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Recreation
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
These properties are closed to the public, effective immediately, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging hunters to keep their distance.
"We know that hunting opportunities will be impacted throughout the state, but no hunting opportunity is worth a human life," said Chief David Bess, deputy director and CDFW Law Enforcement Division chief.
California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 708(2)(b) prohibits CDFW from refunding deer tag application fees, but refunds may be issued for select elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep tags.
Additionally, some premium deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep tags may be returned to CDFW with a request to have preference points reinstated and one preference point awarded for the species for the current hunt year. Tag return and preference point eligibility requirements and additional information may be found on CDFW's website.
CDFW will continue to monitor and close areas as needed. National forests and evacuation zones will remain closed until authorities allow them to re-open. Because the situation is rapidly changing,
CDFW strongly encourages hunters to use the following links to research closures and open areas prior to leaving for any hunt.
CDFW Land Closure List
Map of Closed Ecological Reserves
Map of Closed Wildlife Areas
USFS Lands
Bureau of Land Management Lands
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
In addition, campfires and stoves are prohibited within the Mendocino National Forest per Regional Order 20-06 (fire restrictions).
The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region issued these orders to provide for public safety and reduce the potential for human-caused fire starts.
Notifications to those who reserved recreation sites through recreation.gov will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed.
A full list of current closures follows.
Upper Lake Ranger District
Bear Creek Campground
Deer Valley Campground
Lower Nye Campground
Middle Creek Campground
Navy Camp Campground
Oak Flat Campground
Penny Pines Campground
Pine Mountain Lookout
Pogie Point Campground
Sunset Campground
Covelo Ranger District
Atchison Campground
Eel River Campground
Green Springs Campground
Grizzly Flat Dispersed Campground
Hammerhorn Campground
Howard Lake Campground
Howard Meadows Campground
Little Doe Campground
Grindstone Ranger District
Big Springs Picnic Area
Cedar Camp Campground
Davis Flat Campground
Dixie Glade Campground
Fouts Campground
Fuller Grove Campground
Fuller Grove Group Campground
Gray Pine Group Campground
Green Springs Campground
Kingsley Glade Campground
Letts Lake Campground
Little Stony Campground
Masterson Group Campground
Mill Creek Campground
Mill Valley Campground
North Fork Campground
Old Mill Campground
Camp Discovery Group Campground
Plaskett Meadows Campground
Plaskett Meadows Picnic
Rattlesnake Memorial
Red Bluff Recreation Area
Red Bluff Boat Launch
South Fork Campground
Sugar Spring Campground
Sugarfoot Glade Campground
Sycamore Grove Campground
Sycamore Grove Picnic
Three Prong Campground
Wells Cabin Campground
Whitlock Campground
Wolf Creek Visitor Station
Customers needing information, passes and maps are encouraged to call the Mendocino National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 530-934-3316 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., visit the forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/, and check for updates on Facebook or Twitter.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, Sept. 12, the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, returns to Lakeport Speedway for race No. 2 of its 2020 schedule.
The event will be sponsored by Napa Lake Parts in Lakeport.
The series was shortened this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the final four races are confirmed and the promoters are looking forward to open-comp modified racing action.
The last event at Lakeport, held on July 18, was won by Ukiah’s Kyle Tellstrom.
Tellstrom leads in the points standings followed by Charlie Collins of Upper Lake, Lakeport Speedway 2020 modified champion Mike Sullivan of Kelseyville, defending NSMS champion Scott Winters of Tracy, and Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville.
These drivers, along with the other top 15 contenders in the NSMS points standings will share in the $2,500 Lucas Oil Tow Money program when they sign-in to race at Lakeport.
In addition to the tow money, the purse has been increased courtesy of Competition Carburetion. Plus there will be a $100 Jason Belveal Long Tow Award for the team towing the most miles. And Competition Carburetion will award $50 to the driver who turns the fastest lap in the 60 lap feature event. The Lucas Oil Dash for Cash contenders run for $100 to win and $50 for second place.
Three-time NSMS champion Darrin Knight did not compete at the race in July but plans to be racing this weekend.
Other local drivers running with the NSMS drivers will be Jeremy Nowlin of Kelseyville, Richard Knight of Lakeport, Robert Schmidt of Lucerne, Ian Elliott of Lakeport and Donovan Cox of Kelseyville. Many other regular NSMS drivers are expected.
The North State Modifieds will be joined by the Taco Bell Bombers, the NCRA Legends Cars and Late Models, The Pro-4 Modifieds and the Lakeport Speedway 4-Bangers. There are still no spectators allowed, but race fans can watch the action on NCRA-Lakeport Speedway Facebook Live beginning at 6 p.m.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Napa Lake Parts, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Scribner Plastics, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Competition Carburetion.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
What's a daily bag and possession limit?
Question: The fishing regulations talk about "a daily bag and possession limit of fish." In the case of striper, it lists two. My question is this: If you catch legal size fish, you keep the first and give away the second to another angler, are you still allowed to continue fishing and keep another fish? (Jeff)
Answer: No, in your example you would have taken three striped bass (one more than the limit, which is two). No more than one daily bag limit of each kind of fish - striped bass, in this case - may be taken or possessed by any one person unless otherwise authorized, regardless of whether they are fresh, frozen or otherwise preserved, as per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, section 1.17.
If you are interested in boat limits for the Ocean and San Francisco Bay District, please review CCR Title 14, sections 27.60 and 195.
Trading sport-caught fish
Question: Can I legally trade bluefin tuna caught on a charter boat? This would be a personal trade to someone for fishing gear. (Chad)
Answer: No, it is not legal to trade sport-caught fish for fishing gear. California Fish and Game Code (FGC) section 7121 specifically prohibits selling or purchasing sport-caught fish - and the definition of "sell" includes to barter, exchange or trade (FGC, section 75).
Non-lead ammo exceptions for vintage firearms?
Question: I am the third generation to hunt with my grandfather's .32 Winchester Special. I have been unable to locate nonlead ammunition for the rifle, which I would like to pass on to my son this year. Is there any exception if nonlead is not available, or do you know where I can find some? (John)
Answer: Your Winchester sounds like a great rifle, and one truly worthy of being passed on. But there is not an exception. Nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. However, there is a possible solution. You may be able to load your own ammo with nonlead bullets. One of our wildlife officers suggested finding a local gun shop or gunsmith who can teach you how. The officer said, "I'm in the same situation - I'm currently in the process of making my own brass for a .255 Dean, a 120-year-old family gun that I'd like to keep in use. Many of the older calibers are nearly impossible to use without loading your own ammo."
Also, you should know that manufacturers are adding more and more nontoxic rounds and calibers as time goes by - so continue to check the list of Certified Nonlead Ammunition from time to time! And you can continue to use lead ammunition for target shooting where allowed, which is another way to continue enjoying your grandfather's rifle.
Hunting coyotes during archery-only deer season
Question: Can I still hunt coyotes with a rifle during the archery deer seasons or do I need to wait until the general rifle seasons open for deer? I would only be hunting coyotes. I will not be bow hunting for deer. (Ivan)
Answer: Unlike deer, which have very specific and highly regulated hunting seasons, coyotes may be hunted at any time of year, as per CCR Title 14, section 472(a). So you are allowed to hunt coyotes with a rifle at the same time an archery deer season may also be underway in the area you are hunting. To hunt coyotes with a rifle, you will need a valid California hunting license and nonlead ammunition, which is required for the taking of any wildlife in California with a firearm. You cannot, however, do both and hunt deer with a bow while carrying a firearm for coyotes. FGC, section 4370(a) states that "a person taking or attempting to take deer during such archery season shall neither carry, nor have under his or her immediate control, any firearm of any kind."
Collecting moon snails
Question: Can I catch moon snails in Bodega Bay? (Bryan)
Answer: Moon snails cannot be taken north of the Golden Gate Bridge, per CCR Title 14, section 29.71. Since Bodega Bay is north of the Golden Gate Bridge, moon snails cannot be collected there. If you can travel just down the peninsula, San Mateo County is a popular area for collecting moon snails.
Moon snails are a classification of mollusk and live in mud flats and low intertidal zones on the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to San Diego. They can be identified by their large foot-to-shell size and globe-like, brownish-white shell.
South of the Golden Gate, possession limits on moon snails can be found in the California Recreational Ocean Fishing Regulations under Invertebrate Fishing Regulations. Moon snails can be collected year-round with a daily possession limit of five.
Remember, to legally take any mollusk in California, including moon snails, you'll need a valid fishing license in your possession.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email