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- Written by: Nadine Strauss
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A packed house was one hand for the 2019 grand finale at Lakeport Speedway Saturday night and the action was anything but calm.
Three-time North State Modified Series champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville was the $1000 winner in the NCRA modified Majestic Landscaping 45 lap feature.
Joe Aiken, also from Kelseyville, came back from a 10-year retirement to claim the Taco Bell bomber feature race, and Cody Winchel of Sebastopol took home the top prize in the D&P Pools Legends Cars Invitational.
The final stage of the 2019 Fiberglass 500 Boat Race Series saw Danny Carpenter of Lakeport the crowd’s choice as the overall winner in his “Wicked Sounds” entry. Johnny Barker of Upper Lake finished second in the “Last Mile” team boat, and Korey Dugger of Clearlake was voted third best in his “Tank Car.” Tom Humphrey once again earned the best nautical theme award with his popular “Shark Car.”
Two-time season winner Jeremy Nowlin of Kelseyville clocked in fastest in the 13-car modified field with a 12.887 second lap. The inverted start saw Mike Neilson and Robert Schmidt in the front row, and when the green flag dropped Schmidt’s car went side-ways and bounced into Neilson’s car. This caused a chain reaction that ended with Mike Sullivan’s brand new car, Mickey Snider’s borrowed car, and Eric Johnson’s championship car all in the front-stretch wall.
Johnson pitted for repairs, but Sullivan and Snider suffered enough damage that both cars had to be towed to the pits.
With not even one lap in the record books the yellow flew again for contact between Schmidt and Richard Knight. When racing finally got under way Neilson forged ahead but Darrin Knight was on a mission and rode the high side all the way to the front in only six laps. Ian Elliot ran a strong third with Dustin DeRosier fourth until he got caught in the high groove and lost ground to both Johnson and Nowlin.
Johnson drove by Neilson for second on lap 14 and Nowlin moved into third on 16. Nowlin continued his forward motion and passed Johnson for second just before the race was slowed again for a Richard Knight spin.
The restart saw Darrin Knight continue his domination, as trophy dash winner Chris Salmina joined the front-runners. The final yellow flew on lap 28 when a confrontation between Elliott and Neilson resulted in Neilson spinning in turn two.
Salmina drove by Johnson on the restart. The final laps went without incident with Darrin Knight crossing the finish line first. Nowlin placed second with Salmina third, Johnson fourth and Schmidt fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Anthony Esberg, Richard Knight, Elliott, DeRosier and Neilson. Heat wins went to DeRosier and Salmina. Majestic Landscaping
At the end of the event Eric Johnson was crowned the 2019 NCRA modified champion.
The Taco Bell bomber main event saw side-by-side action the entire 30 laps with Darrin Silva, driving for Evan Smith, fighting off Aiken to hold the number one spot. While this battle was brewing Donovan Cox found his car sticking in the outside groove, passing both cars and into the lead on lap two. But Cox cut down too early, clipped Silva and looped his car on the back stretch.
This put Silva and Aiken side-by-side for the restart where the duo rubbed fenders for two laps before Aiken pulled ahead. Forrest Kuecker, driving for Mike Sullivan, came from the back and swapped places with Silva on the fifth lap. The following round Amber Portlock lost control and stalled in turn two.
Snider snuck under Kuecker on the restart and set his sights on Aiken. Snider moved to the outside groove where he inched by Aiken until he was ahead by half a car. But Snider tried to cut back in line too soon, clipped Aiken’s car, lost control and spun on lap 23.
Aiken fought Kuecker’s advances the remaining laps and drove to victory. Kuecker finished second. Snider rebounded to take third ahead of Rick Jelton, John McCullough, Trevor Abella, David Jones, Portlock, Seth Chew, Cox, Jimmy Shankles, and Klinton Waite. Silva’s car overheated early and did not finish.
Snider set fast time of 14.165 seconds. Cox won the trophy dash. Heat wins went to Chew and Kuecker.
Snider earned enough points to claim the 2019 Taco Bell Bomber championship.
Only three legends cars were on hand for the finale’ with James Stillman the trophy dash winner, upsetting Cody Winchel’s chance for a clean sweep. Winchel set fast time of 14.202 seconds with Stillman a close second at 14.238. Winchel also won the heat race and led all but 2 laps of the D&P Pools Invitational to claim the $300 top prize as well as the NCRA Legends Car championship. Stillman finished second and Dave Allen placed third.
Landon Snider of Kelseyville earned the 2019 NCRA Bandolero champion.
The Northern California Racing Association looks forward to racing at Lakeport Speedway in the upcoming 2020 racing season. The NCRA races are presented by Hillside Honda, Anderson Logging, Taco Bell, D & P Pools, Lake County Tribal Health, Lake Parts, Carlton Tires, Don Anderson Law Firm, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Steve Taylor Construction, Detail Plus, , KXBX 98.3 FM, Lake County Welding, Perkins Pumps, Sheldon Signs and 707 Graphics.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Question: I am in search of an eagle feather for my grandson's graduation. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. A'ho! (Cheryl W.)
Answer: Virtually all birds – including carcasses, feathers, and other parts, as well as nests (except non-native) – are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Eagles are also protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act. This means members of the public are prohibited from possessing these items, except by permit.
There is an exception under the Eagle Act, allowing Native Americans to acquire eagle parts and feathers. If you are an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, you can apply for parts (including feathers) through the USFWS National Eagle Repository.
Steel shot for ducks?
Question: Since all lead shot has now been outlawed within the state of California, can the steel shot now being manufactured and designated for upland game (dove, quail and pheasant) now be used for waterfowl as well? There should be no difference anymore, correct? It should all be steel shot. For example, if I purchase No. 4 pheasant loads, can I also use them for waterfowl? (Charlie H.)
Answer: Any steel shot now legal for upland game in California is technically also legal for waterfowl, although most of it wouldn't be a good choice for waterfowl. Small game loads have smaller shot size and less powder, so you're likely to cripple ducks if you use it. Steel pheasant loads are similar in shot size and powder charge and would be fine for ducks.
Possession of gulf grouper or broomtail grouper caught in Mexico?
Question: This is something that comes up all the time with the guys I fish with in Baja. Is there some kind of way – say, a declaration form or something – in which anglers can legally bring Gulf Grouper or Broomtail Grouper legally taken in Baja into California? I have seen these fish brought back on long-range fishing boats out of San Diego. I am surprised these businesses would break the law, although it happens. The regulations seem clear to me: "May not be taken or possessed." It's the same wording prohibiting the take or possession of Garibaldi. (Chad C.)
Answer: You are correct. The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.12 expressly prohibits the take or possession of Gulf Grouper or Broomtail Grouper in California – even if legally caught in Mexico. Should you see any long-range boats in California in possession of either of these species, you can report them anonymously to CalTIP at 1-888-334-CalTIP (1-888-334-2258) or by texting the tip to 847411.
These species are very rare in California waters today. Their protections date to the 1950s, when an expatriate population of these large fish were living off the La Jolla Cove area of San Diego and were very popular with divers.
Back in the 1950s, sport fishing fleets were mostly incapable of venturing all the way into Mexican waters from California ports to fish as easily and comfortably as they can do today so it was easier at the time to ban any possession or importation of the fish.
Wild game cookoff?
Question: I am a member of a non-profit group that's considering a "Wild Game Cookoff" where hunters and/or cooks would bring wild game to cook and sell to the public. Tickets would be sold and people could taste dishes prepared at the event. There would be judging and awards for the best dishes. I am concerned that distributing or selling any wild game caught by recreational hunters might be against Fish and Game regulations. Could you advise us as to the legality of such an event? (Dwain)
Answer: Thank you for asking about this before holding your event! You are correct that it is not legal to buy, sell or barter game meat. Therefore, using sport-caught wild game and/or fish for a fundraiser event where people are required to purchase a ticket to participate would not be legal. The public would, in effect, be "purchasing" sport-caught game at your event.
Separating the fundraising from the distribution or tasting of the wild game meat dishes would be allowed. For example, you may consider asking for donations, charging for parking or charging to vote on a favorite dish, while allowing the wild game meat to be tasted by all attendees for free.
Also keep in mind that the recreational hunters and anglers who participate must also donate the meat they provide and cannot accept monetary compensation from the non-profit, including award checks for winning the contest.
Your event sounds like it could be a lot of fun and a great way to introduce people to some great-tasting wild game.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, please feel free to ask via email at
- Details
- Written by: Nadine Strauss
LAKEPORT, Calif. – After a five-week break to make way for the Lake County Fair, the auto races, sanctioned by Northern California Racing Association, will return to Lakeport Speedway for the 2019 grand finale’ this Saturday at 6 p.m.
In addition to the auto races, the ever-popular Fiberglass 500 boat race will once again thrill the crowd with boats being dragged around the wet race track, each driver trying to dislodge their competitor's boat. Prior to the boat race, the fans will judge which car and boat combo has the best nautical theme.
Saturday’s program includes a $750 to win feature event for the NCRA modifieds plus the inaugural D&P Pools “$300 to win Legends Cars Invitational.” These two classes as well as the Taco Bell bombers will be competing for the 2019 championship in their respective divisions.
The points battle in the NCRA modifieds is close with Eric Johnson (482 points) in front of Darrin Sullivan by only 24 points.
Michael Snider sits in third place with 415 points. A driver can earn as many as 105 points in a night, so any of these three has a mathematical change of winning the 2019 championship in NCRA’s premiere division. Chris Salmina sits fourth in points with Richard Knight in fifth.
Lauren Snider leads the way in the Taco Bell bombers points battle, but Mike Sullivan is only 17 points behind. If either of these drivers has a bad night, the other could be celebrating a championship after Saturday night’s action. Rick Jelton is currently third, Davey Jones fourth and Trevor Abella fifth.
A Friday practice session beginning at 5 p.m. will give the drivers a chance to get their cars back in shape and ready for the season finale.
Gates open Saturday at 5 p.m. with racing at 6 p.m. General admission is only $10. Kids ages 6-11 are $5. Ages five and under get in free. A $30 family pass admits two adults and three kids.
NCRA races at Lakeport Speedway are presented by Hillside Honda, Anderson Logging, Taco Bell, D & P Pools, Lake County Tribal Health, Lake Parts, Carlton Tires, Don Anderson Law Firm, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Steve Taylor Construction, Detail Plus, KXBX 98.3 FM, Lake County Welding, Perkins Pumps, Sheldon Signs and 707 Graphics.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
September openers include quail (Zone Q1 opens for mountain quail on Sept. 14, and Zone Q2 will be open for all quail on Sept. 28), sooty and ruffed grouse (general season will open in various northern and eastern counties on Sept. 14), white-tailed ptarmigan (which will open Sept. 14) and band-tailed pigeon (the northern hunt zone will open Sept. 21).
Please note that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. Please plan accordingly. For more information, please see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s nonlead ammunition page.
Zone maps and information about daily bag limits and possession limits for each game bird species can be found on the CDFW Upland Game Bird Hunting webpage. Additional information about each species can be found below.
Quail
Quail are some of the state’s most popular native game birds. There are three species of quail found in California: California quail, mountain quail and Gambel’s quail. California quail (the state bird) are common and widespread throughout the state in low to mid-elevation brushy habitats with good cover and abundant food. Mountain quail are found in higher elevation habitats. Gambel’s quail are California’s most desert-adapted species and are found in the very arid lands of southeastern California.
The early mountain quail-only season starts on Sept. 14 in Zone Q1 and continues through Oct. 18, covering much of the mountainous region of northern and eastern California. On Sept. 28, the early general quail season opens in Zone Q2 for all quail species in several north coast counties. The remainder of the state will open to quail hunting on Oct. 19 and extend through Jan. 26, 2020. Finally, an additional two-day early hunt season will be open on Oct. 5-6 in Mojave National Preserve for hunters with junior hunting licenses.
CDFW is offering fall hunts for quail (and wild chukar) throughout the state. Special drawings for public land quail and chukar hunts through the Upland Game Wild Bird Hunt Program are available in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and San Diego counties, and drawings for hunts on private ranches (offered through the SHARE Program) will be available in Tulare and Santa Barbara counties. Hunters can apply for these opportunities online, at CDFW license sales offices, through retail license agents or by calling (800) 565-1458.
For all quail species, the daily bag limit is 10 and the possession limit is triple the daily bag.
All three native species of quail are characterized by high reproductive potential associated with adequate and well-timed winter and early spring precipitation. Northern California experienced increased precipitation this spring, benefitting quail habitat and productivity. Hunters should experience good populations of quail this fall.
All three species of quail are most active in the early morning and later afternoon and move in large coveys throughout the day. Quail have distinctive calls that can provide clues to the birds’ location. Quail are more apt to run than flush, making them a more challenging game bird to hunt. Hunting dogs can be useful for locating, flushing and retrieving birds in the field.
Quail can be successfully hunted with legal gauge shotguns. A modified or improved cylinder choke is recommended to avoid damage to the bird. Because of the dense brush habitats where they are usually hunted, downed quail can be hard to find. Despite this challenge, CDFW reminds hunters that wasting game is both unethical and illegal.
Forest grouse
California has two species of native forest-dwelling grouse: the sooty grouse and the ruffed grouse. Sooty grouse occur in the Sierra Nevada, Cascade and northern Coast ranges while the ruffed grouse is restricted to the northwestern part of the state. The general hunting season for both species extends from Sept. 14 to Oct. 14 this year. For sooty and ruffed grouse, the daily bag limit is two (both of one species or mixed species) and possession limit is triple the daily bag.
Although they are fairly large birds, grouse camouflage themselves well and generally hold tight to their location even when hunters are nearby. They flush quickly and fly off in a zigzag pattern, requiring a quick and accurate response from a hunter. Dogs are useful companions to help hunters find, flush and retrieve bagged grouse.
Ptarmigan
The white-tailed ptarmigan is a non-native grouse that was introduced by CDFW to the Sierra Nevada in the early 1970s. This is the smallest species of ptarmigan and the only one found in California. They inhabit the high elevation alpine habitats at low densities from Sonora Pass in Tuolumne County to Kings Canyon National Park.
Hunting these birds can be challenging because of the high elevation and steep terrain. Hunting is permitted from Sept. 14-22. The daily bag limit is two per day and the possession limit is two per season. Hunters should prepare for difficult hiking conditions and be familiar with the area before heading out after this game bird.
Band-tailed pigeon
The band-tailed pigeon is California’s only native pigeon and is a close relative of the extinct passenger pigeon. They look similar to the introduced domestic or rock pigeons that frequent urban areas. Band-tailed pigeons are often found in mountainous terrain throughout the state, using coniferous forests as well as oak woodlands, but populations are migratory and movements can be unpredictable.
The Northern California hunt zone season runs from Sept 21-29. The daily bag limit is two and the possession limit is triple the daily bag. The southern hunt zone does not open until December.
CDFW reminds hunters that an upland game bird stamp is required for licensed adult hunters (18 years and older) but not for hunters with a valid junior hunting license. A HIP validation is also required to hunt band-tailed pigeons.