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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is offering swan tours near Marysville Nov. 3, 2012, through Feb. 2, 2013.
Cohosted by local rice farmers, the tours will focus on tundra swans in one of the premier locations for viewing swans in California.
Novice birdwatchers should enjoy the naturalist-led tours. Binoculars will be available.
Ducks, geese, shorebirds, herons, egrets and raptors, including bald eagles, are also commonly seen in this area, which contains 23,000 acres of rice fields and restored wetland habitat.
Tours will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The driving tours involve walking a short distance.
Preregistration is required at www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/2/SwanTours . Up to 30 people may register for each tour.
The tours are free, but registrants may make a donation online to the California Wildlife Foundation to support this program.
The swan tours are part of DFG’s wildlife viewing services program, which includes similar outdoors opportunities at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Isenberg Crane Reserve and North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve.
For more information, please call 916-358-2852.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Department of Fish and Game will hold a Game Bird Heritage Apprentice Junior Pheasant Hunt on Saturday, Nov. 3.
The hunt, cosponsored by the Konocti Rod and Gun Club and the Lake County Rod and Gun Club, will be held at the Highland Springs Recreation Area.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Oct. 17.
To apply, register online at the Department of Fish and Game’s Web site, www.dfg.ca.gov , or call 916-374-9137.
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- Written by: Editor
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Anderson Marsh State Historic Park remains open and the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) continues to hold guided nature walks, followed by a tour of the Historic Ranch House Museum.
The first walk for this fall is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13.
Meet in front of the Ranch House at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife to be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m.
Bring your binoculars. This time of year mammals and birds alike are attracted to the park because of the abundance of wild blackberries, grapes, rose hips and mistletoe berries available for food.
Also, fall brings many migrating birds; some to eat the autumn fruits and some to rest in the waters of Clear Lake, Cache Creek, Anderson Marsh or in the trees nearby.
Join Park Docents Gae Henry and Henry Bornstein as they see what early fall has brought to the park.
During both the walk and the Ranch House tour, Henry and Bornstein will share their passion and knowledge about the natural, cultural and historic resources protected in the park.
If rain cancels the walk, the ranch tour will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
For more information about the walks, email
More information about AMIA can be found at www.andersonmarsh.org .
For more information about the park, you also may visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=483 .
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: My parents have 370 acres of land in the Blue Lakes area. We have harvested a few feral hogs and I am thinking about trying to start a guide service.
What steps do I need to take to become a guide? Also, are we required to purchase licenses and tags to hunt on our family's private property, or is it only required for federal and public land?
I have been buying hunting licenses and tags to hunt on public land, but I was told we didn't need to on our land. I would rather hear it from a professional instead of letting rumor get somebody in trouble. Thank you for the clarification. (Paul)
Answer: Yes, even landowners must purchase licenses and tags to hunt on their own property. Wildlife is a public trust resource and belongs to the people of California and not to the people who own the land that the animals may reside on or travel over.
And regarding your question about a hunting guide license, “guide” means any person who is engaged in the business of packing or guiding, or who, for compensation, assists another person in taking or attempting to take any bird, mammal, fish, amphibian or reptile.
“Guide” also includes any person who, for profit, transports other persons, their equipment, or both to or from hunting or fishing areas. There are no courses or tests one must take to become a hunting guide.
The basic requirements are to fill out the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) guide license application and pay the license fees. The current cost for an annual resident guide’s license is $204.97.
Employees of the guide who assist in the service are also required to have a guide employee registration license that costs $45.06.
Guides must not have any DFG violations in the two years preceding their application. A prospective guide with DFG-related violations may have his or her application denied and licensed guides with violations may have their licenses revoked.
A guide must also purchase and maintain a “performance bond.” The bond is to protect the clients and assure that any deposit a guide receives from a client to reserve a future trip will be returned to the client if the guide cancels and tries to keep the deposit.
For more information on acquiring a guide license, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/forms/ and see Fish and Game Code sections 2535-2546 and California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 745.
Legal decoys
Question: I am interested in hunting doves, pigeons, turkey, deer and/or ducks.
I see that some states allow hunters to use decoys to lure in their game and would like to know what's OK and what’s not. Since there are so many sold in the markets now, how do you know which are legal to use in California and which are not? (Sam X.)
Answer: Wildlife decoys are generally legal to use in California. There are restrictions for motorized spinning wing decoys for waterfowl during the first portion of each waterfowl season. Please see CCR Title 14 section 507(c) in the waterfowl hunting regulations.
Grizzly bear tooth
Question: I received a grizzly bear tooth amongst some of my grandfather’s possessions after he passed away.
My grandfather grew up here in California and was an amateur geologist (never hunted), so I think he either found or purchased the tooth, although I have no proof.
I was wondering if it is legal to possess or sell the tooth here in the state of California. I don't want to break any laws. (Laura J.)
Answer: It is legal for you to possess it but you cannot try to sell it.
According to DFG Statewide Coordinator for Bear, Mountain Lion and Wild Pig Programs Marc Kenyon the sale or purchase of any bear part in California is prohibited (FGC, section 4758 (a)). Even offering it for sale over the Internet is a federal violation that could make you subject to prosecution under the Lacey Act.
Looks like you may possess the tooth, or give it away but you may not sell it.
Sounds to me like you may have an interesting piece of California's history, as grizzly bears are extinct in the state – enjoy it.
Halibut fishing in the Bay
Question: If I’m trolling for halibut in the San Francisco Bay, can I use another line that has only dodgers and flashers on it without any hooks to attract the fish closer to my boat? I will only have one pole or line with a hook on it. (J.V., Rodeo)
Answer: Yes.
Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at