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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
California’s prolonged drought reduced quail populations statewide.
Biologists found overall declines of 33 percent for mountain quail, 29 percent for California quail and 17 percent for Gambel’s quail from 2005 to 2015 using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, which monitors the status and trends of North American bird populations.
Quail populations fluctuate naturally with weather and other prevailing environmental conditions such as wildfires.
Fortunately, 2016 brought a shift in weather conditions for California. The rain received was critical to the production of food and cover for quail populations.
Perhaps most importantly, rains produce more insects, which are a vital food source for young quail.
Detailed information on California’s various quail hunting zones, including season dates, descriptions and a map, is available at CDFW’s Upland Game Bird Hunting Web page, www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds.
As a result of the same wet weather conditions, CDFW regional biologists are expecting a strong chukar hunting season as well, particularly in desert habitat that often experiences boom-and-bust population swings based on the amount of rainfall.
CDFW is offering several special quail and chukar hunting opportunities this fall and winter at ecological reserves and wildlife areas in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Hunters with a valid California hunting license can apply for these hunts through the Automated License Data System.
Hunt descriptions are available at CDFW’s Upland Game Wild Bird Hunts webpage at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds/Hunts.
CDFW’s SHARE Program, which provides public hunting opportunities on private land, is offering several quail hunts in Santa Barbara County this fall and winter. Hunters with a valid California hunting license can also apply for these hunts through the ALDS system.
Hunt descriptions are available at CDFW’s SHARE Program Web page at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/SHARE.
California is phasing in the use of nonlead ammunition for hunting. Nonlead ammunition is required for hunting quail when on state wildlife areas or ecological reserves in California.
Learn more about California’s nonlead ammunition requirements for hunting at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Nonlead-Ammunition.
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- Written by: Editor
The California Fish and Game Commission adopted commercial and recreational lobster fishing regulations at its April 2016 meeting to support the implementation of the California Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan.
A summary of the new recreational lobster fishing regulations is provided below. All other recreational lobster fishing regulations, unless listed below, remain unchanged and remain in effect:
The 2017-18 recreational lobster fishing season will open at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.
The start time of the recreational lobster fishing season has changed from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. for safety purposes.
Open season: From 6 a.m. on the Saturday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after March 15 (CCR Title 14, section 29.90 (a)).
Hoop net buoys south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County) must now be marked for identification and enforcement purposes. Hoop nets used south of Point Arguello shall be marked with a surface buoy.
The surface buoy shall be legibly marked to identify the operator’s GO ID number as stated on the operator’s sport fishing license or lobster report card (shared hoop nets can be marked with multiple GO ID numbers, or GO ID numbers can be switched out by using any sort of removable tag on or attached to the buoy, so long as the GO ID numbers are all legible).
Hoop nets deployed by persons on shore or manmade structures connected to the shore are not required to be marked with a surface buoy (CCR Title 14, section 29.80 (b)(3)).
Hoop nets deployed from Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels must be marked with the boat’s Fish and Game Vessel ID number, and hoop nets provided by licensed guides to clients must be marked with the guide’s license number.
Divers may be in possession of spearfishing equipment while diving for crustaceans (including lobsters).
Language on the possession of a hooked device while taking lobster has changed to provide clarification for both recreational divers and enforcement.
Diving for crustaceans: In all ocean waters, except as provided in section 29.05, skin and SCUBA divers may take crustaceans by the use of the hands only.
Divers may not possess any hooked device while diving or attempting to dive. Divers may be in possession of spearfishing equipment as long as possession of such equipment is otherwise lawful and is not being used to aid in the take of crustaceans (CCR Title 14, section 29.80 (g)).
Measuring requirements have been clarified in order to allow for measuring lobster aboard a boat. The change will allow hoop netters to bring spiny lobster aboard a vessel where they can be measured safely.
All lobsters shall be measured immediately and any undersize lobster shall be released immediately into the water.
Divers shall measure lobsters while in the water and shall not remove undersized lobsters from the water.
Hoop netters may measure lobsters out of the water, but no undersize lobster may be placed in any type of receiver, kept on the person or retained in any person’s possession or under his or her direct control (CCR Title 14, section 29.90 (c)).
For additional information and a list of frequently asked questions about this program, please visit CDFW’s California Spiny Lobster Web page at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Invertebrates/Lobster.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: I have looked at the regulations for clams and I cannot find a size limit for razor clams. I see the 1-1/2 inch limit for littlenecks, cockles and steamers, but under razor clams there is no size limit given. Do they have a size limit?
I am also very interested in finding more places to clam in Tomales Bay. I know there are no razor clams in Tomales Bay but there sure seems to be a lot of clamming going on there. Do you have any resources that provide specific information on clamming inside the Bay? (Peter C.)
Answer: There is no size limit for razor clams, so the first 20 you dig you should keep regardless of size, especially if their delicate shell has been crushed.
According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Environmental Scientist Christy Juhasz, who works on California’s recreational clam fisheries, razor clams are generally found on open coast, sandy beaches and are more of a coldwater regime species. In fact, California is the southern extent of their geographic range. Because of this, they are not typically found in the warmer and siltier mudflats of inner Tomales Bay.
Recreational razor clamming is popular in the more northern California counties of Del Norte and Humboldt.
Since this area constitutes more of their expected home range, clams in this area are potentially more productive but, unfortunately, the fishery has been closed since 2016 due to continued high domoic acid levels (see http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories).
The fishery is open south of these counties and Juhasz suggests checking out Dillon and Doran beaches in Marin and Sonoma counties, respectively. You may find some available clamming grounds at low tide.
Some local clammers have reported though that they have not been able to find razors at their clamming grounds on Doran Beach in recent years. This may be due to the fact that it is the southern region of their range so populations that exist there may not be as productive for a variety of factors (e.g. low recruitment and high fishing pressure.)
Clam and Seal islands in Tomales are popular clamming grounds where most people clam for horseneck/gaper clams and Washington/butter clams. To find these clamming grounds, look for the exposed mudflat areas during low tide just outside of Lawson’s Landing. There is no size limit for these species but the first 10 of each species that you dig, you should keep.
Rock pigeons
Question: While out dove hunting, for years I have also been shooting rock pigeons. People call them by different names like park pigeons, barn pigeons and domestic pigeons, but I am pretty sure they are all the same.
Recently, I was told that they are illegal to shoot, but why when there are tons of them, and they taste pretty good, too.
Is it legal for me to shoot them, and if so, do I have to use nonlead ammunition? (Mr. Squab)
Answer: According to CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Karen Fothergill, you are correct that the rock pigeon is also being called by all those other names, but as of July 1, 2017, they are now legal to hunt. Prior to that date there was no regulation specifically allowing for take.
The law requires that in order to hunt a particular species, there must be specific laws stating when, how many and method of take.
Rock pigeons have been added to the CCR Title 14, section 472 along with starlings and house sparrows. They are classified as a non-game bird and a valid hunting license is required to hunt them. Hunting rock pigeons also requires the use of nonlead ammunition.
Helping grandsons to fish with a two pole license?
Question: If I take my two grandsons fishing, would I be able to fish also if I have a second rod stamp validation? The kids are 7 and 5 years old and would need help from me to fish. (Barry W.)
Answer: You would be able to fish with your two poles as long as you are just assisting your grandsons and not controlling the rod or reeling the fish in for them on your own. You also have to ensure that you are able to closely attend your own two poles.
We thank you for taking the time to introduce your grandsons to fishing. We’re pretty sure they will thank you too someday!
Is an abalone gauge/iron combo legal?
Question: When diving for abalone, am I required to carry both a measuring gauge and an abalone iron or can I use a combo device that meets the requirements of both? The dive shop told me they had to be separate tools. (Joon P.)
Answer: Combination devices with fixed (non-moving) opposing arms, capable of measuring abalone accurately that also comply with the requirements for ab irons are legal to use. (See subdivisions (e) and (f) of CCR Title 14, section 29.15.)
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
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- Written by: Editor
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, named Sonoma County husband and wife Tom and Sharon Henderson as 2017 Hunter Education Instructors of the Year.
This is the first time the honor has been awarded to two instructors.
"The Hendersons are an amazing team who have dedicated so much to the Hunter Education Program. It would have been impossible not to recognize them both," said Lt. Bart Bundesen, who coordinates California's Hunter Education Program on the North Coast.
The Hendersons teach an average of 25 classes a year at the Rancho Adobe Fire Department in Cotati.
In 2016 alone, they taught 633 students. Those students and their parents offer frequent accolades about the instructors.
"I get a regular stream of compliments about the job that the Hendersons do," Bundesen said. "Their ability to help younger students understand the important lessons of the course is one of their greatest assets."
CDFW Wildlife Officer Tiffany Wolvek said, "Without them, many would likely not make it out to the field as they would struggle to find a class. More importantly, I have confidence in the students who have taken their class to become ethical, conscientious hunters."
The Hendersons have mentored many new instructors and they take the time to ensure those instructors leave confident in their ability to teach a class. They are an incredible asset to new hunters and CDFW.
CDFW is always recruiting new instructors. If you have a passion for California's outdoors and passing on the hunting tradition, please visit CDFW's Become A Hunter Education Instructor webpage at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education/Become-an-Instructor and check out the hunter education instructor recruiting video above.