fisheries so many anglers enjoy.
In addition to purchasing the Mussel Fee Sticker, boaters can contribute to prevention efforts by making sure to clean, drain and dry their vessels. For more information, please see CDFW’s news release on boat registration and mussel stickers. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways has a helpful Frequently Asked Questions document online about the new process.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The free event will take place at the park’s visitor center.
The featured story will be “What the Road Said” by Cleo Wade.
Read a story together on the StoryWalk trail and bring a picnic to enjoy in the park. The trail is less than a quarter of a mile in length.
All ages are welcome.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.
For more information call 530-538-2200.
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