November 19, 2008

Commentary
Extra effort leads to
trophy class D-14 buck

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

Even veteran Southern California deer hunters know that any buck can be a trophy in local hunting zones. And when deer hunters from outside this region see a California mule deer buck from here that is an actual trophy class deer, they often turn up their noses because they don’t realize our deer are smaller than Rocky Mountain mule deer bucks from Utah or Colorado.
David Sylvester of Crestline knows what a local trophy buck looks like, and after nine years of hunting the D-14 hunting zone in the San Bernardino Mountains he finally managed to shoot a real trophy on the last weekend of this year’s season. Sylvester’s buck was a four-by-three buck with good antler mass and a 23-inch wide spread. Friends, for the California mule deer subspecies, this is a whopper -- even with crab claw forks.
Because deer densities are so low on public land hunting areas throughout Southern California, it takes a major effort to find an older age class buck that has lived long enough to grow a set of trophy antlers. After years of hard hunting and a number of smaller bucks, Sylvester learned the big, old boys live in “the deepest, ugliest canyons you can find.”
“Those are the places that produce,” said Sylvester.
Sylvester has become one of a handful of D-14 hunters who shoot deer every year in the local mountains, and he’s to the point where letting smaller bucks go is as much a way to prolong his hunting season as it is to try to find a trophy buck.
This year, he was working hard trying to help his younger brother Jeremy get his first buck, and that’s when he first saw the big trophy buck he would later shoot.
“We were hunting about a week before I shot the buck when we first saw this deer. When I spotted him, I told my brother, ‘That thing’s huge for here. Jeremy, you’ve got to shoot this deer,’ ” said Sylvester.
The weather was nasty, fog and clouds were flirting with the mountain peaks and canyons where they were hunting, and the buck was 340 yards across a canyon. It was a long shot. The improvised field rest wasn’t all that sturdy, and Jeremy missed the shot. Then the fog rolled in. It wouldn’t clear so they climbed around the mountain and made sure Jeremy missed the buck. Both hunters were heartbroken.
Sylvester really wanted his brother to bag his first deer and this one would have been a whopper.
“I thought it was the biggest forkie I’d ever seen,” said Sylvester.
The next and last weekend of the season, Sylvester went out that Saturday morning into the same area where they’d seen the big buck. The weather had done a 180-degree turn. It was hot and dry. Even through it was still relatively early in the morning, Sylvester was about to head back to his Jeep when out of the corner of his eye he spotted the face and ears of a deer of a bedded in the shade.
Sylvester remembers thinking, “Oh my God, it’s that buck.” While scrambling to find a rest to shoot and measuring the range, but before he was set up a doe spooked, and the buck got up and started walking off with her. But a quick shot with his Savage .270 dropped the deer.
“It took me nine years of hunting this zone to land a buck like this,” said
Sylvester.
It also took him over four hours with a backpack full of boned out meat and antlers to get out of the canyon where he’d shot the deer.
“That’s why he was there,” said Sylvester.

Lake Elsinore fishery improving
thanks to carp removal, aeration

The sport fishery at Lake Elsinore is improving due to a combination of carp removal, less lake fluctuation, and aeration, all of which have made the fishery more amenable to largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.
Surveys show that carp have dropped from 90 percent of the fish population in Elsinore in 2003 to between just 15 to 43 percent today. Since 2003, the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA) has contracted for the removal of 1.3 million pounds or 626,000 individual carp. In addition, 26,000 pounds of hybrid striped bass or wipers, a sterile cross between white bass and striped bass, have been planted in Elsinore. These fish are aggressive predators and readily eat carp fry and young.
“Our carp removal program has been the key to our success in restructing Lake Elsinore’s fishery,” said Pat Kilroy, lake and aquatic resources director of the City of Lake Elsinore.
Even though the gamefish in Elsinore have increased by more than 50 percent, the LESJWA has put the carp removal program on hold to work on a new series of lake enhancements to further improve the sport fishery for anglers. The new round of improvements are part of the Back Basin Wetland Improvement project that will include the creation of spawning benches, brush shelters, additional vegetation, gamefish rearing ponds, and more fish-friendly piers.
Kilroy said the crappie population in Elsinore has really responded to the carp removal and the healthy population of threadfin shad in the lake. The crappie now represent a major component of the fishery.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 22: EL DORADO PARK YOUTH FISHING EVENT: The Long Beach Department of Parks and Recreation and the Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundcation are hosting a free fishing derby for kids five to 15 at El Dorado Park, Long Beach. All rods, reels, tackle, bait, and instruction is provided. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with fishing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a $7 per car parking fee, but no other charges. For more information, call 562-865-3764 or go to www.danskids.org.
NOVEMBER 22-23 REDLANDS WILDLIFE ART FESTIVAL: The 26th Annual Wildlife Art Festival will be held Nov. 22-23 at the San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands. This event features the top 40 entries in this year’s federal duck stamp art competition, along with exhibits from over two dozens prominent wildlife artists, including duck stamp art winner Joshua Spies. Admission and parking are free. Information at www.sbcountymuseum.org or by calling 909-307-2669.
NOVEMBER 22-23 BASS-A-THON: The 22nd Annual Bass-A-Thon will be held at Angler’s Marine, 3475 La Palma Ave., Anaheim, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23. Speakers include Michael Bennett, Mike McClelland, Mark Zona, Gerald Swindle, and Kevin Van Dam. There are also twice-daily GPS and Sonar training sessions. For information, call 714-666-2628 or go to www.anglersmarine.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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