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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is updating its Game Take Hunter Survey.
To assist with this effort, CDFW has selected Responsive Management, a company specializing in natural resource-related public surveys, to conduct a survey of resident small game and upland game bird hunters.
Between 1948 and 2010, CDFW conducted mail-based surveys of California hunters to estimate the harvest of many hunted species, ranging from big game such as bears and deer to small game such as upland game birds, squirrels and rabbits.
The harvest of big game species is now estimated through CDFW's Automated License Data System (ALDS).
Additionally, the harvest of all migratory birds, including waterfowl and upland migratory birds such as doves, is estimated through the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP).
These programs now provide more consistent information about those species than did the previous mail survey.
There remains a number of resident small game and other hunted species for which harvest can only be tracked through harvest surveys of the type planned.
These animals are hunted under a general hunting license only or with a validation for upland game birds (formerly a stamp) and are the focus of this survey.
This survey will use ALDS databases to identify hunters who purchased general hunting licenses and upland game bird validations. A random sample will be surveyed.
Telephone surveys will be used because the response rate is higher, which improves the statistical reliability of the survey results. The survey will also help CDFW design future harvest reporting through ALDS to be most cost effective for the hunting public.
Responsive Management will be contacting randomly selected hunters through the end of June. Survey participants will be asked about their hunting efforts associated with upland game birds and small game mammals, as well as coyotes and other huntable species. Results will be used to help CDFW use better information to guide game management programs.
Participation is voluntary. However, CDFW encourages selected hunters to participate to increase the reliability of the information and help ensure that management decisions are based on accurate harvest estimates.
Direct any questions about the Game Take Hunter Survey to Levi Souza, CDFW Wildlife Branch, Upland Game Program, at 916-445-3709.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
What information can be collected from banded birds?
Question: While hunting ducks a few months ago at my hunt club, my son shot a double banded wood duck. It had the normal metal band on one leg and on the other leg it had a pink plastic band with the number 9 on it.
The club next to us raises wood ducks and we were wondering if it may have come from there?
How can I best describe to my kids why some ducks are banded? (Mike O.)
Answer: Bird banding is one of the most useful tools in the modern study of wild birds.
Banding birds with uniquely numbered leg rings is meant to reference where and when each bird is banded, its age, sex, and any other information the bander thinks crucial to report to scientists.
Information from bands subsequently found and reported provides data on the range, distribution and migration habits, their relative numbers, annual production, life span, and causes of death of countless species of birds.
Having this information increases scientists’ ability to understand bird habitat and behavior and assists them in their management and conservation efforts (source: USFWS Web site).
As far as the bands you found, it depends on what kind of metal band the bird had. If the band was issued from the USFWS, then you can go to their website www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl and easily find out where it came from.
If it is not a USFWS issued band, that likely means an organization may be providing nesting habitat via wood duck nest boxes, and then banding them as part of a federally-permitted study.
Between the two bands, hopefully you can track some information down.
Animal cruelty
Question: My daughter and I were going to the store on Saturday when we noticed a possum that had just crossed the road and was near the gutter on the other side of the road. The car in front of us veered to the other side of the road and ran over the possum on purpose!
I have been told that possums are a protected animal. Who do I contact to report this?
I was shocked and very angry that someone would do this on purpose! I have pictures of the car, the license plate and of the possum.
I would appreciate any help in this matter. There is no excuse for this kind of cruelty. (Kathi V., Orange County)
Answer: Although opossums are not native to California, they are classified as nongame animals pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 4150, and they may not be taken in the manner you have described (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 472).
However, these kinds of violations can be difficult to prove and prosecute because the drivers will likely claim it was unintentional and that they were distracted and swerving because of other issues inside the car such as a coffee spill, dropped cell phone, etc.
The driver might also claim he was attempting to avoid the animal but the animal got confused and ran back in the direction the car was veering, which does happen sometimes.
Despite these possible scenarios however, what you described could be investigated as an illegal method of take. Hopefully, this was something you will not come across again.
But if you do, you can call the 24-hour CalTIP hotline at (888) 334-2258 or report by text message via “tip411 (numerically, 847411).
What are the rules for mounting trail cameras?
Question: What are the rules or requirements regarding putting a trail camera in a public park?
We're trying to find a friend's lost dog and have gotten tips that she's in a local public park.
No one can ever find her during the day though so we want to put up a trail camera at night to try to confirm if she is there.
If it makes any difference, one of the parks where we think she might be is next to an elementary school.
I just want to know if it's legal, and if so, if there's anything special that needs to be done to put up the trail camera. (Kevin H.)
Answer: This is not under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
This decision will need to be made by the manager or the agency that manages the park as to whether they have any policies that permit or disallow this practice.
Fishing access to the California Aqueduct?
Question: I see many videos on YouTube regarding fishing along the California Aqueduct.
As a main water supply line for California, I would think most areas would restrict access.
Is there any information I can look up to find where the access areas are? I think most areas on the videos are in Southern California.
I am looking for access to the California aqueduct around Central California. (Daniel S.)
Answer: There are many fishing access points along the aqueduct, and many have signs posted as well.
To find some of these places, please check out our online fishing guide at www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/guide or our mobile fishing guide at www.dfg.ca.gov/mobile .
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
California's second annual Invasive Species Action Week will run from Saturday, June 6 through Sunday, June 14.
Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Invasive Species Action Week is a statewide event that provides the public with opportunities to learn about non-native plants and animals that wreak havoc on our environment and the beneficial native species that live here.
Federal and state agencies and numerous organizations across the state have teamed up to host more than 30 Action Week events this year.
Upcoming public volunteer opportunities range from ragwort removal at Prosper Ridge in Humboldt County, to surveying for aquatic invasives in the Lake Tahoe Basin, to trapping crayfish in Los Angeles' Medea Creek.
A complete county-by-county schedule of events can be downloaded at www.wildlife.ca.gov/CISAW .
Citizens can also contribute to a healthy environment by taking small, everyday actions – like selecting native plants for landscaping, being responsible pet (aquaria) owners and reporting invasive species they encounter.
One of the newest opportunities to monitor for invasive species during and beyond the Action Week is through California Nerodia Watch, the CDFW's burgeoning citizen-science monitoring project for invasive (and restricted) Nerodia watersnakes.
Currently, Nerodia watersnake populations are established in Roseville, Folsom and Harbor City, with several sightings reported in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Nerodia are notorious predators of fish and amphibians, and if their range expands, they will pose a serious threat to nearby endangered giant garter snakes and threatened steelhead and Chinook salmon.
With the public's help, CDFW biologists hope to monitor and prevent the spread of existing populations.
The public is encouraged to learn more about Nerodia watersnakes ( see the CDFW invasive species profiles at www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/species ) and report observations through the iNaturalist project Web page ( www.inaturalist.org/projects/california-nerodia-watch ) or by downloading the iNaturalist smartphone app.
For questions or more information about the Action Week or California Nerodia Watch, please contact
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- Written by: Tami Cramer
LOS OLIVOS, Calif. – On Sunday, May 17, the largest high school mountain bike race is history took place in Los Olivos.
The SoCal Cycling League hosted 785 riders from throughout California at the Dirt Club, a private mountain bike facility/property in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Located not far from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, the area is dotted with vineyards and horse ranches among its rolling oak grasslands.
As with Neverland, the site was somewhat “out of this world”; the venue became a huge RV park as hundreds camped, hot air balloons floated by, a marching band played music and hundreds of children on bikes networked with others from all over California.
Riders converged onto the 6-mile course that climbed approximately 800 feet each lap; completing two to four laps (12 to 24 miles) depending on their category.
With a huge climb right near the start of the lap, the remainder of the course was fairly smooth and rolly with lots of switchbacks.
Technicality was largely due to the large amount of climbing. This is where all the training and fitness will be tested.
With six riders representing Lake County, Clear Lake High School junior Mark Jeffrey Morton came into state ranked third overall in Junior Varsity Division 2 in the NorCal North Conference.
Summing up the race, Morton stated, “It was a fun, but challenging race. It had the most and steepest climbing of any of the other races. Another reason it was difficult – many more riders. I was happy to be able to squeeze out a sixth place.”
The largest field of the day, Junior Varsity Division 2 had 94 riders compete. Among the other JV competitors, Jadon Lindsey, Kelseyville High, placed 22nd; Gabe Wind, Clear Lake High, 40th; and Craig Andre, Kelseyville High, 73rd.
Unfortunately Craig suffered from a mechanical problem in his very last high school race.
“In his final lap, Craig’s rear brake lever broke,” said Coach Tami Cramer. “Since braking is shared between the front and rear brakes when riding; when it broke it all went to the front. This resulted in Craig wiping out in a turn. Once back on the bike, he rode considerably slower since he only had the front brake, but finished.”
When asked to compare freshman versus senior year, Craig stated, “Freshman year I was determined to just get through the year. I didn’t expect to and was hesitant at every obstacle. This year, I not only try to get through; but I lost most of the fear and hesitation I experienced. I’ve gained confidence in my abilities, not to mention new strength and skill.”
The other two riders to compete included CLHS sophomore Solano Dominguez and KHS sophomore girl Kia Kohler.
Battling back and core issues this year, Solano felt considerably better in this race finishing 10th out of 57 riders.
Kia, who hadn’t been able to get in as much training the 3 weeks between race No. 5 and state, felt pretty happy to walk away with 23rd out of 39 competitors.
“We had a great season,” said Coach Jeff Cramer. “State marks the official end to the season, but most of the riders will continue throughout the year. All Kelseyville and Clear Lake High School students reading this; go ride your bike and we hope to see you on our interest rides in the fall.”
A big shout out to our 2015 Sponsors: Main Street Bicycles, City Fitness, Wasson Memorial Hospital, Conser Land Surveying, Maherajah Water Skis and Longboards, Mountain High Coffee and Books, Disney’s Boat Rentals, Edward Jones Investing, and a big thank you for continued support from Clear Lake High Sports Foundation and Kelseyville High School Boosters.
Follow Lake County High School Mountain Bike Teams on Facebook.
