The only reason the original Desert Protection Act passed in 1994 was because the environmental community finally realized they needed hunters’ support to get enough votes to pass the legislation. Sportsmen-conservationists had been frustrated with the management of the desert, too, recognizing the greatest threat to desert wildlife and hunting was ever-expanding mining, solar, and wind-farm operations, poorly managed cattle grazing, and unregulated off-road vehicle use -- all benchmarks of the Bureau of Land Management back then.
     But hunters couldn’t support the original bill because it would have banned hunting in the massive new national park proposed in the east Mojave Desert, an area they were just about the only ones using at the time. (And hunters were certainly the only users not having a negative impact on the land.) The simple designation change from National Park to National Preserve, allowed for virtually all of the protections and enhanced management afforded by the National Park Service while also allowing hunting to continue.
     It was a win-win situation. The Desert Protection Act put aside the shrill debate about regulated hunting to secure sound resource management and conservation of our pristine desert. Hunters came on board with the environmental community, and massive protections for the desert were enacted. The Mojave National Preserve has continued to be one of the most popular destinations for Southern California hunters.
     While I know some hunters will argue with me, and there with a few early hiccups with the Preserve’s first superintendent, the management of the area is better than it has ever been. Cattle grazing has been phased out, extractive industries banned, and off-road travel ended. For a lot of us, it is the most beautiful unit in the National Park Service system and it has the potential to just keep getting better and better.
     But the Desert Protection Act preserved only a relatively small part of Mojave Desert’s public lands, and in recent years, the threats to millions of acres of desert have grown by leap and bounds. Recently I’ve written about wind farms on some of the best hunting and wildlife areas in the West Mojave, and applications for wind and solar farms -- if all approved -- would just about carpet our desert with so-called green energy production. But at what cost? Alarm bells were going off throughout the conservation community.
     Earlier this month, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced the Desert Protection Act of 2010. The legislation would create two new National Monuments covering over 1 million acres of Southern California deserts and local mountains. It would assure that over 1/4-million acres of lands donated to, or purchased by, the federal government for conservation were not put into energy farms, military use, or off-road vehicle areas, destroying the land’s value for natural resources.
     There’s a lot included in the 178 pages of this legislation, but this time hunters were brought in the in the writing of this bill, and by and large, it stays focused on protection of natural resources. Hunting is specifically named as one of the activities that will continue on the newly protected lands. Even OHVs and cattle grazing are protected in areas where those activities currently exist. The bill is really aimed at stopping the rampant destruction of our desert public lands for energy production.
     Most of the hunter-conservation groups are carefully looking over the language and are likely to line up to support the bill.
     Hunters are almost always asked to compromise in situations like this; compromise in our case means giving up something – a gun right, a place to hunt, a game animal that has been hunted for centuries. And each time we give up a little so we don’t lose even more. This bill looks like one of those rare cases where we’ll get something instead of giving up something: We’ll get protection of traditional hunting spots and not have to worry about losing them in the future. I can support that.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     JANUARY 2-3 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 next Ontario Gun Shows will be held May 15-16 and July 31-Aug. 1. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JANUARY 2-3 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     JANUARY 9 IMPERIAL VALLEY CWA FUND-RAISER: The Imperial Valley Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual dinner and fund-raiser beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Aspen In The Desert, 595 W. Main Street, Brawley. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Contact Hollis Daker at 909-615-6329, Frank Theodoropoulos at 714-227-3304, or Tom Homen at 209-606-7257 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     JANUARY 9 BALD EAGLE CENSUS VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for the annual Bald Eagle counts done at four Southern California mountain waters where the birds winter -- Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet. The counts are done for a one-hour period, 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9 at each lake. There were birds seen at all four lakes on the Dec. 19 survey. Counts will also be held Feb. 13 and March 13. For information, contact Marc Stammer with the U.S. Forest for Big Bear and Arrowhead counts at 909-382-2828, Joshua Ertl or Kevin Forester with State Parks for Lake Silverwood at 760-389-2303, or Matt McDonald with the Forest Service for Lake Hemet at 909-382-2933.
     JANUARY 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 2010 class dates are Feb. 13, Mar. 6, April 13, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, 21, 28, Sept. 11, and Oct. 2, 9. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JANUARY 9-10 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 Mar. 13-14, June 5-6, Sept. 11-12, and Nov. 13-14. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     JANUARY 16-17 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     JANUARY 30-31 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 shows are scheduled for Mar. 27-28, June 5-6, and Aug. 28-29. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     FEBRUARY 12 SAN DIEGO CWA FUND-RAISER: The San Diego Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual banquet and fund-raiser beginning 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13 at the Elks Club, 1400 East Washington, El Cajon. Tickets are $65 per person or $95 per couple. Contact John Howard at 619-440-8319 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     FEBRUARY 13 BALD EAGLE CENSUS VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for the annual Bald Eagle counts done at four Southern California mountain waters where the birds winter -- Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet. The counts are done for a one-hour period, 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 13 at each lake. The final winter count will be held March 13. For information, contact Marc Stammer with the U.S. Forest for Big Bear and Arrowhead counts at 909-382-2828, Joshua Ertl or Kevin Forester with State Parks for Lake Silverwood at 760-389-2303, or Matt McDonald with the Forest Service for Lake Hemet at 909-382-2933.
     FEBRUARY 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 2010 class dates are Mar. 6, April 13, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, 21, 28, Sept. 11, and Oct. 2, 9. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. 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.
     GOLDEN STATE FLYCASTERS: The Golden State Flycasters and Trout Unlimited Chapter 920 meets 6 to 9 p.m. Monday before the third Thursday of each month at Tio Leo’s Restaurant, Del Mar. Information at www.goldenstateflycasters.org.
     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 Hunny’s Restaurant, Main Street and 4th Street, Corona. 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.

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