California Outdoors Q&A

CDFW photo by P. Serpa

Elkhorn slough

Q: What’s the best time to see wildlife at Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County?

A: There isn’t a bad time to visit the Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve if you want to see wildlife! Year-round, migratory birds from hummingbirds to willets pass through the slough to stop or rest and feed on this California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) property. As part of the Pacific Flyway, tens of thousands of birds migrate through Elkhorn Slough each year. All told, more than 340 species of birds have been identified in and around the slough!

Additionally, there are more than 100 southern sea otters residing at Elkhorn Slough. They are often abundant during the fall. During spring, you can see large groups of California sea lions and hundreds of harbor seals loafing along the shore. Elkhorn Slough also features six miles of hiking trails traversing salt marsh habitats, oak forests, and grasslands.

The key to visiting Elkhorn Slough is choosing how you want to visit and then making plans. Call (831) 728-2822 or go to elkhornslough.org to plan your visit. The reserve is open year-round Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More information is available on CDFW’s website.

Band-tailed pigeons

Q: What can the public do to help reduce the spread of avian trichomonosis in band-tailed pigeons?

A: Population numbers for band-tailed pigeons in California are relatively stable. However, we remain active in our conservation efforts—especially considering a novel form of avian trichomonosis that was discovered in 2013. The disease, caused by a flagellated protozoan (e.g. a microbe with a tail), causes abnormal growth in pigeons’ throats which can prevent them from eating and breathing. Avian trichomonosis can be passed from parents to their young during feeding and at water or mineral sites where pigeons congregate. Band-tailed pigeons are especially vulnerable during winter when they congregate at feeders in large flocks.

Residents can help by planting native plant species like coffeeberry, Christmasberry and madrone on their properties. Oak trees are also a good landscape choice because band-tailed pigeons consume a lot of acorns. By planting native species, residents can attract birds and allow for natural foraging with a lower probability of infection. If residents install bird feeders, baths or fountains they should be sanitized often or contain a filtering mechanism.

Read more about band-tailed pigeon conservation efforts on CDFW’s website.

Youth hunting

Q: I’m 17 years old and have my hunter education certification and license. Is it legal for me to hunt by myself with a rifle or shotgun, without adult supervision?

A: For the most part, yes, it is legal, except for a few apprentice hunts that CDFW hosts which require an adult chaperone. Pay attention to the hunt details if you are applying to different apprentice hunts, also known as junior hunts. If there are such restrictions, it will be noted in the application information.

We’re happy that you have taken the time and have the interest to pass your hunter education course and take up hunting. Although you are legally permitted to hunt on your own, we encourage you to go out with experienced hunters and soak up everything they have to teach you. There are many skills you need to develop – everything from hunting methods, to game care to cooking techniques. The fastest way to learn is to spend time with others who already have the expertise. And as you progress through your education, gain experience and develop confidence as a hunter, we hope you’ll encourage your friends to do the same. Maybe one day you can be their mentor.

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Youth waterfowl hunt

Q: Can my 17-year-old nephew participate in the upcoming Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, Feb. 5-6?

A: Yes! Federal regulations allow licensed hunters 17 years old or younger to participate in these post-season youth waterfowl hunts offered in most, but not all, parts of the state. All hunters need a current Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation as well. Hunters 16 years old and older will need a signed federal duck stamp (an electronic stamp option is available) with their hunting license, per federal regulations and California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 509(c).

Young hunters who are no longer eligible for a California Junior Hunting License will need a California Duck Validation. If your nephew is planning to hunt at one of the public Type A or B state-operated wildlife areas or federal wildlife refuges, he will need the appropriate Type A or B area pass. Junior Hunting License holders do not need the California Duck Validation and are exempt from having to purchase a wildlife area pass to hunt these public wetlands.

Lastly, even as a 17 year old hunting under a valid adult California hunting license, your nephew will need to be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 or older during these post-season youth waterfowl hunts. These hunts are intended to be mentoring opportunities for young hunters – which also gives you and your nephew a great opportunity to have a memorable time together in the outdoors. We’re sure he will appreciate the help and the company. Visit CDFW’s waterfowl huntingwebpage for more information.

Archery and crossbow

Q: There used to be a regulation that defined the minimum strength of a hunting bow as a bow that could cast an arrow at a certain distance. That regulation changed, right? Is there a minimum draw weight for taking big game with a bow and/or a crossbow?

A: Yes, the regulation you referred to was updated by the California Fish and Game Commission. The current regulation states: It is unlawful to use any bow or crossbow without a draw weight of at least 30 pounds for a bow or 125 pounds for a crossbow.(CCR, Title 14, section 354(f)).

Gold panning

Q: Is recreational gold panning allowed in creeks of the Spenceville Wildlife Area east of Marysville?

A: No. Recreational gold mining or panning is not allowed on any CDFW owned lands. CCR, Title 14, section 550(g)(3) states: Except for the take of fish and/or wildlife in compliance with general and site-specific hunting and fishing regulations, or under written authorization from the department to conduct environmental research or environmental education, no visitor shall cut, saw, trim, remove or disturb any plant, mammal, fish, mollusk, crustacean, amphibian, reptile, soil, sand, gravel, rock, mineral or any other form of plant or animal life on department land, except that non-woody vegetation may be cut and used for temporary hunting blinds.

Interstate agreement

Q: What is the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact?

A: The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC) is an agreement between 47 states which allows for the reciprocal recognition of hunting and fishing license suspensions. If your license privileges have been suspended by another state, the suspension may be recognized here in California. For example, if your sport fishing or hunting privileges have been suspended in Colorado for five years, your privileges may also be suspended for five years in California or any of the states participating in the IWVC. The purchase of licenses or tags during the term of the suspension is a violation of the law and may result in prosecution. Licenses or tags purchased prior to or during a suspension are not refundable. Information on member states can be found on the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs website.

Over the years, CDFW has received occasional calls from hunters or fishers wondering why they were not allowed to purchase a hunting or fishing license at a California vendor. A common reason is that they have an unpaid citation in another state for something as simple as fishing without a license. That failure to take care of the fishing without a license citation would put them in the IWVC, which would prohibit them from purchasing a fishing license in California or any of the other participating 46 states until it is handled per the direction of the out-of-state court.

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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