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Recreation
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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Two large fires this year have affected popular recreation, wilderness and hunting areas on the Mendocino National Forest.
For both public and firefighter safety, the Forest continues to have two closure orders in place, restricting access to both the North Pass and Mill Fire areas.
The forest is working hard to keep the latest road and area closure information current on the forest website, Inciweb ( www.inciweb.org ) and Twitter (@Mendocinonf).
The Mill Fire closure order number is 08-12-09. The latest closure for the North Pass Fire is order 08-12-15. Maps of both closure areas, along with the associated closure order, can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino . Click on alerts and notices in the left column, then scroll down to the “Closures” heading.
Closures can change daily, and hunters should periodically check the website or call the Forest for the most current updates. Forest officials are hesitant to make promises about when the fire closure orders will be rescinded.
“Fire suppression activities are affected by numerous factors, and even after the fire is contained it may not be safe for the public to enter the area due to active fire and snags,” said Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “We will open the areas when we are confident that the conditions in the area are no longer a threat and the resources have sufficiently stabilized.”
The North Pass Fire area, burning in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness and south to the FH7 (Mendocino Pass Road) has been a concern for hunters wanting to access areas they have gone to for generations.
There are numerous concerns for forest managers trying to maintain firefighter and public safety, beyond fire activity and standing dead trees and snags that can fall with little notice.
This includes continued fire activity, including suppression and repair activities, involving travel on narrow mountain roads.
There are still hundreds of firefighters traveling on forest roads and working in remote areas. With deer hunting rifle season starting this weekend, the concern extends to the visibility of the many firefighters working in this remote area.
Even though the North Pass Fire is approaching containment and the smoke has become less noticeable, the fire is still not controlled. There will still be fire and hot spots in the area until the winter rains and snow come.
Until the fire is controlled, there are many dangers in the fire area, including burning stump holes, which aren’t readily visible, slippery conditions in areas covered in ash and burned needles, and weakened trees that can fall suddenly and without warning.
As a reminder, for those recreating in open areas of the forest this fall:
- Be aware of current conditions before heading to the forest, including closure orders, alerts, notices and current weather.
- Be prepared for changing conditions, including the appropriate gear and layered clothing. Especially in the mountain, weather conditions can change rapidly from hot and sunny to cold and wet.
- Let someone know when you are leaving, where you are going and when you will be back.
- If camping in the open forest, select a level campsite away from dead trees or possible rolling debris. Remember to look up to identify potential hazards.
- Flash flooding and mud flows may be common in areas without vegetation.
The forest is in fire restrictions until there are drenching rains. Please call 530-934-3316 for current information.
Visitors are reminded to stay on authorized roads. Forest maps, including Yolla Bolly and Snow Mountain Wilderness maps, can be purchased at Forest offices. The latest Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps are also currently available free of charge at Mendocino National Forest offices.
“We want the hunters to have a safe season and for other visitors to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the Forest as the summer recreation season draws to a close,” Tune said. “We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping us safely conclude our fire season by respecting and abiding by the current forest closures.”
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
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The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is inviting nonprofit organizations to help wildlife by auctioning big game hunting license tags for the 2013-14 season.
There are only 13 of these special tags reserved for 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups to auction at specialized fundraising events.
The tags are not available for purchase to the general public.
The highest bidders will be allowed to hunt bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn antelope in California.
The possibility of winning such a rare prize attracts more bidders to the nonprofit groups’ fundraising events.
To participate, nonprofits must complete an application that will be reviewed and ranked by DFG staff members.
Applications are available on the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/fundraising/index.html and must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, at 3 p.m.
Fish and Game Code section 4334 requires the proceeds from the sales be returned to DFG to fund programs that benefit bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn antelope.
In 2011, auctioned tags for two bighorn sheep, one pronghorn antelope, two elk and eight deer raised more than $303,000 for the research and management of these native wildlife species.
Organizations that have previously applied or expressed interest in future opportunities to sell these tags have been notified via e-mail.
Representatives of nonprofit groups without Internet access may request a printed application package by calling the DFG Wildlife Branch at 916-445-4034, sending a Fax to 916-445-4048, or writing to: Ms. Victoria Barr, DFG Wildlife Branch, 1812 Ninth St., Sacramento, CA 95811.
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Men’s Niners held a two-man Pinehurst competition on Thursday, Sept. 6.
Fifty member participated.
Winners included:
- A flight: first place team, Bill Brewster/Randy Brown net 30; second place, Bill Stricklan/Tim Greer net 32, third place tie with team Dennis/Bero/Bob Brossier and team Al Burrows/Dave Mann with net 33.
- B flight: first place, Jim Hodges/Jay Hodges net 29; second place, Pete Gumina/Frank McAtee net 31; third place was a tie with teams Mike Riley/Byron Hoss and Bill Ferris/Bob Schossler with a net 34.
Closet to the pin: Bill Strickland and Randy Brown.
Chip ins were made by Al Burrows and Brian Panizzera.
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- Written by: Greg Cornish
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Bob’s Marine sponsored the Champion/Stratos Bass boat owners tournament this weekend on Clear Lake.
There were a total of 65 boats and it took nearly 50 pounds to win over a period of two days.
A report from www.calbassin.com said that the lake was fishing good and there are lots of fish between 4 and 6 pounds being caught anyway you wanted to catch them.
It looks like fall is going to bring a better bass bite.
Now here’s the skinny on what’s going on around the lake.
Troy Bellah and Dave Brabec, Clearlake Outdoors, Lakeport; telephone 707-262-5852
Clear Lake
Not much has changed in the last week. The weeds are dying back and the algae is slowly disappearing.
The fish are schooled up, eating silversides and baby bass. Lucky Craft LV 500 is the bait of choice right now and you can catch fish burning the bait or the yo-yo retrieve.
The bite is best at sunrise till about 8 a.m. You can catch fish on just about anything once you find them.
Last Sunday we caught fish on 6-inch trash fish swim baits, Lucky Craft LV 500, brush hogs, chatter baits and D Bombs.
Not many people fishing for the catfish even though they are biting good. Fish the shallows in the late afternoon. Night-crawlers, crawdads and cut bait will all work.
East branch of the Russian
The river continues to kick out planter trout to 15 inches.
Gary Hill and I went on Thursday and had limits in about an hour. Small crankbaits, countdown Rapalas and pink Power Eggs all caught fish.
Highland Springs
Rumors of the lake being dead are not true in the wake of hearing about the lake being sprayed for weeds.
The fishing there seems to be the best at sunset; I talked to a couple anglers who caught fish last week.
Senkos and buzz baits will work well.
Greg Cornish lives in Nice, Calif. Email him at