August 6, 2009

Commentary
One of Southern California’s
oldest shooting ranges closes

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     The Inland Fish and Game Conservation Association shooting range, one of the oldest public shooting facilities in Southern California, closed last Thursday due to a lawsuit filed by a developer who owns an adjacent property, according to Gene Crawford, Inland president.
     The range was one of the last open-air facilities in Southern California that had rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting and has served over 25,000 shooters and hunters in each of the last few years. The 64-year-old club has 1,500 members, and it is located on 40 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in the Santa Ana River Wash on Orange Street in Highland. In 2004, the BLM granted the club an additional 20-year lease because of its sterling record in public safety and serving the community.
     The lawsuit was filed in 2007 by Highland Fifth-Orange Partners LLC of Santa Ana, headed up by developer Hal Woods. The Woods’ LLC purchased 22 acres due north of the club and then immediately set out to close the club down. The most recent lawsuit was Woods third attempt to close the historic shooting range, failing in his efforts to claim noise pollution and then ground water pollution by the shooting facility. His third effort was a two-pronged lawsuit. First he claimed the club created a public nuisance and was a threat to the local community from bullets or bullet fragments escaping from the range facility, and second he said there was “trespass” by the club when lead shot from the shotgun shooting facility landed on a portion of his property.
     Woods claimed that it would cost over a half-million dollars to bring his property up to environmental standards because of the range lead, but he has continued to tell the City of Highland it was a simple grading issue in pushing for approval of his development plans on the property. During court proceedings, experts hired by the range said the lead levels on the Woods’ property were under EPA guidelines, but Woods’ hired expert said they were not.
     In spite of this, Judge Christopher Warren of the Superior Court of San Bernardino issued a dizzying and baffling 20-plus page ruling on Monday, July 27, against the shooting facility on both aspects of the lawsuit, and the gates were rolled closed at the end of the day on Wednesday, July 29. The club was assessed $1.4 million in damages, and it has spent (or its insurance carriers have spent) about $1 million in attorney fees since the beginning of the problems with the “new” neighbor.
     This is a catastrophe for Southern California shooters, especially rifle shooters who have seen the closure of several shooting facilities in recent years and the ban on target shooting throughout the Angeles and Cleveland national forests. The Inland range was frequented by shooters from Los Angeles and Orange counties, as well as the Inland Empire, because it was nearly the last and arguably best-managed range in region.
     Crawford said the club’s board of directors was currently looking at two nearby locations where a new facility might be built to replace the closed facility, but that is little solace for a three generations of shooters and hunters who have using the Orange Street facility.

‘New’ Fish and Game Commission votes for
massive fishing closures on Central Coast

     The Fish and Game Commission voted for a massive ban on sport and commercial fishing in ocean waters off the North Central Coast region of California on a 3-2 vote with the body’s newest commissioner, appointed just the day before, casting the deciding vote. The vote was a huge disappointment to sportfishing groups.
     In a flurry of activity over the past week that buoyed and then dashed sport anglers hopes for a more balanced approach to marine life protected areas, the Fish and Game Commission saw its president Cindy Gustafson resign last Friday. Her departure almost assuring that the Wednesday vote on adoption of restrictive Marine Life Protected Act reserves off the Monterey region would be deadlocked 2-2, failing to pass.
     Don Benninghoven, who was chairman of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force that has recommended for massive ocean closures, was immediately appointed to the Commission on Tuesday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to assure the passage of the Central Coast closures the following day.
     Sporting groups have argued the science referenced for massive closures doesn’t justify eliminating all sportfishing, as the blue ribbon panel has recommended for regions all along the coast. The MLPA process is also ignoring the economic impacts to the sportfishing community and refuses to address how enforcement of the closures will be funded.
     “Today’s vote to move forward with a new $55 million a year marine program shows that the Schwarzenegger administration is not listening to the people of California,” said Vern Goehring, head of the California Fisheries Coalition after the Wednesday vote. “The people have spoken and the governor has said he got the message: live within our means because everyone must contribute to get out of this mess. So how does he justify starting a new program while cutting healthcare for kids, closing parks and now, releasing inmates?
     “It’s a fishy business that this expensive new program claims to protect the ocean, but in reality won’t even address water pollution, which we all know is a major issue. All it does is ban fishing, which ironically, is already heavily regulated and studies show California is one of the least fished, best protected areas in the world,” said Goehring.
     “Playing politics to secure a legacy is a poor way to manage marine reserves, but for the governor, it’s a lot easier than to actually doing something about the pollution plaguing California’s shores.”  
     The appointment of the 76-year-old Benninghoven from Santa Barbara is a blow to sporting groups who had hoped someone more willing to at least consider their concerns was named to the Commission.

‘A’ zone deer hunting season opens
this Saturday, some fire closures

     Two fires this week in Monterey County may affected deer hunters going into the field for this Saturday A Zone deer hunting season opener, according to Terry Palmisano with the Department of Fish and Game. Both fires started last weekend.
     Fort Hunter-Liggett will be closed opening weekend because of a 3,500-acre fire still burning on the base. Hunters can get updated information on when the base will reopen to hunting by calling the taped information line at 831-386-3310.
     Part of the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County is also closed due to the Ponderosa fire, a blaze located in rugged terrain near Ponderosa Campground, south of Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. At mid-week, the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road and South Coast Ridge Road were closed to all traffic. Hunters can view the fire information website at http://inciweb.org/incident/1785/ or contact the U.S. Forest Service in King City at 831-385-5434.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     AUGUST 8 BIG GAME HUNTING SEMINAR: Hunting author Durwood Hollis and long-time big game guide Ron Gayer will be giving a five-hour big game hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $20 per person, with kids accompanying adults free. The seminar will cover non-resident tag drawing tips, hunting public and private land, do-it-your self hunting, game field care, home meat cutting, and preparing game for the taxidermist. Space is limited, call 909-605-3719 to reserve a spot.
     AUGUST 8-9: BASS PRO SHOPS FALL HUNTING CLASSIC: Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga is have an impressive slate of free speakers during its three-weekend Fall Hunting Classic. On Saturday, Aug. 8, beginning at 1 p.m., Allan Treadwell of the Redhead Pro Staff will be giving a waterfowl hunting seminar. This will be followed at 2 p.m. by game calling expert Wayne Carlton. And at 3 p.m. Mike Eastman, of Eastman’s Journal, will be giving a seminor on do-it-yourself pronghorn and mule deer hunting. Eastman killed a new world record pronghorn last year on public land. On Sunday, Aug. 9, there will be hourly seminars by local Redhead Pro staff, including Robbie Robinson giving an upland bird hunting presentation at 11 a.m. and a waterfowl hunting talk at 4 p.m. Charlie Wagner will speak on Alaska bear hunting at 5 p.m. Kevin Gross, former Dodgers pitcher and host “Hunting with the Pros” on Verses will be on hand all day both days to talk with visitors about his television show. Bass Pro Shops is located just off Interstate 15 at Foothill Blvd in Rancho Cucamonga. For more information, go to www.basspro.com.
     AUGUST 12 DOVE TUNE-UP SHOOT AND BARBECUE: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited will have a dove tune-up shoot and barbecue beginning 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Triple B Clays, 831 Rosemead Blvd, South El Monte. (Where the 60 freeway crosses Rosemead Blvd.) The group will also have a drawing for a two-day dove-hog hunt at the Chimineas Ranch, a Department of Fish and Game wildlife area. Those who can’t attend the shoot can still purchase raffle tickets for the hunt. Information at www.qu.org, or via e-mail at sgvqu@onebox.com, voicemail or fax at 866-206-9070 x6715.
     AUGUST 15 UNITED ANGLERS CRAB FEED FUND-RAISER: United Anglers of Southern California will have Crab Feed and Open House fund-raiser on Saturday, August 15, at the new UASC office, 1933 Temple Ave., Signal Hill. Cost is $40 per person for dinner and door prize raffle. Contact UASC at 562-494-9900.
     AUGUST 15 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. 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.
     AUGUST 15-16 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun show will tentatively be Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     AUGUST 20 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION CHINO FUND-RAISER: A fund-raising dinner for the California Waterfowl Association will be held beginning 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Chino Fairgrounds, 5410 Edison Avenue, Chino. Cost is $65 per person or $105 per couple. Contact Jim Morton at 909- 391-6512 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     AUGUST 22 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. 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.
     AUGUST 29 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. 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.
     AUGUST 30 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 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.
     SEPTEMBER 5-6 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The remaining 2009 date for the Bakersfield gun show is Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     SEPTEMBER 12 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 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.
     SEPTEMBER 12-13 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 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.
     SEPTEMBER 26 UNITED ANGLERS POKER TOURNAMENT FUND-RAISER: United Anglers of Southern California is having a Poker Tournament fund-raiser Saturday, Sept. 26, at Pechanga Resort and Casinop, Temecula. Buy-in is $130 and includes lunch and raffle. Contact UASC at 562-494-9900.
     OCTOBER 3 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 Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     OCTOBER 3-4 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun show will tentatively be Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     OCTOBER 10 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 Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     OCTOBER 17 CAPING AND SKINNING SEMINAR: A free big game caping and skinning seminar will be held beginning 9 a.m. Saturday at Al’s Taxidermy Wildlife Art Studio, Apple Valley. Hunters going out-of-state can no-longer bring unskinned big game heads back to California because of Chronic Wasting Disease. This seminar will teach hunters how to properly remove caps in the field. Classes will also be held Oct. 24 and 31. Space is limited, call 760-961-2434 for reservations.
     OCTOBER 24-25 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The 2019 slate of shows in Ontario has not be set yet. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     OCTOBER 25 UNITED ANGLERS ANNUAL FUND-RAISING DINNER: United Anglers of Southern California will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, Newport Beach. The dinner will honor Beverly Ray. Dinner tickets are $100 per person. For information or reservations, call UASC at 562-494-9900.

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 Tuesday 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. The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
     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.