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Recreation
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- Written by: Nadine Strauss
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — The North State Modifieds, presented by Protect the Harvest, will return to Roseville's All American Speedway Saturday for the second running of the “Bob Lehman Classic.”
The 60-lap Economy Heating & Air Challenge will be a bullring battle between the North State Modifieds and the NASCAR Jaws Gear & Axle Modifieds.
The first-ever meeting between touring North State Modifieds and the Jaws Gear & Axle Modifieds was initially set for July 10 but delayed by extreme high temperatures.
Each division will run in accordance with their respective rule books and tires, but both will be eligible for the posted awards.
The awards include $1,000 to the race winner, $150 to take the green flag, and Authority Heating & Air lap leader bonuses of $250 on both lap five and lap 55.
The 60 lap feature will commemorate the life and legacy of longtime race enthusiast and NSMS supporter Bob Lehman of Rio Linda.
Lehman passed away in November of 2019, one day shy of his 78th birthday. He was a lifelong welder, fabricator and race car builder.
Lehman had two loves of his life, his family and racing. He built his first race car at his childhood home with his buddies and his dad at the age of 15. He was always the car builder, never the driver.
He made a promise to his mother when he was young that he would not drive, and he kept it. But race car building was his passion.
In Lehman’s mind, every car he built was the “Flintstone Special” or could be. He had his favorite cars over the years, and that one was definitely one of them.
Lehman built a catalog of race cars; a Super Modified, NASCAR Grand National, Late Model, Super Late Model, NASCAR Pro Truck, Modified and Lucas Modified.
He was an iconic figure at the racetrack. Lehman was quick to help other race teams with advice, ideas, and emergency parts — just so they could all race.
Event sponsor Terry Deal of Economy Heating & Air said, “Bob Lehman was a huge inspiration to the start of my career in racing.”
Many other competitors in the Roseville area have been touched by Lehman and will be attending this commemorative event.
The North State Modified Series would not be possible without the support of Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Economy Heating & Air, Sullivan Construction and Masonry, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Scribner Plastics, Mort Houston, McMurray & Sons Roofing, Frank’s Radios, Supercuts, Vogel’s RVs and Authority Heating & Air.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CDFW is advising anglers not to fish past noon on certain inland waters as even catch-and-release angling during the hottest parts of the day can greatly increase fish stress and mortality.
“Many of our inland fisheries that rely on cold water habitat will likely be significantly impacted in the short and long term,” said CDFW Inland Fisheries Manager Roger Bloom. “California's drought cycles have required us to learn to manage fisheries with extreme variations in water flows. The last drought resulted in significant effects to fisheries that took years to recover from. We hope the self-imposed Hoot Owl restrictions by anglers will help mitigate those effects.”
Coldwater species such as trout, salmon and steelhead have the greatest likelihood of being affected by the drought this year but low water levels and high-water temperatures can potentially affect all inland aquatic species.
CDFW has introduced a series of voluntary angling recommendations – so-called “Hoot Owl” Restrictions – that directs anglers to focus their fishing during the cooler “hoot owl” periods of the day when water temperatures are lowest. A watchlist of specific waters anglers should avoid fishing past noon is included and will be updated as conditions change. Sustained afternoon water temperatures exceeding 67 degrees Fahrenheit for trout fisheries could trigger addition to the list.
Currently, the list of waters include:
— Lower Owens River (Pleasant Valley Dam downstream to Five Bridges) in Mono County.
— Hot Creek in Mono County.
— Mill Creek (Walker Basin) in Mono County.
— Lower Rush Creek (Grant Lake to Mono Lake) in Mono County.
— Bridgeport Reservoir in Mono County.
— Deep Creek (San Bernardino County).
— Crowley Lake (Mono County).
— Truckee River (Lake Tahoe to the Nevada state line) in Nevada, Placer and Sierra counties.
As conditions change, CDFW will post the updated list on the “Hoot Owl” Restrictions page.
Elevated water temperatures, lower oxygen levels, disease, low flows and low water levels are among the drought-related effects impacting many of California’s coastal waters and inland fisheries.
CDFW offers a number of other angling tips to reduce fish stress during the drought:
— Minimize the time you spend "fighting" the fish and any hands-on handling.
— Use rubber or coated nylon nets to protect a fish's slime layer and fins.
— Quickly remove the hook with forceps or needle-nosed pliers.
— Minimize the amount of time the fish is exposed to air, especially when the weather is warm.
— Keep your hands wet when handling the fish.
— If the fish is deeply hooked, do not pull on the line. Instead, cut the line as close as possible to where it is hooked and leave the hook so it can dissolve.
— Allow the fish to recover in the net before you release it.
— If the fish does not stay upright when you release it, gently move it back and forth.
— Avoid fighting fish from deeper, cooler waters and bringing them into warmer waters at the surface if your intention is to release them.
— Target fisheries that have stable water levels and species that are more resilient to elevated temperatures.
While these best practices may not all apply to anglers interested in harvesting their fish to eat, mortality may result from non-targeted species caught and released or fish outside of legal size limits that must be returned to the water.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Eurasian collared doves
Q: I am aware that there is a year-round open season on Eurasian collared doves and no limit. Can I hunt them in the middle of summer? How am I supposed to tell the difference between all the doves in flight?
A: Let’s start with the first question! Yes, you can hunt Eurasian collared doves all year long. And you’re right, mourning doves, white-winged doves, spotted doves, ring turtle doves and Eurasian collared doves look similar, but hunters are expected to know the difference.
Stated more explicitly: wildlife officers expect you to know the difference! Over time, dove hunters need to develop the skills to differentiate between different dove species on the wing. We have a dove identification graphic that may help get you started. Learning more about dove species can help, too.
For example, there are areas of the state where Eurasian collared doves are more prevalent (mostly in the southern half of the state).
We recommend two strategies. First, hunt with a partner who has a significant amount of experience in telling the difference between each type of dove in flight.
As you see doves while hunting, ask the experienced hunter to explain what characteristics they are looking at to differentiate the birds from one another. Hunters will look at markings such as the black band across the back of the Eurasian collared dove’s neck. They also pay attention to flight patterns and listen to different sounds generated by the doves’ wings.
Second, when you begin hunting doves, we suggest hunting during the mourning dove and white-winged dove season. That way if you make a mistake, you’ll have a reduced chance of inadvertently violating the law. For example, if you hunt dove on Sept. 1, the most popular dove hunting day of the year, you will have some room for error.
Bird identification is a skill in and of itself. Duck hunters are faced with the same requirements yet have many more species to differentiate from. Many duck hunters are known to visit popular waterfowl migratory areas to watch birds even after the season is over for the purpose of improving their identification and calling skills. There’s no reason why dove hunters can’t do the same.
With a decent pair of binoculars and an attentive ear, you can more quickly learn the subtle differences between dove species and gain a better understanding of their behaviors. Finally, remember that Eurasian collared dove are a game species, and hunters must possess both a license and an upland game bird validation.
Steelhead Report Cards
Q: The state collects data from steelhead report cards. I would like to see this data. Is it ever released or summarized for public viewing?
A: Some data collected from steelhead report cards is summarized and updated on our website. The website also includes the last legislative report which summarizes data from 2007 through 2014.
A legislative report summarizing data from 2015-2019, which includes total report cards sold, amount of revenue accrued and spent, angling data, and benefits of the report card program has been submitted for review and will be made available once approved.
Requests for steelhead report card data can also be submitted directly to the Program Coordinator at
Taking mollusks by hand
Q: When limpets are taken from shore can gloves be used to protect your hands?
A: Yes, gloves can be used to take any number of intertidal invertebrates, including limpets. Limpets are a type of saltwater mollusk. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 29.10(a) permits the take of saltwater mollusks by hand. Nothing in the regulations prohibits gloving the hands. If you think about harvesting California Spiny Lobsters by hand while on SCUBA for example, just try to take a spiny lobster without wearing gloves! Ouch!
Fishing license
Q: I have a fishing license but my friend doesn’t. When I catch a fish, can my friend help me by netting the fish while I hold the rod?
A: No. The California Fish and Game Code defines take in section 86. It states: “Take” means hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill. If your friend is assisting you with the “catching” of fish, by the letter of the law, he or she would need a license too.
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- Written by: Editor
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — The auto tour loop along with some nearby hiking trails on the west side of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Butte County will close for about two weeks in July to accommodate construction to improve water management, wildlife habitat and visitor experience.
Work is scheduled to begin Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Parking Lot 14 and last about two weeks.
The auto tour loop and nearby hiking trails are scheduled to reopen July 26, 2021, in plenty of time for bird watching during peak fall and winter migrations.
Construction delays could impact the timing of reopening.
Hosting some 100,000 visitors each year, Gray Lodge is one the most heavily visited and widely used wildlife areas in the state.
During the July auto tour loop closure, construction crews will complete the installation of four water control structures to improve the movement of water across the wildlife area, allowing better management of the wetlands for the benefit of wildlife.
The entrance to Parking Lot 18 also will be widened to improve visitor safety.
The construction work is the continuation of habitat improvement and visitor amenities started in 2020. So far in 2021, crews have been regrading pond bottoms that were enhanced last year along the auto tour loop to improve their appeal to migrating waterfowl and shorebirds and make for an enhanced visitor experience.
The work is being funded through a $1.4 million grant from the state Wildlife Conservation Board in partnership with Ducks Unlimited.
The remainder of the wildlife area will remain open to public use during construction. Popular activities at Gray Lodge in the summer include hiking, fishing and birding.
For questions or additional information, please contact Gray Lodge directly at 530-846-7500.