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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: My dog is often hard to follow when we're hiking through heavy cover. Is it legal to use GPS tracking devices on dogs while hunting? (Mark M.)
Answer: GPS collars may be used on dogs only when bird hunting but are prohibited when hunting mammals. Electronic dog retrieval collars employing the use of global positioning system equipment (devices that utilize satellite transmissions) are prohibited on dogs used for the pursuit/take of mammals (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 265(d)(2)).
Lighted fishing lures
Question: I have begun to see fishing lures for sale on eBay that are LED-lighted. Are these legal in California? I fish the Sacramento and Feather rivers. (Donna B.)
Answer: Yes. There are no prohibitions against using LED-lighted lures in either fresh or salt water.
Can I carry a gun for protection during archery-only season?
Question: I am an avid bow hunter and spend most of the archery season stalking deer and bear in the deep canyons, and walking from ridgeline to ridgeline carrying nothing but my bow and my two knives.
However, I have not been able to continue my tradition of solo cross-country hunting trips recently due to the high numbers of marijuana gardens being found and raided in my hunting zone.
I am not sure of the ethnicity of the marijuana farmers, but I have family in south Texas and they have told me stories of the Mexican drug cartels kidnapping people and forcing them to go into the wilderness and farm these big marijuana gardens. These people have strict orders to shoot anyone that may cause a threat to the crop.
After hearing this, I stay a whole lot closer to main roads and out of canyons but am still fearful of being confronted by these guys with guns when I just have my bow and the bear deterrent I carry in bear country.
My question is why can't I, being an American citizen, have a firearm in my possession while bow hunting? Doesn't the Second Amendment give me the right to bear arms? This was just a question that crossed my mind today as I was deer hunting and I hope you can answer it for me. (Vincent W.)
Answer: I appreciate your concern and understand you wanting to be safe while in the woods. But, under current California Fish and Game laws, if you choose to hunt during an archery-only (AO) season or during the general season under the authority of an AO harvest tag, it is not legal for you to be in possession of a firearm while in the field.
However, AO tags/seasons are only one option, you can instead choose to hunt during the general season under a general tag with a bow, and if so you may carry a firearm. Hunting under the AO authority grants special opportunity in exchange for leaving the firearm in camp.
With respect to archery-only hunts for deer, in order to allow the possession of firearms by anyone other than peace officers, Fish and Game Code, section 4370 would have to be amended. For other archery-only hunts, the Fish and Game Commission would need to amend the applicable regulations for those hunts. It is not up to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
Ivory piano keys
Question: My mother has an old piano that has been in her family for about 70 years and she needs to sell it. She says it has ivory keys. We were wondering if it would violate any Fish and Game laws to sell it? If so, any suggestions? (Cathi D.)
Answer: African and Asian elephants are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the principle federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the ESA and CITES, and federal regulations do allow for some elephant ivory to be owned, bought, and sold.
You should contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at (800) 344-9453 or their website at www.fws.gov for further information regarding federal restrictions.
Neither the California Fish and Game Code nor state wildlife regulations enforced by the CDFW reference elephants or elephant products.
Ocean stamp needed for pier fishing?
Question: Do we need an ocean enforcement stamp to fish on a pier? (Sher K.)
Answer: No sport fishing license or Ocean Enhancement Validation is required when fishing from a public pier.
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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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The second annual Lower Lake Youth Football Camp will be held Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, in Lower Lake.
Registration will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., with the camp to take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
The camp is for children entering second through eighth grade.
It's ideal for young athletes looking for quick gains from a single camp to develop game-changing abilities.
The two-day camp is designed to develop high school level competition that is needed to be successful in practice and on game day.
This is an intensive style, noncontact camp meant to develop youth players to become better team players and is designed to teach fundamentals of the game.
The camp will be coached by Lake County coaches from the youth and high school levels.
The cost is $30 per player or $55 for two players.
For information contact one of the following Lower Lake Youth Football officials: James Jones, co-president, 707-350-5359; Damien Wickard, varsity head coach, 707-350-5352; or Justin Gaddy, Lower Lake High School head football coach, 310-745-4168.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear High School Girls Varsity soccer team will host its 16th annual soccer camp Monday, Aug. 5, through Thursday, Aug. 8.
The camp is for all levels and gender of players from ages 5 to 14; 4-year-olds will be accepted on parent request.
Campers will meet from 9 a.m. until noon each day on the fields behind the gym at Clear Lake High School, 350 Lange St. in Lakeport.
This is a great opportunity to get ready for the youth soccer season as most teams will begin practicing soon.
The $60 registration fee includes a camp t-shirt. A family discount of $5 per camper is also available if two or more campers register from the same family.
An additional “early bird” discount is available for campers who register in the Lakeport Unified School District Office before the first day of camp.
Instruction will be provided by varsity coaches Alice Holmes and Paul Larrea and junior varsity coach Tommy Burke. They will be assisted by guest coaches and members of the Clear Lake High Girls soccer team, many of whom have had previous camp experience.
The camp will emphasize basic soccer skills, offensive and defensive play, and team concepts.
For the younger players it is a great opportunity to learn basic soccer skills and develop a positive “fun” attitude toward soccer.
There will be various contests, individual awards, snacks and game play each day.
Registration forms are available in the district office through Aug. 2.
Campers also may register on the first day of camp.
Call 707-262-3000 for more information.
Proceeds go to the Clear Lake High School Varsity girls soccer team and the junior varsity girls soccer team which, because of budget cuts, are no longer funded by the district.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is reminding anglers of the fishing regulations for the 2013 salmon season on the Feather River.
The regulations are effective Tuesday, July 16.
The California Fish and Game Commission adopts yearly regulations to help ensure the health of fish populations and give anglers an opportunity to enjoy fishing.
Feather River Regulations:
- From the unimproved boat launch ramp above the Thermalito Afterbay Outfall to 200 yards above the Live Oak boat ramp, open July 16 through Oct. 15.
- From 200 yards above the Live Oak boat ramp to the mouth of the river, open July 16 through Dec. 16.
- Daily bag and possession limit of two Chinook salmon for all open areas.
All salmon and steelhead taken in inland waters must be kept in such a condition that species and size can be determined until placed at the angler’s permanent residence, a commercial preservation facility or being prepared for immediate consumption. See Section 1.45 of the 2013-2014 Freshwater Sports Fishing Regulations for more details.
The area around the Thermalito Afterbay outfall is open to fishing this year, however the outlet structure itself is closed to the public.
This outlet structure is owned by the Department of Water Resources and is a part of the State Water Project that allows for the discharge of water from the Thermalito Afterbay to the Feather River below Lake Oroville.
Consistent with the California Penal Code Section 602, persons found trespassing onto the outlet structure may be cited.
Last year, a temporary 250 foot closure was placed around the outlet structure. That temporary closure expired in February 2013.
All other regulations for bag and possession limits for trout, salmon and other species, as well as general information about restrictions on fishing methods and gear are available on the CDFW website at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations .