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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
COBB, Calif. – The inaugural dog gathering at Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest, “Dogs at Boggs,” took place on a balmy weekend earlier this month.
Participants came on foot/paw, by bike, car, and motor trike, and from places as far as Marin County for the event on Saturday, May 4.
Event co-sponsor Friends of Boggs Mountain (FOBM), a nonprofit that promotes forest stewardship through education, limited the number of canine participants to a manageable 30. However, two doggone cute latecomer additions also were warmly received.
The event was kicked off by dog handler and AKC member Leslie Puppo, who demonstrated the basic “sit-stay” exercise, and provided specifics on trail etiquette to achieve friendly and positive encounters on Boggs trails shared by hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers.
For instance, taking the downhill side of the trail to allow horseback riders to pass is a practice seldom known to hikers and bikers.
Because a horse is a prey animal, any moving object looming above it can trigger its flight response. You and your dog (or other surrounding people and animals) certainly don’t want to be standing in the way if that happens.
Off-leash dogs in the forest can be problematic particularly for breeds with strong prey drive, herding or protective tendencies, and who are not responsive to voice control.
Puppo recommends always to keep your dog on leash, and to shorten the lead when trail users are in
close proximity.
As for bikers who’ve literally been hounded by canines, a gentle squirt from a water bottle can befuddle the pursuer and allow a quick escape.
Before the group took off for a short hike on the Interpretive Trail, FOBM Director, event organizer and animal lover, Karen Rhoads, demonstrated the delicate technique of discarding Fido’s waste using poop bags.
Amid chuckles from the audience, she also informed them of FOBM’s recently-installed poop bag dispensers in the main parking area, near the campgrounds, and horse camp.
The brief lesson on poop disposal appeared quite effective, according to Middletown High School volunteer, Carli Fauci, who owns three dogs.
“It was so funny. The dogs all got excited when they were out on the trail, and next thing you know, everyone was fumbling in their pockets for their poop bags,” she said.
Keeping the trails poop-free certainly made the hike more enjoyable.
The native dogwood trees were smothered in beautiful white blooms, and spring wildflowers were putting on a good show.
Following the hike and refreshments, every canine received a goodie bag and the coveted “I’m a Boggs Dog” button. Co-sponsor Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Company got high marks for the generous goodie bags: all-natural dry food samples, a bag of jerky treats, two canned specialties and coupons.
Reluctant goodbyes were exchanged, and many participants asked that Friends of Boggs Mountain host the event again next year.
“It was a lovely day and wonderful to be around such well-behaved canines and their handlers,” remarked Peggy Campbell, who looks forward to the next gathering.
Her friend, Lynne Bruner added, “The pups, Frankie, Lucy, and Roscoe, had a wonderful time and slept well that afternoon.”
Many thanks go to the dedicated volunteers who donated their time and enthusiasm, and who helped make “Dogs at Boggs” a tail-wagging, tongue-lolling, howling success!
More photos of the event can be viewed at http://boggsmountain.net/photo-gallery/ .
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- Written by: Editor
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The fifth quarterly contra dance will be held Saturday, June 1, at Armstrong Hall (home of Lake County Jazzercise) in Middletown.
This dance will be led by Lea Smith.
The live, old-time fiddle music will be provided by Lake County’s own popular Irish music makers, Uncorked!
Contra dancing is a great low pressure and fun way to socialize. If you are unfamiliar with contra dancing, it is somewhat similar to square dancing, but less formal. There is no fancy footwork that you have to learn or memorize; you are led through each dance by the caller.
Because it’s a social dance, you don’t need to arrive with a partner; in fact, most people don’t. When you dance, you dance with a partner, but you also have many neighbors that you dance with too. At the end of a dance, you say goodbye to your partner and get another one.
Armstrong Hall is located at 15642 Armstrong St. in Middletown, two blocks behind the post office.
The dance begins with easier dances at 7 p.m. and gently progresses to more challenging figures until 9:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 at the door. Please wear shoes that won’t harm the hardwood floor and bring your own water bottle.
For more information, contact Beth Rudiger, 260-2900 or
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- Written by: Ron Hallman
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The HVL Men’s Niners Golf Glub held a stroke play tournament on May 16.
The results were:
- First flight: Jim Wilson was first with net 33; Joe Vallee was second, 35; and Bob Chestnut was third, 36.
- Second flight: Bill Kyle and Tim Greer tied for first at 32. Bill Helt came in third, 34.
- Third flight: Bill Stricklan came in first, 32. Ned Munger was second, 36. Jeff Markham and Jim Hodges tied for third, 37.
- Fourth flight: Don Holland finished first, 32. Brian Rudy was second, 34. Sam DeBone and Byron Hoss tied for third, 35.
Closest to the Par 3 pins were Bob Schossler and Brian Rudy.
Chip-ins were had by Bill Brewster and Arch Madsen.
Fifty-four men participated in this event.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: I would like a definition of “stowed” in regard to fishing gear while transiting a state marine reserve.
The reason I ask is that a sport fisherman reported he was stopped by a patrol boat at the Channel Islands and told he could have been cited for having his rods in the rod holders. He was told he should have had them in his small cuddy.
It does not seem reasonable to require my buddies and I “stow” all our rods and reels in my cabin every time we need to make a move across a state marine reserve. Or when we are at an island, we should not be required to drive six miles out, then whatever distance across, and then back in another six miles … at $4 or more a gallon.
All of this would be quite a hardship for those of us fishing from private sport boats just to stow our fishing gear when maneuvering around state marine reserves. (Fred H., Anaheim)
Answer: There is no requirement for equipment to be stowed under the Marine Life Protection Act laws covered in section 632 of the California Code of Regulations Title 14. CCR Title 14, section 632(8) covers the law you are referring to as follows:
Transit or Drifting. Vessels shall be allowed to transit through marine protected areas and marine managed areas with catch onboard. Fishing gear shall not be deployed in the water while transiting through a state marine reserve. Fishing gear, except legal fishing gear used to take species identified as allowed for take in subsection 632(b), shall not be deployed in the water while transiting through a state marine recreational management area, state marine park or state marine conservation area.
How to catch an octopus?
Question: My Italian grandmother asked my brother and me to bring home some fresh octopus so that she can make her favorite pasta dish. The only problem is we don’t know how to catch them. Can you help us out? (Joe K.)
Answer: You will have to be creative on this one. Fortunately, there are no size limits on octopus and the bag limit for each of you is 35 (CCR Title 14, section 29.05(a)).
California sport fishing regulations allow you to catch them only by hook and line or with the hands (CCR Title 14, section 29.10(a)). You cannot catch them with traps or spears.
The most common way to successfully catch them in California is by hand while diving with snorkel or scuba equipment.
It’s also unlawful to use any chemicals, such as bleach, to attempt to disturb octopi from their hiding locations.
Use of electronic calls out of season?
Question: I was wondering if it is legal to use electronic calls for animals and birds out of season for things such as bird watching or scouting? I have heard yes and no from different people, so I want to clarify. Also is it even legal to call with non-electronic calls out of season? (Taylor F.)
Answer: Yes, this would be legal as long as you do not have any methods of take with you. The prohibition against electronic calls only applies when “taking” birds/mammals (Fish and Game Code, section 3012 & CCR Title 14, section 475(b)).
Don’t eat those mussels!
Question: We collected a few mussels at low tide at Chicken Ranch Beach with the kids (past the Inverness Yacht Club). They are of a decent size, about 3 to 4 inches, and all black. Are they safe to eat? (Ben)
Answer: Don’t eat those mussels! There is currently an advisory out against consuming sport-taken shellfish in Marin County – please see www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR13-009.aspx .
A great Q&A about mussel quarantines is located at www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/MusselQuarantineFAQ.aspx .
The California Department of Public Health shellfish biotoxin information line is 510-412-4643 or toll-free at 800-553-4133 – you can check with them at any time to see whether there are advisories in effect for your area.
And finally, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) posts advisories on the CDFW Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/healthadvisory.asp .
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