August 13, 2009

Commentary
Pintail limit increased to
two birds for this season

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     After 12 years of only being able to shoot a single pintail as part of the duck bag, hunters in California will be able to shoot two pintails this season if recommendations by the Pacific Flyway Council are adopted by the state Fish and Game Commission.
     The Department of Fish and Game and California Waterfowl Association biologists have been “arguing” with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for at least a decade over pintail production estimates, harvest modeling, and long-term pintail population numbers, and everyone involved with the process recognizes the modeling shortcomings. Even though pintail are one of the most common ducks in California, frequently numbering more than other ducks that don’t have such restrictive regulations, hunters have only been allowed to shoot one bird per day for the last dozen years.
     “Despite the proposed increase in the pintail bag limit this year, California Waterfowl, the Department of Fish and Game, and their partners continue to advocate for an improved pintail harvest model,” said Bob McLandress, president of California Waterfowl.
     “We agree with the USFWS that harvest regulations should be based on the best available science -- that means we need better data from banding more birds and we need an improved harvest model,” said McLandress.
     With improved data and models, McLandress believes that harvest regulations for pintail, even under current conditions should provide for a daily bag of three birds.
     Two is a step in the right direction.

     NO ADDITIONAL NON-LEAD RESTRICTIONS: There will not be additional non-lead ammunition requirements on California hunters for this fall’s hunting seasons. The Fish and Game Commission recently voted against expanding the lead ban in the condor range to including shotgun and rimfire ammunition used for game birds and cottontail rabbits.
     No statewide ban is being considered for this year, either. While it has been proposed the Commission consider a statewide ban on lead hunting ammunition, it has not been placed on the agenda and could not take place for this fall’s seasons.

     ELSINORE FISH DIE-OFF: In spite of what is being spread on some fishing forums on the Internet, the Lake Elsinore fish dieoff in late July was very limited in scope and did not destroy the fishery.
     Pat Kilroy, director of the lake and aquatic resources department for the city, said the dieoff happened on Sunday, July 26, and only seemed to last about one day. It was probably due by oxygen depletion caused by a succession of warm days and nights with little wind. The total toll was about 6,000 gamefish, including about 300 wipers, and up to a million threadfin shad. That represents only about two gamefish per surface acre and about three percent of the shad population.
     While the numbers were “fairly insignificant” overall Kilroy said it was still painful “to see those six and seven pound wipers dead along the beach.”
     Kilroy said the fishing has been about normal for this time of year since the dieoff. A local bass club fished last Friday and four anglers caught 13 bass, along with four channel cats and a crappie. He then sent me a photo of Mike Fuller of Lake Elsinore with three catfish looking to all be about three pounds caught on Monday this week. On Wednesday, Chip Gilbert of San Marcos caught and released nine largemouth, including a 16-incher that probably weighed over three pounds.
     “It appears the vast majority of fish are actively feeding -- and biting,” said Kilroy Thursday.

     CHUKAR REMOVAL AT JOSHUA TREE: Apparently the Joshua Tree National Park Service staff is looking for possible non-lethal ways to remove “non-native” chukar from the park. Anyone who’s ever hunted chukar is laughing out loud right now. We know they’ll never get rid of chukar. It has been said that after a nuclear holocaust, the only thing surviving would be cockroaches. I’d wager there would be chukar around to eat them.
     So I have a helpful solution for the NPS: Since more people visit my house any given week than visit Joshua Tree, the smart thing for the Park Service to consider would be a hunting program for the park’s chukar. That would at least attract people to pay the entrance fees. Make the limit on chukar “all you can carry” and guys would flock there. Not that it would matter much. Most hunters I know realize that chukar are like mule deer: If you bag just one a season, you brag about it.
     DOVE SEASON AND HUNTING LICENSES: Hunters are reminded to get their hunting licenses early this year for the dove opener on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Last season, most local license vendors were sold out of hunting licenses before opening day. While most retailers have vowed to make sure they have adequate supplies on hand this year, you just don’t want to take that chance. My boys and I bought our licenses early last year, in time to apply for deer tags, but my wife put it off and kept putting it off. She ended up working the new puppy opening day -- without a shotgun in hand.
     DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: A little self-promotion here. For hunters who want to find a place to hunt doves for this year’s season, I’ll be giving a seminar from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at Bass Pro Shops. The fee for the session is $40 per person (with kids and spouses free). The seminar will include a package of maps and information on public hunting places throughout Southern California and it will give hunters the skills and information they need to find places to hunt doves throughout the region. You will also get a trial two-issue subscription to my “Western Birds” where-to-go hunting newsletter. You can get more information on our web site at www.OutdoorNewsService.com.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     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: BASS PRO SHOPS FALL HUNTING CLASSIC: Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga is having an impressive slate of free speakers during its three-weekend Fall Hunting Classic. On Saturday, Aug. 15, there will be hourly presentations beginning at 10 a.m. Varmint hunting seminars will be 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., turkey calling at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., field GPS use at 1 p.m., and caribou hunting at 4:30 p.m. Except for caribou hunting, the schedule is the same on Sunday. Bass Pro Shops is located just off Interstate 15 at Foothill Blvd in Rancho Cucamonga. For more information, go to www.basspro.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 22-23 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 29 DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds newsletter, will give a two-hour dove hunting seminar from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 29, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $40 per person and includes a trail two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps and information. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com.
     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.