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Hunting with an Airbow?
Question: I’ve been learning about the Benjamin Pioneer Airbow and am curious about the legal status of using these for hunting.
It seems to be the functional equivalent of a crossbow and so I would think they would be appropriate for general big game seasons where archery is a legal method of take.
Does the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have a position on this innovative hunting tool? (Gregory Z.)
Answer: Airbows are essentially airguns that shoot arrows. They are not firearms nor are they (by definition) bows or crossbows (see California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 354).
Game mammals and birds may only be taken by the methods listed in CCR Title 14, sections 311, 507 and 354.
While firearms, bows and crossbows are all allowable methods of take, the airbow does not fall under any of these definitions, and thus may not be used to take wildlife in California.
Chumming for Pacific halibut?
Question: Is it legal to fish for Pacific halibut using a chum bag? The bag would be independent with no hooks, just a bag of bait on the ocean floor. (Dan R.)
Answer: Yes, chumming is legal in the Ocean and San Francisco Bay District (see CCR Title 14, sections 1.32 and 27.05.).
Please be aware that Pacific halibut is managed as a quota fishery and will close once the annual quota is reached.
Before engaging in fishing activity, please check our Pacific halibut Web site for weekly tracking of harvest while the season is open or current closure notifications or call one of the hotlines listed at this site.
License required for frogs, bugs and other insects?
Question: I know I need a license to catch fish, but I was wondering if I need a license to catch dragonfly nymphs, snails or any other kind of water bugs as long as they are not a fish. Do I need a license to catch frogs and tadpoles? I'm going to take my kids to a river and help them explore and I know I'm going to have to help them catch the small water critters. (Pedro A.)
Answer: Thank you for taking the time to ask about the regulations before taking your kids out. Here are the basics: A sport fishing license is required for individuals 16 years of age or older who wish to take fish, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates or reptiles in California (freshwater or ocean waters).
Remember that tadpoles are baby frogs, and only the amphibians listed in CCR Title 14, section 5.05 may be taken.
If you are going to actively catch frogs, tadpoles, etc. (amphibians) with your kids, you should first have a fishing license. If the kids do all of the work themselves and they’re under 16, they don’t need a license.
This information is contained in the current Freshwater Fishing Regulation booklet beginning on page 5 which can be found online or at any CDFW license office, bait shops, sporting goods stores or other places where fishing licenses are sold.
Importing mount of a species prohibited to hunt in California?
Question: Is it legal to own a mount of a wild animal that is illegal to hunt in California, but legal in another state?
The critter is a sandhill crane that is illegal to hunt in California, but was legally bagged in another state (some 15 states consider these game animals, but not here).
Can I bring this mount into California and publicly display it? (James S.)
Answer: Yes, but you should keep all documentation of where it came from and/or hunting licenses with it in case the origin of the mount ever comes into question.
Fish and Game Code, section 2353, requires that you declare the entry into California of any legally taken birds, mammals, fish, reptiles or amphibians.
The Declaration for Entry form requires you to put down information such as a hunting license number, game tag number, etc. and indicate the county and state in which the animal was killed.
With the exception of animals like a mountain lion or mountain lion mount that cannot be legally imported, you are allowed to import legally acquired wild animals or wild animal mounts and should have documentation of where and how they were acquired as some states allow the sale of wildlife and wildlife mounts, too.
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
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Zoning Administrator will consider approving Minor Use Permit (MUP 16-20) of CHUCK AND KATHY SLOAN in accordance with Lake County Code to allow accessory structures consisting of: 1) a 2,300 square foot barn to house horses; and 2) a 570 square foot hay storage barn.
All existing and proposed structures do not encroach into required yard setbacks and are located within the building envelope.
The project is located at 21361 Yankee Valley Road, Hidden Valley Lake, CA, and further described as APN 144-131-01.
The Planner processing this application is Tricia Shortridge, (707) 263-2221 or
The Zoning Administrator will approve this Minor Use Permit with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., AUGUST 12, 2016 to the Community Development Department, Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, California.
Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on AUGUST 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Robert Massarelli, Community Development Director
By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Zoning Administrator will consider approving Minor Use Permit (MUP 16-19) of MICHAEL BYRNE in accordance with Lake County Code to reduce the front yard setback of a main dwelling by 25 percent, from 20 feet to 15 feet.
The project is located at 11171 Rose Anderson Rd, Middletown, CA, and further described as APN 050-431-46.
The Planner processing this application is Joshua Dorris, (707) 263-2221 or
The Zoning Administrator will approve this Minor Use Permit with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., AUGUST 12, 2016 to the Community Development Department, Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, California.
Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on AUGUST 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Robert Massarelli, Community Development Director
By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Friday evening firefighters in Clearlake were closing in on full containment on two wildland fires they had been battling since earlier in the day, with remaining evacuations lifted.
The Extension fire and the North Branch Extension fire were reported about an hour and a half apart on Friday afternoon.
Cal Fire Division Chief Greg Bertelli told Lake County News that the Extension fire had burned seven acres, with the North Branch Extension at 30 acres.
As of 6:30 p.m. both fires were reported to be at 75-percent containment, Cal Fire reported.
The Extension fire was reported shortly after 1 p.m. off 18th Avenue behind Woodland Community College, in an area where a fire had been reported early Friday morning.
The North Branch Extension fire was first dispatched just after 2:45 p.m. in the area of Ogulin Canyon Road and Industrial Avenue.
Bertelli said a total of three metal structures were burned in the North Branch Extension fire.
He said Cal Fire kept both fires under the same incident command system, thus the similar names although they were several miles apart.
Thanks to firefighters' efforts, the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported at 6:30 p.m. that evacuations in the Ogulin Canyon area had been lifted.
The sheriff's office urged residents to check their homes and surroundings for any sign of additional danger such as smoke, embers, downed power lines or fire damage.
Pacific Gas and Electric reported shortly after 6:30 p.m. that a small power outage affecting approximately 27 customers was still in effect due to the fire activity.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Firefighters are making good progress on the second wildland fire to hit the Clearlake area on Friday afternoon.
As of just after 4:30 p.m., the North Branch Extension fire, located in the area of Ogulin Canyon Road and Industrial Avenue, was about 20 acres and 50-percent contained, according to Cal Fire Division Chief Greg Bertelli.
“Things are looking good over here,” Bertelli said.
Bertelli said the fire was burning in grass and oak woodland.
He said “quite a few resources from around the county and beyond” were on scene.
Earlier in the incident, an in-county strike team and a strike team from Mendocino County had been requested, as Lake County News has reported.
While firefighters were making good progress, Bertelli said they were anticipating the western wind could impact the fire.
He said the fire had, by that point, destroyed three small metal structures.
Fire officials had put in an evacuation order for Ogulin Canyon Road to the east, but Bertelli said that they were looking to possibly lifting that order soon.
The Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection group was on scene, and Bertelli said incident command was assessing if animals in the area needed to be evacuated.
He said about 40 dogs at a kennel in the area were being sheltered in place.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
THIS ARTICLE IS BEING UPDATED. NEW INFORMATION IS POSTED AT THE BASE OF THE ARTICLE.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Evacuations have been called for in an area of Clearlake due to a wildland fire that began burning there early Friday afternoon, with a second fire reported in the city a short time later.
The Extension fire was first reported just before 1:15 p.m. in the area behind Woodland Community College and Walmart, according to radio reports. Just before 3 p.m. Cal Fire estimated the fire was at 10 acres.
The Clearlake Police Department said all residences along 18th Avenue were under immediate evacuation just before 1:45 p.m., with the area of Dam Road at the Cache Creek Apartments to 20th Avenue added to the evacuation area at 2:30 p.m.
Woodland Community College also was reported to be evacuating, based on dispatch reports.
However, nearby St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake had not called for evacuations as of 3 p.m.
“There is a fire currently in proximity to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake on 18th Avenue in Clearlake and first responders are on scene. The fire department is working on containment and evacuation orders for the hospital are not expected at this time,” said spokeswoman Cambria Wells.
Lake County Fire and Cal Fire were among the initial agencies that responded to the incident, with requests to Northshore Fire for mutual aid, reports from the scene indicated.
Responding units were told to be careful due to downed lines in various areas of the fire.
Cal Fire's air resources have been making water and retardant drops in an effort to stop the fire.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m., incident command made an immediate need request for an in-county strike team of engines.
Scanner reports indicated that 18th Avenue at Gardner and at Highway 53 was closed to all but fire vehicles.
Shortly after 2:45 p.m., another fire was reported in the area of Ogulin Canyon and Highway 53.
The first units at the Ogulin incident reported that it was about three acres and burning uphill north of Ogulin Canyon.
Incident command on the Extension fire began diverting resources to that second incident and made a request to Mendocino County for another immediate need strike team. Northshore Fire units also were reported to be responding.
Shortly after 3:15 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that automated emergency calls had been made to the residents of Ogulin Canyon advising of nonmandatory but recommended evacuations.
At the same time, the agency said a temporary evacuation shelter was being set up at the Clearlake Community Center at 3245 Bowers Ave.
Incident command also was calling for the activation of the Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection group to stage at the former water park to help with removing animals from the area.
Just before 3:30 p.m., the Ogulin fire was reported to be 20 acres.
Shortly afterward, fire officials asked Pacific Gas and Electric to cut all power in the area from Ogulin Canyon to the east.
At 3:45 p.m., the Clearlake Police Department reported that evacuees from the Avenues area impacted by the Extension fire could return home.
At 4:02 p.m., the Ogulin fire – renamed the “North Branch Extension” fire, was reported to be 50-percent contained.
At 4:12 p.m., incident command said the North Branch Extension fire was holding at 15 acres, based on estimates from Cal Fire's air attack.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at