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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Hunting big game using cell phones and radios?
Question: Is it legal while hunting big game to have a spotter guide a hunter to the animals using cell phones or radios? (Frank H.)
Answer: While it’s illegal in some states, it’s not in California. In states where it is banned, it is because they believe using radios and/or cell phones while big game hunting is not an ethical method of stalking and hunting wildlife. Currently, California has no such law and so radios and cell phones are legal.
Fishing deep for black cod and sablefish?
Question: We occasionally venture offshore for albacore later in the season and are wondering if it is legal to sportfish for black cod or sablefish in deep water. We are talking about 800 feet or deeper waters using deep drop gear. We see commercial fisherman out there long lining for these fish. (Peter C.)
Answer: What you describe is not legal. There are six Recreational Groundfish Management Areas along the coast of California (see page 9 of the 2015-2016 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet).
Depending on the management area, the depths range from approximately 120 feet to 300 feet. The only allowance for a recreational boat to possess groundfish, including sablefish/black cod, in areas deeper than allowed or closed to the take of groundfish, is when that boat is in transit with no fishing gear in the water (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 27.20(b)).
There are a few species exceptions, like Pacific sanddabs, which is why the angler must carefully read the section pertaining to the management area where he/she will be fishing.
Slingbow modification for freshwater spearfishing?
Question: I have a few questions regarding using slingbows in my area and possible changes to my method. I want to get into slingbow fishing since spearfishing in freshwater is illegal in my area (San Luis Obispo County).
Is it legal here in this county? And if so, is it restricted to above the water’s surface or can I shoot fish underwater using snorkel and mask?
Second question … If it is legal to use a crossbow underwater, instead of using arrows, would it be legal to shoot carp with a Hawaiian sling shaft from a slingbow if it’s attached to a line or reel? If not, is it restricted to arrow use only? (Anonymous)
Answer: Using a slingbow or crossbow underwater would constitute spearfishing and would not be legal as spearfishing is defined as “the taking of fish by spear or hand by persons who are in the water and may be using underwater goggles, face plates, breathing tubes, SCUBA or other artificial underwater breathing device” (CCR Title 14, section 1.76).
A slingbow would only be legal as bow and arrow fishing tackle if the arrow is attached to the slingbow by a line or attached fishing reel (CCR Title 14, section 1.23). But, in San Luis Obispo County, all public lakes have ordinances prohibiting possession of bow and arrow fishing tackle on or along these water bodies.
So a slingbow with attached line/fishing reel could only be used on private ponds or lakes and only for fish species listed under section 2.25 on page 15 of the current Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
How to stop neighbors from leaving food and water for wildlife?
Question: What can be done legally to stop my neighbors from leaving food and water outside for animals? Raccoons and rats have invaded our homes and yards and are leaving unhealthy feces behind, tearing the fabric on our patio furniture and causing other problems. How can we get them to stop? (Sally S.)
Answer: Many people think they are helping wild animals when they provide food and water for them. However, all they are doing is luring the animals into conflicts with people living in the area. CDFW provides information about the inadvertent negative results on our Web site (search for “feeding wildlife”).
You could start by educating your neighbor about the harm they are doing by providing them some of the information, and then hope that their heart is in the right place and they will stop.
If the actions continue, some cities have passed local ordinances that make it illegal to feed wildlife, and CCR Title 14, section 251.1 makes it unlawful to harass wildlife (causing them to alter their normal behavior), which can include feeding them.
Hopefully, educating your neighbors will preclude having to get law enforcement personnel involved.
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: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting an art contest to select the design for the state's 2015-2016 upland game bird stamp.
This year's stamp will feature the ring-necked pheasant.
The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years and over. Entries will be accepted from Sept. 30 through Dec. 30, 2015.
Artwork must include at least one ring-necked pheasant, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California.
Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and a print.
The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a public judging event, with the date and location to be announced later.
An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California.
The money generated from stamp sales must be spent on upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach.
The ring-necked pheasant was chosen this year because of CDFW's recent efforts to fund projects to address pheasant declines in California.
For more information, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/birds/pheasant .
CDFW sells about 175,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps .
For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the Web site.
For contest information and entry forms, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp .
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- Written by: Editor
If you always thought snipe hunting was just a rite-of-passage prank for adolescents around the campfire, you may be surprised to learn that there is a real hunting season coming up for this tasty game bird.
The general hunting season for snipe will be open statewide from Oct. 17, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2016. The daily bag limit is eight and the possession limit is triple the bag limit.
“Snipe hunting is a great pastime for hunters who are up for a challenge,” said Karen Fothergill, a senior environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Upland Game Program. “They are easily the state's most overlooked game bird, in part because they're extremely difficult to hunt. Being successful requires knowledge of their habitat and quick identification followed up with a fast and accurate shot.”
In fact, the word “sniper” originally meant a hunter that was skilled at shooting the notoriously wily bird.
Wilson's snipe is a plump brown-and-buff migratory shorebird with short, stocky legs and a long bill.
They can be found throughout the state, but are elusive and hard to spot when on the ground (thus the likely origin of the campfire game).
Snipe are foraging birds, frequently found probing muddy grounds for earthworms and invertebrates. They fly in a fast zig-zag pattern and in the spring they make a distinctive whistling sound (called “winnowing”) with their tails.
Snipe are most frequently found along the muddy edges of ponds, damp fields and other wet, open habitats. Areas with low vegetation provide adequate camouflage and cover for snipe, but they can often be spotted by glassing the water's edge with binoculars.
Because of their habitat, waterfowl hunters are most likely to encounter snipe in the field and may find the bird to be a nice addition to their daily take.
In marshy bogs or wet meadows, hunters can use a pointing dog to stalk snipe, or can use the walk-up or pass shooting methods. A light upland gun with an open choke is recommended, with #7 shot.
Snipe tend to flush into the wind, so hunters may have more luck if they walk with the wind at their back. Though they are flocking birds, snipe tend to flush as singles or pairs. They almost never fly in a straight line, making excellent hand-eye coordination a must for a successful hunt.
“One thing that's especially important to realize is that snipe keep company with many other shorebird species that are not legal game,” Fothergill noted. “Be able to quickly identify your target to ensure you're not firing on a plover or other non-game species.”
While snipe have a wide wingspan, they are smaller than quail and it may take several to make a single meal. They are often roasted whole or breasted out and cooked with butter or bacon. Hunters who enjoy eating dove or duck will likely love the taste of snipe.
Although finding a snipe hunting guide at summer camp is easy, it might be tough for a new hunter to find one during the season without getting served a side dish of puns and jokes.
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.
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- Written by: Editor
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Mendocino Unit is preparing for the fall season at Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) by announcing scheduled closures of seasonal forest roads.
Effective on Thursday, Oct. 15, except as noted below, all State Forest roads within Jackson Demonstration State Forest will be closed to unauthorized public vehicular traffic in accordance with Sections 1431 and 1438, Title 14, California Code of Regulations.
The road closure prohibits the use of all unauthorized motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and ATVs. Roads may still be used for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.
It is always unlawful to operate unlicensed vehicles (including off-road vehicles with or without green stickers) on State Forest roads. Off-road travel with motorized vehicles is not permitted on the State Forest.
This seasonal closure protects forest roads from damage during wet weather. Please do not drive on roads that are wet and have soft surfaces, even if they are not formally closed. Road and stream damage can occur from rutting and erosion. It is not safe to drive on roads with slippery surfaces. Please help protect your forest resources.
The following roads will generally remain open throughout the winter, but may be closed periodically without further notice depending on road and weather conditions:
– Road 100 (closed at the property line at the north end);
– Road 130 (closed at Road 1000 at the north end);
– Road 250 (closed at Road 1000 at the north end);
– Road 350 (only as far as the Egg Collection Station/Camp One Day Use Area);
– Road 500;
– Road 700 to Mendocino Woodlands State Park;
– Roads 800 (to the property line);
– Road 810;
– Road 900 only to Road 810.
Information regarding camping and other recreational activities such as mushroom gathering on JDSF is available at the Cal Fire Fort Bragg office, located at 802 N. Main St. or by calling 707-964-5674 during the following hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Visit the Web site at http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php .
Multiple uses of JDSF for a wide variety of activities that benefit the public, the economy and natural resources are what demonstration forests are all about.