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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting an art contest to select the design for the state's 2015-2016 upland game bird stamp.
This year's stamp will feature the ring-necked pheasant.
The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years and over. Entries will be accepted from Sept. 30 through Dec. 30, 2015.
Artwork must include at least one ring-necked pheasant, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California.
Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and a print.
The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a public judging event, with the date and location to be announced later.
An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California.
The money generated from stamp sales must be spent on upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach.
The ring-necked pheasant was chosen this year because of CDFW's recent efforts to fund projects to address pheasant declines in California.
For more information, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/birds/pheasant .
CDFW sells about 175,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps .
For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the Web site.
For contest information and entry forms, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp .
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- Written by: Editor
If you always thought snipe hunting was just a rite-of-passage prank for adolescents around the campfire, you may be surprised to learn that there is a real hunting season coming up for this tasty game bird.
The general hunting season for snipe will be open statewide from Oct. 17, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2016. The daily bag limit is eight and the possession limit is triple the bag limit.
“Snipe hunting is a great pastime for hunters who are up for a challenge,” said Karen Fothergill, a senior environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Upland Game Program. “They are easily the state's most overlooked game bird, in part because they're extremely difficult to hunt. Being successful requires knowledge of their habitat and quick identification followed up with a fast and accurate shot.”
In fact, the word “sniper” originally meant a hunter that was skilled at shooting the notoriously wily bird.
Wilson's snipe is a plump brown-and-buff migratory shorebird with short, stocky legs and a long bill.
They can be found throughout the state, but are elusive and hard to spot when on the ground (thus the likely origin of the campfire game).
Snipe are foraging birds, frequently found probing muddy grounds for earthworms and invertebrates. They fly in a fast zig-zag pattern and in the spring they make a distinctive whistling sound (called “winnowing”) with their tails.
Snipe are most frequently found along the muddy edges of ponds, damp fields and other wet, open habitats. Areas with low vegetation provide adequate camouflage and cover for snipe, but they can often be spotted by glassing the water's edge with binoculars.
Because of their habitat, waterfowl hunters are most likely to encounter snipe in the field and may find the bird to be a nice addition to their daily take.
In marshy bogs or wet meadows, hunters can use a pointing dog to stalk snipe, or can use the walk-up or pass shooting methods. A light upland gun with an open choke is recommended, with #7 shot.
Snipe tend to flush into the wind, so hunters may have more luck if they walk with the wind at their back. Though they are flocking birds, snipe tend to flush as singles or pairs. They almost never fly in a straight line, making excellent hand-eye coordination a must for a successful hunt.
“One thing that's especially important to realize is that snipe keep company with many other shorebird species that are not legal game,” Fothergill noted. “Be able to quickly identify your target to ensure you're not firing on a plover or other non-game species.”
While snipe have a wide wingspan, they are smaller than quail and it may take several to make a single meal. They are often roasted whole or breasted out and cooked with butter or bacon. Hunters who enjoy eating dove or duck will likely love the taste of snipe.
Although finding a snipe hunting guide at summer camp is easy, it might be tough for a new hunter to find one during the season without getting served a side dish of puns and jokes.
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.
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- Written by: Editor
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Mendocino Unit is preparing for the fall season at Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) by announcing scheduled closures of seasonal forest roads.
Effective on Thursday, Oct. 15, except as noted below, all State Forest roads within Jackson Demonstration State Forest will be closed to unauthorized public vehicular traffic in accordance with Sections 1431 and 1438, Title 14, California Code of Regulations.
The road closure prohibits the use of all unauthorized motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and ATVs. Roads may still be used for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.
It is always unlawful to operate unlicensed vehicles (including off-road vehicles with or without green stickers) on State Forest roads. Off-road travel with motorized vehicles is not permitted on the State Forest.
This seasonal closure protects forest roads from damage during wet weather. Please do not drive on roads that are wet and have soft surfaces, even if they are not formally closed. Road and stream damage can occur from rutting and erosion. It is not safe to drive on roads with slippery surfaces. Please help protect your forest resources.
The following roads will generally remain open throughout the winter, but may be closed periodically without further notice depending on road and weather conditions:
– Road 100 (closed at the property line at the north end);
– Road 130 (closed at Road 1000 at the north end);
– Road 250 (closed at Road 1000 at the north end);
– Road 350 (only as far as the Egg Collection Station/Camp One Day Use Area);
– Road 500;
– Road 700 to Mendocino Woodlands State Park;
– Roads 800 (to the property line);
– Road 810;
– Road 900 only to Road 810.
Information regarding camping and other recreational activities such as mushroom gathering on JDSF is available at the Cal Fire Fort Bragg office, located at 802 N. Main St. or by calling 707-964-5674 during the following hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Visit the Web site at http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php .
Multiple uses of JDSF for a wide variety of activities that benefit the public, the economy and natural resources are what demonstration forests are all about.
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Public Services Director Caroline Chavez announced that the Konocti Regional Trail docents will once again be leading hikes to the summit of Wright’s Peak on Mt. Konocti.
The first scheduled hike will be Oct. 10.
There will be a total of four hikes open to the public. Steady rain or unforeseen environmental issues may cancel the hike.
The hikes include a six-mile round trip hike up and down the mountain that is primarily designed for those in generally good physical shape.
Appropriate clothing, footwear, food and water are important for participants.
There will no sign ups required for these hikes. All hikes begin at 8 a.m. at the main parking area located approximately three miles up the mountain after the pavement ends on Konocti Road, just past the turnoff to Mountain Vista Middle School.
The hike lasts about four hours and includes a stop at the Downen cabin historic area in the canyon oak forest just below the summit.
Participants over 18 years of age, who sign a required waiver of liability as required by the county, will also be able to access the Cal Fire tower on Wright’s Peak for spectacular views of the Clear Lake Basin as well as Mt. Lassen.
The schedule for fall 2015 is as follows:
– Saturday, Oct. 10;
– Sunday, Oct. 18;
– Saturday, Oct. 24;
– Sunday, Nov. 1.
If you have any questions or need additional information, contact the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.
