March 26, 2009

Commentary
Park service backs off on lead
ban but the writing is on the wall

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     The National Park Service said it was going to ban all lead fishing tackle and ammunition in all its parks, preserves, and other units by the end of 2010. This was in a March 10 press release fairly gushing with self-congratulatory hoo-rah.
     “National Park Service visitors and wildlife have something to cheer about today with the agency’s stepped-up efforts to reduce lead in national park environments,” the release said.
     “We want to take a leadership role in removing lead from the environment,” Dan Wenk, acting director of the NPS was quoted in the release.
     But by March 18, the NPS fan with so thoroughly clogged with excreta from hunting and fishing advocacy groups that the Park Service backed down, saying the ban only applies to staff and contractors.
     For now.
     “That press release was unfortunate. We had a huge misstep there,” said Bert Frost, the NPS associate director of Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. Misstep? I don’t think so. It was a test. But then State game agencies, virtually every national fishing conservation group in the nation, and the National Rifle Association and all it’s affiliated clout came down on the agency.
     The backpedaling was quick but measured. If the press release had been ignored, you can bet the agency would have moved to ban lead in parks. Even in the retracting of the public lead ban by 2010, Frost made it clear that the agency was going to move to ban lead. It was just going to happen in a more incremental way, when the fiat didn’t work. Now lead will be banned at a park here, a preserve there. They will go through the process of allowing public comment and then ban lead like they had planned all along. It will happen like it did here in California. But it will happen.
     IS CALIFORNIA’S LEAD BAN HELPING?: The NPS and anti-lead advocates across the nation want to move forward with banning lead from all fishing tackle and hunting ammunition nationwide, ostensibly because it is so terribly bad for wildlife. Yes, there is undeniable evidence that a few endangered California condors have died or become terribly sickened after eating lead slugs or shot, presumably scavenged from a gut pile or carcass. But the birds also get elevated blood lead levels almost immediately when they are released into the wild.
     Most scientists in the condor recovery program believe that hunter lead is responsible even for those non-fatal, non-chronic lead levels.
     But the straight-line connection between that lead exposure and hunter’s lead is more tenuous. It might not exist at all.
     The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has blood data in its hands that would help either confirm or deny that the seeming routine lead exposure by condors is, or isn’t, attributable to hunter lead. But the data is just sitting there. These people have been howling about hunter lead for decades, yet they have more important things to do that compile the lead data and see if the mandatory lead ban in condor range is helping? I don’t get it. I would have been publishing monthly reports since the ban took affect last July and comparing the data to previous years during the same month period. Let’s show it’s working.
     If lead is such a horrific problem, why are the feds dragging their feet about showing hunters the data so we can be proud we are helping condors recover? So we can justify spending $60 for a box of .30-06 ammo over the $15 we would have spent for deer hunting. So we can justify shooting $15 a box .22 mag lead-free rimfire ammo instead of $2 a box .22 long rifle lead ammo for ground squirrels.
     IS THERE AN AGENDA HERE?: I know too many of these USFWS people to think there’s an agenda involved with them. But it does show how little these biologists think of us, of hunters, the people who are supposed to be their partners in this conservation project.
     But anyone in our hunting and fishing community with an IQ higher than a hubcap knows that we’ll never get to hunt with lead again in condor range, even if blood lead levels didn’t show any improvement and they find other sources. We know that lead will be banned statewide at some point in the future and probably nationwide -- and not just in National Park units -- for all hunting and fishing.
     Environmental groups do have an agenda and lead is a four-letter word. Just as with lead shot for waterfowl hunting, which honest scientists agreed was an unnecessary ban in many -- if not most -- waterfowl hunting situations. As soon as we knew it could be bad in some situations, the environmentalists decided it was bad everywhere. It’s happening again.
     THE NRA POSITION: Knowing that a lot of environmentalists don’t like hunters, it’s easy to understand the NRA’s position that this is all about moving to eliminate hunting and hunters. The anti-gun whack-jobs pile on. While I have a problem with the NRA position that none of the science is valid or compelling, I agree that the anti-hunters end up driving the train that keeps science from determining when and where lead can and can’t be used.
     In fact, I blame the scientists and wildlife advocates for letting this happen. They don’t necessarily want hunting to be a casualty in this battle. But they let it happen because they don’t think it matters. Their simple-minded rationale is this: If lead is bad in one situation and alternatives are available, why do you need to shoot it other situations, for other uses?
     They don’t look at the data that shows a decline in hunter use directly caused by the lead ban and its increased costs. Or worse, they pooh-pooh it. They don’t see that it’s the same as banning wine based on this rationale: Wine can help kill you if you drink it at 20,000 feet in the subzero temperatures, so it doesn’t matter that it’s mostly safe to drink here in the Southern California springtime.
     So I get the NRA’s “you are either with us, or you’re against us.” These people are against us. They are against good science by their complicity.
     WHY IT MATTERS: I had two very interesting conversations this week -- one with an attorney who believes in banning lead nationwide and is working toward that goal, and the other with an 80-year-old hunter from the Mojave desert.
     The attorney, who’s a really bright guy, pooh-poohed my concerns about hunter declines and non-lead costs and the desire to keep using lead ammunition and sinkers because they were cheap and familiar to guys in our sport. The old hunter thought all the lead science was bull and knew the only wildlife he killed with lead was by design and good marksmanship. The attorney said hunters were absolutely needed to help feed condors in this era, but he didn’t see how he was a problem in bringing them over to help the condor cause. The old man has lived with lead ammunition for 80 years and was blunt in saying he’d shoot any condors he saw because of the lead ban.
     It’s difficult telling people on both sides of an equation they need a little education.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     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 (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.