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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: While bow hunting for turkeys last week, I saw a flock of hens and jakes on the side of a highway and I got to wondering if it’s legal to hunt off the side of a highway.
I know we can’t shoot across a highway, but exactly how many yards or feet away does a bow hunter have to be? (Rafael O.)
Answer: It is unlawful to discharge a firearm or release an arrow or crossbow bolt over or across any public road or other established way open to the public in an unsafe and reckless manner (Fish and Game Code, section 3004(b)). Definitions for road and roadway can be found in the California Vehicle Code, sections 527 and 530.
In addition, most counties have ordinances setting the distance from a public roadway that one must be to lawfully discharge a firearm. Many counties require 150 feet, but this distance varies and you will have to check with the appropriate county’s sheriff’s department to determine the legal distance.
It is always unlawful to negligently discharge a firearm, and the discharge of a firearm from or upon a public road or highway is prohibited (California Penal Code, section 374c).
Hand reels
Question: I recently acquired a hand reel (Cuban yoyo.) Are there any restrictions on using one? What part of the Fish and Game Code applies to their usage? (Will E.)
Answer: Yes, these basic handheld reels are legal to use. Just add some line, tie on your hook, add bait, drop in your line and you're fishing. It doesn’t get much easier or less expensive than this method. Standard methods apply, so if you are fishing in inland waters (three hooks with bait or three lures with three hooks each) or fishing in the ocean for rockfish (two hooks), you need to follow the hook restrictions as if you had a rod attached.
If you do happen to hook a big fish, just be sure you’ll be able to land it!
Starry flounder east of the Carquinez Bridge
Question: Can you please clarify the starry flounder regulations in saltwater vs. freshwater? I know that flounder are included in the rockfish-cabezon-greenling (RCG) regulations in saltwater, with limits and a definite season.
However, when they move upstream (east) of the Carquinez Bridge into inland waters, do the same regulations still apply? Or, may they be taken year-round with no limit as they are not mentioned in the freshwater regulations? (Barbara U.)
Answer: According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Capt. Bob Puccinelli, because the fresh water limits for starry flounder are the same as the ocean limits, the limits would adhere to any closures in ocean waters as well. In other words, when there is an ocean closure (zero limit), there would be a corresponding zero limit in freshwater as well.
Non-lead pellets for squirrels in condor country?
Question: I hunt ground squirrels with pellet guns as I understand they don't fall into the category of firearms. My question is, do I have to use non-lead pellets? (James T.)
Answer: While not specifically prohibited for pellet guns, the intent of the non-lead ammunition requirement laws is to prevent lead from being introduced into animals that California condors may eat. Ground squirrels could fall into this category but the law does not expressly prohibit lead pellets. Non-lead pellets are available.
Glasses when abalone diving
Question: I wear reading glasses. I don't like to take my glasses on the beach or in the water with me because I don't want them to get scratched. However, without my glasses, I cannot clearly read the new abalone cards. Last season I accidentally used the wrong tag (one that was not in sequential order) because I could not read the numbers.
What can I do to make this easier? (Zoe D., Trinidad)
Answer: I can empathize with your frustrations. You may want to consider including non-prescription reading glasses and/or a small magnifying glass in your dive bag. Either can be purchased at many convenience stores for under $15.
At least with these you would not have to risk losing or breaking your prescription glasses and you will be able to comply with the regulations.
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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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The HVL Men’s Niners Golf Club held a medal play tournament on Thursday, April 18.
The results were:
- First flight: Woody Fink, Cliff Hughes, Fred Figg and Bruce Brashares all tied for the top spot at net 34.
- Second flight: Olie Smith was first with 31, Bill Kyle was second with 34 and Al Burrows third, 35. Third flight: Phil Tyler posted the lowest net of the round, 30. Jim Hodges was second with 33 and Doug Carter third with 37.
- Fourth flight: Don Holland came in first at 31. Pete Gumina was second with 36 and Paul Peterson was third with 37.
Closest to the Par 3 Pins were Woody Fink and Bill Kyle.
Forty-nine men participated in the day’s events.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – It was a cold windy night that welcomed race fans and drivers this last weekend at Ukiah Speedway, and fans were treated to an exciting night of racing action on the track that was the kickoff of the 2013 Lakeport Ukiah Challenge Series.
The racing action kicked off in the Extreme Asphalt Outlaw division with Kyle Tellstrom setting the new track record in the division at 13.543.
Tellstrom went on to battle in the main event with Shelby Helm for many laps of side by side racing until Helm was pressured to slip up going into turn number four. That allowed Tellstrom to make the pass for the lead to move onto to take his first victory of the 2013 racing season.
That was just the start of the racing night, with the action in the Mini Stock division seeing James Stillman setting a fast time with a 15.124.
At the drop of the green flag Eddie Barnett jumped out to the early lead with Stillman right on his tail. The two battled back and forth for many laps until Stillman had a mechanical problem with his car that cost him some spots.
After Stillman gathered his car back together he made his way back up to second but did not have enough time to make another challenge for the lead. At the checkers it was Barnett, Stillman and Peterson.
In the legend cars the front row was made up of Mark Miller on the pole with Robert Gilliland starting on the outside pole.
After an early race caution sent Miller to the back, the restart saw Gilliland jump out to the lead to be passed a few laps later by Robert Lozano.
Lozano led until a late race caution forced a restart with Lozano on the pole and Gilliland on the outside. Gilliland jumped out to the lead to go on and take the win followed by Frazer and Lozano.
The Jammer division saw many new faces behind the wheel for the opening night of racing, but it saw a few familiar faces in victory lane.
At the drop of the green it was Dylan Washburn who jumped out to the lead of the whole group of cars and he continued to lead his Jr. Jammer division to go on and take his first victory for the 2013 racing season.
In the pro division it was Wayne Young of Kelseyville making a pass early on in the race to take the lead in the pro division, taking the lead of the whole race from Washburn with only two laps remaining.
There were 28 bombers that showed up to the speedway with 16 of them being locked in by time for the A main event with the remaining 12 cars having to battle it out in a 20 lap B main event.
Brian White worked his way up from the back of the B Main to take the win followed, at the checkers by Kollenborn, Verde and Leslie Marrufo.
At the drop of the checkers it saw eventual winner Scott Sabol have to work his way up from the back of the field, with the two cars of David Land and Jesse Frey starting on the front row. The two battled side by side for many laps until Frey jumped out to the early lead.
There was an early race caution for a single car spin and at the restart it saw young Tim Buzzard Jr. jump out to a commanding lead.
Buzzard battled in the lead until another caution flew and put Buzzard up against Sabol on a restart. At the drop of the green Sabol jumped out to the lead going into turn one, not looking back to take the win although he had to hold off a couple restarts with Mike Collins. At the checkers it was Sabol, Collins and Buzzard.
The racing action continues this weekend with opening night at Lakeport Speedway.
Racing on Saturday at Lakeport Speedway will be the Gravitate Modifieds, The Taco Bell Bombers, the Volvo Rents Mini Stocks, the Bandoleros and the Legend Cars.
Front gates open at 3:30 p.m., with racing action starting at 5 p.m.
For complete event details and schedule visit www.lakeportspeedway.com and make sure to like the speedway on Facebook.
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U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced a series of meetings in Colorado, Utah and California that will focus on the development of a ski area water rights clause impacting ski facility operations on national forests.
“Skiing is an important recreational activity on our nation’s forests and greatly contributes to the economy of resort communities,” said Tidwell. “The water used by ski areas for snowmaking and other activities is essential to sustain the long-term future of the communities. The Forest Service welcomes input from the ski areas, the communities and the public as to how water rights should be managed in order to ensure long-term benefits.”
Currently, the Forest Service policy keeps water with the land and allows ski resorts to use water from nearby streams and lakes for snow-making during times when snowfall fails to provide enough cover for ski runs.
The agency has maintained that by keeping the water with the land, the ski industry will remain vibrant while mountain communities will have abundant water supplies into the future.
The announced meetings are open to the public and will seek input regarding how to best meet the needs of surrounding communities and ski areas.
The open forums are scheduled in Denver on April 16, Salt Lake City on April 17, and Lake Tahoe, Calif., on April 18.
Forest Service leaders and technical experts from Washington, D.C., as well as from local and regional offices will be on-hand to take public comments and provide additional information on the water rights issue.
The Forest Service has long enjoyed a beneficial relationship with the ski industry, which boosts state and local economies and provides healthy playgrounds for people.
In Colorado, for example, roughly $1.5 billion flow into the local and state economy from downhill skiers and snowboarders. Nearly half the downhill skiing capacity in the U.S. is on national forests with about 27 million people visiting those areas annually.
The announced public meetings are predicated on the agency’s need to update a clause on the ski area special use permits, which it did in 2011 and 2012.
The clauses were challenged in federal court, and a U.S. District Court judge determined the clauses were a legislative rather than an interpretive rule, which means that the agency is required to provide public notice and comment before issuing a final clause. The judge did not comment on the substance of the clause as written.
There will be an additional opportunity to comment later on a proposed clause.