How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Recreation
- Details
- Written by: Editor
If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has some suggestions.
The 2014 Warden Stamp, a decal that can be displayed on vehicles and other items to show your support for California’s wildlife officers, is now available online for a donation of just $5.
In addition, CDFW’s award-winning publication Outdoor California is holding a special offer. Anyone who renews or purchases a new subscription in December and January can gift another subscription to a friend or family member at half the normal price.
Or, if there’s an angler on your list, consider purchasing a fishing license gift voucher for $46.44. All items are available for purchase online at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/ .
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 (formerly called wardens) 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.
“From catching poachers to stopping polluters, wildlife officers put their lives on the line every day to protect California’s natural resources,” said Chief Mike Carion of CDFW’s law enforcement division. “Due to funding levels, our enforcement staff often lacks the necessary equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently.”
CDFW’s Outdoor California magazine celebrates the state’s natural habitat and wildlife with compelling features and stunning photography.
The bimonthly magazine offers behind-the-scenes access to the fascinating work of department environmental scientists and chronicles enforcement cases brought by CDFW wildlife officers in the Thin Green Line feature. The special holiday voucher will be sent in the current magazine and the January/February issue.
Those who purchase the magazine in December and January through the Department’s online service will receive a gift voucher in the mail that they can fill out and send back along with the payment. Contact Editor Troy Swauger at 916-322-8932 for more details.
- Details
- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Why problem deer are not moved
Question: I live in the Christian Valley area above Auburn. The deer are overpopulated but they are protected in the area. The deer are starving and eat everything in sight.
I've bought deer-resistant plants and cover them at night, but then they rip off the covering and devour my plants. I've spent hundreds of dollars to try to keep plants on my property. I've even bought coyote packets to scare them away, but they tear them off and go right by them.
I try to chase these deer away but they are so domesticated now that they have charged me and kicked my dog. I need help!
How can I get Fish and Wildlife to transfer the deer to a higher location? I love animals but the deer here are destroying all I've put out. (Mary N., Auburn)
Answer: Unfortunately, because most of the deer in your area are migratory, moving them up the hill won't help as they will soon be moving back because of snow and forage availability anyway.
More than that though, according to Game Species Conservation Program Manager Craig Stowers, it is the policy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to not move depredating deer. There are several reasons for this:
1) Several studies (including one of our own) have indicated the survival rates for these animals are extremely low.
2) The benefits from all wildlife captures must be weighed against the risks of injury/death to the individual animals and personnel involved. Since the survival rates are so low in these instances, the benefits most definitely do not outweigh the risks.
3) There is a very real potential for introducing new diseases and/or parasites when moving animals from one area to another without health testing, and the only way that can effectively be done is through a quarantine process. Unfortunately, we don't have the facilities for that and couldn't take care of the deer long enough for test results to come back.
4) Physical deterrence is the only proven long-term solution (fencing or some type of barrier). Even if we could move a large number of deer, there are others which would eventually move in to replace them.
As California becomes more urbanized, these types of problems will continue to increase in frequency. Traditional methods of managing wildlife populations are becoming increasingly unavailable to us, primarily because of public safety issues and changing societal values.
CDFW has implemented a pilot project in the San Jose area to address a very similar problem and we are hopeful it can turn into something we can use in the future as these problems are only going to continue.
Breakaway lines on crab pots?
Question: Are cotton breakaway lines required on sport Dungeness crab pots? (Clinton M., Petaluma)
Answer: Breakaway lines are not required on sport crab pots, but using cotton twine to secure escape rings and crab pot doors is a very good idea.
On lost pots, the cotton eventually rots away and opens the pot so that crabs and other marine life can more easily escape.
Without the destruct device (such as rotten cotton or cotton twine), the pot essentially becomes a self-baiting trap).
We encourage you to use traps with self-destructing components. Rotten cotton also works well on the elastic or rubber between the band and the hook.
When the cotton breaks, the hook falls away and the door opens. The majority of sport crab pots do not have removable escape rings, so cotton between the hook and the elastic is better for the resource.
Duck hunting youth on refuge
Question: I am a minor (17 years old) but possess an adult hunting license. Can I transport a shotgun in my vehicle for duck hunting on one of the California refuges where you only have to be 16 years of age to hunt by yourself? (James M., Modesto)
Answer: Yes, as long as your shotgun is unloaded. Persons 16 or 17 years of age in possession of a valid resident or nonresident hunting license will be issued entry permits and may hunt by themselves, but may not be accompanied by apprentice hunters (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 551(h)).
Second rod stamp required for youth?
Question: My son is 11 years old. When I take him fishing at the lake and he fishes from shore. Can he fish with two rods or must he stick with one rod only? (H. Tran)
Answer: Your son can fish with two rods. However, once he turns 16 he will need a fishing license and a second rod stamp in order to fish with two rods.
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
- Details
- Written by: Editor
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Men’s Niners Golf Club held its final tournament of the 2013 season on Dec. 5.
Forty four men competed in a three by three by three format with two-man teams.
The results were:
- “A” flight: The team of Don Dornbush/Jim Stratton was first with a combined net of 31. Bruce Hamilton/Bill Kyle was second, 32, and Fred Figg/Jeff Markham third, 33.
- “B” flight: The father/son team Jim Hodges/Jay Hodges posted the lowest net of the day, 27. Juergen Haller/Mike Higman was second at 29, and Jim DeRosa/Pete Gumina third, 30.
Closest to the par 3 pins were Jim Hodges and Jay Hodges.
Chip-ins were scored by Paul Peterson, Don Dornbush and Bill Brewster.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Clear Lake High School wrestlers put in a strong performance at a tournament this past weekend.
Coach Aden Pierson said all seven Clear Lake High wrestlers taking part in the event brought home medals in Saturday's Coastal Mountain Conference Novice tournament.
He said big congratulations go to gold medalists Emily Psalmonds and Andreas Tejada; silver medalists Markus Estrada, Amelia Tejada and Aireon Banuet; and bronze medalists Izak Wynacht and Holden Braider.
“The kids looked really good this year at novice,” Pierson said. “I am very proud of the performance they gave and their hard work definitely paid off.”
Next week the varsity squad will be at Green and Gold in Novato, with the girls and younger squad to compete at the Lower Lake tournament, Pierson said.
