News & Commentary

March 11, 2009

Commentary
Lead ammo ban running
hunters from sport,
costing DFG funding

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

Nearly five percent fewer deer hunters and 15 percent fewer wild hog hunters took to the field in deer zones and the pig hunting region where hunters were mandated to use non-lead hunting ammunition last year, costing the Department of Fish and Game over $200,000 just in lost tag fees.
While deer tag sales rose significantly in California in 2008, sales in the seven deer hunting zones affected by the lead ammunition ban saw tag sales plummet after three years of steady gains in those same regions. Overall hunting license sales in California also dropped to their lowest level since license sales hit their peak in 1970.
Exorbitant gasoline prices and a general downturn in the economy didn’t affect deer tag sales in the rest of the state, so the blame for the dramatic downturn in deer and pig tag sales can and should be placed squarely on the new regulations banning the use of lead ammunition within the range of the California condor.
In the three years leading up to the lead ban in 2008, the seven deer hunting zones affected by the ban (D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, D13, and the southern portion of the huge A zone) increased each year, going from 59,208 in 2005, to 59,696 in 2006, to 59,978 in 2007. In 2008, the first year of the lead ban, the tag sales dropped to 58,023, a nearly 2,000 tag decrease.
Two of the deer zones in the lead ban region saw their entire quotas sell out in 2008, just as they had done in the previous three years. But the first-come, first-serve tags in D7 and D9, sold out later for 2008 than they did the previous year, indicating less hunter interest in the tags. In 2007, the 9,000-tag quota in D7 sold out July 27, but last year it wasn’t until August 11 when the quota sold out. The D9 quota of 2,000 tags sold out August 9 in 2007 and five days later in 2008 on August 14.
As further evidence that hunters simply quit hunting in the non-lead zones, wardens reported after the deer season last year that their contacts with hunters were down 50 to 70 percent from the previous year in the southern A zone and D13. This figure makes you wonder how many hunters bought their deer tags and then, once they started pricing ammo and gas prices continued to climb, simply decided to stay home.
In contrast, deer tag sales were higher on a statewide basis than they’ve been since 2002. The total of 193,929 tags sold in 2008 was significantly higher than the 186,927 total in 2007, and it was also the third year in a three-year upward trend.
The sale of wild pig tags dropped to their lowest level since tags started being sold individually instead of in books of five in 2004. Since the lead ban area encompasses much of the best wild hog hunting region in the state, the impact was even greater on wild hog hunters. Pig tag sales dropped from 55,393 in 2007 to 47,266 in 2008, a loss of 8,127 tags.
Statewide hunting license sales continued their downward trend in 2008, likely driven by hunters in the non-lead region who gave up the sport rather than deal with the increased costs and hassle involved with shooting non-lead ammunition. In 2007, hunting license sales were 297,694, the lowest level recorded in California since declines began after 1970, the peak hunting license sales year on record when 690,790 hunters purchased licenses in this state. They fell again in 2008, dropping to 296,790, a new record low.
Why were statewide deer tag sales up when hunting license sales declined? There were 175 fewer premium rifle deer tags for the coveted X-zones and special hunts and five fewer muzzleloader tags, so the odds of getting drawn for a premium deer hunt were less. Gas prices were through the roof, the economy was stumbling, and hunting license and tag fees were up again. All of those things typically would have driven statewide tag sales down. So why were tags sales up?
The simple answer is that many California hunters, who normally would have traveled to out-of-state locations, stayed home in 2008 and hunted close to home. Many did two hunts here instead of one in-state hunt and one out-of-state trip. It was all about saving money.
But, yet again, California has managed to drive more hunters out of the sport with increasingly complex regulations, more expensive licenses and tags, and now a forced lead ammunition ban that many hunters don’t believe is necessary and adds significantly to their hunting costs. Each cost increase and regulatory change causes people to leave the sport and adds barriers for new people entering.
It is almost incomprehensible that we have lost 400,000 hunters in California since 1970, while our state’s population has nearly doubled over the same period, much of the increase with Hispanics who have a great hunting heritage. The reason for the decline is because of costs and complex regulations. The lead ban is just another wedge that pushed more sportsmen away from the hunting tradition.
When I first started big game hunting in the early 1970s, my deer tag book (which had two deer tags) cost $3 -- only $1.50 per tag -- and you could hunt anywhere in the state with those two tags during three broad seasons. Hunting licenses and tags were bought over the counter at sporting good stores. No complex and cumbersome application process.
Ironically, we had more than twice as many hunters then, more hunter pressure everywhere, better deer herds than we do now, and blue collar hunters could afford the sport. It’s not that way today. Even adjusted for today’s cost of living and inflation, that $1.50 tag should only cost $7.65, but it’s actually $26. Even if we account for the nearly 60 percent fewer hunters today and pay that much more for a deer tag, it should only be $12.25. But it’s more than twice that amount. All DFG license and tag fees have increased way out of proportion to the consumer price index and inflation.
Working stiffs struggle to afford to hunting big game today.
Anyone who tries to tell me that a $60 box of .30-06 ammunition, especially when added to all the other costs, is not a deterrent needs to talk with DFG warden captain Roland Takayama. This past fall he went into one hunting camp where the hunters had divided up a box of non-lead ammo between the five of them. They each might be able to afford a $12 box of budget lead ammo from Wal-Mart, but not a $60 box. So they simply split the cost and each took four rounds for hunting. Talk to anyone who works the gun counter at Bass Pro Shops or Turner’s Outdoorsman or any other store that sells non-lead ammunition and you will hear stories about customers complaining about the cost of ammunition.
Yet, even before we know if the lead ban is helping California condors, we have people pushing for -- and a Fish and Game Commission willing to entertain the idea of -- a statewide lead ammunition ban for all hunting. This is before we’re sure it’s helping condors. This is before we know the real economic impacts such a ban would wreck on the Department of Fish and Game’s budget. This is before we know how many more hunters it would drive out of the sport arbitrarily.
A conservative estimate, based on this past year’s decline in hunter numbers just in the non-lead hunting area, suggests a statewide ban would run several thousand hunters from the sport and cost the DFG somewhere around $1 million in lost revenue from license, tags, and stamp sales.
And we’re doing this before we have the supportive proof that banning hunter’s lead ammunition is having a positive affect on condors and would help other wildlife in the state.
This is bad science and worse economics. It is discriminatory. It is wrong.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

MARCH 14 SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA CLEAN-UP: Volunteers are need for a half-day clean-up of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area beginning 7 a.m., Saturday, March 14. The volunteers will clean up the waterfowl and upland hunting areas and plant tree along the San Jacinto River channel. For information, contact Scott Sewell at 951-634-4652 or Tom Trakes at 951-236-3040.
MARCH 14 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed to participate in this winter’s final bald eagle count to be conducted on Mar. 14 in the San Bernardino National Forest at Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, and Lake Hemet. To volunteer and get more information, call Robin Eliason, a USFS biologist at the Big Bear Ranger Station, at 909-382-2832.
MARCH 14 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
MARCH 21 HIGH DESERT NWTF FUND-RAISER: The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will have its third annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Foremost Terrace Room, 17581 Sultana, Hesperia. Tickets are $60 per person, $100 per couple. For information or tickets, contact Karen Shackleford at 760-887-1092.
MARCH 21-22 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 21, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 22, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun shows will tentatively be July 11-12, Oct. 3-4, and Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
MARCH 22 RANCHO CUCAMONGA TURKEY HUNTING SEMINAR: A six-hour wild turkey hunting seminar will be conducted by hunting guide Ron Gayer and hunting book author Durwood Hollis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $50 per person with all junior hunters free with a paid adult admission. For information and to register, call Hollis at 909-605-3719.
MARCH 25-29 FRED HALL DEL MAR SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 25-29 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The companion show to the Long Beach event, this is the largest sportsman’s show in San Diego County. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 27-28 QUAIL UNLIMITED SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting a fund-raising sporting clays shoot Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28 at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, Norco. The Friday event will be a 50-target small gauge (20 and under) event for $30, while the Saturday event is a 100-target main event costing $60 per shooter. Information: www.quriverside.com.
MARCH 27-29 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve March 27-29. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project dates are April 17-19 and May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MARCH 28 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited will have its annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28 at the Oak Tree Room (next to Coco’s Restaurant), 1150 Colorado Blvd., Arcadia. Dinner tickets are $70 per person or $105 per couple. For more information, call 866-206-9070 or e-mail sgvqu@onebox.com.
MARCH 28-29 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 28, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 29, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be June 6-7, Aug. 15-16, and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
APRIL 4 CALIFORNIA DEER ASSOCIATION BANQUET: The Southern California Chapter of the California Deer Association will have its annual banquet and fund-raiser beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, April 4, at the National Orange Show-Renniasance Room, 689 S E Street, San Bernardino. For tickets or more information, contact Glenn Tessers at 310-973-8148 or Karen Shackelford at 619-887-1092.
APRIL 4-5 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The remaining 2009 dates for the Bakersfield gun shows include June 20-21, Sept. 5-6, and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
APRIL 4-6 LAKE ISABELLA $200,000 FISHING DERBY: The 20th annual Lake Isabella Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, April 4, through Monday, April 6, on the waters of Lake Isabella. There will be tagged trout and prizes worth over $200,000, including one tagged trout worth $20,000, ten trout worth $10,000, and 989 tagged fish worth from $1,000 to $20. Individual entry fee is $15 per person of $35 per family before March 15 or $20 for individuals and $45 for families after March 15. Complete registration information at http://derby.kernrivervalley.com. For more information, call 760-379-7511 or e-mail derby@kernrivervalley.com.
APRIL 11 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RMEF FUND-RAISER: The San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will have its big game banquet and fund-raiser beginning 4 p.m., Saturday, April 11, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 21333 Strathern St., Canoga Park. The event will celebrate the 25th anniversary of RMEF with live country music, catered barbecue, raffles and auction hunting trips. Cost is $75 per person. For information, call Cathy O’Connor at 818-345-4426 or via e-mail at SFVelkFoundation@aol.com.
APRIL 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
APRIL 17-19 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve April 17-91. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project date is May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
APRIL 18 CWA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHOOT AND BARBECUE: The California Waterfowl Association will have its 8th annual Southern California Shoot and Barbecue beginning 8 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Triple B Clays, 831 N. Rosemead Blvd., South El Monte. The shooting event consists of 50 sporting clays targets, 25 trap targets, and 25 skeet targets followed by dinner barbecue, a live auction, silent auction, and raffle. Cost is $100 per shooter, $50 for non shooters. For more information, contact Adam Weleba at 805-975-8170.
APRIL 18-19 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW (not valid in San Bernardino County). Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class or the remaining 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
APRIL 19 SAN DIEGO DAY AT THE DOCKS: The 30th annual Day at the Docks, hosted by the charter sportfishing fleet at the San Diego-based landings, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the San Diego sportfishing landings, Harbor Drive and Scott Street, Point Loma. The free event will allow visitors to board most of the 70 sportfishing boats moored at the landings and there will be tackle displays, antique tackle collections, historical displays, and seminars on San Diego-based ocean fishing. For more information, go to www.sportfishing.org.
APRIL 25 OCEANSIDE PADDLEFEST AND FISHING DERBY: The inaugural Oceanside Paddlefest will be held Saturday, April 25, in Oceanside Harbor. The event will feature a kayak fishing derby with a $500 first place prize and on-the-water demos of Hobie kayaks and outrigger canoes, vendor displays, seminars, and raffles with all proceeds benefiting the Hubbs White Seabass Research Institute. For information, contact OEX Oceanside at 760-721-6195 or online at www.oexoceanside.com.
MAY 1-3 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve May 1-3. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MAY 9 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are June 13, July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
MAY 14 ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL FUND-RAISER: The Orange County Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its 4th annual fund-raising dinner beginning 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Po Folks Restaurant, 7701 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Dinner tickets are $55 per person. For information, contact Frank Theodoropoulos at 714-227-3304.
MAY 16-17 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will tentatively be Oct. 24-25. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
JUNE 5-7 SHOOTING SPORTS FAIR: The Raahauge’s Shooting Sports Fair will be held Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Prado Basin. This is the only hands-on event open to the public where you can shoot virtually all of today's firearms. All major arms makers are present. Shooting exhibitions and hunting seminars all three days of event. Hours are none to 6 p.m. Friday, June 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Admission is $12 for adults, parking $5. Friday women admitted free. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
JUNE 6-7 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Aug. 15-16 and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
JUNE 6-7 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
JUNE 13 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
JUNE 20-21 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next dates for the Bakersfield gun show include Sept. 5-6 and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
JULY 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
JULY 16 RIVERSIDE QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Vince’s Real Italian Spaghetti Restaurant, 1206, W. Holt Blvd., Ontario. Cost is $25 per person. For information or reservations, contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or via e-mail at gibbent@gte.net.
JULY 18 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.

DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

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