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Recreation
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Question: Wolverines are thought to be extinct in California, is that correct? When I was younger my oldest brother and dad told me they spotted a wolverine at our cabin in the Sierra but that was over 10 years ago. I have also heard of sightings from neighbors. Is it possible there are wolverines still thriving in the Sierra? (Ryder)
Answer: Scientists documented a single wolverine in California from 2008 to 2018. That wolverine was first discovered in February 2008 in the Truckee region of the Tahoe National Forest by a student who baited remote camera stations to monitor Pacific marten, another member of the weasel family.
Genetic research indicated the wolverine was male and came from a population in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. Scientists aren't sure how the wolverine got here – but there have been other documented cases of wolverines traveling long distances.
The wolverine was monitored in the Truckee region using remote cameras and through collection of genetic samples. He was last detected in January 2018. We're not sure what happened to the wolverine, but a 10-year-old wolverine in the wild would be considered fairly old, so it's possible he lived out his life.
If your family's cabin was in the Truckee region (north of Highway 80 and west of Highway 89), they may have seen the wolverine that scientists were documenting. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Environmental Scientist Chris Stermer, who helped monitor the wolverine, recalls that several locals reported seeing it at the time.
In the past decade, multiple researchers have been surveying for other high alpine carnivores using baited camera stations. This additional camera work was largely due to the need to monitor the very small population of Sierra Nevada red fox in the Cascades and southern Sierra Nevada. These regions would be prime wolverine habitat, and scientists probably would have discovered a population if they were living there.
"I am fairly confident we will not find a breeding population of wolverines in California, but it is possible an occasional young male wolverine in search of a territory could make its way to California," said Stermer. "Fortunately, there is habitat for them to persist. Unfortunately, females do not travel as far, which limits their ability to mate."
Crayfish snares
Question: Would snares for crayfish similar to small crab snares be legal? Would the rules be the same? (Cal)
Answer: The rules for taking crayfish for sport are outlined in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, section 5.35. For the most part, you can take crayfish any time of year and there's no bag limit. There are restrictions on some bodies of water in Shasta County. These restrictions, outlined in CCR Title 14, section 5.35(d), were enacted to protect the endangered Shasta crayfish.
In bodies of water that aren't restricted, you can take crayfish by hand, hook and line, dip net or with traps not over three feet in length. There are differences between crayfish traps and crab snares which are relevant to your question. A crayfish trap is an elongated wire mesh trap with two open ends.
The crayfish is attracted to the bait and is then trapped by the cone-shaped opening. A crab snare is a loop snare that slips around the crab's leg and tightens when drawn up by the angler. CCR Title 14, section 5.35(d) does not provide for the take of crayfish by snare traps.
To lawfully take crayfish, you would have to catch them by hand, hook and line, dip net or trap less than three feet in length.
The taking of crayfish is legal in waters closed to trout and salmon fishing so long as you are using any of the above methods except hook and line.
How do wild turkey season limits work?
Question: I was hoping you could clear up some confusion regarding California's turkey hunting regulations. The regulations for the fall season state that I'm allowed one bird (either sex) per day and two per season. The regulations for the spring season state that I'm allowed one bearded bird per day and three per season, combined. I interpret this to mean that I can shoot up to two birds during the fall season and up to three during the spring season (which consists of the general, archery only and junior seasons combined) for a total of up to five birds per year. I have heard others interpret it to mean that I can shoot up to two birds in the fall and up to three in the spring but I can only shoot a combined total of up to three birds per year. Any clarification would be appreciated. (Tim)
Answer: Your initial interpretation of the regulations is correct. The fall and spring wild turkey seasons are completely separate seasons – and the season limits for each are treated separately as well. That means you can take up to two birds of either sex in the fall season. And it means you can take a combined total of three bearded birds over the course of the spring season, which includes the general season and the additional youth and archery only opportunities.
The confusion is related to possession limit. Since the seasons are separate seasons, the possession limits are separate too. Remember that you may not take more than one turkey per day during either season.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Pintail limit for next season
Question: I have heard the pintail limit for this upcoming season (2020-21) will be one per day. Is this true? Is it possible we could have a two pintail limit? (Rob)
Answer: The 2020-21 waterfowl hunting season regulations were adopted at the April Fish and Game Commission meeting.
States must set their waterfowl hunting regulations within the federal frameworks. These frameworks describe the earliest dates that waterfowl hunting seasons may open, the maximum number of days hunting can occur, the latest dates that hunting seasons must close and the maximum daily bag limit.
The frameworks for the 2020-21 season only allow for a pintail daily bag limit of one.
Pintail bag limits are determined by the pintail harvest strategy – mathematical models that predict the most appropriate bag limit to ensure the pintail population is sustainable into the future while providing hunting opportunity.
The current strategy does allow for a two-bird daily bag limit, but current data, including the 2019 population estimate, mandate that the bag limit remain at one per day for the 2020-21 season. The pintail population has declined every year since 2011.
Shed hunting
Question: Is shed hunting allowed in California? If I am hiking, scouting or hunting during an open season, am I allowed to pick up and take antlers or skulls found on state or federal lands? If I'm on a friend's private property, can I take antlers or skulls? (Jeremiah)
Answer: Shed hunting is a great way to get out and observe wildlife in the off season. It can also provide insight into the number and size of bucks/bulls that survived winter and may be around for next hunting season. Unfortunately, your options for shed hunting in California are somewhat limited.
The collection of sheds on California Department of Fish and Wildlife lands is prohibited.
This includes state wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other types of land managed by CDFW. California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, section 550(g) states that "except for the take of fish or wildlife in compliance with general and site-specific hunting and fishing regulations ... no visitor shall take any entire or parts of plants, animals or minerals from department lands."
However, you can pick up deer and elk sheds from some public lands not managed by CDFW (please check with the managing agency for the property you are planning to visit).
You can collect sheds on private property if you have written permission to be there. Shed hunting is generally allowed on National Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land.
For regulations on selling sheds, please see Fish and Game Code, section 3039(c).
Lingcod limits?
Question: Do lingcod count toward the 10-fish limit for rockfish? (Anonymous)
Answer: No. The lingcod bag limit is two fish of at least 22 inches total length. The rockfish bag limit falls within an aggregate bag limit called the RGC Complex that includes rockfish, greenling and cabezon.
Generally speaking, when fishing in the ocean you may take no more than 20 finfish, with no more than 10 of a single species, per CCR Title 14, section 27.60. There are a number of laws that aggregate several species into a limit such as the RGC Complex limit of 10.
Within the RGC Complex, there are smaller limits sometimes referred to as sublimits, and there are three protected rockfish species that cannot be taken: cowcod, yelloweye rockfish and bronzespotted rockfish. Sublimits include only three canary rockfish and only four black rockfish within the 10 total RGC Complex allowed daily.
Although no rockfish have a size limit, the cabezon has a three fish sublimit and must be 15 inches long and greenling must be 12 inches long.
What to do with a gopher snake?
Question: Is it legal to kill a gopher snake in California? Is it legal to take a gopher snake from the wild and keep it as a pet? I have a neighbor who has one on his property and does not want it there. If he can capture it, he's either going to kill it or give it away. (Sharla)
Answer: A valid sport fishing license is required to capture or kill gopher snakes in California, per CCR Title 14, section 5.60. The bag limit is four and the possession limit is four. Gopher snakes can be taken by hand, lizard noose, tongs or a snake stick, year-round.
A gopher snake caught in the wild can be kept as a pet, but once it's been in captivity, you can't release it back into the wild without authorization from CDFW (CCR Title 14, section 40).
Wild gopher snakes also can't be sold, although they can be bred with a Native Reptile Captive Propagation Permit, and any offspring born in captivity can be sold to people and pet stores to be kept as pets (CCR Title 14, section 43).
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
“We continue to recommend that you recreate close to home,” said Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson. “All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during their visit to the Mendocino National Forest. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly.”
While recreating on the Mendocino National Forest remember to maintain at least six feet from others, avoid gathering in groups, pack out your trash, and bring your own water, soap, sanitizer and toilet paper.
Please check the forest website and social media pages for the most up-to-date information on what is open so that you can plan your visit.
You can call the Supervisor’s Office at 530-934-3316 during regular business hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Forest Order No. 08-20-07 is available on the forest website.
The following sites remain closed under Forest Order No. 08-20-07:
– Sycamore Grove Campground;
– Camp Discovery Group Camp;
– Masterson Group Camp;
– Bear Creek Campground;
– Fuller Grove Campground;
– Navy Campground;
– Oak Flat Campground;
– Pogie Point Campground;
– Sunset Campground.
In addition, the following remain closed by the Ranch Fire, Forest Order No. 08-20-02:
– Cedar Camp;
– Dixie Glade;
– Main Letts Lake;
– Saddle Camp loop;
– Spillway;
– Stirrup;
– Big Springs;
– Summit Springs Trailhead;
– OHV trails on Upper Lake Ranger District.
For more information, visit the Mendocino National Forest website, Facebook page and on Twitter.
- Details
- Written by: California Fish and Wildlife News
Hosting some 80,000 visitors each year, Gray Lodge is one of the most heavily visited and used wildlife areas in the state, and construction work will restrict some public access over the next several months.
Work is scheduled to begin the week of June 15, 2020, on the auto tour loop on the west side of the wildlife area near Parking Lot 14.
The auto tour loop and some nearby hiking trails will be closed during this construction period, which is expected to conclude around the first week in October, reopening in time for bird watching during peak fall and winter migrations.
Crews will regrade the steep slopes on the auto tour roadway to improve safety and add additional turnouts for wildlife viewing and passing. The pond bottoms along the auto tour loop will be reshaped to improve water movement and habitat management. The work is being funded through a $1.4 million grant from the state Wildlife Conservation Board.
Over this same period, crews will also construct a mobility-impaired fishing pier on the pond adjacent to Parking Lot 14 thanks to another $310,000 Wildlife Conservation Board grant.
The pier will provide fishing access to the public throughout the spring and summer months when the wildlife area is open to fishing.
For questions or additional information, please contact Gray Lodge directly at 530-846-7500.
CDFW reminds Californians to abide by all state and local health guidelines regarding non-essential travel and physical distancing.