The CA big game drawing results are now posted on the DFG website.  If you put in for the draw, the wait is over…

Me?  I got drawn for the elusive A-zone buck tag.  I even doubled down, and got drawn for a B-zone tag too!  Woohoo!  I also made my annual donation to the CA elk program, and added one more preference point to my tally.

Who else put in?  Who got drawn?

Fish and Game Offers May Pig Hunts Through SHARE Program

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will conduct a permit-only wild pig hunt on Bobcat Ranch in May. This hunting opportunity – under the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program – will give 56 wild pig hunters access to the private property during two archery periods, two apprentice periods and four general method periods.

  The SHARE Program is a voluntary landowner incentive program.

Participating landowners receive liability protection and may receive compensation for providing public access to or through their land for wildlife-dependent recreational activities. The goal of the SHARE Program is to provide hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California that would not be available otherwise.

 The Bobcat Ranch is located in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters. Hunting under the SHARE Program will help achieve the ranch’s long-term conservation management objectives, which include controlling the wild pig population.

 Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on April 5, 2011. More information and applications are available on DFG’s SHARE Program website at: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/share/index.html.

After a couple of years of work with private land owners, the DFG is now able to offer the first pig hunt under the SHARE program.  This opportunity is at the Bobcat Ranch in Yolo County.  There will be spaces for 64 hunters, but in order to get in on the hunt, you’ll need to get an application in by November 30.  Here’s the full information:

SHARE Program
Bobcat Ranch Wild Pig Hunt- December 2010

Bobcat Ranch is in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters. Two-day wild pig hunt permits will be issued to hunters by drawing only for all wild pig hunt periods. Hunters may apply for more than one hunt period per application. No party applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For this initial SHARE opportunity there will be no application fee.

Individual hunters may be accompanied by not more than one non-hunter. Apprentice hunters must be accompanied by an adult. No more than eight hunters will be allowed to hunt per period. No dogs may be used. Only non-lead ammunition may be used during this hunt. Archery equipment may be used during the general hunt periods. A pre-hunt orientation is required on the first day of each hunt, and all hunters are required to check in and check out of the hunt area. DFG personnel will be onsite during the hunts.

The hunts are limited entry and permit-only, available to all holders of a valid California hunting license and a wild pig tag, which are available at license providers throughout the state. Hunters may apply for the two-day wild pig hunts by mailing an application to DFG. Applicants must indicate the period for which they wish to be considered. Applications must be received by 4:00 on November 30, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by phone. Entry permits with maps and additional information will subsequently be mailed to successful applicants. For an application please visit the wild pig special hunts website at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/pig/specialhunts.html or contact Victoria Barr, SHARE Program Coordinator at (916) 445-4034.

Archery only hunts:
Period 1- December 6-7
Period 2- December 8-9

Apprentice (must have Junior hunt license) only hunts:
Period 3- December 13-14
Period 4- December 15-16

General hunts:
Period 5- December 20-21
Period 6- December 22-23
Period 7- December 27-28
Period 8- December 29-30

DFG or AUDUBON CALIFORNIA RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS HUNT AND CLOSE THE AREA TO ALL PUBLIC USERS WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFOCATION DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

This is a pretty great opportunity, and one I hope CA hunters will take advantage of.  If the program works well, we can hope to see more private lands opened up to hog hunters in the future. 

Don’t miss out!

California appears to finally be rolling out the long, long-awaited Automated License Data System (ALDS)! 

I can’t remember when it was first heralded, but it looks like California, the self-proclaimed “cradle of technology” is finally, supposedly, going to pilot online licensing!  Never mind that even the “backwards” states like Texas and North Carolina have been doing this for a while, CA is finally moving into the 2oth century!  Can I get an AMEN?

The online licensing program has certainly seen some ups and downs, and I expect there are a lot of guys out there who still won’t believe it until they finally order their next deer tag or fishing license from the comfort of their own desk chair.  Nevertheless, according to today’s press release, it’s coming and it’s for real. 

Check out the Press Release for yourself.

Department of Fish and Game Pilots New Automated License Data System for Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Director John McCamman announced today that Californians will soon purchase hunting and fishing licenses using a real-time automated system. Especially developed for DFG, the Automated License Data System (ALDS) is already in place at DFG license sales offices. The system will be piloted at select license agent locations beginning the week of Sept. 20, with full statewide implementation expected between November 2010 and early January 2011.

This system is the largest of its kind in the world, said Director McCamman. This long-awaited, long-requested system will provide an unmatched level of service to our license-buying constituents.

Unlike automated systems in other states, California’s ALDS is a real-time system.

“A real-time system gives customers immediate access to our license inventory which will eliminate the need to visit a DFG office or wait for high-demand products to be issued via mail,” said James Fong, chief of DFG’s License and Revenue Branch. “For example, a deer hunter will be able to go to his or her local license agent and immediately purchase any available deer tag rather than having to mail in an application or travel to a DFG office to make the purchase.”

ALDS will provide numerous advantages to hunting and fishing license buyers. License Agents won’t run out of licenses and stamps, for example, and customers will be able to easily replace lost licenses at any license agent for a reduced fee.

“The advantages of this system go far beyond convenience,” said Fong. “Not only will we be able to improve customer service, but we will be able to use the information in the database to better manage wildlife and comply with federal grant requirements which translates into more revenue for our wildlife management and enforcement programs.”

During the first year of ALDS, customers should be aware that new requirements exist. For example, items issued through ALDS will be subject to a three percent surcharge for system maintenance. Also, customers must provide some form of legal identification and a telephone number when they first make a purchase through ALDS. Customers are able to purchase licenses for other people as long as the licensees prior year license is provided along with a driver license number. Without the prior year license, the purchaser must provide the licensees date of birth, legal identification number and type, address and physical description. If the purchaser does not have all of the licensees personal data, they can purchase a license voucher that can be redeemed for a sportfishing or hunting license at any ALDS license agent.

The new requirements will ensure a complete and accurate customer database, reduce the risk of fraud, improve DFG’s ability to better manage resources, provide more equitable outdoor opportunities and meet federal mandates that require complete customer data. Although customers may experience a slower license sales transaction time the first year, the process will be quicker in the future, as the customer’s information will already be in the system.

The license agents in the initial pilot of ALDS include:

• Browns Sporting Goods – Garberville, Calif.
• Kalinas Hardware – Malin, Oregon
• The Tackle Box – Salinas, Calif.
• H & M Landing – San Diego, Calif. 
• *Big 5 – El Segundo, Calif. 
• *Walmart – Susanville, Calif. 
• *Sports Authority – Temecula, Calif. 
• Broadway Bait, Rod & Gun Sacramento, Calif. 
• Herb Bauer Sporting Goods – Fresno, Calif.  
• Doms Outdoor Outfitters – Livermore, Calif. 
• Diamond Sporting Goods – Ukiah, Calif. 
• Floyds General Store – Bakersfield, Calif. 
• The Grant Boys Costa Mesa, Calif.
• *Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 
• Half Moon Bay Sportfishing and Tackle Half Moon Bay, Calif. 
• Newport Landing – Newport Beach, Calif.

*This location only

Traditional hunting and fishing licenses will still be available at non-ALDS license agents until the system is fully implemented statewide. Fishing licenses also continue to be available for purchase online at www.calicensetofish.com. Hunting licenses are expected to be available for purchase online in 2011.

To find a license agent near you, or to learn more about ALDS, please visit the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing.

####

According to the timeline posted on the DFG site, the pilot period should run into November, and the system will be available for general use in time for folks to get their 2011-2012 licenses and tags this spring. 

It really is about time.

First, CA DFG and CWA are working together to offer some dove hunts on private land. The second event is another opportunity to try out lead-free ammo, this time at Camp Roberts.  Here are the press releases.

California Waterfowl
2010-2011 Hunt Program News

Time is running out to register for Dove hunts available through California Waterfowl’s 2010-2011 Hunt Program. This program is providing Exclusive Private Land Hunting Opportunities to all California Hunters!

The final day to reserve your opportunity to take part in one of these fantastic opportunities is Friday, August 20, 2010.
 
Dont Miss Out…Click on the link below NOW!
 
https://www.SignUp4.net/ip.aspx?EID=20102171E&IID=h2S3xu%2bJWaU%3d

Well, in the interest of first-hand experience, I was fortunate enough to get my friend and fellow JHO member, Alan Crowder to give us a write-up on another great hunting opportunity… Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Vandenberg has a great reputation for both deer and hog hunters.  The catch, however, is that only military, their dependents, and Department of Defense (DOD) contractors are eligible to hunt on this base.  But let’s let Alan lay it all out:

I have had the pleasure of hunting Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) for the last several years and would like to pass on some of what I’ve learned while hunting there.  In addition, new regulations regarding hunting came into effect on 1 July of this year. 

 

First the who:  any active duty, retired, or active duty guard may hunt on VAFB as well as DoD employees including NAF and AAFES.  Law enforcement may hunt as long as a letter has been submitted by their commander and approved by the VAFB installation commander.  Guests are only authorized by active or retired military.  Of course, all State laws apply when hunting on base.  Leave your handguns and rimfires at home.  They are not authorized for hunting on VAFB.

 

What to bring:  there are a variety of areas with specific firearm restrictions.  “A” zones are for archery tackle only.  “B” zones are for shotgun, muzzleloader and archery.  “C” zones are rifle, shotgun/muzzleloader and archery.  If you have one of those fancy “long range” muzzleloaders you will be confined to a rifle area. 

 

Of course copper ammo is mandatory on Vandenberg.  I am prepared to hunt in any of these areas and many others do the same.  The base is around 98,000 acres mixed chaparral, some oaks, some dunes, and lots of Manzanita thickets.  Good binoculars are a must!  A spotting scope is desirable.  VAFB has over 700 miles of road; some paved, others not well maintained.  Four-wheel-drive is necessary to access some of the more remote locations.  Sorry, no quads.  All driving must be performed on existing roads and no vegetation may touch the undercarriage of the vehicle. 

 

When you arrive for the first time you must go to the Base Exchange and purchase a “Use Fee” sticker for the type of game you are hunting i.e. pigs, deer, or small game (birds).  The cost for military is $15 per sticker and is valid for the season.  DoD stickers cost $35.  A guest sticker is $10 and is good for 72 hours.  Once you have everything you need to hunt, INCLUDING YOUR LICENSE, TAGS, USE FEE STICKERS AND ID, proceed to the base fish and game office to register to hunt.  Until you do this, you are NOT legal to hunt on base.  The conservation officer will provide you with a copy of the hunting instruction, your authorization (216), a set of maps, a dash placard, and will give you any specifics regarding area closures.  This is important to understand:  this is an active military base with an ongoing role of providing missile defense as well as a busy missile launch roster.  Areas are subject to closure at any time and that’s just the cost of hunting here.  Don’t bother complaining because you’ll just annoy the authorities.  READ THE REGULATIONS!  There are specific rules that must be followed when hunting on VAFB that are unique to the base and are in addition to the California regulations.  For example, all animals must be brought in for check-in with the hide on.  Do not quarter the animal, do not leave the base without check-in.  During the general deer season you MUST wear orange on your torso; it need not be a solid panel.  A hat is recommended, not required.

 

Our weather here is typical central coast:  morning fog, afternoon winds and generally mild temperatures.  This is not always the case and if you come up here to hunt deer and hogs in the summer you can expect to freeze one day and roast the next!  Be prepared.  Some years in some areas ticks are a real problem:  I have removed over 100 ticks from my pant legs at one time, so treat your clothing and wear repellent. 

 

VAFB has excellent camping facilities that can be booked through the Outdoor Recreation office.  The base has lodging as well and there are numerous motel options in the surrounding communities.  There is a full-service gun club on base with a pro shop, ranges and best of all a game cleaning and aging facility with room in the walk-in cooler for 25 deer at a time.  For members only, see the pro shop for membership details. 

 

The hunting.  I heard from the base biologist that 30% of the state’s pig harvest comes from; Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, or VAFB.  That said, it isn’t easy hunting because the hogs get a lot of pressure.  This makes many of them entirely nocturnal.  The best option is to get up on a high spot and glass the surrounding countryside.  Sure, you can “bust brush” but likely you will only hear the hog go out the other side and see nothing but the brush moving.  It’s best to try spot and stalk.  Some guys use dogs.  I ask that you think twice about using dogs here because of the high amount of hunter pressure.  A pack of dogs will push hogs out of their beds and they will leave that area for months, wrecking the opportunity for others coming up later in the season to hunt.  Too much pressure and the hogs simply move off base to private land where they aren’t being hunted.  Shooting wet sows is discouraged for the same reason:  hunting pressure keeps the hog numbers well in check.   I’d rather see piglets shot than wet sows because then only one animal dies.  It is a complete fallacy that piglets get adopted by other herd sows.  They are coyote food.  There is always time to make sure of your target!

 

We have a large population of deer on VAFB and hunter success is far above the state levels at close to 50%.  Those hunters willing to get out away from the roads tend to do well, and success is enjoyed in every area on the base.  Hunting pressure during the deer season is only moderate, and one can get away from everybody else if you so desire.  Good optics and shoes are a must.  For the military and some DoD, there is a VAFB specific tag labeled a “G-11”:  this is an either sex tag with a season that runs from 26 August to 31 December.  It is only available to a limited number first come, first served.

 

Dove hunting is completely dependent on the weather around the 1^st of September.  If it’s hot, the doves are in.  If it turns cool the birds will head inland.  Quail hunting is often good and it looks like 2009 is going to be a good year.  Lots of babies and we are seeing the second clutch of young now.

 

So give some thought to coming to VAFB and participating in a wonderful hunting program.  The wildlife management team here excited to have hunters here as the important tool that it is!  Hope to see you out here!

Thanks, Alan!  That’s good stuff right there!

I walked up and down over an awful lot of ridges and draws with little more than the occasional rooting and track to keep the motivation going, and I can probably count the total number of hogs I saw on my fingers and toes.  Many of the places listed as having hogs are actually transit routes between private land… or were often marginal places with little habitat to attract and keep pigs.  The small number of places that could be ideal are hammered by hunting pressure, or are so remote as to make it unrealistic for the weekend warrior to reach them. 

But one of the best known secrets for public land hunters is the property owned and managed by the U.S. military. 

Here in CA, there are a handful of military installations that are available to hunters.  Two of the best known are Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts.  Both bases are located in the central coast region of the state, which is essentially ground zero for wild hogs!

We’ll start with Ft. Hunter Liggett, 165,000 acres of Monterey County splendor.  A good portion of the property was purchased from the Hearst estate, as well as property from several adjacent landowners.  Hearst managed much of his property as parks, and the military has done a great job of keeping the underbrush burned or cut.  The result is a beautiful patchwork of rolling, oak meadows, divided by well-maintained roads.  The Nacimiento River has its headwaters on the fort property as well, and carves its way across the landscape. 

The  fort is bordered by the Los Padres National Forest, and is also the entry point to a large portion of the Ventana Wilderness.  I have yet to hunt FHL, but I’ve visited the place a time or two.  The fort also borders T. Michael Riddle’s Native Hunt property… and I’ve certainly hunted there enough.   Deedy’s Bryson-Hesperia Resort is also right down the road from the gate… and as regular Hog Blog readers know, I’ve spent an hour or two on the ground there as well.  Point is, I know the entire area is thick with wildlife, and as a place to find public land hogs, Fort Hunter Liggett is probably one of the best bets in the state. 

Of course, the success ratio is still pretty low, especially compared to private land hunts.  But folks who put in the time and effort to learn the place consistently do pretty well.  In addition to hogs, there are all sorts of other game to be found on the place, including blacktail deer, turkeys, upland birds, and a healthy herd of tule elk! 

You’ll find a lot of information, including the requirements for hunting the fort at the FHL website.  Among other things, you’ll need to get a base permit.  The instructions are on the site.  You’ll also want to check the weapons restrictions.  Remember, this is a military base, under control of the federal government.  While the DFG rules and regulations apply, the military applies some specific regulations that go beyond those of the state.  And trust me, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the base law enforcement.

You’ll also find a good bit of conversation about FHL over at Jesse’s Hunting and Outdoors forums.  Log in and check out the conversations.  Most of the folks there are pretty helpful too, if you have your own questions to ask.

Hang in there, and I’ll try to get to Camp Roberts in the very near future.

Anyway, here are a couple of quick releases I’ve just picked up.  One is from the CA Department of Fish and Game, and the other is from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.  Funny how they all use the same words, but change the order a bit.  Or maybe that’s just me…

First, the CA DFG is asking A-zone deer hunters in Monterey County, San Benito County, and San Luis Obispo County to bring in sections of the colon from the deer they harvest this season as part of an E.Coli research program.  Here’s the details:

Department of Fish and Game

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 7, 2008

Contacts: Dr. Andrew G. Gordus, Senior Environmental Scientist, (559)
243-4014 ext 239; Terry Palmisano, Senior Wildlife Biologist, (831) 649-2890; Harry Morse, Office of Communications, (916) 322-8962

DFG Hoping Hunters Can Help Start New Study on E. Coli and Wildlife

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is conducting a new study on how native wildlife affect E. coli presence in three coastal counties. The new study focuses on the bacteria, Escherichia coli 0157:H7 which can cause illness and death in humans. The study will help establish if the bacteria is found in wildlife in Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties.

DFG is requesting A-zone deer hunters in those counties if they harvest a deer to take a six-inch segment of the deer’s colon to the special drop off locations listed below. Samples need to be kept cool and delivered to a drop off location within three days. There are no known health hazards to hunters collecting a small segment of deer colon when cleaning their deer.

“Hunter cooperation in this study is extremely important to the long term management of the deer herds moving between foothills and croplands,” said DFG Senior Environmental Scientist Dr. Andrew G. Gordus, who is heading up the study.

A special collection kit consisting of two latex gloves, two zip ties, two gallon-size ziplock bags, label and instructions are available to hunters upon request. For a description of how to collect the sample while cleaning a deer, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/news/docs/FieldSamplingProtocolForDeerHunters.pdf

Hunters normally clean their deer in the field. By taking the extra step of securing a small section of colon, the study will help biologists understand how native wildlife affect E. coli presence, enabling them to better manage deer herds in the vicinity of vegetable croplands.

The new study is designed to collect information over a three-year testing period. Plans are to collect a total of 2,400 colon or fecal samples over a three-year period for analysis from deer, wild pigs, elk, small mammals and birds across a variety of watersheds in the three coastal counties.

Specimen drop off locations and collection kits are available from:

● Bob Martin, Rio Farms, (831) 595-1554, King City;
● Kek Flores, Jackpot Harvesting, (831) 970-7073, Gonzales;
● Traci Roberts, Monterey County Farm Bureau,  (831) 750-5875,Salinas;
● Mike Silva, (831) 595-0102, Salinas;
● Monterey Fish and Game Office, (831) 649-2870, Monterey;
● On opening weekend Aug. 9-10, Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett Hunter Check Stations.

                                          ###
Seems like a reasonable request.  Help ‘em out, hunters! 

Now, from the AZFGD…  In addition to the annual selection of leftover tags in AZ, they’ve got a bunch of javelina tags for youth hunters, all available on a first-come-first-served basis.  This is for a new fall hunting program that didn’t get a ton of promotion this summer, but it sure sounds like a great deal for the youngsters.  (I know, there are the anal retentives amongst you who are just dying to tell me that javelina aren’t really hogs, so this doesn’t really have anything to do with hog hunting, but just go with it, OK?) 

Anyway, here’s the press release:

Contact
Doug Burt, (623) 236-7215
Public Information Officer, AGFD

Arizona Game and Fish Department
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release July 31, 2008
5,000 Arizona hunting tags available by first-come, first-serve

PHOENIX – Sportsmen and sportswomen wishing to hunt big game in Arizona this fall can start applying for leftover hunt permit-tags beginning at 8 a.m. (MST) Monday, Aug. 11. For those who either missed the fall drawing or were unsuccessful in the draw, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has tags for deer, turkey and juniors-only javelina hunts, to be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends of the family can take advantage of the many available juniors-only permits. There are more than 2,000 fall juniors-only javelina tags and 106 juniors-only deer tags leftover from the draw. This is a great opportunity to take a youngster outdoors and introduce him or her to the American tradition of wildlife conservation through hunting. These juniors’ hunts are structured to assure a fun, safe and satisfying family hunting experience.

Also remaining are more than 2,500 tags for general deer, 27 tags for muzzleloader deer, and more than 700 tags for archery-only deer. The majority of these tags are for Coues whitetail deer in beautiful southern Arizona.

Turkey hunters also have a chance at 354 remaining permits for a fall hunt on the Kaibab. These tags will go very quickly.

To apply for a tag, a paper hunt permit-tag application must be submitted by U.S. mail only, for delivery no earlier than August 11 at 8 a.m. (MST), to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Drawing Section, P.O. Box 52002, Phoenix, Ariz., 85072-2002.

Hunters with bonus points who are awarded a tag through the first-come, first-serve process will not lose their bonus points for the genus for which the tag is allocated per R12-4-107(G). Conversely, an unsuccessful applicant for a leftover tag is not awarded a bonus point.

Applicants must include their 2008 license number on the application request. However, a 2008 license may be purchased through the application request if needed. Additionally, junior hunters ages 10, 11, 12 and 13 are required to complete a certified hunter education class to participate in a big game hunt.

For a detailed listing of leftover permits, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw  or call (623) 236-7702. For those who qualify, there are military hunts available for Fort Huachuca. Call (520) 533-2549 for additional information.

For more information about the department’s hunter education course, visit www.azgfd.gov/education and click on “hunter education.”

-30-

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes they have been discriminated against in any Game and Fish program or activity, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the Game and Fish Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phx., AZ 85086, (602) 942-3000 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact the Game and Fish Deputy Director as listed above or by calling TTY at 1-800-367-8939.
 

More stuff coming down the pike… with the rifle deer hunting season kicking off this weekend, I can just about guarantee there’ll be a lot more news and information coming up soon!

Department of Fish and Game

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 6, 2008

Contacts: Harry Morse, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8962
Craig Stowers, DFG Wildlife Management Branch, (916) 445-3553

First Deer Season with Nonlead Ammunition Requirements Opens Aug. 9

The first deer season requiring the use of nonlead ammunition in historic condor range opens Aug 9. The law requiring the use of nonlead ammunition in historic California condor range took effect July 1. The law covers major portions of the A-zone deer season from Santa Clara to Ventura counties.

“This is the first of several general deer hunting seasons where nonlead ammunition is required in this range,” said John Baker Assistant Chief of Enforcemnet of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). “We expect all hunters to understand the importance of this law and follow the regulations.”

Under the new law it is illegal to use or possess lead projectiles (bullets) while hunting big game and non game species in the range of the endangered California condor.

Lead poisoning is a serious threat to wild condors. Lead bullet fragments have been found to be a potential source of this risk to condors. To protect condors from lead poisoning as a result hunting activity, hunters can no longer use or possess lead projectiles while hunting in condor range.

A list of certified bullets, packaged ammunition and a map of the areas encompassed by the ban along with commonly asked questions about nonlead issuesn are available at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor.

Fire closures and restrictions may affect A-zone hunters on public lands. The U.S. Forest Service has implemented major fire restrictions on the Los Padres National Forest and is considering or implemented similar actions for the Angeles, Cleveland and San Bernardino National Forests. In the Los Padres National Forest much of the Monterey Ranger District, including all forest roads and trails, are closed to the public for at least the next several weeks, according to District Ranger John Bradford. For more information on fire closures or fire restrictions go to: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/fire.html.

                                                        ###
 Good luck to all the A-zone rifle hunters this weekend! Send me pix and stories of your success and I’ll make ya famous! 

I posted the first one, I think, but haven’t done one since.  The questions seemed a little lightweight to me, what with the issues that sportsmen in this state have to face.  But I thought I’d put up one more, just to see what folks thing about it.  I’m not sure it’s offering as much value to Hog Blog readers as i’d hoped it would.  I’d like to see some meatier questions, but maybe folks don’t know they can ask them here.

Anyway, I’ll see what kind of feedback this one generates.  If I decide not to continue posting these, you can always find them online at the CA DFG website. 

Department of Fish and Game

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  June 26, 2008

Contact: Carrie Wilson, DFG Office of Communications, CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov

California Outdoors Q&As
www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA/
When a stream becomes a lake

Question:  I like to fish in lakes where there is freshwater stream inflow. But since regulations differ depending on whether you’re fishing in a stream or in a lake, at what point does a stream become a lake? (Stan J. via e-mail)

Answer:  Technically, where there’s a current, the body of water is considered to be a “stream.” At the point where the water backs up and becomes slack (no current), the body of water is defined as a “lake.” Remember that this is defined by the water flow and not necessarily by a geographical area; therefore, this point can change depending on the elevation and time of the year. For example, if it’s the end of the summer and you’re standing in a half-full reservoir, if the water has a current, you’re fishing in a stream!
Question:  When I hunt in California, I normally take my nine-year-old son. Can my son carry a BB gun legally with him? He will not be using the BB gun to shoot at any wildlife. It mainly gives him that feeling that he is part of the hunting party. Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated. (Jose R. via e-mail)

Answer:  I applaud you for introducing your son to the outdoors and including him in your hunting excursions at such a young age! Unless there is a county ordinance prohibiting the discharge of a BB gun or air rifle in the area where you’re hunting, and as long as he is not shooting at wildlife, it should be fine for your son to legally carry his BB gun with you and the rest of your hunting party. Enjoy your time together!
Question:  I heard this past week that NOAA Fisheries Service is planning to require anglers who want to fish in federal waters to now sign up on their federal registry, too. I already have my lifetime California fishing license and have to ask why I may need to now register with the federal government also? Isn’t all of this just double-dipping to generate more money? (Joe A. via e-mail)
 
Answer:  This new angler registration requirement is proposed primarily for states that do not currently require state fishing licenses.

According to NOAA Fisheries Service, anglers may be exempt from the federal registration requirement if they hold a fishing license or registration issued by a state, such as California, that already has a program.

According to Marty Golden, the NOAA Pacific Coast Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, this registry is geared most toward those states in the country that do not account for all its saltwater recreational anglers through a comprehensive saltwater fishing license program or via regional angler survey programs. In addition, under the new proposed rule, anglers fishing from party or charter boats (fishing for hire
vessels) will be exempt from the registry requirement because this fishing activity is already accounted for in current surveys of party and charter boat fishing.

The proposed rule is available, as well as a lot of good background information about the benefits and value of the proposed Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) , on the Web site at www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov. NOAA is accepting public comment on this new registry until Aug.11, 2008. 

Question:  I know that trout may not be maintained or possessed in a live condition in any container on or attached to any boat, but is it also illegal to have trout on a stringer? We like to keep our catch on a stringer and the stringer in the water to preserve the meat. We do not attempt to keep trout alive with the intent of changing out the smaller ones. We just enjoy a good fish fry. Thank you for any help. (Stas and Holly A., Buena Park)

Answer:  Keeping your fish on a stringer in the water is perfectly fine. The fish cannot swim freely when on a stringer, and this method does help to keep them fresh until you’re ready for your fish fry!
Question:  Can children under the age of 16 fish without a license, and alone without a licensed adult? (Jennifer P. via e-mail)

Answer:  Yes. Although no license is required, keep in mind that no matter their age, everyone who fishes must know what the fishing regulations are that apply to the type of fishing they are doing, and have the good judgment to abide by them.

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Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. Her DFG-related question-and-answer column appears weekly at  www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA/. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week.
Please contact her at cwilson@dfg.ca.gov.

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