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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Hunting in the rut?
Question: You recently said it’s easier to hunt deer during the rut – where do you get your information? Have you compared the buck kill rates in states that allow deer to be hunted during the rut against the deer harvest in California?
The buck-to-doe ratio in California is terrible. I don't believe the deer kill in California would be any higher than in any states that allow the deer harvest during the rut.
It is not that easy to hunt deer in other states during the rut. If that were true the deer kill would be huge in those states, rather than their average yearly take.
Also, why does the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) require that those hunters that do not harvest a deer in California must still call in or go online to report a non-harvest?
If 260,000 licenses are sold and 50,000 hunters report a successful kill, why do the other 210,000 hunters have to report unsuccessful hunts? You already know simply by the successful hunters reports that the rest of the hunters were unsuccessful.
What possible information can you gather by asking the unsuccessful hunters to verify an unsuccessful hunt? It is redundant information. (John M.)
Answer: Bucks in rut are much more vulnerable to all forms of predation – including by humans – because all they are interested in is mating and fighting, nothing else. They don't even eat during that time period because they are so focused on the other activities.
Plus, they are usually concentrated in certain places because rut hunting usually occurs on winter ranges for migratory deer.
According to CDFW Game Program Manager Craig Stowers, the reason we don't do more is because most California deer hunters would prefer a chance to hunt every year instead of having to wait to be drawn for a buck hunt.
Our stats show hunter success numbers for late season hunts are much higher than general season hunts, thus requiring fewer hunters in the field to reach harvest goals.
To view all of the harvest reports posted online, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/deerhunt.html .
It would make sense if the other states you are referring to are whitetail states where they are actively trying to reduce populations. That would explain why they actively hunt in the rut.
We ask the success questions because we need to determine more information than just how many deer are killed. We want to know why people were unsuccessful.
For example, if they were unsuccessful because they didn't even go hunting, we need to delete their information from the harvest results to give a true picture of success – those that don't even try shouldn't be included in the calculations.
We ask other questions like days spent hunting so we can paint a better picture of the amount of time and money hunters spend – all factors we use to justify the continuation of hunting. It's not just about figuring out how many deer are killed.
Chopped up carp chum?
Question: Is it legal for me to catch carp and then chop it up to use as chum when I go ocean fishing? (Chris S.)
Answer: Yes, carp can be legally used as chum in ocean waters. In inland waters, chumming is legal in only a few freshwater lakes and streams.
For a list of acceptable waters, please check section 2.40 in the Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
Is it illegal to have a trout on a stringer?
Question: I know that trout may not be maintained or possessed in a live condition in any container on or attached to any boat, but is it also illegal to have trout on a stringer?
We like to keep our catch on a stringer and the stringer in the water to preserve the meat. We do not attempt to keep trout alive with the intent of changing out the smaller ones. We just enjoy a good fish fry.
Thank you for any help. (Stas and Holly A., Buena Park)
Answer: Keeping your fish on a stringer in the water is perfectly fine. The fish cannot swim freely when on a stringer, and this method does help to keep them fresh until you’re ready for your fish fry!
Fishing for sanddabs
Question: When fishing for sanddabs, how many hooks can be attached to the line on a single rod? (Len P.)
Answer: You may fish for sanddabs with as many hooks as you like on a single rod, unless rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, greenlings, or salmon are on the vessel or in possession, in which case special restrictions apply (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 27.80 and 28.65).
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: Ron Hallman
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The HVL Men’s Niners Golf Club held the second and final round of its 2014 Club Championship on Aug. 21.
Jim Hodges took first and is the 2014 Club Champion.
Byron Hoss was second. Don Dornbush was third and Rick Conrad, fourth.
In conjunction, a stroke-play tournament was held.
The results were:
- First flight: Scott McAllister posted the lowest net of the day, 29. Pete Gascoigne was second at 30 and Paul Bertlin third, 32.
- Second flight: Randy Brown and Doug Healy tied for the top spot with 32. Arch Madsen and Dennis Bero tied for third, 33.
- Third flight: Bill Surber and Mike Casolo tied for first with 32. Jim Hodges, John Castineau and John Jones tied for third, 34.
- Fourth flight: Gary Foote took first with 31. Ed Carver, Hal Weber and Jim DeRosa tied for second with 32.
Closest to the Par 3 pins were Bruce Brashares and Stan Kalata.
Chip-ins were scored by Bill Stricklan (2), Pete Gascoigne, Dick Kistner, Scott McAllister, Bill Brewster and Jeff Markham.
Sixty-four men participated in the day’s events.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Relocating rescued rattlesnakes
Question: I found and took home a dying Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) after it became a victim of a wildfire.
It's now eating great and able to move fluently which is great and a job well done in my eyes.
I've had it in captivity close to three weeks now. Is it OK to place it back into the wild (away from humans, of course)? (Daniel G.)
Answer: While we appreciate your desire to help injured wildlife, it is illegal for members of the public to rehabilitate wildlife without possessing a wildlife rehabilitation permit.
If you kept the injured rattlesnake near or with other captive reptiles at your house, the snake should not be re-released back into the wild due to the inherent danger of spreading disease into wild populations of rattlesnakes after release.
Wildlife rehabilitation is regulated in California to ensure animals are cared for and housed properly and that their reintroduction into the wild is done very carefully.
Wildlife rehabilitators often give pre-release medical exams or observe wildlife patients for an extended period of time to evaluate the health of an animal prior to release.
All rehabilitation facilities have a veterinarian of record who help them with medical issues and can help them assess whether an animal is healthy enough for release.
Wildlife rehabilitators must return wildlife within three miles of where the animal originated and often work with the department to find suitable release sites.
We encourage you to find a wildlife rehabilitation facility that is willing to take the rattlesnake and go through the proper channels for its release.
For a list of permitted wildlife rehab facilities, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/WIL/rehab/facilities.html .
Can cowcod caught in Mexico be imported to U.S. waters?
Question: If we’re fishing in Mexican waters and catch a cowcod, can we legally bring it back into a California port as long as we have all of the proper licenses and the Declaration for Entry form properly filled out?
I'd just like to know for sure as we fish Mexican waters frequently targeting rockfish and I'd like to avoid a citation. (Jeff M., San Diego)
Answer: No. Cowcod may not be imported or even possessed in California regardless of where caught (Fish and Game Code, section 2353(a)(2)).
Broomtail groupers and canary, yelloweye and bronzespotted rockfishes are also illegal to be possessed or imported into California under this regulation and under California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.55(b)(1), even if they were taken legally in Mexico.
Hunting deer over water
Question: I was having a conversation with my uncle the other day and we were discussing whether it would be legal to hunt over a horse or cattle trough.
With the recent drought, I'm worried that the deer in our area aren't getting sufficient watering holes.
I have read the section on baiting in the Big Game Digest, but am under the impression that water is not considered bait.
So our main question is, is it legal to hunt over a horse/cattle trough or any other type of manmade pool of water if there are no horses or cattle? (Tony S., Davis)
Answer: Although there are some specific exceptions, it is generally legal to hunt near cattle troughs or other sources of water.
Keep in mind that many wild animals like deer will water before or after legal hunting hours.
In addition, it is NOT legal to hunt, camp or otherwise occupy for more than 30 minutes within 200 yards of wildlife watering places on public land within the California Desert Conservation Area, within 200 yards of guzzlers or horizontal wells for wildlife on public land, and within one quarter mile of five wells in Lassen County and one well in Modoc County is prohibited (CCR Title 14, section 730).
“Wildlife watering places” are defined as waterholes, springs, seeps and manmade watering devices for wildlife such as guzzlers (self-filling, in-the-ground water storage tanks), horizontal wells and small impoundments of less than one surface acre in size.
Abalone dinner donations
Question: If a nonprofit organization puts on a dinner and only requests donations to attend, can a group of divers legally donate abalone to the organization to be used for the dinner? (Anonymous)
Answer: Yes, but only as long as the dinner is not advertised as being an abalone dinner and as long as paying for the dinner is optional.
You may charge for the rental of the facilities, tables, chairs, etc. and charge for the plates, napkins, cups, etc.
Abalone (like all sport-caught fish and game) cannot be bought, sold, bartered or traded.
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
COBB, Calif. – Take a hike Sunday, Aug. 24, at Boggs Mountain State Forest.
The Friends of Boggs Mountain will host a four- to five-mile, moderately-paced hike with Karen Rhoads on various Boggs trails beginning at 9 a.m.
Wear sturdy shoes, dress appropriately for weather conditions, and bring water and a snack if desired. Friendly leashed dogs are welcome.
The hikers meet in the parking lot. The forest entrance is located off Highway 175 just 1.5 miles north of Cobb Village. Turn at the blue State Fire Station/Boggs Mountain Forest sign.
For more information email Rhoads at
Visit the Friends of Boggs Mountain Web site at http://boggsmountain.net/calendar/hiking-events/ for updates and changes to the schedule.