Recreation

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Written by: Editor

Published: 27 January 2012

The California Fish and Game Commission has approved a third 2011-12 late season hunting opportunity for geese.

Licensed hunters can now hunt white-fronted geese and white geese during the late season for geese in the Balance of the State Zone. This is in addition to the already established late season goose hunts in the North Coast and Imperial County Special Management Areas.

The purpose of these late season goose hunts is to reduce goose crop depredation complaints on private lands.

Providing hunting opportunities in the late season will help reduce potential crop depredation by lowering the population(s) and shifting geese onto public areas.

Most goose populations that winter in California are at or above population goals and remain in California through late spring.

Providing hunting opportunities at this time helps minimize potential damage on agricultural lands. All late season goose hunts are closed on Type A and B wildlife areas.

However, other public lands open to waterfowl hunting may be open during these late season hunts.

The new season in the Balance of the State Zone will be open from Feb. 18 through Feb. 22. A daily bag limit of eight geese is allowed which may include up to six white geese or up to six white-fronted geese.

The Sacramento Valley Special Management Area will be closed to the take of white-fronted geese during the late season goose hunt. Type A and B wildlife areas will not be open to hunting. However, Type C areas and other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.

The North Coast Special Management Area will be open from Feb. 18 through Mar. 10. The daily bag limit is six small Canada geese only.

Large Canada geese cannot be taken during the late season hunt. Type A, B and C wildlife areas will not be open to hunting but other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.

The Imperial County Special Management Area will be open from Feb. 11 through Feb. 26. The daily bag limit is six white geese. Type A, B and C wildlife areas will not be open to hunting but other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.

The complete regulations can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 22 January 2012

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – During 2012, the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) will offer monthly guided nature walks and tours of the historic ranch house museum located at the park.

A nature walk will be held once a month on the second Saturday, followed on the same day by a tour of the historic ranch house led by trained docent volunteers.

Upcoming walks will take place on Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9.

The guided walks provide an opportunity to observe wildlife at the park and learn about their natural habitat, as well as to discover some of the history of our local area.

The tour of the historic ranch house will occur right after the nature walk.

The nature walks will begin at 8:30 a.m. Rain will cancel the nature walk. The ranch tour will take place rain or shine.

If weather cancels the nature walk, the ranch house tour will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Meet under the big oaks in front of the ranch house at 8:15 a.m. to spend time seeing the wildlife and birds around the ranch house complex.

For more information, please call AMIA at 707-995-2658 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Details

Written by: Editor

Published: 19 January 2012

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will host free guided hikes to look for wintering bald eagles in the Cache Creek Natural Area in Lake County on Saturdays in January and February.

Hikes will be held, Jan. 21 and 28, and Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Hikes will be canceled in rainy weather.

Those interested in participating should reserve space for a specific date by calling the BLM Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.

Early reservations are requested for the popular hikes, which are limited to 25 participants each and fill quickly.

Participants will meet at the Redbud Trailhead parking area, eight miles east of Clearlake Oaks on Highway 20 at 10 a.m. The trailhead is just west of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge (38° 59' 13.20" N, 122° 32' 22.50" W).

The four-mile hikes last three to four hours. The trail includes a steep 600-foot climb in the first mile, so hikers should be in good physical condition.

Hikers should wear sturdy hiking boots suitable for wet conditions and dress for cold weather. They should carry water, a lunch and binoculars, as most eagle sightings are at a distance.

Hikers will enjoy scenic vistas of the Cache Creek Canyon, where eagles often soar over the creek or perch in streamside trees.

Participants often spot other wildlife including tule elk, golden eagles, osprey, herons, red-tailed hawks and egrets.

Additional information is available from the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.