Recreation
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hunting with a blowgun?
Question: I know someone who works at a zoo and they sometimes use blowguns when they need to tranquilize their animals. I am wondering if I can use a blowgun to hunt big game. Not to tranquilize, but to actually hunt. (Robert)
Answer: No, a person may not use a blowgun to hunt big game, nor is it legal to possess a blowgun at all.
The mechanisms by which a person may hunt or "take" a big game mammal are specifically defined by the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 353. The section is lengthy because the methods authorized for take are as permissive as they can be and may be quite different for different types of game. Blowguns are not authorized anywhere in that section.
Also, blowguns are specifically prohibited by California Penal Code section 20010 - not just for hunting, but for any purpose. This code section states: "Any person who knowingly manufactures, sells, offers for sale, possesses, or uses a blowgun or blowgun ammunition in this state is guilty of a misdemeanor."
The one exception in the Penal Code for possession of a blowgun is for those professionals who work with wild, domestic or zoo animals. The exception is defined in Penal Code section 20015, which states: "Nothing in this division shall prohibit the sale to, purchase by, possession of, or use of any blowgun or blowgun ammunition by zookeepers, animal control officers, Department of Fish and Game personnel, humane officers, or veterinarians in the course and scope of their business in order to administer medicine to animals."
Blowguns are an important tool for California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel when tranquilizing (also known as chemically immobilizing) an animal in a confined or restricted space. Blowguns are quieter than standard tranquilizing guns, which makes them less startling to the animal.
Blow darts also hit with less force, typically use smaller needles and inject drug with less pressure which can provide a very safe and humane option for biologists, veterinarians or wildlife officers, when used appropriately.
However, their range is limited so one must get very close to the animal to be accurate and ensure an adequate injection.
Don't eat the fish
Question: Why is there a sign saying do not consume bass or striper caught in the river at the Rio Vista Pier? (Donn)
Answer: That sign was based on an advisory developed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, or OEHHA, the agency responsible for issuing consumption advice for recreationally caught fish.
On May 20, 2020, OEHHA updated this advisory to include advice for 18 fish species in the Sacramento River and northern Delta, based on mercury and other chemical contaminants in the water.
OEHHA provides separate safe eating advice for members of the public who are likely to be sensitive to contaminants (women 18-49 years and children 1-17 years) and the general population (women over 50 years and men over 18 years).
The advice for striped bass remains the same, although the age range for the sensitive population has changed: women 18-49 and children 1-17 should not eat striped bass and women 50 years and older and men 18 years and older can eat up to 2 servings per week of striped bass.
The advisory covers the Sacramento River from just below Shasta Lake to where it joins the San Joaquin River in Pittsburg, and also applies to creeks, sloughs and other water bodies in the northern Delta that are north of Highway 12. The area includes portions of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Shasta, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo counties.
You can find more details about that advisory (including two posters) on OEHHA's website.
Saltwater fishing license
Question: Why does CDFW charge for a saltwater fishing license? Do you stock the Pacific Ocean?
Answer: California Fish and Game Code (FGC) section 7145(a) requires that "every person 16 years of age or older who takes any fish, reptile, or amphibian for any purpose other than profit shall first obtain a valid license for that purpose." One of CDFW's primary roles is to manage California's fish and wildlife resources for use by the public. Saltwater fishing license fees help support law enforcement and scientific research and management of marine resources. In addition, CDFW does operate some hatchery and stocking programs for marine fish, such as ocean salmon and white seabass.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
- Details
- Written by: Nadine Strauss
ANDERSON, Calif. – With only 10 laps to go, Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah passed leader Charlie Collins of Upper Lake in lapped traffic and drove the final rounds to pick up his second victory of the season in the North State Modified Series presented by Protect the Harvest, at Shasta Speedway Saturday night.
Defending North State Modified Series, or NSMS, champion Scott Winters of Tracy, who was dogging Tellstrom all the way to the checkers, finished second with Collins third and three-time NSMS champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville fourth.
This was the second consecutive Shasta Speedway Lloyd Burton Against the Wind Modified Challenge for Tellstrom.
A 10-lap qualifying heat, sponsored by Economy Heating and Air was run with the fastest 10 cars inverted to determine the starting grid for the 60 lap feature.
Randy Houston led every lap to win the qualifier with Collins second, guaranteeing them both a front-row starting spot.
Knight finished second in the qualifier followed by Ian Elliott, Tellstrom, fast qualifier (16.250) Winters, Simi Tour, Mike Sullivan, Cameron Austin and Darrin Sullivan.
At the drop of the green flag in the feature Houston powered into the lead with Collins 2nd, Knight third and Elliot fourth. Both Tellstrom and Winters drove under Elliott on lap five just before Keith Bloom stalled on the front stretch with a flat tire. The yellow flag was displayed, Bloom pitted, changed the tire and returned at the back of the field.
The double-file restart saw Houston and Collins side-by-side for two laps before Houston reclaimed the number one spot. Five rounds later the race was slowed again when chunks of asphalt peeled out of the cracks in the race track. One of them hit the front of Elliott’s car, puncturing his radiator. Elliot pitted for repairs but the damage was too great and he had to retire from action.
This time Collins forged ahead on the restart and pulled away from the pack. Houston, Tellstrom and Knight rode nose-to-tail as Darrin Sullivan made an outside challenge on Winters. Winters finally prevailed, and both Winters and Austin inched by Sullivan by lap 20.
Collins started lapping slower traffic on lap 24, and at the halfway mark it was Collins, Houston, Tellstrom, Knight, Winters, Austin, Darrin Sullivan, Dustin DeRosier, Rich Cobb, Nick Lyons, Bloom, Simi Tour, Chis Salmina, Jeremy Nowlin and Mike Sullivan.
Cody Braund dropped out on lap 33 as the three leaders were playing bumper cars trying to upset their fellow competitors. Lap 36 saw Winters dive under Knight for fourth and the following round Tellstrom swapped places with Houston.
Winters began pressuring Houston until Houston’s car finally pushed up the track enough for Winters to poke his nose in the opening and take over third on lap 41.
Collins kept flawlessly driving around lapped traffic until the leaders caught two back-runners racing side-by-side. Collins chose one lane and Tellstrom took the other, and when traffic cleared Tellstrom was out in front. Winters followed Tellstrom’s line and moved into second, dropping Collins to third.
The final yellow came out on lap 54 when Houston was attempting an inside pass on Collins, drove off the track into the infield, and when he returned, dropped grass and dirt on the track the entire length of the back-stretch.
The final six laps were single file with Tellstrom taking the win followed closely by Winters, Collins, Knight and Austin. Rounding out the top ten were Darrin Sullivan, DeRosier, Lyons, Bloom and Cobb. Houston rebounded to finish 11th ahead of Tour, Nowlin, Salmina, Roy Ingalls, Robert Schmidt and Mike Sullivan.
Economy Heating and Air donated $100 to every driver who ran the Qualifying race. Mort Houston and Simi Tour’s Great American Seed Co. donated to the main event purse making this the richest event in the history of the North State Modified Series with $2,000 going to Tellstrom for his win and a minimum of $400 to take the green flag.
Nowlin collected $100 for his win in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash and Keith Bloom received $50 for finishing second. The $100 Jason Belveal Random Act of Kindness Awards were presented to Austin and Elliott. DeRosier earned the Naake Suspension Hard Charger award for passing the most cars. The $2,500 Lucas Oil Tow Money was shared by the top 15 points contenders.
The final race of 2020 for the series will be the Bob Lehman Classic at Stockton 99 Speedway on Oct. 24. Economy Heating and Air has added a $2,000 bonus to the winner of this event, bringing the front money to $3,000. Another $1,000 from the Great American Seed Co. will be distributed to the other competitors.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Scribner Plastics, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Economy Heating and Air, GASCO and Mort Houston.
HOOSIER TIRE TIME TRIALS: Scott Winters, 16.250; Kyle Tellstrom, 16.268, Darrin Sullivan, 16.281, Ian Elliott, 16.299; Cameron Austin, 16.304; Darrin Knight, 16.327; Mike Sullivan, 16.401, Charlie Collins, 16.422, Simi Tour, 16.424, Randy Houston, 16.453; Nick Lyons, 16.520; Dustin DeRosier, 16.530; Cody Braund, 16.562; Rich Cobb, 16.566; Keith Bloom, 16.567; Chris Salmina, 16.610; Jeremy Nowlin, 16.632; Robert Schmidt, 16.909; Roy Ingalls, 17.500; Sal Lopez, N/T
LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH: Nowlin, Bloom, Salmina, Braund, Schmidt, Cobb
ECONOMY HEATING & AIR QUALIFYING HEAT: Houston, Collins, Knight, Elliott; Tellstrom, Winters; Tour, Mike Sullivan, Austin, Darrin Sullivan
LLOYD BURTON AGAINST THE WIND CHALLENGE: Tellstrom, Winters, Collins, Knight, Austin, Darrin Sullivan, DeRosier, Lyons; Bloom, Cobb, Houston, Tour, Nowlin, Salmina, Ingalls, Schmidt, Mike Sullivan, Braund, Elliott, Sal Lopez (dns)
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
“It’s been a busy summer in Lake Tahoe with regard to bear activity and conflicts,” said Jordan Traverso, CDFW’s deputy director of communications. “One of the things we’ve learned from this is that there is a tremendous hunger among residents for reliable, truthful and practical information about bear activity and CDFW’s policies, management and response to that activity. We expect this new blog to help address that information void.”
Tahoe Basin residents can find the Bear Naked Truth blog here.
There is an option to subscribe and receive blog updates by e-mail. The blog features CDFW contact information for residents dealing with bear issues, links to CDFW’s bear policies and best practices for living and recreating safely in bear country.
“Our responsibilities regarding bears in the Tahoe Basin, and all of California for that matter, are ensuring a healthy black bear population, public safety and education,” Traverso said. “This blog will help advance those goals. Bears can become public safety threats if they become comfortable around people and dependent on human food and garbage. Keeping these bears wild for their own well-being and the well-being of those who live and vacation in Lake Tahoe is in everybody’s best interest.”
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – University team of Luke Blanchard of Vancouver, Washington, and Nathan Phillips of Kelseyville, California, won the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at Clear Lake event Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces.
The victory advanced the Simpson bass club to the 2021 College Fishing National Championship.
The Red Hawks duo won by a 4-pound margin over the second-place team of Ryan Beaty and Taj White, also from Simpson University, who weighed in five bass totaling 12 pounds, 13 ounces. The tournament launched from Redbud Park in Clearlake, California.
The top eight teams Saturday at Clear Lake finished:
First: Simpson University – Luke Blanchard, Vancouver, Wash., and Nathan Phillips, Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 16-13
Second: Simpson University – Ryan Beaty, Martinez, Calif., and Taj White, Glendale, Ariz., five bass, 12-13
Third: University of California-Merced – Kalib Caples, Sebastopol, Calif., and Herbie LeBlanc, Gilroy, Calif., five bass, 12-9
Fourth: New Mexico State University – Marquez Perez and Wyatt Sandoval, both of Las Cruces, N.M., five bass, 12-0
Fifth: New Mexico State University – Daylon Smith, Frazier Park, Calif., and Bradley Jones of Las Cruces, N.M., five bass, 8-13
Sixth: New Mexico State University – Logan Cooper and Clay Stearns, both of Las Cruces, N.M., five bass, 8-3
Seventh: Simpson University – Austin Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Sheldon Reese, Witter Springs, Calif., two bass, 7-3
Eighth: Sonoma State University – Brook Spencer, Salinas, Calif., and Dawson Stroud, Modesto, Calif., zero bass
Complete results for the entire field can be found at www.FLWFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI event on Clear Lake was the third and final regular-season qualifying tournament for Western Conference anglers. The next event for College Fishing anglers will be this week, Oct. 2 – the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI Ouachita River Open in Monroe, Louisiana.
Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual Abu Garcia College Fishing Open advance to the following year’s Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI National Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit www.FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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