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Recreation
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Question: I am in search of an eagle feather for my grandson's graduation. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. A'ho! (Cheryl W.)
Answer: Virtually all birds – including carcasses, feathers, and other parts, as well as nests (except non-native) – are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Eagles are also protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act. This means members of the public are prohibited from possessing these items, except by permit.
There is an exception under the Eagle Act, allowing Native Americans to acquire eagle parts and feathers. If you are an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, you can apply for parts (including feathers) through the USFWS National Eagle Repository.
Steel shot for ducks?
Question: Since all lead shot has now been outlawed within the state of California, can the steel shot now being manufactured and designated for upland game (dove, quail and pheasant) now be used for waterfowl as well? There should be no difference anymore, correct? It should all be steel shot. For example, if I purchase No. 4 pheasant loads, can I also use them for waterfowl? (Charlie H.)
Answer: Any steel shot now legal for upland game in California is technically also legal for waterfowl, although most of it wouldn't be a good choice for waterfowl. Small game loads have smaller shot size and less powder, so you're likely to cripple ducks if you use it. Steel pheasant loads are similar in shot size and powder charge and would be fine for ducks.
Possession of gulf grouper or broomtail grouper caught in Mexico?
Question: This is something that comes up all the time with the guys I fish with in Baja. Is there some kind of way – say, a declaration form or something – in which anglers can legally bring Gulf Grouper or Broomtail Grouper legally taken in Baja into California? I have seen these fish brought back on long-range fishing boats out of San Diego. I am surprised these businesses would break the law, although it happens. The regulations seem clear to me: "May not be taken or possessed." It's the same wording prohibiting the take or possession of Garibaldi. (Chad C.)
Answer: You are correct. The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.12 expressly prohibits the take or possession of Gulf Grouper or Broomtail Grouper in California – even if legally caught in Mexico. Should you see any long-range boats in California in possession of either of these species, you can report them anonymously to CalTIP at 1-888-334-CalTIP (1-888-334-2258) or by texting the tip to 847411.
These species are very rare in California waters today. Their protections date to the 1950s, when an expatriate population of these large fish were living off the La Jolla Cove area of San Diego and were very popular with divers.
Back in the 1950s, sport fishing fleets were mostly incapable of venturing all the way into Mexican waters from California ports to fish as easily and comfortably as they can do today so it was easier at the time to ban any possession or importation of the fish.
Wild game cookoff?
Question: I am a member of a non-profit group that's considering a "Wild Game Cookoff" where hunters and/or cooks would bring wild game to cook and sell to the public. Tickets would be sold and people could taste dishes prepared at the event. There would be judging and awards for the best dishes. I am concerned that distributing or selling any wild game caught by recreational hunters might be against Fish and Game regulations. Could you advise us as to the legality of such an event? (Dwain)
Answer: Thank you for asking about this before holding your event! You are correct that it is not legal to buy, sell or barter game meat. Therefore, using sport-caught wild game and/or fish for a fundraiser event where people are required to purchase a ticket to participate would not be legal. The public would, in effect, be "purchasing" sport-caught game at your event.
Separating the fundraising from the distribution or tasting of the wild game meat dishes would be allowed. For example, you may consider asking for donations, charging for parking or charging to vote on a favorite dish, while allowing the wild game meat to be tasted by all attendees for free.
Also keep in mind that the recreational hunters and anglers who participate must also donate the meat they provide and cannot accept monetary compensation from the non-profit, including award checks for winning the contest.
Your event sounds like it could be a lot of fun and a great way to introduce people to some great-tasting wild game.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, please feel free to ask via email at
- Details
- Written by: Nadine Strauss
LAKEPORT, Calif. – After a five-week break to make way for the Lake County Fair, the auto races, sanctioned by Northern California Racing Association, will return to Lakeport Speedway for the 2019 grand finale’ this Saturday at 6 p.m.
In addition to the auto races, the ever-popular Fiberglass 500 boat race will once again thrill the crowd with boats being dragged around the wet race track, each driver trying to dislodge their competitor's boat. Prior to the boat race, the fans will judge which car and boat combo has the best nautical theme.
Saturday’s program includes a $750 to win feature event for the NCRA modifieds plus the inaugural D&P Pools “$300 to win Legends Cars Invitational.” These two classes as well as the Taco Bell bombers will be competing for the 2019 championship in their respective divisions.
The points battle in the NCRA modifieds is close with Eric Johnson (482 points) in front of Darrin Sullivan by only 24 points.
Michael Snider sits in third place with 415 points. A driver can earn as many as 105 points in a night, so any of these three has a mathematical change of winning the 2019 championship in NCRA’s premiere division. Chris Salmina sits fourth in points with Richard Knight in fifth.
Lauren Snider leads the way in the Taco Bell bombers points battle, but Mike Sullivan is only 17 points behind. If either of these drivers has a bad night, the other could be celebrating a championship after Saturday night’s action. Rick Jelton is currently third, Davey Jones fourth and Trevor Abella fifth.
A Friday practice session beginning at 5 p.m. will give the drivers a chance to get their cars back in shape and ready for the season finale.
Gates open Saturday at 5 p.m. with racing at 6 p.m. General admission is only $10. Kids ages 6-11 are $5. Ages five and under get in free. A $30 family pass admits two adults and three kids.
NCRA races at Lakeport Speedway are presented by Hillside Honda, Anderson Logging, Taco Bell, D & P Pools, Lake County Tribal Health, Lake Parts, Carlton Tires, Don Anderson Law Firm, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Steve Taylor Construction, Detail Plus, KXBX 98.3 FM, Lake County Welding, Perkins Pumps, Sheldon Signs and 707 Graphics.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
September openers include quail (Zone Q1 opens for mountain quail on Sept. 14, and Zone Q2 will be open for all quail on Sept. 28), sooty and ruffed grouse (general season will open in various northern and eastern counties on Sept. 14), white-tailed ptarmigan (which will open Sept. 14) and band-tailed pigeon (the northern hunt zone will open Sept. 21).
Please note that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. Please plan accordingly. For more information, please see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s nonlead ammunition page.
Zone maps and information about daily bag limits and possession limits for each game bird species can be found on the CDFW Upland Game Bird Hunting webpage. Additional information about each species can be found below.
Quail
Quail are some of the state’s most popular native game birds. There are three species of quail found in California: California quail, mountain quail and Gambel’s quail. California quail (the state bird) are common and widespread throughout the state in low to mid-elevation brushy habitats with good cover and abundant food. Mountain quail are found in higher elevation habitats. Gambel’s quail are California’s most desert-adapted species and are found in the very arid lands of southeastern California.
The early mountain quail-only season starts on Sept. 14 in Zone Q1 and continues through Oct. 18, covering much of the mountainous region of northern and eastern California. On Sept. 28, the early general quail season opens in Zone Q2 for all quail species in several north coast counties. The remainder of the state will open to quail hunting on Oct. 19 and extend through Jan. 26, 2020. Finally, an additional two-day early hunt season will be open on Oct. 5-6 in Mojave National Preserve for hunters with junior hunting licenses.
CDFW is offering fall hunts for quail (and wild chukar) throughout the state. Special drawings for public land quail and chukar hunts through the Upland Game Wild Bird Hunt Program are available in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and San Diego counties, and drawings for hunts on private ranches (offered through the SHARE Program) will be available in Tulare and Santa Barbara counties. Hunters can apply for these opportunities online, at CDFW license sales offices, through retail license agents or by calling (800) 565-1458.
For all quail species, the daily bag limit is 10 and the possession limit is triple the daily bag.
All three native species of quail are characterized by high reproductive potential associated with adequate and well-timed winter and early spring precipitation. Northern California experienced increased precipitation this spring, benefitting quail habitat and productivity. Hunters should experience good populations of quail this fall.
All three species of quail are most active in the early morning and later afternoon and move in large coveys throughout the day. Quail have distinctive calls that can provide clues to the birds’ location. Quail are more apt to run than flush, making them a more challenging game bird to hunt. Hunting dogs can be useful for locating, flushing and retrieving birds in the field.
Quail can be successfully hunted with legal gauge shotguns. A modified or improved cylinder choke is recommended to avoid damage to the bird. Because of the dense brush habitats where they are usually hunted, downed quail can be hard to find. Despite this challenge, CDFW reminds hunters that wasting game is both unethical and illegal.
Forest grouse
California has two species of native forest-dwelling grouse: the sooty grouse and the ruffed grouse. Sooty grouse occur in the Sierra Nevada, Cascade and northern Coast ranges while the ruffed grouse is restricted to the northwestern part of the state. The general hunting season for both species extends from Sept. 14 to Oct. 14 this year. For sooty and ruffed grouse, the daily bag limit is two (both of one species or mixed species) and possession limit is triple the daily bag.
Although they are fairly large birds, grouse camouflage themselves well and generally hold tight to their location even when hunters are nearby. They flush quickly and fly off in a zigzag pattern, requiring a quick and accurate response from a hunter. Dogs are useful companions to help hunters find, flush and retrieve bagged grouse.
Ptarmigan
The white-tailed ptarmigan is a non-native grouse that was introduced by CDFW to the Sierra Nevada in the early 1970s. This is the smallest species of ptarmigan and the only one found in California. They inhabit the high elevation alpine habitats at low densities from Sonora Pass in Tuolumne County to Kings Canyon National Park.
Hunting these birds can be challenging because of the high elevation and steep terrain. Hunting is permitted from Sept. 14-22. The daily bag limit is two per day and the possession limit is two per season. Hunters should prepare for difficult hiking conditions and be familiar with the area before heading out after this game bird.
Band-tailed pigeon
The band-tailed pigeon is California’s only native pigeon and is a close relative of the extinct passenger pigeon. They look similar to the introduced domestic or rock pigeons that frequent urban areas. Band-tailed pigeons are often found in mountainous terrain throughout the state, using coniferous forests as well as oak woodlands, but populations are migratory and movements can be unpredictable.
The Northern California hunt zone season runs from Sept 21-29. The daily bag limit is two and the possession limit is triple the daily bag. The southern hunt zone does not open until December.
CDFW reminds hunters that an upland game bird stamp is required for licensed adult hunters (18 years and older) but not for hunters with a valid junior hunting license. A HIP validation is also required to hunt band-tailed pigeons.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair once again featured a variety of racing action during its four day run.
The fair kicked off racing on Friday, featuring the Mudd Boggs.
Tiffany Powers took home the stock win with Jessy Thurman in second and Izzy Ramirez in third.
Garret Peterson took home the unlimited win with Kimberly Warren in second and Sean Kite in third.
Brandon Powers took home the modified stock win with Tabatha Hulsey in second and Christopher Niebuhr finished third.
Tyler Ranney (sub for Jeff Wake) won the super modified with David Lovell in second and Kevin Bouthhillier in third.
Saturday featured the Chain & Bang Demolition Derby.
Don The Duck took home first place with Matt Buss in second, third was Robert Bright and fourth place was Nathaniel Lentz. Best-looking car also went to Nathanial Lentz.
Sunday featured the Jalopies, Junior Mudd Boggs and Boat Races.
Bratty Bouchard won the Junior Mudd Boggs with CJ Powers in second and Roger Garcia in third.
In the Jalopy division, Jacob Cyr won the first heat race in the No. 22 and Loren Powers Jr. won heat race 2 in the No. 27 car.
Loren Powers Jr. also took home the trophy dash win and the main event win.
Mark Ashley finished second in the No. 296, and Chris Hunt finished third in the No. 187. Sean Kite in No. 117 went on the win the Boat Races with #WHALE Connor Disney finishing second and #CT Jacob Curnutt finishing third.
You can find full results at MyRacePass.
