Recreation
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
When can I use splashers and flappers for duck hunting?
Question: I'm fairly new to waterfowl hunting and had a quick question: When are decoy splashers, as well as decoys that flap (not spin), allowed? (Alejandro)
Answer: Welcome to the wonderful world of waterfowl hunting! There are few things in the outdoors as stirring as watching a wetland awaken at sunrise, something waterfowl hunters get to witness regularly with a front-row seat.
The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 507(c) addresses motion decoys: "It is unlawful to use devices that are either electronically powered, or activated by anything other than natural wind, to directly or indirectly cause rotation of decoy wings or blades that simulate wings, when attempting to take waterfowl between the start of the season and Nov. 30."
As long as a decoy or device that has rotating wings, or blades that simulate wings, is not activated or powered by anything other than natural wind, it is legal to use throughout the entirety of the waterfowl season. Electrically powered decoys that swim, vibrate, splash, move their feet or otherwise churn the water to simulate a feeding or active duck are also legal throughout the season.
Generally, we feel that new waterfowl hunter will benefit the most from time invested in studying live ducks on the water, practicing calling and shooting rather than trying to acquire the latest and greatest motion decoys to hit the market.
While there are certainly times and places when motion decoys – both wind-powered and electric-powered – will improve hunting success, the most consistently successful duck hunters tend to be those who also are excellent callers, understand the nuances of decoy placement, are highly proficient shooters, well-concealed during their hunts and let the birds work close before taking a shot.
These are time-honored techniques and traditions that will enhance your waterfowling experience and overall success - motion decoys or not. We wish you the best on your journey.
Buying a report card after the catch?
Question: In Lake Cuyamaca, sturgeon are present, as are large channel catfish. One can buy licenses and report cards in the tackle shop, within a hundred yards of the nearest shoreline. If a sturgeon is caught incidentally to the take of catfish in the lake, would it have to be immediately released, or, upon incidental landing of a legal-size sturgeon, would it be legal to immediately purchase the required report card, and keep the fish? (Chris)
Answer: No. Any required report cards or tags must be purchased prior to taking fish or other wildlife. If you don't have a sturgeon report card in your possession, you can't fish for sturgeon, and an incidentally caught sturgeon must be immediately released.
The purpose of sturgeon report cards is to help fisheries biologists track catch (and lack thereof) throughout the season. Report cards information must be provided to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at the end of the season, even if you didn't catch anything.
That information helps our biologists monitor the fishery by telling us where people are fishing, how much effort they're putting into fishing, how many fish were captured, released or retained, and the size and age distribution of fish caught within the legal slot limit (40-60 inches).
It's the same situation with hunting tags. Taking a deer or other big game animal without a valid tag – and then purchasing the tag after the fact – is illegal.
On another note, since you mentioned that you're fishing for catfish - remember there are gear restrictions for white sturgeon. They may be taken using only one single point, single shank, barbless hook on a line (CCR Title 14, section 5.80). If you're not using that for catfish, and you do decide to get a report card and target sturgeon, make sure to switch to the right gear.
Bobcat hunting?
Question: I've heard bobcat season was cancelled this year. I bought a tag. So, you're telling me I can't use it to hunt bobcats? (Shawn)
Answer: Bobcat season was not cancelled, but it is closing sooner than originally planned. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1254 (Kamlager-Dove, Chapter 766, Statutes of 2019), bobcat hunting will be prohibited in California beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The change was enacted through the legislative process, not the Fish and Game Commission.
All bobcat tags will expire on Dec. 31, 2019. Bobcat tag fees are not refundable. If you have a bobcat tag, you may still hunt bobcats until Dec. 31. They are also still available to purchase but understand the season will close Dec. 31. CDFW is working to notify hunters who have already purchased bobcat tags of the statutorily mandated change.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
YUBA CITY, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Clear Lake Cardinals headed out in the early hours of the morning, with 24 wrestlers – 19 boys and five girls – to compete at the Jensen Invitational Tournament.
With more than 30 teams attending there was some great competition, including a list of state qualifiers and masters placers in the girls' division.
At the end of the day, the Cardinals team finished with 20 wrestlers in the top six places and took home 15 medals: five firsts, two seconds, five thirds, three fourths, four fifths and one sixth.
Gold medalists:
Boys – Asher Reese (113 lbs.) was 3-0. Nicholas Williamson (132 lbs.) went 3-0 with three pins. Liam Davis (145 lbs.) was 3-0 with one pin and Christopher Krack (220 lbs.) went 2-0 with two pins.
“Asher was flawless, Nick has superhuman strength, Liam wrestled smart technical matches and Chris imposed his will and would not be denied his victory,” said Head Coach Nathan Powers.
Girls – Mavis Pyorre (121 lbs.) went 3-0 with two pins and a tech fall. Mavis took down and pinned the No. 1 seed and a top Sac Joaquin Section wrestler during her finals match in the first round.
“She looked really good, especially for her first time back on the mat, since the 2017 NCS Girls Championships,” where she placed sixth her freshman year, said Coach Chris Clarkin.
“I love her relentless pressure she applies to her opponents,” said her dad, Rick Pyorre.
Silver medalists:
Boys – Mohammad Akbari (126 lbs.) was 1-1 with one pin. “He is really building his skillset and has become a dangerous competitor,” said Coach Powers.
Girls – Ashley Vasquez-Higuera (189 lbs.) went 1-1 with one pin. “Ashley just back after a year off, due to a car accident, looks to be a contender at NCS this year, she is strong,” said Coach Clarkin.
Bronze medalists:
Boys – Ayden Williamson (126 lbs.) was 3-1 with three pins. Hayden Fowler (138 lbs.) went 3-1 with two pins and a tech fall. Elijah Alvarez (145 lbs.) went 3-1 with one pin and Dominic Legendre (285 lbs.) was 2-1 with two pins.
“Ayden’s speed is like Sonic Hedge Hog, Hayden is gaining control of his matches, Elijah’s mat awareness is peaking and Dominic showed his resilience coming back to beat an opponent he previously lost to,” said Coach Powers.
Girls – Ashley Pyorre (108 lbs.) went 3-1 with three pins; her only loss was to one of last year’s high school state qualifiers and this tournaments weight class champion.
“She can beat her, she just got caught,” said Coach Tyler Hayes.
“Ashley’s focus and intensity is matched by none and is hands down the hardest worker on the team,” said Coach Powers.
Fourth place medalists:
Boys – Anthony Gersalia (170 lbs.) went 2- 2 with two pins.
“Anthony came out and showed a lot of promise in his first High School tournament,” Coach Powers said.
Girls –Tara Wong (101 lbs.) and Ximena Soto (121 lbs.) was 1-2.
“The girls really came through, as they all the medaled in the tournament. Tara and Ximena continue to improve their wrestling skills,” said Coach Powers.
Fifth place medalists:
Boys – Nathan Pyorre (106 lbs.) went 2-2 with one pin. In an exciting final match, Pyorre came back to regain the lead in the final seconds with a reversal and near fall points to win the match.
“He just showed everyone, why you never stop,” said Hayes.
“That was the stubborn Fin coming out,” said dad Rick Pyorre.
“I love his attitude!” said Coach Powers.
Raymond Gonzales-Shoaf (245 lbs.) was 2-2 with two pins.
“Raymond was dynamic and explosive in his last match of the tournament,” said Coach Powers.
Mujtaba Akbari (120 lbs.) went 1-2 and Luis Aguilar was at (115 lbs.).
“Mushi continues to battle tough through his matches and Luis is always willing to learn and try to eliminate his mistakes,” said Coach Powers.
Sixth place medalist:
Boys – Vicente Ortega (145 lbs.) went 1-3.
Head Coach Nathan Powers said, “Vicente continues to keep bringing his game up a notch,” said Coach Powers.
Also wrestling some hard-fought battles for the Cardinals were: Isaac Vigil (120 lbs.), Samuel Vanoven (134 lbs.), Zachary Wilcox (140 lbs.) and Drake Chesebro (245 lbs.).
“They all fought hard and battled to the end of each and every match! I am so proud of how they all leave everything on the mat and give it all their heart and soul,” Powers said.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County Tennis Association
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Tennis Association presented certificates of appreciation to nine student from Kelseyville High School for their volunteer work on the recently completed repairs to the Gard Street tennis courts in Kelseyville.
The students worked on the courts over a weekend when the old tennis surface was removed.
Because of their effort, this phase was completed on time to meet the project’s tight schedule.
Certificates were presented by Association President Mike Sha and board member Connie Wright to Adrian Sprague, Michael Pearson, Connor Hodges, Matt Gormora, Brian Newberg, Marcos Nonato, Tyler LInnell, Hanna Scully and Monica Guitierrez.
The association thanked them for their support in keeping this important community facility usable, Shay said.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The invasive snails were found in both the Santa Ana River and designated wild trout stream of Bear Creek within the greater Santa Ana River Watershed.
Despite their small size, NZMS is a highly problematic aquatic species. At only 4 to 6 millimeters in length on average, dense populations of NZMS can displace and outcompete native species, sometimes by consuming up to half the food resources in a waterway that native insects and fishes would eat.
The snails have been linked to reducing populations of aquatic insects, including mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, chironomids and other insect groups upon which trout and other organisms depend.
CDFW urges anglers, boaters, visitors and locals to “clean, drain and dry” all recreational items and fishing gear, which generally means anything that has gotten wet.
It is important to leave any stream water, debris and organic plant matter at a recreational site in order to prevent the further spread of the snails.
Once NZMS is established in a new habitat, it is impossible to eradicate it without damaging other components of the ecosystem.
Boaters, anglers and others who may visit any body of water, within or outside of infested areas, are asked to decontaminate their equipment and follow the “clean, drain and dry” best practices for all equipment and clothing used in a waterway:
– If you wade, freeze waders, wading boots and other gear overnight (at least six hours, though 24 hours is recommended).
– After leaving the water, inspect waders, boots, float tubes, paddleboards, kayaks or any gear used in the water. Leave all water and debris at the site that you exited.
– Additionally, remove any visible snails with a stiff brush, clean off soils and organic material, and follow this by rinsing at the site, preferably with high-pressure hot water.
– It is critical to completely dry out gear for a minimum of 24 hours.
– Never transport live fish or other aquatic plants or animals from one body of water to another.
– An informational flier on the “clean, drain and dry” directive is available for download on CDFW’s website.
The Santa Ana River is the largest river completely in Southern California. Its flow begins in the San Bernardino mountains and concludes at the ocean in Huntington Beach. Bear Creek begins at Big Bear Lake and connects with the Santa Ana River in the mountains. The Santa Ana River watershed has a drainage basin size of 2,650 square miles, is home to 4.5 million people, and is popular among recreationalists and fishermen.
To date, NZMS has been identified in over 17 bodies of waters in the coastal Southern California counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange, including Lower Santa Ana River. NZMS-positive lakes and streams in the Eastern Sierra are in Inyo and Mono counties – Diaz Lake (Inyo), Pleasant Valley Reservoir (Inyo), Tinnemaha Reservoir (Inyo), Lone Pine Creek (Inyo), Lower Bishop Creek (Inyo), Bishop Creek (Inyo), Bishop Creek Canal (Inyo) and Los Angeles Aqueduct (Inyo); Owens River (Mono and Inyo); Upper Owens River (Mono), Hot Creek (Mono), Rush Creek below Grant Lake Dam (Mono) and Crowley Lake (Mono).
CDFW has launched public outreach and education efforts to discuss NZMS in San Bernardino County with local water districts, federal and state agencies, nonprofit fisheries partners and fly fishing clubs. Greater outreach efforts will occur in the next few months and into the spring, including posting NZMS signage at Bear Creek angler survey boxes and at other water access points along the Santa Ana River.
For more information on NZMS , please visit the Invasive Species page on CDFW’s website. The U.S. Geological Survey’s website also features an interactive map showing the current distribution of NZMS in California and throughout the U.S.
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