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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Koi-eating heron needs a new home
Question: We live in Valley Center (north San Diego County) and had a koi pond with 75 koi. We now have maybe 20 koi. There's a huge great blue heron that is eating the koi daily.
Is there a way for Fish and Wildlife to rehome this bird so that we can save our koi? (Julie Wright)
Answer: Unfortunately, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) does not remove or rehome great blue herons. They are federally protected.
Your best bet will be to haze the bird by non-lethal methods and discourage it from hanging around. Try putting wire around and over the top of your pond to keep the heron from easily picking off your remaining fish.
Your fish may also be disappearing due to other unwanted predators. Koi are very enticing menu favorites for a number of other small backyard visitors, including domestic cats and raccoons.
Unfortunately, when various small backyard wildlife become nuisance visitors, such as koi-stealing raccoons, or possums under houses, or squirrels in attics, or rattlesnakes in your garage, etc., CDFW cannot usually assist with removal/relocation.
For all of these types of animals you would need to contact a pest management company for assistance, or visit UC Integrated Pest Management Web site for guidance. Their Web site is www.ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/ .
Back to the great blue heron, the USFWS provides guidance and permits for birds causing property damage. This is a common problem at larger live fish facilities, private hatcheries and aquaculture facilities. Check their Web site at www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/mbpermits.html .
Estimating distance from shore
Question: I have a question that’s a bit off the wall. If I am on the water, how can I accurately estimate when I am around one mile from shore?
Assuming great visibility, if I am on a boat and standing 10 to 20 feet above sea level and I have 8x binoculars, how can I tell if I am less than or more than one mile from shore?
I seem to recall someone saying to estimate half to horizon and then half of that. Does that sound correct? (Craig N.)
Answer: Because of swell conditions, it would be nearly impossible to estimate the distance from shore in the method you describe. The most reliable method would be to use a GPS or plotter.
You can also use a compass pointed toward known locations on land and triangulate your position fairly accurately on a chart.
Abalone scouting before start time?
Question: I know I cannot start picking abalone until 8 a.m. I usually get to my spot around 7:30 a.m.
If I leave all my gear on the beach, can I search the rocks to locate any abs that might be legal, mark the spots with my gloves and then at 8 a.m. go back and get them? Thanks for your assistance. (Larry P., Paradise)
Answer: Abalone may be taken only from 8 a.m. to one half hour after sunset. Take is defined as to “hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill (Fish and Game Code, section 86).
Searching and locating abalone prior to 8 a.m. as you describe is prohibited because it would fall within this definition of take.
When friends share in a hunt, does everyone need licenses and tags?
Question: Let's say I plan to go hunting during the regular season and want to bring a friend or family member along, but I'm the only one who actually plans on taking game.
Additionally, let's say that I am the only one in possession of a firearm or archery equipment. Does everyone in my group need to have a hunting license and tag?
If no, am I the only one in the group who needs both a license and a tag, and everyone else is okay with just a license? (Jeffrey Y.)
Answer: No one else in your group will need licenses or tags as long as they are only observing and are not carrying a method of take with them.
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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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County is launching Hike for Hospice, a fundraising event, on Saturday, June 20.
People who want to participate in the hike are encouraged to preregister at the Web site www.lakecountyhospice.org prior to the event.
Once registered, a hiker’s packet that includes sponsorship forms and “sponsor me” buttons will be mailed to the hiker along with details of the event.
Hikers, or teams of hikers, are asked to have family and friends sponsor their hike by making a donation to Hospice Services of Lake County.
The hiker collects the donations in an envelope provided in the hiker’s packet, and delivers the donations on the event date as they check in to hike.
The hike will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. at Highland Springs Park.
Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at the picnic area near the reservoir. Hikers may choose one of three predefined hiking trails through the park that are one, two or three miles long.
When all the hikers have returned, awards will be given for most money raised by an individual, most money raised by a team, most creatively dressed individual and most creatively dressed team. creative apparel is highly encouraged.
The event is expected to finish by 11:30 a.m.
Highland Springs Park is located at 3600 E. Highland Springs Road in Lakeport, off of Highway 29 past the Lampson Field Airport.
Donations from this event help provide medical care and support services to residents of Lake County in their last months of life.
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
For more information, to register to hike or sponsor a hiker, go to www.lakecountyhospice.org or call 707-263-6222.
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join Brad Barnwell on Saturday, June 20, for a bird walk along Cole Creek, Kelsey Creek Outlet and Kelsey Slough at Clear Lake State Park.
The two-hour walk will start at the visitor center parking lot at 7:30 a.m.
The walk will be at a slow pace and cover about one mile of paved road and trails.
They will look for the young osprey and juvenile green herons as well as other birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Participants should wear sturdy shoes and should bring binoculars/scopes, birding guide and water. Rain will cancel the walk.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. Entry into the park is free for those attending the walk.
Anyone having special needs should contact the Clear Lake State Park Sector Office Tuesday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 707-279-2267.
For further information on California State Parks go to www.parks.ca.gov .
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The 40-9ers Ladies Golf Club held a flag tournament on June 11.
The results are as follows:
– Flight one: Deby Braun and Joy Ryan tied for first place with a net 34; second place, Adele Curtin with net 37.
– Flight two: First place, Hank Kistner with net 41; second place, Kit Hoss with net 42; third place, Liz Cummesky, net 44.
– Flight three: First place, Diana Schneider with net 39; second place, Toni Stratton, net 40; three-way tie for third place, Gwen De Rosa, Nan Rudy and Marla Peterson all had net 42.
– Flight four: First place, Barbara Carver, net 35; second place, Carol Surber, net 44; and third place, Pat Bright and Linda Millard tied with net 46.