Proposed F&GC bear regulation changes backed by COHA & CHC houndsmen
The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is proposing a number of changes to the 2010 black bear hunting regulations in an effort to better manage the state’s burgeoning bear population, which has expanded well beyond its traditional range and has quadrupled in the last 25 years to upwards of 38,000 animals.
The regulatory changes include raising the annual harvest quota, which is currently set at only 1,700 bears, and expanding existing bear hunting zones to include portions of Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Modoc and Lassen Counties. These changes will help reduce private property damage and other human-bear conflicts, which have increased significantly in recent decades, while providing for expanded bear hunting opportunity for the public.
CDFG is also proposing to eliminate a prohibition on the use of Global Position Systems (GPS) to locate hounds used to tree bears. Hounds may become lost in the woods during hunting season, often for days at a time, or may be injured or killed by vehicles. Lifting the prohibition on GPS would help to ensure the safety of the dogs while allowing hunters to keep their dogs away from private property or other restricted areas.
“GPS dog recovery solutions are already legal for pets and dogs used for bird hunting in California, and legal for hounds in dozens of other states, provinces, and countries,” said Josh Brones, Legislative Analyst for California Houndsmen for Conservation. “It’s time that California’s hounds enjoy the same welfare and protection.”
Current sales of bear hunting tags generate about $900,000 in funding for bear-related research and other wildlife conservation activities. While the state’s ongoing budget crisis has limited conservation efforts in some areas, bear tag monies have remained a reliable but critical source of funding to conserve bear populations and protect wildlife habitat.
In 2008, the success rate for bear hunters averaged about 8%, with many hunters spending days or even weeks in the field without actually harvesting a bear. For those lucky enough to harvest one, bear meat is often shared with friends and family during holidays and other special occasions.
“The regulatory package put forward by Fish and Game is based in sound science, and would help to maintain healthy black bear populations over the long-term,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance.
The California Fish and Game Commission accepted public comment on the bear hunting regulations at its February 4th meeting in Sacramento, and will make a final decision on the proposed regulatory package in April.
The California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the use of hounds as both a time-honored piece of American culture and a sound means of wildlife management. For more information, visit www.californiahoundsmen.com.
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Other Outdoor News
California Outdoors Q&As, Sept 9: Abalone rebellion or diver blunder?
By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist
Question: One of my dive buddies asked me what to do when plucking an abalone and the abalone shell comes off the ab and the meat remains on the rock. Should the person then pry the meat off the rock, lay it in the shell and take it all like this? It would be a legal (seven inches or bigger) abalone. Is this illegal? I know it is the sporting thing to do and the right thing to do, but the DFG regs say that if you have an abalone removed from the shell, you are in violation! What is the right thing to do in this scenario? (Matt M.)
Full StoryWhiskeytown 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...
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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...
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Time to saddle up on a Wild Horse Sanctuary Trail; Ride among wild mustangs and burros
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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
Tips and Techniques: New Line Issues
We recently had a reader contact us regarding a problem he had with some reels after having new line put on the reels at a shop using a spooling machine. When used the line looped, tangled, spun out and jammed, frustrating what he hoped was a good day of family fishing.
Most all of us, if we fish on a regular or semi-regular basis have experienced this. If you have not, here are a couple precautions and hopefully quick fix remedies to use out in the field....
Full StoryFirst 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