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Recreation
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Question: I am a senior citizen. I find it harder every duck season to lug my decoys and gear out to the hunting zones on our state wildlife areas and federal refuges.
I know many of these areas allow hunters to take bicycles to and from the parking lots out to the field. Would I be able to use an electric bicycle? What if I put a motor on my decoy cart? Could I drive that out to the hunting area?
I just think as the hunting population gets older, there needs to be more accommodations for older hunters. (Ed)
Answer: Unfortunately, the simple answer is no. These types of motorized vehicles are not allowed on state and federal wildlife areas open to waterfowl hunting.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, section 551, governs the use of state wildlife areas by visitors and addresses both bicycles and off-highway vehicles such as ATVs, golf carts, dirt bikes and other forms of mechanized transportation. Off-highway vehicles are prohibited with very few exceptions and electric bicycles – "e-bikes" – are not one of the exceptions.
Bicycles – the traditional, human-powered kind – are also generally prohibited on state wildlife areas with the exception – as you noted – "for their use on roads or levees for transportation between parking lots and hunting areas during the waterfowl season on Type A or B wildlife areas" (CCR Title 14, section 551(j)).
There are nine state wildlife areas that make some additional provisions for bicycles. These areas and regulations are specified in the code section and are typically listed in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) annual waterfowl and upland game hunting regulations booklet.
With regard to federal wildlife refuges in California that allow waterfowl hunting, CCR Title 14, section 552 details the public use regulations. Traditional bicycles are permitted on some federal refuges but not others. "Other conveyances" – beyond bicycles and foot travel – are prohibited though some refuge managers will make accommodations for mobility-impaired hunters.
It's always a good idea to check the individual webpages for each federal refuge to find additional, specific regulations for each one. You can also call the state and federal areas you plan to hunt directly with questions. We wish you a safe and successful waterfowl season ahead.
Is it legal to sell that fish?
Question: I was in a grocery store last week that had live well fish tanks holding abalone and sturgeon. They had some live snails that didn't look like they were native to California.
Does CDFW do surprise inspections of such stores to monitor what's for sale and to ensure that live species were legally caught or obtained? (Ralph)
Answer: California has a thriving legal aquaculture industry that includes abalone, sturgeon and other species – and it can be difficult to determine the origins of an animal just by sight.
Therefore, wildlife officers conduct Fish Business Inspections, which are inspections of the species on the premises. Officers review the paperwork that documents the origin of the species in question, to ensure they are legal to sell commercially.
If you are ever concerned that something is amiss at a public fish market or some other business, we encourage you to make a report through CalTIP at 888-334-2258.
Is an illegal shot still illegal, if it's a miss?
Question: I saw a guy shoot at a cormorant while hunting waterfowl. He missed it. I think he may have figured out it was an illegal bird to shoot because later I saw more cormorants fly over him and he didn't shoot at them.
I'm curious – could a game warden have cited the man for shooting at the cormorant, even though he didn't hit it? (Chris)
Answer: Yes, he could have been cited for "take" of the cormorant, even though he missed. "Take" is defined in the California Fish and Game Code, section 86, as the act of hunting, pursuing, catching, capturing or killing, or the attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The following are just a few items of interest from the meeting.
The commission voted unanimously to extend the closure of the recreational red abalone fishery until April 1, 2021.
In December 2017, the commission closed the recreational abalone fishery season due to the declining abalone population because of starvation conditions. The commercial red abalone fishery closed in 1997.
The commission voted unanimously to approve 15 Experimental Gear Permits to be issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the purpose of targeting brown box crabs with the goal of authorizing new methods of using existing commercial fishing gear to research potential new fishing opportunities.
Commissioners also approved a list of terms and conditions to be associated with the permits. A drawing took place following Wednesday's meeting to identify the order of the fishermen who would receive one of the approved experimental gear permits.
The commission took action to conform state groundfish regulations with recently adopted federal regulations that largely expanded groundfish opportunity for California recreational groundfish anglers.
CDFW staff gave a presentation on living with coyotes and the Wildlife Watch program, as well as announced the release of the Statewide Elk Conservation and Management Plan.
Commission President Eric Sklar, Commission Vice President Anthony Williams and Commissioner Russell Burns were present.
Commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Peter Silva were absent. This was Commission Vice President Anthony Williams' last meeting. Beginning Jan. 7, 2019, he will begin serving as Legislative Secretary for incoming Governor Gavin Newsom.
The full Commission video and audio minutes, supporting information and a schedule of upcoming meetings are available at www.fgc.ca.gov . An archived video will also be available in the coming days.
The California Fish and Game Commission was the first wildlife conservation agency in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the commission.
In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission's decision-making process.
- Details
- Written by: Cal Fire
On Wednesday, Nov. 28, the large majority of the state forest’s staff, took the time away from their usual duties to participate in the cleanup of a popular recreational shooting location known as the “Rock Pit” on County Road 408 east of Mendocino.
The cleanup involved removing considerable amounts of debris left in the forest most of which had been bought and used as targets by recreational shooters.
Debris left included targets, metal scraps, wood pallets, ammunition casings, cardboard, household appliances, and mattresses.
Approximately 10 cubic yards of waste was collected and transported 4.5 miles down the road to the Caspar Transfer Station.
Cal Fire and Jackson Demonstration State Forest would like to emphasize to recreational shooters who use the forest to be courteous, safe, and respectful by remembering the following:
Recreational shooters must remember that Jackson Demonstration State Forest is a working forest and that there are workers and recreational users who are present.
It is the responsibility of the shooter to know and follow all applicable firearm laws and safety precautions.
Shooting targets and debris left behind is a large problem on Jackson Demonstration State Forest. This debris is harmful to the environment and is unsightly to others enjoying the forest.
Lack of respect for safety and debris being left behind jeopardizes the allowance of recreational shooting on Jackson Demonstration State Forest.
Other things to keep in mind when recreationally shooting on Jackson Demonstration State Forest include:
– Always place targets on dirt or gravel in areas free of dry vegetation.
– Avoid shooting on windy days.
– Do not shoot metal targets during dry conditions.
– Have a fire extinguisher and shovel nearby.
– Always be sure of your target and what is beyond by having a safe backstop.
– Never combine recreational shooting with alcohol or other drugs.
– Failure to adhere to California State Forest Regulations and California State Law may result in citation or arrest.
Take pride in the forest. Please help Cal Fire Jackson Demonstration State Forest achieve their goal of providing, protecting and understanding the valuable resources the forest provides.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Remember to check in with a participating screener when you return from an out-of-county trip with your boat.
Screeners stay up–to-date with those counties in the western United States that are infested. The re-screening, inspection or decontamination if needed is free.
Clean, drained, dry boats are safe boats. Display your sticker, protect your lake.
A few facts:
Quagga mussels can colonize hard and soft surfaces, mud, plants, docks, boat engine cooling systems, water pipes.
They potentially produce millions of offspring in a season.
Densities in Lake Mead since the first introduction in 2005 have grown to less then 10,000 m2; 40 percent of the animal population in Lake Mead is now quagga mussels.
Common densities in the Great Lakes are 700,000 m2.
Beaches become littered with piles of glass-sharp shells.
They alter the chemistry and biology of the water ecosystem.
The basis of the aquatic food chain, plankton, is removed by these voracious feeders.
For the latest list of screeners see www.nomussels.com or call Lake County Water Resources at 707-263-2344.