Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
Mendocino National Forest officials issued a forest order on Thursday to supersede a previous order that had closed a number of campgrounds, trailheads and off-highway vehicle trails damaged or posing safety hazards from the 2020 August Complex and 2018 Ranch wildfires.
While the order still contains a number of closed recreation sites, it also reflects the removal of several sites now ready for public use. Notably, the Dixie Glade and Little Doe campgrounds, as well as the Lower Nye trailhead, are open to the public.
Three off-highway vehicle trails within the Stonyford Riding Area (trail nos. 85307, 85324 and 85324A) also have reopened.
“While people need to recognize the inherent risks of recreating outdoors, especially after natural disasters, our staff is working extremely hard to get our developed recreation sites back online for the public,” said Mendocino Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson. “As our crews continue repairing damages and mitigating hazards, we hope to have more sites available to the recreating public and will update closure orders accordingly.”
The new forest order goes into effect Friday, June 4.
A complete listing of recreation sites and their open or closed status can be found on the Mendocino National Forest’s recreation webpages at www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino.
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- Written by: Nadine Strauss
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — After a month off, the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, travels North to the Redwood Acres Raceway on June 4 to 5 for the third event of the 2021 racing season.
Redwood Acres Raceway is a three-eights of a mile paved oval located at the fairgrounds in Eureka.
The 60-lap feature event, which pays $1,000 to the winner, is sponsored by Sullivan Construction and Masonry, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Super Cuts of Eureka.
The trophies are courtesy of Mark Baldwin, district manager of the O’Reilly stores. The North State Modified Series drivers will also compete in qualifying runs and a 6 lap Lucas Oil Dash for Cash.
In addition, the top competitors in points will receive tow money from Lucas Oil. All other drivers will get a $100 tow bonus from Al Vogel of Vogel’s RVs in Ukiah.
Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah leads the North State Modified Series points battle with his wins at both Shasta Speedway and Madera Speedway.
Scott Winters from Tracy is running second in points with Lakeport’s Ian Elliott third, Keith Bloom of Redding fourth and Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale fifth.
Friday, June 4, the track will be open for practice for the modifieds from 1 to 6 p.m. A barbecue in the pits will follow practice. Pit gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday with racing scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
The events will be filmed and shown live on the North State Modified Series and the Redwood Acres Raceway’s Facebook pages.
The North State Modified Series would not be possible without the support of Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, 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, Economy Heating & Air, Supercuts of Eureka and Vogel’s RVs.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all safety protocols including physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various days — Bat Talk and Walk Events, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Did you know that an estimated 250,000 bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Yolo Basin Foundation hosts popular Bat Talk and Walk events where you can learn all about these amazing and beneficial animals and watch the “flyout” of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California! This summer, the talk portion will be held via Zoom and the walk portion will be an in-person event to view the flyout from under the Yolo Causeway at sunset. These events are held on various dates from June to September. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/bats2021.
Various days — Nimbus Hatchery Virtual Tot Time, 10 to 10:30 a.m. June 8, 15, 22 and 29. The popular story time program hosted by Nimbus Hatchery is back in a virtual format! Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, dancing and more! These free events are designed for ages 3-5. To register, please visit us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z6vFhcBFRZ2QMTD4yLlOPQ. For more information, please contact Stephanie Ambrosia at
1 — Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Closes Statewide, pursuant to the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (Section 132.8, Title 14, CCR). All commercial Dungeness crab gear must be removed from ocean waters by 12 p.m. (noon) on June 1. This closure does not apply to other commercial crab fisheries (e.g., rock crab) or to the recreational crab fishery. More information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/whale-safe-fisheries.
1 — California Grunion Season Opens. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/grunion.
1 and 3 — Bat Talk and Walk Volunteer Training. You can get involved as a volunteer and view the bats of the Yolo Causeway several times throughout your summer! There are various volunteer positions available, both in-person and from home, and trainings to prepare you. Please visit www.yolobasin.org/volunteer to apply to volunteer.
2 — Big Game Drawing Deadline. The deadline to submit applications for elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and premium deer tags is June 2. Sales transactions must be completed before midnight. Hunters may apply at a CDFW license agent, online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales or through telephone sales at 800-565-1458. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/big-game.
5 — Discovery Lab: Seeds! 1 to 2 p.m. Explore seeds up close in this virtual, livestreamed microscope lab. Reserve naturalists will share a sampling of native and invasive seeds found in California and highlight their unique adaptations for survival. This event is free and will be livestreamed to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Facebook page. For details on how to view, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/discovery-lab-seeds.
5-13 — California Invasive Species Action Week. Everyone can help stop the spread of invasive species that damage California’s natural resources and economy. While most activities remain virtual this year, there is a schedule of lunchtime webinars and opportunities at wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week to learn about actions you can take all year long. Students in grades 8 and higher can visit the Back Bay Science Center’s website at www.backbaysciencecenter.org/invasive-species-lesson to participate in a Citizen Science project and virtual activity on aquatic invasive species. Watch CDFW’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDFW all week for more information and helpful tips.
6 — Great Yolo Causeway Bat Count, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Would you like to volunteer to help with this annual daytime count of one of the largest bat roosts in California? Your efforts will build on our population monitoring program and increase our knowledge of the ecology of this colony of insect-eating Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis). All activities will be outdoors. Updates and logistical details will be sent to participants in the coming weeks and the tasks and teams will be finalized as the date draws closer. Several Zoom orientations will be offered in advance to make sure all your questions are answered. Please visit https://bit.ly/2RVeLbV to sign up.
7 — Lost or Abandoned Commercial Dungeness Crab Trap Gear Retrieval Program Begins. Pursuant to the CDFW Director’s May 18, 2021 declaration, lost or abandoned commercial Dungeness crab trap gear can be retrieved under the Trap Gear Retrieval Program (Section 132.7, Title 14, CCR) beginning at 12 p.m. (noon) on June 7, 2021 until September 30, 2021. CDFW is currently accepting applications from qualified entities (sport or commercial fishing associations, harbors, port districts and non-profits). Program participants can receive compensation for retrieved gear from either the original owner or CDFW. More information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/whale-safe-fisheries.
10 — Invasive Species Webinar, 10 to 10:45 a.m. Find out what an invasive species is and how to fight back against its spread in this free Zoom webinar presented by the Nimbus Hatchery. To register, please visit us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HeWVG24cQruDD3qAgkvkUg. For more information, please contact Stephanie Ambrosia at
16— Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Applications on Sale for Fall Elk Hunts. Ninety-two SHARE elk tags will be available during 60 elk hunts offered through the SHARE program. An $11.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) will be charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
16-17 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
26 — Recreational Ocean Salmon Season Opens from Point Arena to Pigeon Point. For more information, please visit the Ocean Salmon webpage at wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/regulations/salmon or call either the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at 707-576-3429 or the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at 800-662-9825.
26 — Aquatic WILD Virtual Workshop, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This one-day workshop for elementary school teachers takes a deep dive into aquatic habitats and their animals! Participants leave with the Aquatic Wild guide to hundreds of fun and engaging lessons and activities and skills to lead field investigations at their school or on the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. This workshop is free, but registration is required. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/aquatic-wild-teacher-workshop-210626.
29 — Recreational Ocean Salmon Season Opens from the Oregon/California State Line to Point Arena. For more information, please visit the Ocean Salmon webpage at wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/regulations/salmon or call either the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at 707-576-3429 or the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at 800-662-9825.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Becoming a wildlife officer
Q: I’m starting college in the fall and am ultimately interested in becoming a wildlife officer. What’s the best degree to earn that will help me qualify for the job?
A: Thank you for your question! Before you start your education journey and before you apply, it is important to understand we have certain minimum qualifications for education that must be met.
You must have a total of 60 semester units of college (no degree required). Within those 60 semester units, you must have 18 semester units in the biological sciences, police science or law enforcement, natural resources conservation, ecology or other “related” fields.
This 18 semester unit requirement does not have to be your degree field and the units needed to fulfill this requirement can be taken from your general education or from other accredited college classes you have taken.
Students who have 30 semester units of college and have 18 semester units completed (within the 30 units), in the required or related fields, can apply. You must complete the remaining 30 semester units during the hiring process before you are hired.
CDFW has determined that “related fields” include, but are not limited to: Animal Science, botany, chemistry, conservation, ecology, entomology, environmental management, environmental science, environmental studies, fisheries or wildlife management, forestry, geography, geology, herpetology, life science, mammalogy, marine biology, natural resources, oceanography, ornithology, physics, psychology, plant taxonomy, water quality management, wilderness survival and zoology.
So, to answer your original question:
If you meet the above requirements, study what you love. Earning a two-year or four-year degree is not mandatory but would potentially make you a more competitive applicant.
Our wildlife officers frequently follow the obvious courses of study such as criminal justice, wildlife biology or environmental studies, but we also have an English major wildlife officer who has taught report writing at our Academy for many years and a former chemistry major who worked as a chemist before he became a wildlife officer. Now he specializes in criminal pollution investigations.
There are many other examples where a wildlife officer’s educational background or personal area of expertise is applicable to our work. Those with excellent computer skills have proved to be a valuable resource in investigating internet wildlife trafficking, or poaching crimes that were discovered when a suspect posted their violation or tried to sell the poached wildlife online.
We hope you continue to pursue your educational and career goals of wildlife law enforcement and someday bring your unique talents to our Law Enforcement Division.
If you are interested in becoming a wildlife officer, you must turn in your application prior to July 31, 2021, in order to be considered for the next hiring cycle.
Please contact our LED recruiter, Lt. Perry Schultz, at
Sea urchins
Q: Can I go tide-pooling for sea urchins in the San Francisco Bay Area?
A: Yes, in general, you can collect sea urchins in San Francisco Bay from shore with a fishing license and a take limit of no more than 35 urchins for each species.
The take of invertebrates in ocean waters is covered in California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 29.05. Section 29.05(a) prohibits the take of invertebrates at night, except from the shore, in San Francisco and San Pablo bays and saltwater tributaries east of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are different regulations that apply to certain areas outside San Francisco Bay that can be found in Section 29.06.
There are also areas up and down the state, known as Marine Protected Areas, which are off-limits to the harvesting of any marine life (see section 29.05(b)). Information on Marine Protected Areas in the San Francisco Bay Area can be found on CDFW’s website.
Selling tuna on a chartered fishing trip
Q: Can I sell yellowfin tuna to a friend while on an ocean fishing trip?
A: No. California Fish and Game Code (FGC) section 7121 states that it is unlawful to sell or purchase any fish or amphibia taken under the authority of a sport fishing license. This would include any fish or amphibia taken in, or brought into, the waters of the state, or brought ashore.
Also note that the definition of “sell” in this context, per FGC section 75, would include offers to sell, barter, exchange or trade. You can donate your tuna to your friend as long as there’s no expectation or agreement to receive something of value in return.
On a trip like this, sharing a fresh caught tuna for a meal among fellow anglers while out at sea is not only legal but a great way to build camaraderie while on your trip. However, it would be unlawful to sell or trade tuna to your friend or anyone else.
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