How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Recreation
- Details
- Written by: Editor
A California Desert Bighorn Sheep tag sold for $45,000 at the 41st Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nev.
The tag was sold through the Safari Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation).
Each year the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) authorizes the sale of a limited number of big game permits through various conservation organizations to support wildlife programs in the state.
All proceeds from the sale will be used to fund conservation efforts in California.
The tag was sold to Jim Craig of Indiana to hunt Zone 2, the Kelso Peak and Old Dad Mountains in San Bernardino County. The season for this tag will run from Nov. 2, 2013 to Feb. 2, 2014.
Craig has purchased a California Desert Bighorn Auction tag for three years running. He is an ardent sheep hunter and donates to bighorn sheep conservation projects along with buying auction tags. He cites California’s wildlife management and personnel as some of the best in the West.
“California Fish and Wildlife biologists have done an excellent job at managing their desert bighorn sheep population,” said Craig. “We all have to chip in and help with conservation efforts.”
Most of the sheep tags issued each year are allotted through a randomized drawing; two are available for auction and one through a fund raising randomized drawing.
In 2012, CDFW issued 27 California Desert Bighorn sheep tags for specific units from Imperial County to the White Mountain Units. To date 23 hunters harvested sheep. The number of rams to be harvested each year is based on biological surveys and herd health.
California Desert Bighorn Sheep tags are one of the most coveted and prized tags. Each year more than $200,000 is raised by the three Desert Bighorn Sheep tags at auction and the fundraising randomized drawing.
By law, revenue from sales of fundraising tags is deposited into a Big Game Account and used in the CDFW respective species management program. Generally, three bighorn sheep, 10 deer, three elk and two pronghorn antelope tags are available for auction annually.
“Non-profit conservation organizations, like SCI Foundation, that auction conservation tags provided by CDFW play a vital role in helping obtain funding for conservation projects,” said Eric Loft, Wildlife Branch Chief. “In 2012 CDFW received a record $546,010 for research and management from auction and randomized drawing tags.”
This year’s second Desert Bighorn Sheep auction tag, the open zone tag, will be auctioned at the California Wild Sheep Foundation Banquet in Carmichael, Calif. on April 27. For more information on this tag go to: www.cawsf.org .
- Details
- Written by: Editor
UKIAH, Calif. – Following exciting action-packed go-kart racing at Dixon Speedway, with some local drivers having really good luck and others not so much, the points battles are tightening up with the winter Ukiah/Dixon Challenge coming to the closing races for the season.
Everyone involved had fun and the action continues this Saturday, Feb. 2, at the go-kart track at Ukiah Speedway.
There will be both local drivers and visiting drivers from Dixon Speedway taking part in the racing action this weekend.
For complete event details follow the track on Facebook or visit the track at www.ukiahspeedway.com .
- Details
- Written by: Editor
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On the second Saturday of each month, the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) conducts free, guided nature walks at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, followed by a tour of the Historic Ranch House Museum.
February’s guided nature walk at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9.
Meet in front of the ranch house at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife to be found in the ranch house and barn complex yard – the walk begins at 8:30 a.m.
Park docents Gae Henry and Henry Bornstein, along with AMIA Board Member Gordon Haggitt, will lead the walk and the ranch house tour.
If rain cancels the walk, the ranch tour will begin at 8:30 a.m.
This month, the walk will include a focus on native and non-native plants and possible ecological restoration.
They will be joined by Dr. Paul Aigner, resident co-director of the UC Davis, McLaughlin Reserve in Lower Lake.
Dr. Aigner has been working for the past three years on an native plant restoration project in an area in Lower Lake that has many similarities to Anderson Marsh and will be able to give us his views on what might be done to return Anderson Marsh to a more “natural” state.
Weather permitting, they will visit parts of both the Ridge Trail and the Marsh Trail via the Anderson Flats area.
Bring your binoculars. Many of the trees are “naked” in the winter, making it easier to see the many species of birds that frequent the park at this time of year.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
For more information about the walks, email
For information about how you can help support AMIA’s campaign to keep the park open to the public and available for events such as our monthly nature walks and tours, please visit www.andersonmarsh.org or contact them by telephone or email.
- Details
- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: If white-tailed deer were to migrate into California from Oregon or Idaho, could they be shot here on sight since there is no season or provision for that species? (Scott H.)
Answer: No. Since Fish and Game Code, section 3950(a) defines deer as genus Odocoileus, which includes white-tailed deer, white-tailed deer can only be taken under the normal deer hunting provisions for the area in which it wandered.
Spearfishing in the Sacramento River
Question: I live in the Valley District and am wondering if it is legal to spearfish in the Sacramento River? I know there are carp, pikeminnow (squawfish) and western suckers. I’ve been searching online and many people say you can’t spearfish in any fresh water system, including streams, lakes and rivers. I have spearfished in the ocean but not in fresh water yet. I keep hearing different things from people regarding the spearfishing.
Also, is there any recommended equipment for spearfishing? Can homemade or custom-built equipment be legally used for spearfishing? I know the Valley District is only open for a short time (five months) for spearfishing. (J.T. Moua)
Answer: Spearfishing is allowed but there are some restrictions.
First of all, please pick up a copy of the 2012-2013 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet available free of charge at most stores or DFG offices that sell fishing licenses or online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/ .
Section 2.30 (page 15) lists the only species that may be taken in the Valley District between May 1 and Sept. 15. For a description of the boundaries for the Valley District, please see section 6.36 (page 27). In addition, you may not spearfish in designated spawning areas.
There are no specific definitions regarding the spears that may be used, so you may build your own or buy a custom made spear. For a definition of what regulations constitute spearfishing, please see section 1.76 (page 13).
How many hooks are allowed when sturgeon fishing?
Question: When fishing for sturgeon, how many hooks are allowed?
Answer: Only one single point, single shank, barbless hook may be used on a line when taking sturgeon.
When a sturgeon is accidentally caught on the wrong gear …?
Question: If a legal-sized white sturgeon is caught accidentally on a barbed hook (e.g. while fishing for striped bass), can it be legally kept as long as the angler possesses a sturgeon report card and tag? (Anonymous)
Answer: No, even if accidentally caught, barbed hooks are not an authorized method of take for white sturgeon. Thus, even legal-sized white sturgeon caught on a barbed hook cannot be kept.
What are the rules for sturgeon fishing from a boat?
Question: Once an angler on a boat has legally caught and kept a white sturgeon, must all anglers on that boat switch to barbless hooks?
Answer: No. However, for the rest of that day, the successful sturgeon angler must no longer fish for sturgeon and must immediately release any sturgeon that is accidentally caught.
Sand souvenirs
Question: I am developing a souvenir that would contain granules of sand from California beaches. I would only require about a half-gallon of sand. Am I able to take sand from a beach and re-sell it as a souvenir to promote the state and its natural resources? (Paul K.)
Answer: Generally, beach sand is not protected by any California Fish and Game law. However, collection of anything (including beach sand) is prohibited in any park or other marine area that has a specific designation and protection in law.
In addition, you may want to consider the corrosive nature of beach sand due to its salt content and other unsuitable qualities resulting from decomposition of biotics before using it in your souvenirs.
You may find it more beneficial to purchase treated beach sand that is sold in small quantities at many stores that stock landscape and garden supplies.
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