California Outdoors Q&A

Junior hunting license

Q: My grandson is a junior hunting license holder who turned 16 years old in August. Does he need an adult hunting license for the 2021-22 season or can he still hunt with his junior license for this year?

A: First, thanks for being an awesome mentor to your grandson. We think some of the most treasured memories and greatest bonding moments between generations of family are in the duck blind, in the field while hunting big game, in a boat fishing, etc. Good news: Your grandson is still eligible for his discounted Junior Hunting License because he was 15 years old at the beginning of the 2021-22 license year on July 1. However, now that he has turned 16 years old, if he wants to go waterfowl hunting, he’ll need to purchase a federal duck stamp. Federal law requires it – specifically, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 509, which deals with concurrence with federal law. CCR, Title 14, section 509(c) states: It shall be unlawful for any person aged 16 years or older to take any migratory waterfowl unless at the time of such taking the person carries in his or her immediate possession an unexpired federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp validated by his or her signature written in ink across the face of the stamp or an unexpired federal migratory bird hunting and conservation electronic stamp issued in his or her name prior to any taking of such birds.

As a junior hunting license holder, he will not need a California Duck Validation, in case you didn’t know. The California Fish and Game Commission adopted the regulation to not require hunters who possess a junior license to also purchase a California Duck Validation for consistency and to give our junior license holders that extra break.

Also, he is still eligible for all the youth hunts, apprentice hunts and junior hunts this season – so we hope you take advantage of some of those great opportunities. For young waterfowlers, the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, February 5-6 in the Balance of the State Zone, is a special opportunity you don’t want to miss. Enjoy hunting with your grandson!

Managing deer populations

Q: What is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) role in managing deer populations on public lands?

A: CDFW’s role in managing deer and other hunted species across California includes population monitoring, movement monitoring (i.e., migration corridors and habitat linkages), administering appropriate levels of hunter take and enhancing habitat.

Public land makes up about 48 percent of the state’s deer habitat, with most of it being federal land administered by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Since CDFW owns and directly manages less than one percent of the state’s deer habitat, CDFW collaborates with federal and state agencies, private landowners, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders on land management projects that improve deer and other wildlife habitat. Over the last six years, CDFW has awarded over $2.1 million through its Big Game Grant Program to non-profit groups (such as California Deer Association, Mendocino County Blacktail Association and Mule Deer Foundation) for habitat enhancement projects on California’s public lands.

Geoduck clamming

Q: I’d like to know the rules for catching geoduck clams at Dillon Beach in Marin County. Can I use a hand pump to catch them, or do I have to dig them out by shovel?

A: Since March 2021, you can no longer use hydraulic pumps to extract clams. While you must dig for them by hand, you can use certain devices to help, including suction devices commonly known as slurp guns or clam guns. California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 29.20(c) makes it unlawful to possess any hydraulic devices, or other device, capable of liquifying sand to aid in the harvest of clams anywhere clams may be taken. CCR, Title 14, section 29.20(c) states the following:

(c) Gear restrictions. It shall be unlawful to use anything other than the following hand-operated devices to take clams: spades, shovels, hoes, forks, rakes, devices that use suction to remove clams commonly known as slurp guns or clam guns, or rigid pipes used to prevent the collapse of holes when digging for clams. It shall be unlawful to use any other device to take clams, including any hydraulic devices. It shall be unlawful to possess a hydraulic pump, or other device, capable of liquifying sand to aid in the harvest of clams anywhere clams may be taken. It shall be unlawful to possess any such unauthorized device, except in their permanent residence, concurrently with any clam. No instrument capable of being used to dig clams may be possessed between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, on any beach of this state, except tools and implements used in the work of cleaning, repairing or maintaining such beach when possessed by a person authorized by appropriate authority to perform such work.

View more information about invertebrate fishing regulations.

Media contact:
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications

Bird bands

Q: I found a bird band and I would like to report it. Whom do I contact?

A: Congratulations! First, you need to determine whether the band was issued by the United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab;(BBL). The BBL oversees all permits for banding species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. Federal bands have a four-digit prefix, a hyphen and then a five-digit suffix, and display the website www.reportband.gov, which is where you report your finding. Older bands displaying a phone number should be reported through the federal website as well. When you submit a report of your finding, the BBL will send you a certificate with information about where the bird was banded.

The BBL does not oversee the banding of native galliforms (quail, grouse and turkey), introduced galliforms (coturnix quail, ring-necked pheasant and chukar) or non-native dove (rock pigeon and Eurasian collared-dove). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) may band these species when conducting specific research projects. A band purchased by the state will display the letters CDFW or DFG and can be reported to the department’s upland game bird biologist.

CDFW also administers scientific collecting permits for researchers. Researchers who work on migratory bird species need federal and state permits. Alternatively, some researchers may study galliforms or other birds not covered under the federal permit and banding program. If you find a band without state or federal identifiers, you can report it to CDFW.

Improving deer habitat

Q: What is CDFW doing to increase the deer population?

A: CDFW is involved in efforts statewide to improve deer habitat. For example, our Private Lands Management Program works to improve habitat on private lands and ranches. We’ve helped nonprofits like the California Deer Association obtain grant funding for habitat improvements. CDFW is working on collaborations with private and public landowners and managers on land management plans and strategies. Additionally, CDFW is developing a statewide deer management plan that will be supplemented with area-specific conservation plans. We are also beginning to implement long-term monitoring plans that will utilize current methods to assess and monitor deer populations. These monitoring plans will help CDFW staff procure data on current density, and trends over time, of key conservation units. Monitoring efforts will include fecal DNA and camera surveys supplemented in conjunction with periodic GPS collaring.

Quagga mussels

Q: I thought I saw a mussel-smelling dog checking boats in San Luis Obispo County. Have Quagga mussels made their way to the Central Valley?

A: We can happily report that CDFW has not detected any new mussel infestations in the Central Valley — thanks to boaters taking action to “clean, drain and dry” their watercraft, and early-detection monitoring by water managers. The only known infestation in the Central Valley, an infestation of zebra mussels, occurred in 2008. Many Central Valley water managers are actively implementing mussel prevention programs to screen watercraft for mussels. CDFW advises boaters to call destinations ahead of their arrival for information on launch requirements. CDFW does maintain a contact list of watercraft inspection programs (PDF) to assist boaters, but we can’t guarantee that it’s comprehensive. Additionally, we’re not sure about the dog you saw, but it may have been a private K9 service that contracts with local agencies.

Nesting birds

Q: How do I protect nesting birds while I prune/remove my backyard trees and vegetation?

A: Thank you for your interest in protecting California’s birds while managing backyard plants. Many California birds nest in backyard trees, bushes and even on the ground. Nesting birds are particularly sensitive to human disturbance and may abandon their nest, eggs and/or young due to human presence and noise. In addition, pruning or removing vegetation can inadvertently crush, destroy or remove active bird nests.

The California Fish and Game Code (FGC) contains several sections outlining protections for birds, their eggs and nests. FGC section 3503 covers unlawful take, possession or needless destruction of nests or eggs of any bird. FGC section 3503.5 covers take, possession or destruction of birds of prey or their nests or eggs. FGC section 3513 covers unlawful take of any migratory nongame bird. Migratory birds are also protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

To protect nesting birds, CDFW recommends working outside of the nesting bird season, which for many species across California is typically considered February through August, although the season can vary based on location and species of bird. Birds nest every month of the year in some parts of California! If you must work when birds could be nesting, hire a consulting biologist to perform a nesting bird survey prior to the work. If nesting birds are present, a biologist can recommend an appropriate protective buffer where no activities should occur so as to avoid disturbing the nest. Alternately, work could be delayed until the nesting is complete.

Photo: USFWS Bird Bands by Matt Ewalt, CC

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Sturgeon Report Card

Q: Why does CDFW require a sturgeon report card?

A: Among the biggest challenges for biologists working to conserve California’s sturgeon population is acquiring data on the fishery. The Sturgeon Fishing Report Card helps biologists track data on catch and release rates, when and where sturgeon are being caught and harvested, and which species of sturgeon are being caught. It sounds like simple information, but it’s incredibly valuable for estimating population size for conservation purposes. Anglers who return the report card are not only fulfilling reporting requirements, but also serving as stewards of the state’s natural resources. Regulations and reporting requirements can be found in California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 5.79. Any angler taking sturgeon is required to purchase a Sturgeon Fishing Report Card and to have it in their possession while fishing for sturgeon. Report card information can be submitted online or by mail. Anglers must report even if no sturgeon were caught or if the angler did not go sturgeon fishing. California has populations of both white and green sturgeon. Green sturgeon from the southern population were federally listed as a threatened species in 2006. White sturgeon, and the northern population of green sturgeon, are categorized as a state species of special concern. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fishes/Sturgeon.

Deer entanglement

Q: What happened with that buck near Sacramento that had a hammock caught in its antlers? Was the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) able to help it?

A: We have good news to share! In December 2020, we posted a photo on social media of an unfortunate situation where a buck had entangled itself in a hammock in Sacramento County. The buck was attracted to the area by people who were regularly feeding it. It is unlawful to feed deer in California for many different reasons—entanglement in human-made objects being one of them. CDFW personnel, with help from Gold Country Wildlife Rescue’s Ben Nuckolls, responded to help the skittish deer in distress. After several attempts, CDFW Environmental Scientist David Mollel successfully darted the buck, removed the antlers (male deer shed and regrow their antlers every year), ear-tagged and released it to nearby suitable habitat. Wildlife officers addressed the feeding issue directly with the homeowners who were feeding it and spoke with the homeowner’s association to solicit cooperation from the community. Months later, a follow-up visit showed that the homeowners removed the food sources and have been much more careful about placement of items that could entrap a deer like volleyball nets, clothesline, tree swings and hammocks. Mr. Nuckolls recently happened upon the buck and is happy to share that it is healthy and growing a beautiful new set of antlers.

Bear sightings

Q: I live in the Bay Area and read about a bear sighting in a residential area of Oakley in Contra Costa County. What should I do if I see a bear?

A: If you see a bear in an urban area, we suggest notifying local law enforcement. Your local police or sheriff’s department will be in the best position to respond quickly and secure the area from a public safety standpoint. Local law enforcement can also contact CDFW and animal control authorities for assistance in coordinating a response. That being said, the appropriate response to seeing a bear depends on the situation.

• If there’s a threat to public safety, call 911. Seeing a bear walking through an elementary school or heavily populated area with people would warrant a 911 call.
• Seeing a bear on the outskirts of town in a less populated area might warrant a call to your local police or sheriff department’s non-emergency number. You might consider programming your local law enforcement non-emergency phone number into your phone.
• If there are concerns of human-wildlife conflict, property damage, or to report sightings in the wild or rural setting, you may submit a wildlife incident report online to CDFW via the statewide Wildlife Incident Reporting System.

Note that when bears enter urban areas, they’re usually looking for food. The best way to keep a bear away from your property is to eliminate all attractants like unsecured garbage and pet food. For more tips, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Bear and the Human-Wildlife Conflict Program (HWC Toolkit) at wildlife.ca.gov/hwc.

Sierra Moose

Q: Will moose ever be introduced into the Sierra?

A: CDFW would not introduce moose into the Sierra. Moose are pretty sensitive to heat and would not likely be able to survive in the temperatures sustained in the Sierra. Additionally, there probably isn’t an abundant enough forage base to support nutritional requirements of a moose-sized herbivore.

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