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- Written by: CARRIE WILSON
Shotgun for protection when fishing?
Question: I would like to know if I can carry my 12-gauge shotgun for protection when I'm fishing from the shore. I have a fishing license and the chamber would be empty. Would it be legal? (Aaron A.)
Answer: In many locations along California’s coastline it would be unlawful to have a firearm with you.
There are rules specific to state and national parks, wildlife refuges (Fish and Game Code, section 10500(b)) and marine sanctuaries, as well as local and county laws that would make it unlawful to carry a firearm while fishing along the coastline.
In order to answer your question, we would need to know where you intend to carry the shotgun. In addition to the locations above, it is unlawful to carry a loaded gun in a public place in an incorporated city (Penal Code, section 25850), e.g. the entire shoreline of San Francisco. Simply having the live ammunition attached to the firearm in any manner constitutes “loaded” for purposes of this section.
Photography in marine protected areas?
Question: It is my understanding that on land, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) takes care of things in Marine Protected Areas, and in the water, it is the responsibility of NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries.
Can one take pictures within the marine protected areas (MPAs) on land or sea and sell them for commercial purposes or does one need a permit? (Lisa W.)
Answer: MPAs are managed by several different agencies, so the answer will vary depending upon the MPA. If the MPA is part of the state park system, you may be required to obtain a permit for commercial photography from the California Film Commission (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 4316).
If the MPA is part of a county park, a permit may be required depending on the county. For example, San Mateo and San Francisco counties both require permits for commercial photography in their county parks.
One pig tag for each feral pig taken?
Question: Am I correct in assuming that, similar to deer tags, one must have one pig tag for each feral pig taken, or does the purchase of one pig tag legally allow for taking multiple feral pigs? I saw your comment on a recent feral pig question where you said there is no daily bag limit on feral pigs, but I am assuming that this would mean one would still have to have multiple tags for multiple feral pigs taken over a given time frame. (W.B.)
Answer: Yes, you are correct. Although there is no daily limit for wild pigs, you must possess a tag prior to pig hunting for each pig you intend to take.
Pistachio farmers shooting ravens on my property?
Question: I live about 50 acres away from a pistachio orchard. The owners of that orchard drive around and shoot at the ravens out of their truck. They park in front of my property and shoot at the ravens.
I called the sheriff and he said to call Fish and Wildlife since the farmers have a depredation permit and so it’s out of their hands. The farmers also told the sheriff that they are shooting blanks.
Since this has started happening, I have found three dead ravens on my property. One was right next to my horses’ watering trough and the other two were out our back door near our barbecue grill.
The orchard owners can see when we are home or away by our vehicles. We live on 10 acres and our house is in the middle of the property. I feel unsafe and creeped out. I came home today to find the third dead raven.
Are they allowed to do this? How can I keep them away from my property? Do I have any rights or does their permit supersede my rights?
I've been taking pictures of the dead ravens. One is even in my freezer. What is my next step? Is there a season they kill the ravens or do they have free rein to do what they want? I have a child and animals and I'm afraid for their safety. (Cindy P.)
Answer: The first place to start is to contact your local wildlife officer to report this. If you don’t have their direct number, contact your local CDFW office. A list can be found on our Web site at www.wildlife.ca.gov/regions .
The wildlife officers should be able to look up the conditions of the owners’ permits and make sure they are acting within the parameters allowed by the permit. At a minimum, it is illegal to shoot within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling without the permission of the occupant. There is no open hunting season for ravens.
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
As California’s 2015-16 waterfowl hunting season approaches, hunters may find that wildlife areas may have limited space, particularly early in the season.
Most years, quality public hunting access can be found on more than two dozen national wildlife refuges and wildlife areas managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
With the ongoing drought, some areas will have significantly reduced amounts of water available while others will have normal to near normal water conditions.
Some wildlife areas and refuges may be closed, while others may open later in the season or have a reduced hunter quota.
State-operated waterfowl hunting areas that will be affected for the opener include Sutter National Wildlife Refuge and Kern National Wildlife Refuge, both of which will likely open late in the season.
Opening and closing dates vary by zone. This information is included in the 2015-2016 Waterfowl Regulations booklet.
Please note that as of July 1, 2015, nonlead ammunition is required when hunting upland game birds on all state wildlife areas and ecological reserves. Please plan accordingly. For more information please see the CDFW nonlead ammunition Webpage .
CDFW is striving to only offer reservation applications for areas that will be open for hunting. However, last-minute closures may occur due to uncertain water availability and refunds cannot be issued for applications submitted to areas that close due to a lack of water.
Waterfowl hunters should keep informed about current reservation and quota numbers, which are expected to fluctuate frequently. Hunters can also follow the Twitter tag #cawildlifeareaclosures for updates on state-operated wildlife area closures.
In an ongoing effort to expand public access, CDFW is offering waterfowl hunting opportunities through the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement Program (SHARE) at the Merced Wildlife Management Area in Merced County.
For a description of the hunts offered and application instructions, please visit CDFW’s SHARE Webpage.
A valid California hunting license, appropriate validations and a signed federal waterfowl conservation stamp must be obtained before entering the field. In addition, a wildlife area pass is required to hunt on many state-operated wildlife areas. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas, so hunters must purchase these items in advance.
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Approximately 30,000 students complete this requirement annually.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Crystal Lake Hatchery in eastern Shasta County is currently closed to the public while a major environmental restoration is under way in nearby Rock Creek.
“Because there is so much construction work and equipment on the property, we had to close the viewing area and temporarily cancel tours to keep the public and the workers safe,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Hatchery Supervisor Linda Radford. “We will continue to grow and plant trout during construction and will welcome back visitors as soon as possible.”
Crystal Lake Hatchery spawns, raises and releases catchable rainbow trout every year for planting in Northern California lakes.
It is one of 23 state-run hatcheries that provide millions of fish for California anglers.
The Rock Creek restoration project consists of re-routing the hatchery supply pipeline and moving a diversion dam on Upper Rock Creek to a new location downstream.
The project will create habitat for the endangered Shasta crayfish while maintaining a continuous, clean water supply to the hatchery via a water recirculation system.
The hatchery is scheduled to be closed to visitors for most of October and November. Visitors may call the hatchery at 530-335-4111 for more information and updates.
A complete listing of state hatcheries can be found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/hatcheries .
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Advanced Hunter Education Program will offer a waterfowl hunting clinic on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Butte County.
The clinic will be taught by retired CDFW Chief of Patrol Michael Carion and Warden Aaron Freitas, both experienced waterfowl hunters and instructors.
Participants from beginner to advanced are welcome to attend. The clinic will cover the basics of hunting waterfowl with the goal of developing ethical and conservation-minded hunters.
Topics will include duck calling, hunter safety, decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, game care and hunting on state and federal waterfowl management areas and regulations.
The cost is $45 for adults (there is no cost for youths age 17 and under). The clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is limited to 25 people, so please register early.
To register or for more information, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/ or contact Lt. Alan Gregory at 916-653-1235.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento, off Highway 99.