Buddy’s Lists: This Section provides information about businesses and services that could help save your trip, weekend visit or vacation to northern California, southern Oregon and western Nevada. When something happens that threatens your trip, get in touch with these providers. We’ve tried to think of everything that could go wrong but as you might expect, this Section will always be a work-in-progress. Use the drop-down menus to find the help you need.
New feature coming soon
A new feature will be coming soon to highlight the many outdoor opportunities found in our North State by focusing on a city, town or recreation area...
Full Story
DFG offers tours of Table Mountain
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will lead free guided tours at Table Mountain near Oroville this winter and spring. The two-hour tours will be conducted on first and third Saturdays, February through May, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m...
Full Story
Birds of Whiskeytown to show at Park Visitor Center!
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area will present an exhibition of photographs by nature photographer Jim Duckworth at the Visitor Center from January 24 through March 13. On exhibit are beautiful images of birds that are commonly found at Whiskeytown...

Cormorant photo by Jim Duckworth Full Story
Sac NWR to have Junior Firefighter Days
It is time for the second Annual Junior Refuge Firefighter Program at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The Fire Management Staff at Sacramento NWR will be holding a number of fun activities related to the field of firefighting, with children as the main focus. These programs will be held on Saturday, February 20 and Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10 a.m. - noon. It is great for Boy and Girl Scout groups and young people between grades 3-6.
Full Story
Geese and swans return. Fall River Hotel offers package for birders, kayakers
By Frank Galusha
Gaggles of snow white Snow Geese, large squadrons of Tundra Swans and quite a few Cackling or Ross’s Geese are piling back into the Fall River Valley at this time and are expected to remain in the area, resting and feeding prior to returning to their nesting areas in the arctic, Alaska or Canadian provinces as spring approaches.
A few Canadian Geese are always in the mix here, along with some resident and returning ducks, all of which are wearing their most gorgeous late winter colors. These birds can be seen just about everywhere in the Valley, as they move from feeding areas in fields to resting places on the many lakes, ponds and rivers for which this area is known...
Full Story
Update March 8: NorCal Sports Show draws large crowds
Update: Nor-Cal Productions and Taylor Motors presented the 24th Annual Boat, Sport and RV Show at the Shasta District Fairgrounds in Anderson March 5-7 and it was a huge success with larger crowds all three days thanks to beautiful weather. Ann Stryker of Shingletown won the 4-night Houseboat Getaway provided by Silvertorn Resort.
Full Story
California Junior Duck Stamp Contest is underway
It’s not too late! Deadline is March 15...
“There is still time for K-12th grade California students to participate in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp annual art competition,” says Marilyn Gamette, state program coordinator.
The deadline for entries is March 15, 2010. “California teachers are encouraged to submit their student’s work for consideration in this state and national competition. The program is a non-traditional pairing of art and science education,” Gamette noted. “It spans cultural, ethnic, social and geographic boundaries to teach awareness of our nation’s natural resources.” --
Full Story
Do you know how to handle a firearm safely?
By Nathan Zeliff
Authorized CCW Instructor
Do you have a firearm at home for defense of yourself and family? Many Americans do. They recognize their God given right and duty of self defense. However, merely having a firearm available doesn’t automatically mean that you are competent to actually use it. We must remember that with rights there exist corresponding duties and responsibilities. In a future article, the legal requirements for use of deadly force in defense of life will be discussed.
It is important that we all follow the rules for safe gun handling...
Full Story
First West Coast Standalone Hunter Derby
set for Franktown Meadows near Reno
Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility will host the first ever standalone high caliber west coast hunter derby competition on Sept. 19, 2010 in Washoe Valley, NV.
Hunter derby’s are exciting to watch and are an adrenaline rush for participants.
The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby (FM Derby) will feature Olympic caliber English riding at its best. It will have more than 10 jumps, some higher than 4 feet, over obstacles similar to those found in fox hunting such as; a natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, hedge, brush, logs and natural foliage...
Full Story
March 2010 DFG Calendar
March 2010 DFG Calendar
DATE - EVENT
1 - Recreational Groundfish Season Opens for all boat-based anglers in the Southern Recreational Groundfish Management Area (from Point Conception, Santa Barbara County to California/Mexico border). For more information please visit the Groundfish Central Web page at
www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/groundfishcentral...
Full Story
California Outdoors Q&As, Mar. 4: Baiting crab traps with rockfish carcasses?
By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist
Question: I belong to a popular fishing forum on the Internet, and most of my fellow sport fishermen say that when they bait their crab traps/pots, they can use whatever bait they want. Many people are using the carcasses from regulated game fish, such as rockfish, after the fish have been filleted. During previous salmon seasons, they used salmon carcasses, too. Isn't there something in the regulations about this subject? If a person saves their fish carcasses in their freezer, for instance, and then goes out and uses those carcasses in their crab traps, isn't that still considered as "possession"? If I put out crab pots baited with rockfish carcasses, spend the day catching my limit of rockfish and then come back to pull my pots to head back in, I not only have my legal limit of fresh rockfish, but also a bunch of other rockfish carcasses. And what about having those carcasses when a fish isn't even in season?
I seem to be alone in believing that we need to follow certain rules about using fish as crab bait, and now I am very anxious to clear this up once and for all, with your help. Thank you so much for your time and consideration in this matter. (Cat C., North Fork)...
Full Story
A special thank you to all
From Frank and Gary & MyOutdoorBuddy staff,
To all of the visitors and vendors who stopped by our booth at the Anderson Boat, Sport and RV show at the Anderson Fairgrounds this weekend, we would like to say Thank You!
Many visitors and vendors alike had kind words about our efforts and our online outdoor-news magazine. Many loyal readers who met us last year at the show said that they read us regularly for reports and information...
Full Story
Kittle’s Outdoor and Sport Co Auction is March 13
There will be live “inventory reduction” sporting goods auction at Kittles in Colusa, March 13. Preview starts at 8 a.m. to 10- a.m.; auction begins at 10 a.m.
This is a great chance to upgrade up your decoy spread, replace that old hunting jacket, stock up on ammo and get new fishing combo all at great prices...
Full Story
Time to saddle up on a Wild Horse Sanctuary Trail;
Ride among wild mustangs and burros
For more than 30 years the Wild Horse Sanctuary near Shingletown has been rescuing wild horses and burros and has seen the original band of 80 wild horses grow to nearly 300 today.
The Wild Horse Sanctuary is home to numerous horses rescued from federal lands in the West, some 40 wild mustangs from Nevada’s Shoshone Indian Nation and Virginia Range, a small herd of Santa Cruz Island horses from Channel Islands National Park, and several individual rescues such as Phantom, the magnificent wild stallion from western Nevada, who took up residence at the Wild Horse Sanctuary in 2007.
The public has an opportunity to view herds of wild mustangs and burros up close and personal by participating in a two or three-day trail ride. The rides also offer guests a glimpse of the flora and fauna found throughout the sanctuary located in the northern California foothills near Lassen Volcanic National Park. The 2010 trail ride season at the Wild Horse Sanctuary runs from April 24-25 through Columbus Day Weekend (October 9-11)...
Full Story