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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Gaffing undersized shark that’s biting my thumb?
Question: I recently went fishing with a friend and hooked into a 4-foot angel shark (which I had mistaken for a large skate).
When I got it close to the boat, I reached down to unhook it and release it (still not thinking it was a shark).
As I got close to its mouth it thrashed around and bit my thumb pretty good (suddenly I realized I was in the jaws of a shark).
The shark wouldn't release my thumb, and me being in the boat and it still in the water, the only thing I could think of doing at that moment was to gaff it and bring it on board the boat.
When I gaffed it we got it on the boat, my friend held it down and used a screwdriver to pry its mouth open. By this time the shark had lost a lot of blood.
The law says it has to be 72 inches and 100 pounds. The shark died and I was wondering if we violated any laws given that it died while we were trying to save my thumb?
In this situation, if we didn't violate any laws could we have kept the dead shark?
Please let me know or put me in touch with someone who can answer this question. Thank you very much for your time. (Sean O.)
Answer: Sorry about your thumb, but there are no size or weight limit restrictions for angel sharks.
Gaffs may be used to assist in landing any fish that is legal to take and of legal size, but gaffs are not a legal method of take for sharks or any other species.
In a case like this where it sounds like your personal safety (thumb) was an issue, you can use whatever means necessary to ensure your safety. Afterwards, when the immediate threat is over, you must abide by current rules and regulations.
If the species or size is illegal, you may not possess it. And as in this case, if you caught the shark illegally, you must release it, dead or alive.
Hunting ducks on mountain lakes?
Question: I have always wondered if it was legal to hunt some of the smaller lakes in the Sierra and foothills bordering forest service land.
As long as one follows the standard waterfowl protocol, would it be legal? (Derek C.)
Answer: Yes, it would be legal to hunt waterfowl on the lake so long as you are not trespassing on private property or violating some other law such as shooting too close to an occupied dwelling.
Trail cameras – baiting vs attracting
Question: I want to set a trail camera out on public lands like the National Forests in California and attract wildlife to it. Can I use scents or baits to attract the wildlife for photography reasons only?
I’m not hunting in the area. Example would be putting a commercially sold scent on a log or the ground by the trail cameras.
What about an apple, salt lick or chunk of chicken? When is a permit needed for trail camera photography on public land?
If I have a California trapper license or hunting license, would it make a difference? The intent is still to modify the animals’ behavior for a photo, and that seems to be the issue. (Anonymous)
Answer: Yes, that is the issue. Intentional acts that disrupt any birds’ or mammals’ normal behavior patterns (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 251.1) or feeding big game mammals (CCR Title 14, section 251.3) is prohibited.
Even if you are not intending to draw an animal in for the purpose of hunting, putting out any type of attractant still falls under the definition of baiting.
The definition of “baited area” can be found in the California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 257.5.
And under this regulation, the use of any substance (real or artificial) that is capable of attracting an animal to an area, and when used causes the animal to feed (on the substance), is prohibited.
Generally, aerosols sprayed into the air are permissible because there is nothing to feed on. But the same products applied to a surface (e.g. tree, brush, rock, etc.) where the animal licks, eats, chews, nibbles, etc. the surface is considered feed and is a violation.
Will CDFW plant fish in private duck club pond?
Question: A pond on our private duck hunting property was accidentally drained in the last year but we will refill it as soon as we can get more water.
At that point, can we have the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) replant it with fish? (Fishingdude)
Answer: No, CDFW will only plant fish in public waters that are open and available to the public to enjoy.
If this is a private pond, you will need to get a private stocking permit from CDFW and then buy fish from a commercial fish farm, which may also stock them for you.
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
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join Billy Gear, a docent for Clear Lake State Park, Anderson Marsh and Mount Konocti, on Saturday, Oct. 18, for an autumn evening walk along the tails and paved walkways of Clear Lake State Park.
The two-hour walk will start at the visitor center parking lot at 6 p.m.
The walk will be at a slow pace and cover about one mile of paved road and trails.
Participants should bring suitable clothing, binoculars/scopes, a headlamp or small flashlight, water, and sturdy shoes.
They hope to see some of the early evening and twilight mammals, birds and insects that normally aren’t seen in the daytime, and they may have a chance to see some stars.
Feel free to bring the whole family.
Park entry fees are waived for those participating in the walk.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, and entry into the park is free for those attending the walk.
Anyone having special needs should contact the Clear Lake State Park Sector Office Tuesday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 707-279-2267.
For further information on California State Parks go to www.parks.ca.gov .
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- Written by: Editor
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council announces the first transfer of PG&E-owned watershed land to the United States Forest Service.
The lands’ conservation values will also be monitored and protected by a conservation covenant that is now held by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
This land transfer, finalized on Oct. 9, 2014, is the first of several anticipated land transfers from PG&E to the USFS.
It is among the many land donations that will be made by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to qualified public entities, nonprofit organizations, and American Indian entities in furtherance of PG&E’s Land Conservation Commitment.
The nonprofit Stewardship Council was created to implement this commitment through a stakeholder-driven Land Conservation Program designed to ensure 140,000 acres of California's pristine watershed lands – currently owned by PG&E – are permanently conserved for the public good.
The 151-acre parcel, is referred to as the “Deer Creek planning unit,” and is located in Tehama County about 25 miles north of Chico.
It is entirely surrounded by the Lassen National Forest and is adjacent to the Ishi Wilderness Area. The site reaches an elevation of approximately 2,500 feet at its highest point, and provides important outdoor recreation, cultural resources, and wildlife habitat within the canyons of Deer Creek.
These lands eventually will be incorporated into existing USFS management plans and managed and protected consistent with the federal lands surrounding them.
Deer Creek runs through the center of the property and provides important habitat for spring run Chinook salmon, western pond turtle, and foothill yellow-legged frog.
The USFS has recommended federal Wild and Scenic River designation for Deer Creek, including the segment that runs through the property.
This land also serves as a gateway to a variety of recreation activities, including backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and whitewater boating.
“The Deer Creek transaction represents years of work by the Stewardship Council board and staff, with valuable input from a wide variety of stakeholders,” says Art Baggett, president of the Stewardship Council board of directors. “This is among the first of many important milestones that the Stewardship Council plans to achieve in carrying out its important mission of protecting and enhancing watershed lands and uses.”
“The US Forest Service is grateful to be entrusted with the stewardship of this special place,” says Dave Hays, Lassen National Forest, Forest Supervisor. “Working together with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and all our other partners, we’ll manage and protect this unique place—now and into the future.”
As the conservation covenant holder, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy has worked with a diverse set of landowners in the Sierra including the USFS since it was created in 2004. “We look forward to working with the USFS to ensure that the conservation values and recreational uses at the Deer Creek property remain in perpetuity," says Sierra Nevada Conservancy Executive Officer Jim Branham.
The Stewardship Council was established in 2004 as part of a settlement agreement between PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission.
The board of directors includes appointees from state and federal agencies, water districts, tribal and rural interests, forest and farm industry groups, conservation organizations, the California Public Utilities Commission and PG&E.
The Stewardship Council is charged with ensuring more than 140,000 acres of watershed lands located across the state are conserved and enhanced to provide a broad range of beneficial public values.
To learn more about the organization and its work, visit www.stewardshipcouncil.org .
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- Written by: Ron Hallman
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The HVL Men’s Niners Golf Club held a stroke-play tournament on Oct. 9.
The results were:
– First flight: Paul Bertlin took first with net 33. Fred Figg was second at 34 and Bill Eagleton third, 36.
– Second flight: First place was a four-way tie – John Jones, Bruce Hamilton, Bill Perry and Mike Higman each scored 34.
– Third flight: Ed Carver had the lowest net of the day, 30. Dick Kistner was second, 33. Brian Panizzera and Jay Hodges tied for third, 34.
Closest to the Par 3 pins were Rick Conrad and Bob Chesnut.
Chip-ins were scored by Jim Brown, Jim Wilson, and Mike Higman.
Sixty men participated in this event.
Ron Hallman is publicist for the HVL Men’s Niners Golf Club.