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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Cameras capturing neighborhood mountain lions
Question: I live in Kern County and last December caught a mountain lion on our security camera. Then, last night about 6:45 p.m. I saw it walking on the road in front of my home with a cat in its mouth.
This is a new experience for me and my research indicates that there is no reason for concern, except to notify neighbors with pets.
Can you please give me some guidance on whether I should do anything with this information? (Steve D.)
Answer: These security cameras that people and businesses are installing as well as trail cams are creating quite a buzz about lions.
People are now getting the opportunity to realize what lion researchers have recently come to understand, which is that lions live around people more than we think.
According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Environmental Scientist and mountain lion expert Marc Kenyon, we once thought that mountain lions resided solely in the mountains (hence their moniker), but it turns out they have been living all around us.
With that in mind, we’ve also come to realize that mountain lions don’t present quite the level of danger that we used to think.
And you’re absolutely correct. Probably the best way to manage this situation is to simply warn neighbors about the presence of a lion. And if you visit our Keep Me Wild web page ( www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/lion.html ) you can learn how to live and recreate safely among these magnificent creatures.
However, there is always a chance that these animals, like all wild animals, could pose a threat to public safety. Although the risk is extremely small, it still exists and we don’t take it lightly.
In addition to following the advice on the Keep Me Wild Web page, please be sure to call 911 or your local police if you or your neighbors witness a lion exhibiting any threatening behavior.
The local police can typically respond much faster than we can, however they will be in direct contact with us until we can arrive if our presence is necessary.
Such potentially threatening behaviors include:
· Following people closely and secretively;
· Intently watching children;
· Twitching tail;
· Stomping front or hind feet;
· Approaching people with ears pinned back and hissing;
· On the ground and refusing to flee when you are shouting at them aggressively and/or blowing a whistle.
Also, a mountain lion in a tree or crouching in some vegetation near a trail or a residence doesn’t always reflect a dangerous situation unless some of the behaviors listed above are also noted.
More often than not, that mountain lion is simply trying to hide until people pass and it may even feel threatened by the people who are watching it.
Alternate length measurements?
Question: For kelp bass, barred sand bass and spotted sand bass, the marine sport fishing regulations state that the size limit is 14 inches total length or ten inches alternate length.
What is the difference between total and alternate length? (Tom R.)
Answer: Total length is the longest straight-line measurement from the tip of the head to the end of the longest lobe of the tail. Tip of the head shall be the most anterior point on the fish with the mouth closed and the fish lying flat on its side.
Alternate length is the straight-line distance from the base of the foremost spine of the first dorsal fin to the end of the longest lobe of the tail (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1.62).
Verifying it’s a tom turkey
Question: I know that only tom turkeys may be legally harvested during the spring turkey season, so how do I prove this if questioned?
Should I leave a wing or the beard or both on the bird? Please clarify. (Anonymous)
Answer: The regulations are intended to require that only tom turkeys may be taken during the spring season, but the law specifically states that the turkey must be “bearded” (a bearded turkey is one having a beard visible through the breast feathers).
In most cases a beard will distinguish the animal as male, but in some rare incidents hens may also have them.
Keep the beard attached to the carcass until you return to your residence. You may pluck the bird in the field, but remember to keep the beard connected to the body.
Toms and hens can be easily determined by their significant head and wing color differences. If by chance you run across a rare bearded hen, even though the provisions of the law may allow you to take it, we strongly discourage it.
Spring is the turkeys’ primary mating and nesting period so hens may not be harvested in order to protect their production.
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. – Saturday, April 11, is the season opener for the 2015 Race Season at Ukiah Speedway.
In addition to racing action, there will be a special fundraiser for injured Ukiah teen, Brandy Peterson.
Peterson is currently in Santa Rosa recovering from her injuries and her parents have taken time away from work to care for her. She has months of recovery ahead of her.
Race fans can donate any amount to the Brandy Peterson fund at the souvenir booth and be entered into a drawing to win a season pass for Ukiah Speedway.
This pass is good for any general event at Ukiah Speedway throughout the entire racing season. The pass is valued at more than $130.
Lakeport Speedway and Ukiah Speedway have donated $500 through the “Kyle Tellstrom Fund” to this young lady’s family.
This fund was put together with donations by racers and fans after Tellstrom himself was sidelined after an accident in the pits at Lakeport Speedway.
Attend the races this Saturday night for racing action and to help Ukiah Speedway support a local family in need.
For more information visit http://ukiahspeedway.com/ .
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NAPA, Calif. – On Saturday, April 4, Mavis Pyorre headed out to represent the Terrace Middle School Vikings at the California Girls Middle School State Wrestling Championships.
With only one month of wrestling experience under her belt, she would have a tough road ahead, as most were bringing many years’ experience.
Weighing in at 93.5 pounds, Mavis wrestled in the 95-pound weight class in a 32 girl bracket. Medals were awarded to the top six placers.
Every match Mavis wrestled was a battle. First up she faced off with the No. 7 seed, down 5 to 0, she came back to win 7 to 5.
Next, she faced the state champion. Mavis fought hard and would not give up, but ended up losing 2 to 7 (this was the closest match the champion would face all day, as she went on to pin her other opponents and major decision her finals opponent 10 to 0).
Mavis then faced the No. 6 seed, beating her 4 to 2. Then, Mavis battled it out with the eventual fifth placer, coming up just short 4 to 5, missing advancement to the medal rounds by one point.
Mavis ended the day at 2 and 2, placing seventh/eighth, as they did not wrestle off for this placement.
“She did awesome!” said Head Coach Steve Fisher.
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Milers Walking and Running Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit running club that is dedicated to promoting physical fitness in Lake County through running and walking, will hold its 13th annual Spring Has Sprung 5K and kids run on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Coyote Valley Elementary School, 18950 Coyote Valley Road (take the Hartmann Road exit off Highway 29 and turn at the first left).
The Spring Has Sprung event will support both Middletown High School Track and Field and Lower Lake Varsity Soccer.
New this year: Chip timing with almost instantaneous results by www.norcaltiming.com .
The popular Spring Has Sprung annual event features a flat 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk through the beautiful Hidden Valley Lake golfing neighborhood. Participants can choose to “race” the timed event as a runner or fast walker or take their time strolling the course.
Medals are awarded to the top three in each five-year age and gender division and kids divisions starting with 10 and under.
The Milers also stage a very popular half kilometer to one kilometer run for children between ages 4 through 10 with medals awarded three-deep in each age division. Event shirts are included for all events while supplies last, register by April 12 for best price and shirt selection.
The children's races are set for 8 a.m., followed by the 5K with age divisions spanning 10 and under through 70-plus at 8:30 a.m.
Event-day registration is from 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., but for the best price and an event shirt guarantee, participants are encouraged to register online by April 12 or print registration form at www.runsignup.com/spring .
To have a brochure mailed to you call 707-987-3229 or email
Fees for the 5K range from $30 for adults 20 to 69, $20 for youths ages 19 and under and adults 70 years plus and includes an technical event shirt, goodie bag and great refreshments.
The entry fee for the children's races (ages 4 through 10) is $10 and includes an event t-shirt while supplies last.
There also will be an opportunity to purchase items at the mini expo at the finish line where Heart and Sole sports of Santa Rosa, The Soap Shack of Lakeport, and Fiedler Chiropractic will have booths set up.
The Milers running and walking group meets every Saturday in two locations: Mountain High Coffee and Books in the parking lot of Hardester’s Hidden Valley Lake shopping center (Hartmann Road exit off Highway 29) and in Kelseyville in front of Kelseyville Lumber at 3555 N Main St, Kelseyville.
The public is warmly invited to come out and join the Milers for weekly exercise.
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