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The winning design for California’s 2013 Duck Stamp will be selected at a judging event scheduled June 18 in Davis.
Nineteen artists from around the country submitted original art for consideration for the stamp.
The contest, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), required entrants to paint, draw or sketch the species chosen by the California Fish and Game Commission, which this year is the American wigeon.
The contest will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the CDFW Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 County Rd 32B (Chiles Road) in Davis.
The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing, will choose first, second, and third place winners and an honorable mention.
Since 1971, the California Duck Stamp Program’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.
In past years, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license. California has moved to an automated licensing system and hunters are no longer required to carry the stamps in the field because proof of purchase prints directly onto the license.
However, CDFW will still produce the stamps, which can be requested by interested individuals on CDFW’s Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/collectorstamps/ .
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – School is out and parents everywhere are thinking about how to keep their kids from becoming couch potatoes this summer.
Families will also be seeking recreational activities and trying to plan a quality outing on a budget.
Those willing to venture outdoors in the Golden State will find lots of things to do – kid-friendly and pocketbook-friendly, too.
If you are looking for creative summer boredom-busters, look no further than the Youth and Families in the Outdoors Program (YO!) hosted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
“It’s amazing how many outdoor opportunities are available in every corner of the state,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “From fishing lessons to guided nature tours, each of these events serves to encourage a deeper understanding of our wildlife and natural resources and cultivates a desire to learn about them.”
YO! maintains a calendar of kid- and family-friendly summer events around the state, including those sponsored by organizations and nonprofits unaffiliated with CDFW.
To find the perfect summer opportunity, please check out the calendar at www.dfg.ca.gov/yo .
The calendar will be updated regularly so please check back throughout the summer months.
YO! is a collaborative effort between CDFW and a number of outdoors-oriented foundations and organizations around the state.
Its purpose is to facilitate the conservation, enhancement and restoration of our fish and wildlife and habitats through the education and participation of our youth in California’s outdoor heritage.
If you know of a family or youth-friendly outdoor event that is not listed on the calendar, please contact YO! at 916-322-8933.
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The HVL Men’s Niners Golf Club held a better ball team ( two- man) competition on Thursday, June 6.
The results were:
- “A” Flight: The team of Jim Brown/Jim Wilson was first with combined net, 27. Bill Brewster/Randy Brown second, 28. Arch Madsen/Stan Kalata, Joe Vallee/Paul Berlin, and Cliff Hughes/Bill Surber tied for third, 29.
- “B” Flight: The team of Jim DeRosa/Ron Hallman came in with the lowest combined net of the day, 26. Bob Costello/Dennis Day second, 27. Mike Riley/Byron Hoss, Doug Healy/Tommy Sowell, and Ed Carver/Don Holland tied for third, 28.
Closest to the Par 3 Pins were Jim Wilson and Brian Rudy.
Chip-ins were scored by Bob Costello, Tommy Sowell and Mike Casolo, and two by Olie Smith.
Fifty-four men participated in this event.
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Question: Pacific halibut have become a sought-after sport fish out of Eureka and Trinidad. I have a question about landing large Pacific halibut, particularly in a relatively small boat.
Many people use a type of harpoon with a head that comes off and is tethered to the boat. This prevents the fish from heading down while a rope is run through its gills for hauling it aboard.
I was told that harpooning them this way was possibly illegal under rules governing harpooning fish. In this case the fish was caught with normal hook and line. The harpoon is used only to land the fish safely, similar to a gaff but more secure.
Is this legal? Are there better methods? I have heard many tales of big halibut doing serious damage to fishermen if they are brought aboard too early and without steps taken to control them. All ideas are welcome. (Tom P., Eureka)
Answer: Harpoons cannot be used to “take” halibut, and landing the fish is an integral part of “take.” So just because you get the fish to the surface, it does not mean it has been “taken” until it is landed (secured).
Most fish are lost at the surface, so take has not been completed and a harpoon could not be used at this point. Harpoons are only allowed for the actual take of all varieties of skates, rays, and sharks, except white sharks (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.95).
Keeping rattlesnakes as pets?
Question: Can rattlesnakes be collected in the wild and kept as pets? I know that no licenses are required to kill them but don’t know if they can be legally kept as pets. (Andrew G., Angels Camp)
Answer: Yes, but first check with your local animal control agency regarding whether any local laws apply in your area.
Under state law, all pit vipers, except for the six California native rattlesnakes listed in CCR, Title 14 section 671(c)(7)(E), are restricted species that may not be possessed without a permit.
Keeping live, native rattlesnakes is not prohibited by Fish and Game laws. No license is required to take or kill a rattlesnake in California, but the daily bag and possession limit is two.
The take of other species of native reptiles and amphibians requires possession of a sport fishing license. The daily bag and possession limits are provided in CCR, Title 14 section 5.60.
Privately fishing on a commercial charter boat?
Question: My friends and I are having a discussion about crab fishing regulations. If someone operates a crab fishing charter business in the San Francisco Bay area, they are limited to six crabs per person at a minimum size of 6 inches each.
Does this mean that any time they fish regardless of whether it is for hire/charter or for personal reasons (family and friends), they can only take six crabs? Or, if they are fishing as a private boater (e.g. not for hire), can they take 10 crab per person instead? (Gerry)
Answer: If they are fishing as a private boater, and not for hire, they are not subject to the restrictions that apply to a charter boat.
Since there is always a chance that a warden will check the fishermen on the boat, it is a benefit to everyone if there is a note in your private boat log (if you have one) that reflects that this is not a charter trip, and that the warden is made aware of the circumstances when first contact is made.
Help for new rabbit hunters?
Question: My son and I are new to rabbit hunting. For possession limits, will my 16-year-old son and I each be able to have 10 in possession (20 total) as long as we mark which animals we each harvested? (Dan)
Answer: If hunting for brush, cottontail or pygmy rabbits or varying (snowshoe) hares, bag and possession limits (for each of you) in the aggregate of all species is five per day, 10 in possession.
Remember, that’s no more than five for each of you per day and no more than 10 in possession after two days. No need to mark which animals belong to whom as long as you keep each bag separate.
However, if you don’t remain together, one person should not be in possession of two limits. If hunting for jack, black-tailed or white-tailed rabbits, the season is open all year and there are no bag or possession limits.
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