CA DFG recommends increased bear harvest (2500); zone changes
An increase in the statewide bear harvest quota to 2,500 bears and replacement of the current the season closure mechanism with an automatic close on the last Sunday in December is being proposed in Draft Environmental Documents (DEDs) by the DFG.
In addition, the DFG offers one option that would institute a quota of up to 30,000 bear tags issued statewide. Other options would enlarge hunting opportunities by incorporating portions of Modoc, Lassen, Inyo and San Luis Obispo Counties in the regulations.
In the recent past bear seasons were closed when the Department had estimated the old quota of 1700 bears had been harvested. In 2009 the season was closed on December 17 so, if approved by the Fish & Game Commission in April, hunters, including guides and their clients who wish to book late season trips, will know when they must stop hunting.
According to the DFG, the primary objective sought by the proposed action is to maintain the State's black bear population in a healthy and viable condition for the enjoyment and use of all Californians and to continue providing limited public sport hunting opportunities. Public comment is being solicited, see address at the bottom of this article.
The proposed action being considered by the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) is to modify Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Sections 365, 366 and 265, respectively as follows:
Bear
1. Modify the bear hunting zones by including additional areas of the state. Options
provided to the Commission for inclusion are:
a. The portions of Modoc and Lassen County currently designated as deer hunt zone X3b would be incorporated into the Northern California Black Bear Hunt Zone.
vi
b. The portion of Inyo County encompassed by Highway 395 on the south and west, Highway 6 on the east and the Inyo-Mono County line on the north would be incorporated into the Southeastern Sierra Black Bear Hunt Zone.
c. The Portion of San Luis Obispo County encompassed by Highway 1 on the west and the Salinas River and Highway 58 on the east would be incorporated into the Southern California Black Bear Hunt Zone.
2. Modify the statewide black bear harvest. Options provided to the Commission are:
a. Eliminate the in-season closure mechanism and close general bear hunting season the last Sunday in December.
b. Increase statewide harvest quota to harvest up to 2,500 bears.
c. Eliminate in-season closure mechanism, institute quota of up to 30,000 bear tags issued statewide, and close the hunting season the last Sunday in December.
Section 366 – Archery Bear Hunting
3. The bear archery season would be opened concurrent with deer archery in respective hunt zones.
Section 265 - Use of Dogs for Pursuit/Take of Mammals or for Dog Training
4. Modify dog control zones by removing areas of the state from the existing dog
control zones.
5. Allow global positioning system (GPS) collars and treeing switches on dogs while bear hunting.
In the draft environmental documents prepared by the Department it is noted if the statewide bear population is subjected to a harvest level of 2,500 bears, the pre-recruitment population, as modeled, is expected to continue increasing for approximately seven years and then stabilize and fluctuate around 39,000 individuals. Presently, the statewide black bear population is conservatively estimated to be between 17,000 and 23,000.
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are recognized as an important component of California’s ecosystems and as a valuable resource for the people of California.
The black bear has been classified as a game mammal since 1948. Since that time, hunting regulations have become more restrictive, prohibiting trapping, killing of cubs or sows with cubs, and reducing the bag limit from two to one bear per license year.
Before the early 1980’s, regulation changes were infrequent. However, in 1982, the Department began recommending regulatory and legislative changes to reduce poaching and increase the Department’s ability to monitor bear populations. Data indicates that California’s bear population has increased in recent years.
The DEDs were prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, as required by law. The documents can now be viewed online at www.dfg.ca.gov/news/pubnotice. Written comments should be submitted to: Dr. Eric Loft, Chief, Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Branch, 1812 Ninth St. Sacramento, CA 95818
Comments received from the public about these DEDs will be incorporated into the final environmental documents that are scheduled for completion in April 2010.
|
Other Outdoor News
Whiskeytown Rec. Area Artist-in Residence at ArtHop
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 2010 Artist-in-Residence, Jacqueline Moses, will present an informal lecture this Saturday, September 11th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant Conference Room, 1790 Market Street in Redding. This free presentation is supported by Hawkman Studios as part of the 2nd Saturday ArtHop...
Full StoryKlamath Bird Observatory to host Wings & Wine Gala
By Liz Williams
Education and Outreach Projects Lead
Klamath Bird Observatory
Hello Klamath Basin Birders!
On September 25th, Klamath Bird Observatory will be hosting its third annual Wings and Wine Gala at Historic Hanley Farm in Central Point, Oregon. This year, KBO is celebrating ten years of success in advancing bird conservation in the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion through science, education and partnerships!...
Full Story18th Whiskeytown Pick-Up Lake Litter Day is 9/25
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, the Friends of Whiskeytown, and Forever Resorts are collaborating with local businesses and supporters to help clean up litter on Whiskeytown Lake on Saturday, September 25...
Full StoryCalifornia Outdoors Q&As, Sept. 2: Are liquid/spray scents considered “baiting”?
By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist
Question: I know you can't bait bears but can I use any scents (liquids or sprays)? (Kendon A.)...
Full StoryFull Moon Hike: See Whiskeytown’s wild night life
Visitors are invited to join a Ranger for a hike under the full moon on Thursday, September 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Visitors can experience Whiskeytown’s scenic beauty bathed in soft silvery moonlight as we enjoy an easy hike along one of Whiskeytown’s historic water ditches and discover the wonders of the Autumn Equinox,” stated Superintendent Jim Milestone...
Full StoryCA DFG Calendar for September
DATE -- EVENT
6 -- Last day of recreational ocean salmon season (from the Oregon state line to the U.S.-Mexico border). More information is on the Ocean Salmon webpage at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon ...
Full Story“Pink” Caspian Terns found; more tagged & released
By Allison Patterson
In July I asked for help finding two Caspian terns I banded and tagged in Summer Lake. For weeks I have been meaning to post an update on how that turned out... with help from the USGS fish sampling crew and TNC we were able to relocate both birds in the Williamson River Delta and retrieve the data from the GPS tags.
Full StoryPlaces to visit in Modoc County: The River Center
By Valerie Lantz
The River Center located in the Modoc County Museum at 600 South Main Street, Alturas, California is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors experience interpretative displays featuring watershed concepts, natural resource stewardship, Modoc County agriculture products and a geology display.
The River Center Programs for 2010:---
Full StorySeptember weekend in Modoc packed with events
By Bonnie Sherer, Lorissa Soriano and other Modoc Art Center members
September is a big month in Modoc County especially the weekend of September 17-19. Life’s too short to miss this exciting three event weekend! What could be more fun than a balloon festival, an art festival and a chili cook off – all at the same time?
Mark your calendars now to you won’t miss these events:
— Alturas Chamber of Commerce - Balloon Fest 2010
— Modoc Festival of the Arts
— “Life is Too Short to Eat Bad Chili” Cook Off
Full StoryInnovative pavement project on State Route 299W starts August 10
If you are planning a trip to or from Eureka or the north coast over the next two months, you should expect some delays in the Big Bar area.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 2 will begin an innovative pavement replacement project on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 on State Route 299 in Trinity County near Big Bar...
Full StoryWhat is an Online Outdoor-News Magazine?
What is an Online Outdoor-News Magazine?
And why you would want to read it, advertise in it, contribute to it or work for it.
By Frank Galusha, Editor/Publisher
MyOutdoorBuddy is an “online outdoor-news magazine.” Why an “online outdoor-news-magazine” instead of an “online newspaper?” There are several reasons:
Full StoryCrystal Creek Falls area closed temporarily
The Crystal Creek Falls area in Whiskeytown National Park will be closed for restoration starting Monday July 19, 2010. The area will remain closed through September, tentatively reopening October 1, 2010...
Full StoryJohnstonville Left Turn Lane Project begins June 15 -- Caltrans
The Lassen County Transportation Commission (LCTC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announce construction will begin on June 15, 2010 for the Johnstonville Left Turn Lane Project on US 395...
Full StoryPortion of Burney Falls Loop Trail closed for improvements
A portion of the Burney Falls Loop Trail and the Falls Overlook at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park will be closed from May through the fall of 2010. This closure will take place throughout the summer while necessary improvements are made to the switchbacks that lead to the falls...
Full Story
Road closures, traffic controls in place on Pit River
Road closures and traffic controls as well as increased stream flows will occur along the Pit River from April to December 31, 2010, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced on Tuesday, April 27...
Full Story
Time to saddle up on a Wild Horse Sanctuary Trail; Ride among wild mustangs and burros
First West Coast Standalone Hunter Derby set for Franktown Meadows near Reno
Other Trinity Reports News
Trinity River, September 5: Salmon move up fast
From Willow Creek, CA. By E. B. Duggan, “D” Fishing Guide
Phone: 530-629-3554 E-mail: yen2fish@yahoo.com
Weirs: Junction Cityweir: 135 Chinook; 0 Coho; 8 Steelhead; 39 German Brown under 16in, 87 German Brown Trout over 16in for a total 126 GBT. Willow Creek weir: 133 Chinook; 0 Coho; 83 Steelhead; 0 German Brown Trout Lower Klamath Creel Counts: Fall Chinook, below 101 Bridge – 138; above 101 Bridge – 319; Total 780 vs. ’09 – 1,045. Steelhead below 101 Bridge – Harvested – 4, Released – 22, Total 125; above 101 Bridge – Harvest – 9, Total 40; Released – 160, Total - 837 vs. ’09 – 895.
Full StoryTrinity River, August 29: Quality salmon show Weitchpec to Junction City
From Willow Creek, CA. By E. B. Duggan, “D” Fishing Guide, Phone: 530-629-3554 E-mail: yen2fish@yahoo.com
As this week began and after I had filed my report, below, I heard some encouraging news from Weitchpec. “Green light!” said one source...
Other Fishing Reports News
First Annual Camanche Derby Day is 10/30
Lake Camanche anglers will have a shot at some some big money on October 30 when Camanche Recreation holds its first annual Derby Day. One tagged trout will be worth $10,000 to one lucky angler. Nine other tagged trout will be swimming the Lake. Entry is $30.00 and includes eligibility for cash prizes, a tri-tip BBQ lunch, and five raffle tickets. You can buy your tickets at the gates, marinas, and stores...
Full StoryLake Davis/Antelope Lake Captain's Log 9/4-6: Hitting the sweet spot!
By West Guin, Guin Fish’n Tackle Co.
Shannon and I hit Davis at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The lake is still weedy but water temps are slowly cooling to 65 degrees.
I trolled straight from the Honker boat ramp towards the Island where we met up with Clayton Sterling and Justin Williams. They explained how they had already hit two fish: One on Silver Streak top lining and the other on Crawdaddy at 15'...
Full StoryCollins Lake, Sept. 2 – Variety for anglers of all ages
By: Kathy Hess, Fishing Reporter
Lots of families meet here at Collins Lake and share fun times while fishing and teaching the little ones to fish as well. Whether the kids caught the fish or not, they always love to have their picture taken with the fish! Little Idaline was a tad bit taller than the catfish pictured with her that Peter caught. The big catfish weighed in at 12-1/2 lbs. and was caught on a live minnow on a bobber down by the dam...
Full StoryPlease consider Catch & Release (C&R) fishing
By Mike Mogler
Conservation of our resources such as water, timber, energy and others should be considered when fishing. I have observed, and I must say more than once, people fishing and not considering catch and release, or keeping what they hook...
Full Story"Salmon nearing Upper Klamath" – SC Guide Service
Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service in Montague is expecting salmon to arrive at the top of the Klamath at any time.Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service is expecting salmon to arrive at the top of the Klamath at any time...
Full StoryCampground heists & big brookies highlight Hat Creek
By Mike Mogler
Labor Day weekend proved great fishing for brook trout to six pounds. Kathy, at Rim Rock Ranch reports the campgrounds are nearly full and so were the stringers of brook trout from 3 to 6 pounds as of Sunday, September 5. All of the fish reported were brookies with few, if any rainbows caught. Night crawlers as well as Panther Martins were the key. The California Department of Fish and Game planted brood stock in Hat Creek for this Labor Day Weekend...
Full StoryUpper Sacramento River full of options
By Gary Heffley
The Upper Sacramento River offers a little bit of everything for anglers this time of year according to Bob Grace at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir. Fly anglers can look for native fish above the Scarlett Way Bridge in Dunsmuir, try to entice a trout traveling upstream from the depths of Shasta Lake in the lower reaches or enjoy a day fishing for planters including some large brood stock trout from between the Scarlett Way Bridge and the Sweetbriar Bridge downstream. In the latter stretch of river fly anglers will be joined by families fishing under general regulations with a 5 fish limit and bait and lures allowed. This stretch has been stocked for the last 3-4 weeks so good numbers should be available...
Whiskeytown Kokanee and Shasta Trout
By Gary Heffley
Mike Elster of Mike’s Fishing Guide Service has been putting clients onto some excellent limits of Kokanee at Whiskeytown Lake and for trout on Lake Shasta on recent outings...
Lake Oroville Coho bite returns
By Gary Heffley
Craig Bentley of Huntington’s Sportsman’s Store in Oroville is reporting that while the bass bite has been slow with anglers scratching slot sized bass on drop shots, the Coho bite has returned. Many anglers are scoring the Coho trolling hoochies at depths ranging from 35 to 60 feet deep. Stack the lures on the downriggers to cover the various depths, working in coordination with electronics for the best success...
Full StoryFeather River Steelhead in Low Flow Section
By Gary Heffley
There are quite a few steelhead in the Low Flow section of the Feather River, which is fantastic news. But, the abundance of salmon, also great news, in the same waters is making angling for the steelhead problematic...
Full StoryShasta Lake Bass: Slow
By Gary Heffley
Speaking with Tony at Phil’s Propellers in Shasta Lake City, he is reporting that bass fishing on Lake Shasta is in a word, slow. While last Saturday’s rain at the lake produced a good day for many the overall picture the rest of the last week and the last few days has shown little results. Some very knowledgeable local anglers have been skunked or just barely scratching a few fish. Drop shotting or using tube baits in shad colors are the best bet with a spook topwater bite early mornings before the sun hits the water.
Full StoryTrinity River and Lake Report
By Gary Heffley
Bill Velasquez of Trinity Outdoors in Weaverville is reserved on his report of Salmon and Steelhead fishing on the Trinity River. There are few steelhead being caught at this time. While it is still early in the season for steelhead to be in the river, the fact that most anglers are targeting salmon may also influence catch rates.
Full StoryDavis Lake Report
Marty and Jeannie at the J & J Grizzly Store and Camping Resort at Davis Lake are reporting that the trout are holding at 15 to 18 feet deep. Trollers are finding cooperative fish using a small Dick Nite Copper Red Head Spoon, a standard for anyone who fishes Davis Lake. Other color combos that are producing is a yellow/watermelon spoon and Red Dot Frog Needlefish...
Full StoryFishing the North Coast, Sept. 2: Lots of angling options for holiday weekend
By Kenny Priest
Ocean sport salmon season closes Monday
As we officially head into fall, the Labor Day weekend offers for some, the last chance to get on the water and explore a few of our local angling options. And it looks like we’ll have some decent weather. The coastal forecast is calling for early morning fog with mostly sunny skies in the afternoon. Further inland, you can expect temperatures in the high 60s after some early morning fog. It’s definitely time to get out and enjoy all that the North Coast has to offer.
Here is a partial list of options to consider...
Full StoryInter-mountain choices, crappies, bass or trout
By Gary Heffley
The waters around Burney continue to produce nice catch rates for anglers trying their luck at Baum Lake, Cassel Forebay and Lake Britton according to Steve and Janet Vaughn of Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney...
Full StoryUpper Hat Creek, Big brood stock in the mix
By Gary Heffley
Reports out of Burney and from anglers fishing Upper Hat Creek are reporting good numbers of trout hitting night crawlers, salmon eggs and PowerBait products especially Power Eggs which tend to last on the hook longer in the heavy current flows than the paste baits...
List of waters being planted by DFG
Here is a list of Northern California Waters being planted by the Department of Fish and Game. Always check the DFG regulations before fishing new waters...
Full StoryWaters released for trout stocking by DFG
In response to many inquires, here is a list of the current waters that the California Department of Fish and Game has completed the EIR/EIs reports and are now available to be stocked with catchable trout. This list is updated by the California Department of Fish and Game weekly usually on Fridays and can be viewed through www.ca.dfg.gov.
DFG Catchable Trout (1/2 lb fish) release waters as of 8/26
DFG recently responded to a legal action challenging its hatchery and stocking operations, and completed an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) that considers species and habitats affected by hatchery-raised rainbow trout. One of the conditions of the EIR/EIS is that every water planted throughout California must go through a Pre-Stocking Evaluation Protocol. This evaluation requires DFG to consider each sensitive or listed species in every water relative to the stocking of trout. The waters listed below have been approved for stocking.
(Viewers are also invited to visit the “Fingerling Trout Release Waters” and the DFG “Fishing Guide”' web pages)...
Full StoryChesbro votes “Aye” on measures detrimental to fishermen
By Frank Galusha
Karen Brooks, candidate for the 1st District Assembly seat now held by Wesley Chesbro is notifying all voters that their representative for the North Coast is voting for measures that could further restrict our fishing rights and hurt the economies of our already hard-hit coastal communities from Ft. Bragg to Crescent City...
Full StoryLong range dreams
By Gary Heffley
Sweat pouring from under your broad brimmed hat, biceps screaming for oxygen and relief, hands cramping in pain, shouts and commotion all around you. Then it’s over, first the sight of color, a few more cranks of the reel, deckhands lifting the gaffed fish onto the deck and before you a gorgeous 200 pound Yellowfin Tuna. You are barely able to smile as you try to regroup; you’re at the fine line between ecstasy and agony. And you can’t wait to do it again. This is the appeal of Long Range Fishing.
Full StoryAntelope & Almanor: Proof is in the photos
A guide that knows his reports may sound exaggerated has one sure fire out: He can send pictures with captions. That's hard for Roger Keeling of Keeling's Guide Service in Canyon Dam. Keeling doesn't have a computer and he doesn't own a digital camera but now and then he picks up a one-time use camera at the drug store and fills its memory with snapshots...
Full StoryCOVER STORY: Trolling Flies, Jay Fair’s keys to success
By Gary Heffley
Jay Fair gained his fame and reputation as a fly tier, guide and innovator on the use of trolling flies to catch trophy trout on Eagle Lake and other Northern California and Southern Oregon Lakes. Jay shared some of his secrets, formulas and techniques with me recently when we sat and talked about his Hall of Fame career. Jay and his son Glen also graciously sent me home with a DVD titled “Jay Fair’s SURE FIRE Trolling Flies For Big Fish The No-Nonsense Approach to Fishing” as well as some trolling flies to try out. The DVD outlines Jays flies, techniques, unique terminal set up and thought processes that have proven so effective that numerous publications have proclaimed Jay as the “Sage of Eagle Lake” or call him simply, “Mr. Eagle Lake.” To watch Jay put his techniques to work on the video just reinforced the tips I had received in person...
Full StoryFree Fly Fishing Fair open to the public October 2
By Gary Heffley
Have you ever been interested in learning how to fly fish? Ever wondered how to get started? The Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers will be holding a Fly Fishing Fair at Caldwell Park in Redding on October 2, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will also be a swap and sell of fly fishing gear and equipment. The event is open to the public and admittance is free...
Full StoryGary Miralles and Shasta Tackle Company: A Northern California Success Story
By Gary Heffley
“Are you catching all the fish you should be catching?” That is a question that Gary Miralles, founder and owner of Shasta Tackle Company, often asks fishermen and guides. Proof as they say is “ in the pudding” or on the stringer as the case may be and Gary and his ever expanding lines of Trout, Kokanee, Salmon and now salt water tackle never fails to produce both fish in quantity and quality.
Gary’s lures have held or hold a line class world record and multiple lake records from many waters west of the Rockies. As a guide Gary would offer a guarantee of catching fish or the client would not pay and even with the toughest of fishing days Gary has yet to have to make good on the guarantee. Having personally used many of the lures made by Shasta Tackle I can speak well of their effectiveness.
Full StoryPot Luck Fishing- Lake Style
By Gary Heffley
When most fishermen think of pot luck fishing, they think of live bait fishing on party boats in bay and ocean waters where the skippers target multiple species, rockfish, salmon, halibut and stripers all on the same outing. These boats make stops at likely locations depending upon tides, winds and seasonal migrating patterns of the fish. It is a lot of fun because you literally never know what you may hook into.
That same type of fishing is available on many lakes in the North State such as Berryessa, Shasta, Trinity and Oroville. I am sure Lake Almanor would also fit this description, but I have yet to fish it. These lakes hold multiple species of both cold water (trout and salmon) and warm water (bass and crappie) varieties of fish...
Full StoryFishing: Getting started
By Gary Heffley
Many people young and old did not have the opportunities that I had early in life to enjoy the outdoors, to learn how to fish; how to cast, how to bait a hook, what type of gear to use and where. Some of these people grew up in an urban environment where options were limited or their families just didn’t enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Many native Californians have never seen Yosemite, Mt. Lassen or have even heard of Burney Falls. Vacations are spent at Disneyland or Sea World. The only fishing some children now know is from their couch on a video game.
Many people and families are interested in taking advantages of the recreational opportunities and family building experiences that the outdoors and fishing in particular provides. The biggest question is how to get started?
The best option is to have a family friend who enjoys fishing take you out and show you the basics, most fisherman are willing to help introduce someone new to the sport. Another option is to hire a guide, selecting an area where you are likely to fish. This will give you equipment and gear introductions without jumping in with both feet and have expenses that you may not initially need. Most guides are excellent teachers and are happy to give novice anglers patient instruction but at a cost.
For those who just want to give it a try on the next family vacation with little fanfare here are some basic starters; from rods and reels and equipment to handling your catch.
Full Story