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The Department of Fish and Game must delay opening day of waterfowl season on Type-A state and federal hunting areas in the Sacramento Valley.
Due to a delayed rice harvest, opening day will be Oct. 29, one week later than the rest of the Balance of State Zone.
The areas affected by this delay in opening day are Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Little Dry Creek Wildlife Area, Llano Seco Wildlife Area, Howard Slough Wildlife Area, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Delevan NWR, Sutter NWR and Colusa NWR.
This year’s rice harvest is unusually late because wet weather delayed the spring planting and a mild summer slowed maturation.
The harvest is expected to continue into late October this year in the Sacramento Valley.
DFG reached the decision to delay the waterfowl season in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and representatives from the agricultural community in the Sacramento area.
The delayed refuge opener is intended to minimize crop depredation consistent with Lea Act requirements and the purpose of some state and federal areas.
The Lea Act of 1948 provided funds for the acquisition of federal lands and for the state to acquire matching acreage to attract waterfowl away from adjacent agricultural lands.
Delayed refuge openers were common from the late 1940s to the early 1980s but advancements in farming technology have produced rice crops that mature earlier, minimizing the need for delay.
There have been only three delayed refuge openers for waterfowl hunting in the last 26 years, the last of which was during the 2006-07 waterfowl hunting season.
Hunters should familiarize themselves with the regulations on the Fish and Game Commission Web site at www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/waterfowlregs.aspx.
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A total of 64 wild pig hunters will have access to the private property during two archery hunts, two apprentice hunts and four general method hunts. All are two-day hunts.
Applications will be accepted for parties of up to two licensed hunters for the archery and general periods.
Apprentice hunters must have a 2011-12 junior hunt license, and must each fill out a separate application. Applicants may apply for more than one period but will ultimately only be drawn for one.
The Bobcat Ranch is located in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters. Hunting under the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program will help achieve the ranch’s long-term conservation management objectives, including controlling the wild pig population.
Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2011. More information and applications are available at: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/share/index.html.
This opportunity was made possible by the SHARE Program, which offers incentives to private landowners who allow hunts on their property. Participating landowners receive liability protection and may receive compensation for providing public access to or through their land for wildlife-dependent recreational activities.
The goal of the SHARE Program is to provide additional hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California.
In July, DFG secured a $500,000 federal grant to support the creation of additional public hunting and fishing opportunities through the SHARE Program.
This hunt is one of the new game bird and big game hunting opportunities expected to happen statewide as a result of that grant.
More information on the grant can be found at http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/dfg-receives-federal-grant-to-support-share-program/.
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COBB, Calif. – The Friends of Boggs Mountain will be offering a nature walk on the interpretive trail Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 am.
This is an opportunity to get some exercise while you enjoy the outdoors and the wonders of nature.
The interpretive trail has more than 50 signs identifying the plants, shrubs, trees, mosses and wildflowers encountered on the path. The 1.3-mile hike will be on moderate terrain and will be led by Darlene Hecomovich.
Special emphasis on this walk will be placed on identifying the shrubs and bushes that make up the understory of this majestic 3,500-acre Douglas Fir, Ponderosa pine forest that includes beautiful oak woodlands as well.
The predominant shrubs that they will be seeking that comprise this understory mix are manzanita, ceanothus or wild lilac, and coffeeberry as well as emerging mountain dogwood and canyon live oak.
Wear sturdy shoes, dress appropriately for weather conditions, and bring water and enthusiasm.
Meet at the parking lot kiosk promptly at 9 am. The forest entrance is located off Highway 175 just two miles north of Cobb village.
Turn at the blue state fire station/Boggs Mountain Forest sign.
For further information phone Darlene Hecomovich at 707-928-5591 or email at
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For those coming to the Mendocino, the Stonyford Work Center, located at 5171 Stonyford-Elk Creek Road in Stonyford, will be open Saturday, September 3, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
All offices will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday.
“We want everyone to have a safe and memorable Labor Day weekend, especially those joining us on the Forest,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Lee Johnson.
The forest is entering into fire restrictions this Saturday. The restrictions are going into place more than a month later than last year.
Visitors are asked to be aware and be careful with fire in the National Forest, including campfires, gas stoves and lanterns.
While the weather is still warm at lower elevations, visitors should be prepared for changing conditions and cooler nighttime temperatures in the mountains.
Bring layered clothing and plenty of food and water on your outdoor adventure. Tell someone where you are planning on going, which routes you plan on taking and when you plan on being back.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest Stonyford Work Center at 530-963-1300 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino.