October 16, 2008

Commentary
Duck numbers down from last year,
but most public hunting areas
should have good opener Saturday

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

Waterfowl hunting season opens Saturday across Southern California, and the forecast from all of the public hunting areas is for a good opening day, but then a rapid dropoff after that because of scanty early-season bird numbers.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited report that the fall flight out of the major nesting grounds in western Canada and Alaska should be similar to last year’s even though Alberta pothole nesting ponds were down about 30 percent. Late spring rains improved conditions, benefiting breeding waterfowl there. In the western boreal forests of northern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, there was an increase in breeding ducks for the second year in a row, while Alaska and Yukon breeding ducks declined about 10 percent.
Overall, DU suggested the Pacific Flyway fall flight was going to be similar to last year, and well above the long-term average.
Local waterfowl production in the states was down. Dry spring weather plagued breeding waterfowl, and here in California, breeding mallards were down by 23 percent.
This decline of local ducks was reflected in what Department of Fish and Game staff was seeing at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area on the south end of the Salton Sea.
“I haven’t seen the number of ducks so far this year that we had for opener last season,” said Adolfo Hernandez from Wister, one of the most popular hunting areas in Southern California. “Last year we had at least 10 to 12,000 birds for the opener. This year there are 8,000 -- maybe.”
Tom Trakes, with the DFG at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area in western Riverside County, said he expected “a really good opener.”
“Between us and the local ducks clubs there’s an easy 5,000 birds in the valley,” said Trakes.
This was another good year for most Pacific Flyway goose populations. Favorable weather and habitat conditions on northern breeding areas point to a fall flight that should be even larger than last year, with both light and dark geese numbers on an upward population trend.
While there are few geese in Southern California yet, Trakes did say there were about 100-plus speckled-belly geese in the San Jacinto Valley using the wildlife area.
The following information is news and updates from the individual public hunting areas in the region.
The SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA will have five less hunting blinds this year, with the elimination of the four sites on Mystic Lake, which is dry, and Walker No. 2 blind, to ease crowding. The wildlife area will open with 53 blind sites this year.
There has been a massive amount of work done at San Jacinto in the past year and birds are using virtually all of the ponded hunting areas.
“I don’t believe there’s going to be a bad spot Saturday morning,” said Trakes, who expects the biggest crowd of hunters ever for an opening day. “This may be the first year where hunters waiting in the refill line don’t get on the area.”
San Jacinto is open to waterfowl and pheasant hunting through the state reservation system and a daily drawing for remaining sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are also permitted until 2 p.m. as sites are vacated. Shoot days are Wednesday and Saturday for waterfowl, and Mondays for pheasants during the pheasant season. For more information, contact the wildlife area at 951-928-0580 or visit the new web site at www.sjwa.info.
The WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA, like all state wildlife areas, is strapped for cash right now to do basic work. Hernandez said that only about 80 sites will be open for opening day.
“While we finally had a budget approved (for the DFG), right now we still can’t do anything,” said Hernandez, who also bemoaned the fact they got water late this year and the area’s allotment was reduced.
He said pintails, shovelers, gadwall, and teal were the primary birds on the area right now.
Wister is open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system and a daily drawing for sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are permitted. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The DFG staff at Wister also manages the waterfowl hunting at the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE as part of the Wister hunting program. The FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea is open to hunters seven days a week under a self-registration and self-reporting system. For more information, contact the Wister Unit at 760-359-0577.
The KERN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE opened to hunting Oct. 4 and has seen hunting averages start at about five birds per hunter and then dropped to about three birds this Wednesday. Even with reduced blind hunting sites and less free roam area this year, the hunting has been good here. The daily capacity is 66 hunters right now, with hunting allowed only in Units 1A and 2. Blind sites 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 11, and 14 are also open.
Kern is open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system or a daily drawing for remaining sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are also permitted throughout the shoot day. Shoot days are Wednesday and Saturday. For more information, call 661-725-2767 or the comprehensive hunter's hotline at 661-725-6504, normally updated after each hunt day.
RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN has finally been rebuild after flooding four years ago washed out all the ponding and blind sites. The private duck club side will open this weekend, and the public hunting blind sites, available for a daily fee on a first-come, first-serve basis, are tentatively planned to open Nov. 1.
Raahauge said the basin was full of ducks this week, including a lot of locally produced mallards and wood ducks. “Right now it looks great. There’s a lot of ducks. I mean a lot of ducks.”
For an update and information on the public blind sites, you can call Raahauge at 951-735-7981 or check the club's web site at www.raahauges.com.
At LAKE HENSHAW, there will be waterfowl hunting again this year, but the lake will not open until around the first of December. The program should be about the same as last year, with hunt days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The fee was $25 per hunter per day last year ($10 for juniors) with boat rentals $35. Hunters can also launch their own boats for a $5 fee and a $5 quagga mussel washdown charge. For more information, contact the lake at 760-782-3501.
At BARRETT LAKE and SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, both waters operated by the City of San Diego, hunting is allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Barrett, while Sutherland is open Thursday and Sunday. Reservations are required for all hunting and there is no refill line.
Reservations are still available for Barrett for all Wednesday shoot days from November through January and for all shoot days at Sutherland. For more information and to request a hunting information packet, hunters should call the lake’s office at 619-668-2050 or e-mail ssmith@sandiego.gov.
The CIBOLA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE on the Colorado River is a popular spot for goose hunters who set out large spreads of decoys in groomed goose fields. There are also several open duck and goose hunting areas (open seven days a week), with the island unit having the best habitat and blind sites this year. For refuge information, call 928-857-3253 or visit the web site at
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/CibolaNWR/index.html.
The HAVASU NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is back in the duck and goose hunting business in a big way with the Pintail Slough open to reservation hunting and a waiting line for unfilled reservations. The slough was completely refurbished two years ago and it shot very well last year during it’s first open season with about a two-bird average. The harvest report, with excellent information on the blind sites that shot best, is available on the refuge web site.
For more information or to make reservations call the refuge at 760-326-3853 or by visiting the web site at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/havasu/.
The IMPERIAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, located north of Yuma along the river, has miles of backwaters and sloughs for the hunter with a boat, and it's not uncommon for hunters to see a wide variety of diving and dabbling ducks. Best of all, most of the refuge is open to free-roam hunting seven days a week. For a an open area map, you can call the refuge at 928-783-3371 or visit the web site at www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/imperial.html.
All waterfowl hunters should consult the 2008-09 hunting regulations for information on seasons and bag limits. There have been extensive changes this year.
Weekly waterfowl hunting reports on all major public hunting areas will be posted on the Outdoor News Service web site at www.OutdoorNewsService.com/odpkg/waterfowl/current.html.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OCTOBER 16 KERN COUNTY CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER: The Kern County Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual fundraiser banquet beginning 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Elks Lodge, 1616 30th Street, Bakersfield. Cost is $75 per person, $125 per couple. Contact: Jim Delmarter at 661-327-1486 or go to the CWA web site at www.calwaterfowl.org.
OCTOBER 23 POMONA FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The Pomona Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23. Tickets are $50 per person. Guest speaker is Steve Cooley, Los Angeles district attorney. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/EventDocs.aspx?eid=3384&sid=5. Contact: Anthony Weber at 626-564-1551 or via e-mail at info@fnra-la.org
OCTOBER 27 BURBANK FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The Burbank Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27. Tickets are $60 per person if purchased before Sept. 30. Guest speaker is Bruce Colodny, a gun rights attorney. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/eventdocs/California/SoCalMailer.pdf Contact: Carl Overmyer at 714-991-5999 or Lissa Lee via e-mail at llee@nrahq.org
NOVEMBER 1 BIG GAME DRINKER REPAIR: The Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep is coordinating and hosting an extensive big game drinker repair effort Saturday, Nov. 1 in the Kingston Range (north of Baker). The Right Wrong Ridge Drinker needs fencing, rain matt repair, and new plumbing. Volunteers should be in moderately good condition (the drinker is a half-mile hike in) and be willing to work at least a half-day. Bring work clothes, gloves, and hiking boots. Food will be provided Friday evening and after the work project, but volunteers should bring water and snacks. Contact Gary Thomas for more information and directions via e-mail at g.cranky@verizon.net.
NOVEMBER 1 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 2008 class date is Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
NOVEMBER 1 RANCHO CUCAMONGA HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. These free classes are held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Bass Pro and limited to 40 people. Reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500.
NOVEMBER 1 EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The East San Diego County Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1 in San Diego. Tickets are $40 per person. Auction highlight: A wild turkey hunt guided by Congressman Duncan Hunter. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/eventdocs/California/EastCoWeb.jpg Contact: Ronnie Smith at 619-562-3629 or via e-mail at rsnsd@cox.net
NOVEMBER 1-2 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
NOVEMBER 15-16 GLENDALE GUN SHOW: The Glendale Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, Glendale. Admission is $9. The next Glendale gun show will be March 7-8, 2009, Aug. 8-9, 2009, and Nov. 21-22, 2009 Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.glendalegunshow.com.
NOVEMBER 22-23 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22-23 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The 2008 dates for the Bakersfield gun shows include Jan. 5-6, April 5-6, June 21-22, Aug. 30-31, and Nov. 22-23. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
DECEMBER 6 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 2009 class date schedule has not be set yet. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
DECEMBER 6-7 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). This is the final date for 2008 classes. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class of the 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
DECEMBER 20 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL IMPERIAL VALLEY FUND-RAISER: The Imperial Valley Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its mid-season fund-raising dinner banquet beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. at the St. Patricks’s Community Center, 133 E. Church, Calipatria. Dinner tickets are $55 per person, $80 a couple. Contacts: Frank Bailey at 760-359-0200 or Keith Cowell at 760-455-8990. Web site: www.calwaterfowl.org.

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 (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794.
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.

[Want your event or club listed here? Send the information to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or e-mail it to odwriter@charter.net. Following the style used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the likelihood of it being included here.]

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