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- Written by: Editor
As California’s 2015-16 waterfowl hunting season approaches, hunters may find that wildlife areas may have limited space, particularly early in the season.
Most years, quality public hunting access can be found on more than two dozen national wildlife refuges and wildlife areas managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
With the ongoing drought, some areas will have significantly reduced amounts of water available while others will have normal to near normal water conditions.
Some wildlife areas and refuges may be closed, while others may open later in the season or have a reduced hunter quota.
State-operated waterfowl hunting areas that will be affected for the opener include Sutter National Wildlife Refuge and Kern National Wildlife Refuge, both of which will likely open late in the season.
Opening and closing dates vary by zone. This information is included in the 2015-2016 Waterfowl Regulations booklet.
Please note that as of July 1, 2015, nonlead ammunition is required when hunting upland game birds on all state wildlife areas and ecological reserves. Please plan accordingly. For more information please see the CDFW nonlead ammunition Webpage .
CDFW is striving to only offer reservation applications for areas that will be open for hunting. However, last-minute closures may occur due to uncertain water availability and refunds cannot be issued for applications submitted to areas that close due to a lack of water.
Waterfowl hunters should keep informed about current reservation and quota numbers, which are expected to fluctuate frequently. Hunters can also follow the Twitter tag #cawildlifeareaclosures for updates on state-operated wildlife area closures.
In an ongoing effort to expand public access, CDFW is offering waterfowl hunting opportunities through the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement Program (SHARE) at the Merced Wildlife Management Area in Merced County.
For a description of the hunts offered and application instructions, please visit CDFW’s SHARE Webpage.
A valid California hunting license, appropriate validations and a signed federal waterfowl conservation stamp must be obtained before entering the field. In addition, a wildlife area pass is required to hunt on many state-operated wildlife areas. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas, so hunters must purchase these items in advance.
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Approximately 30,000 students complete this requirement annually.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Crystal Lake Hatchery in eastern Shasta County is currently closed to the public while a major environmental restoration is under way in nearby Rock Creek.
“Because there is so much construction work and equipment on the property, we had to close the viewing area and temporarily cancel tours to keep the public and the workers safe,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Hatchery Supervisor Linda Radford. “We will continue to grow and plant trout during construction and will welcome back visitors as soon as possible.”
Crystal Lake Hatchery spawns, raises and releases catchable rainbow trout every year for planting in Northern California lakes.
It is one of 23 state-run hatcheries that provide millions of fish for California anglers.
The Rock Creek restoration project consists of re-routing the hatchery supply pipeline and moving a diversion dam on Upper Rock Creek to a new location downstream.
The project will create habitat for the endangered Shasta crayfish while maintaining a continuous, clean water supply to the hatchery via a water recirculation system.
The hatchery is scheduled to be closed to visitors for most of October and November. Visitors may call the hatchery at 530-335-4111 for more information and updates.
A complete listing of state hatcheries can be found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/hatcheries .
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Advanced Hunter Education Program will offer a waterfowl hunting clinic on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Butte County.
The clinic will be taught by retired CDFW Chief of Patrol Michael Carion and Warden Aaron Freitas, both experienced waterfowl hunters and instructors.
Participants from beginner to advanced are welcome to attend. The clinic will cover the basics of hunting waterfowl with the goal of developing ethical and conservation-minded hunters.
Topics will include duck calling, hunter safety, decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, game care and hunting on state and federal waterfowl management areas and regulations.
The cost is $45 for adults (there is no cost for youths age 17 and under). The clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is limited to 25 people, so please register early.
To register or for more information, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/ or contact Lt. Alan Gregory at 916-653-1235.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento, off Highway 99.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Hunting big game using cell phones and radios?
Question: Is it legal while hunting big game to have a spotter guide a hunter to the animals using cell phones or radios? (Frank H.)
Answer: While it’s illegal in some states, it’s not in California. In states where it is banned, it is because they believe using radios and/or cell phones while big game hunting is not an ethical method of stalking and hunting wildlife. Currently, California has no such law and so radios and cell phones are legal.
Fishing deep for black cod and sablefish?
Question: We occasionally venture offshore for albacore later in the season and are wondering if it is legal to sportfish for black cod or sablefish in deep water. We are talking about 800 feet or deeper waters using deep drop gear. We see commercial fisherman out there long lining for these fish. (Peter C.)
Answer: What you describe is not legal. There are six Recreational Groundfish Management Areas along the coast of California (see page 9 of the 2015-2016 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet).
Depending on the management area, the depths range from approximately 120 feet to 300 feet. The only allowance for a recreational boat to possess groundfish, including sablefish/black cod, in areas deeper than allowed or closed to the take of groundfish, is when that boat is in transit with no fishing gear in the water (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 27.20(b)).
There are a few species exceptions, like Pacific sanddabs, which is why the angler must carefully read the section pertaining to the management area where he/she will be fishing.
Slingbow modification for freshwater spearfishing?
Question: I have a few questions regarding using slingbows in my area and possible changes to my method. I want to get into slingbow fishing since spearfishing in freshwater is illegal in my area (San Luis Obispo County).
Is it legal here in this county? And if so, is it restricted to above the water’s surface or can I shoot fish underwater using snorkel and mask?
Second question … If it is legal to use a crossbow underwater, instead of using arrows, would it be legal to shoot carp with a Hawaiian sling shaft from a slingbow if it’s attached to a line or reel? If not, is it restricted to arrow use only? (Anonymous)
Answer: Using a slingbow or crossbow underwater would constitute spearfishing and would not be legal as spearfishing is defined as “the taking of fish by spear or hand by persons who are in the water and may be using underwater goggles, face plates, breathing tubes, SCUBA or other artificial underwater breathing device” (CCR Title 14, section 1.76).
A slingbow would only be legal as bow and arrow fishing tackle if the arrow is attached to the slingbow by a line or attached fishing reel (CCR Title 14, section 1.23). But, in San Luis Obispo County, all public lakes have ordinances prohibiting possession of bow and arrow fishing tackle on or along these water bodies.
So a slingbow with attached line/fishing reel could only be used on private ponds or lakes and only for fish species listed under section 2.25 on page 15 of the current Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
How to stop neighbors from leaving food and water for wildlife?
Question: What can be done legally to stop my neighbors from leaving food and water outside for animals? Raccoons and rats have invaded our homes and yards and are leaving unhealthy feces behind, tearing the fabric on our patio furniture and causing other problems. How can we get them to stop? (Sally S.)
Answer: Many people think they are helping wild animals when they provide food and water for them. However, all they are doing is luring the animals into conflicts with people living in the area. CDFW provides information about the inadvertent negative results on our Web site (search for “feeding wildlife”).
You could start by educating your neighbor about the harm they are doing by providing them some of the information, and then hope that their heart is in the right place and they will stop.
If the actions continue, some cities have passed local ordinances that make it illegal to feed wildlife, and CCR Title 14, section 251.1 makes it unlawful to harass wildlife (causing them to alter their normal behavior), which can include feeding them.
Hopefully, educating your neighbors will preclude having to get law enforcement personnel involved.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at