California Outdoors Q&A

Photo credit: R3 Clearinghouse, Outdoor Fishing

Fishing resources

Q: I want to fish but don’t know how and there are no clinics offered in my area. Does CDFW offer any online learning opportunities?

A: Yes – there is a series of short videos that cover basic fishing skills available on CDFW’s YouTube channel that are captioned in both English and Spanish. The videos cover the basics of fishing including knot tying, casting, rigging, safety and more. One advantage to these videos is that if you are out fishing and need a quick reminder, you can watch them online or download them to your phone. CDFW’s Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) team also has a web page with information and resources to help you get started fishing. It can also be helpful to ask other anglers along the shoreline for assistance as most are more than happy to help bring new anglers into the sport. Remember a fishing license is required for all anglers 16 years or older. A license can be purchased online or at most stores that sell fishing tackle, including many chain drugstores.

If you’ve mastered the basics and are looking to grow your skills as an angler, consider attending one of the Virtual Gatherings offered by CDFW’s Fishing in the City program. Featuring a different topic each week, these online workshops provide a space to ask questions and learn tips, tricks, and best practices from CDFW staff and other anglers.

Wildlife officers

Q: I’m interested in becoming a wildlife officer. What are the requirements to become one and how does the timing of applications work?

A: Thank you for your interest! The next application cutoff date is December 1, 2022, so mark your calendar and conduct a self-evaluation to see if the career is a good fit for you. The first thing you should do is ensure you meet our minimum qualifications. The most stringent minimum qualification is the education requirement. To be a wildlife officer, you must complete 60 college units with 18 of those coming from a related field (see below). However, you may apply with just 30 units of college, 18 of which must be earned in a related field. In that case, you will have to continue taking college courses during the application/background process to meet the 60-unit requirement by the time you start the academy.

The newly updated related fields are accounting, agriculture, animal science, anthropology, astronomy, biological sciences, botany, business, chemistry, computer science, communication, conservation, criminal justice, ecology, economics, English, entomology, environmental management, environmental science, environmental studies, ethnic studies, fisheries or wildlife management, forestry, geography, geology, herpetology, history, law enforcement, life science, mammalogy, marine biology, marketing, statistics, military transfer credits, multidisciplinary studies, natural resources conservation, oceanography, ornithology, physics, police science, psychology, plant taxonomy, political science, public administration, social studies, sociology and all social sciences, water quality management, wilderness survival and zoology.

You can have 18 units in any combination of the above classes and it does not have to be your major.

Other qualifications include:

• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has applied for citizenship (you must be a citizen at time of appointment).
• Possess a valid driver license.
• No felony convictions or convictions of any offense which precludes you from carrying a firearm under state or federal law.
• Be of sound physical condition, able to pass the Physical Abilities Test, a medical evaluation and a psychological evaluation.

Last year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Law Enforcement Division updated its cutoff dates for the application/hiring process. The cut-off dates are March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1. This means you have more opportunities to start the background/hiring process.

CDFW also made a recent change to its exam process, the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB). The PELLETB tests an applicant’s knowledge of basic grammar and spelling as well as the ability to read, write and understand the English language. CDFW does offer the PELLETB test. However, applicants are encouraged to take the PELLETB test and obtain their “T-Score” at an agency/department/academy where they live. The PELLETB test can be taken every 30 days which gives applicants the opportunity to improve their T-Score. Your PELLETB T-Score will be accepted if you have taken it within three years of your application date and received a score of 42 or greater. You will also need to provide proof (usually an official letter from the proctor) of your PELLETB T-Score when you submit your application.

Applicants who apply before the cut-off dates of March 1, June 1 and December 1 need to provide their own T-Score, or their application will be rejected. Applicants who submit applications without a PELLETB T-score for the September 1 cut-off date will be invited to the November PELLETB administration, put on by CDFW.

The following documents are required when applying:

• A completed state examination/employment application (STD 678) (PDF)
• Unofficial transcripts
• Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire (PDF Form)
• PELLETB T-Score (for the March 1, June 1 and December 1 deadlines)

You can submit the required documents through the following email address (emailed documents are preferred): WildlifeCadetExamSubmission@wildlife.ca.gov.

You can also mail a copy of all the required documents to:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Attention: HR - Exam Unit
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244

To be considered for the next hiring cycle, you must turn in your application prior to December 1, 2022. Please contact our law enforcement recruiter, Lt. Perry Schultz, at BecomeAGameWarden@wildlife.ca.gov for further information.

###

Fishing guide

Q: Does CDFW offer online fishing resources for new anglers?

A: CDFW’s online Fishing Guide is a great tool to help new and experienced anglers plan their fishing activities. The guide can be used to identify historically good locations to fish, and to see which species of fish are available to catch in waterbodies statewide. Additional features include planting schedules for CDFW-stocked lakes and ponds, as well as boat launches/ramps, locations of license sales agents and fishing regulations. The guide can also be used to identify locations of Marine Protected Areas and quagga mussel-infested waters. CDFW’s Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) team has a wealth of resources available on the R3 webpage, including how-to videos (R3H3), recipes and tips for cleaning your catch. For ocean fishing, CDFW’s Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Web Map shows both fishing regulations and Marine Protected Area boundaries in relation to your location when used with a smart phone. The Marine Species Portal provides pictures, life history, and other information for a large number of ocean fish and invertebrates. Visit CDFW’s Fishing in California webpage and Fishing in the City program for additional resources.

Antlers vs. horns

Q: How are antlers different from horns and pronghorns in ungulate species like deer, elk and bighorn sheep?

A: California is home to several ungulate species that have antlers, horns and pronghorns. Deer and elk have antlers which are made of bone and grow from pedicels, which are bony supportive structures that develop on an ungulate’s skull. Antlers are deciduous, which means they shed every year. For most ungulate species, only males grow antlers and typically not until after their first year of life (female caribou and caribou calves – which live in much colder climates than California – are an exception, because they do grow antlers). Horns are made of bony core covered in keratin, a structural protein that can be likened to fingernails. Horns occur in bighorn sheep and grow continuously through an animal’s life. Scientists can generally count growth rings on horns of males to determine an animal’s age, but aging females from horn rings is far less reliable. There are also several herds of pronghorn antelope in California, including on the Carrizo Plain in San Luis Obispo County and throughout northeastern California. Pronghorns are comprised of a sheath that grows over a bony core. Pronghorn sheaths are deciduous and shed yearly like antlers.

K-9 detection

Q: I saw a recent CDFW Facebook post that said K-9s can be trained to sniff out gunpowder, quagga mussels, deer, bear, abalone, shark fin, ivory and marijuana. I can understand the gunpowder and the animal products—but does ivory have a smell?

A: Yes! CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division has K-9s that are trained to detect (or “sniff”) ivory. K-9s can be useful in this regard because of the number of very high-quality synthetic ivory replicas out there. Wildlife officers are trained in ivory identification, but K-9s trained to detect ivory can make an investigation much more efficient.

Generally speaking, dogs can be trained to identify distinct smells even when the item has no detectable odor to humans. Some dogs have even been trained to alert on imperceivable odors such as the presence of cancer in blood samples. CDFW K-9s have been trained to locate saltwater fish, abalone, crab, lobster, firearms, gunpowder, freshwater fish, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, cannabis, deer, bear, ivory, shark fin, quagga mussels and grey squirrel.

Puma sightings

Q: Is there a way to report mountain lion sightings online?

A: The public can report mountain lion sightings to CDFW through its Wildlife Incident Reporting system. Public safety concerns should be reported to law enforcement, and if your wildlife encounter is an emergency call 911. There are also community organizations that track mountain lion sightings and offer community sightings maps.

Pumas are commonly referred to as mountain lions, but they are known by many names including cougar, panther and catamount. In California’s wild, they are different names for the same animal. Mountain lions live across much of California, including along urban-wildland interfaces where they hunt for deer and other animals. However, it’s rare to see a mountain lion because they are elusive creatures. If you do see a mountain lion or mountain lion cub, do not approach it or intervene. Remember that adult pumas, when out hunting prey, may leave offspring somewhere safe for up to days at a time.

###

Quail hunting

Q: How many shotgun shells am I allowed to have in my shotgun when quail hunting? I want to know if my gun needs a plug installed.

A: The short answer to your question is -- yes, you need a plug in your shotgun.

California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 311(a) states that only shotguns “incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined” may be used for taking resident small game species that include quail, pheasant, rabbits, squirrels, etc. Furthermore, the regulation goes on to specify the type of plug required. “If a plug is used to reduce the capacity of a magazine to fulfill the requirements of this section, the plug must be of one piece construction incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.”

And then there are federal regulations requiring a maximum three-shot capacity in shotguns when hunting migratory birds such as doves, snipe, ducks and geese. These are spelled out in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, part 20. Hope this helps.

Bakersfield lake

Q: I saw photos online of a fish with odd looking teeth that was caught in a lake in Bakersfield. Some people thought it might be a piranha. Did the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) look into this?

A: Yes, they were great photos, which made it easy to identify the fish as a pacu. Pacus are a popular tropical aquarium species that often outgrow their tanks and are unfortunately released by owners who no longer want them. Pacu and piranha can be differentiated by the shape of their mouth and teeth. When the mouth of a pacu is opened the gap between the upper and lower lip form a squarish gap, whereas on the piranha the upper and lower lip form a V-shape. And while pacu teeth may appear sharp, they are no comparison to those of piranha, which are as sharp as razors.

Winter cold water temperatures probably would have taken the fish out if the angler hadn’t. Based on their tropical water temperature requirements, we do not anticipate pacus, or piranha either, are capable of invading California waters. For more information, visit our Don’t Let it Loose campaign online.

Russian River coho

Q: What’s the status of the coho salmon population in the Russian River?

A: Before the Russian River Coho Salmon Captive Broodstock Program (RRCSCBP) began at Warm Springs Hatchery in 2001, coho salmon were close to extirpated from the Russian River basin. Only a few juveniles remained, and these juveniles were used to start the broodstock program.

Over the past 10-15 years, adult coho returning to the Russian River have fluctuated from approximately 100 to more than 700 a few years ago, with an average of around 300-500. The recent drought has resulted in fewer than 300 adult coho returning in winter 2020/21. The majority of these adult returners are fish that were released as juveniles in Russian River tributaries through the RRCSCBP. The program released between 100,000 and 230,000 coho annually, with an average of approximately 180,000.

The number of adult coho in the Russian River is indeed very low and very likely the result of a relative lack of suitable habitat, and especially a lack of adequate water, especially during the dry summer months. The latter problem obviously is exacerbated by the current drought conditions. Recovery of the endangered Central Coast coho salmon will require continued habitat restoration, combined with other management actions such as population enhancement through genetically guided conservation hatchery intervention.

Kayaking for crabs

Q: I want to catch crab from a kayak and am confused by the regulations. I live in Los Angeles, and I want to go off the coast and use crab traps and hoop nets. Are these allowed?

A: State regulations do not allow for the use of traps to recreationally take any species of crabs in Southern California south of Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County. You may use hoop nets to recreationally take crabs south of Point Arguello, provided you follow the regulations in CCR, Title 14, section 29.80(b). Visit CDFW’s Invertebrate Fishing Regulations page for full text of the regulations.

Eurasian collared doves

Q: I am aware that there is a year-round open season on Eurasian collared doves and no limit. Can I hunt them in the middle of summer? How am I supposed to tell the difference between all the doves in flight?

A: Let’s start with the first question! Yes, you can hunt Eurasian collared doves all year long. And you’re right, mourning doves, white-winged doves, spotted doves, ring turtle doves and Eurasian collared doves look similar, but hunters are expected to know the difference. Stated more explicitly: wildlife officers expect you to know the difference! Over time, dove hunters need to develop the skills to differentiate between different dove species on the wing. We have a dove identification (PDF) graphic that may help get you started. Learning more about dove species can help, too. For example, there are areas of the state where Eurasian collared doves are more prevalent (mostly in the southern half of the state).

We recommend two strategies. First, hunt with a partner who has a significant amount of experience in telling the difference between each type of dove in flight. As you see doves while hunting, ask the experienced hunter to explain what characteristics they are looking at to differentiate the birds from one another. Hunters will look at markings such as the black band across the back of the Eurasian collared dove’s neck. They also pay attention to flight patterns and listen to different sounds generated by the doves’ wings. Second, when you begin hunting doves, we suggest hunting during the mourning dove and white-winged dove season. That way if you make a mistake, you’ll have a reduced chance of inadvertently violating the law. For example, if you hunt dove on Sept. 1, the most popular dove hunting day of the year, you will have some room for error.

Bird identification is a skill in and of itself. Duck hunters are faced with the same requirements yet have many more species to differentiate from. Many duck hunters are known to visit popular waterfowl migratory areas to watch birds even after the season is over for the purpose of improving their identification and calling skills. There’s no reason why dove hunters can’t do the same. With a decent pair of binoculars and an attentive ear, you can more quickly learn the subtle differences between dove species and gain a better understanding of their behaviors. Finally, remember that Eurasian collared dove are a game species, and hunters must possess both a license and an upland game bird validation. 

Steelhead Report Cards

Q: The state collects data from steelhead report cards. I would like to see this data. Is it ever released or summarized for public viewing?

A: Some data collected from steelhead report cards is summarized and updated on our website: wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Inland-Fisheries/Steelhead-Report-Card. The website also includes the last legislative report which summarizes data from 2007 through 2014. A legislative report summarizing data from 2015-2019, which includes total report cards sold, amount of revenue accrued and spent, angling data, and benefits of the report card program has been submitted for review and will be made available once approved. Requests for steelhead report card data can also be submitted directly to the Program Coordinator at SHcard@wildlife.ca.gov or through a formal request for public records.

Taking mollusks by hand

Q: When limpets are taken from shore can gloves be used to protect your hands?

A: Yes, gloves can be used to take any number of intertidal invertebrates, including limpets. Limpets are a type of saltwater mollusk. California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Section 29.10(a) permits the take of saltwater mollusks by hand. Nothing in the regulations prohibits gloving the hands. If you think about harvesting California Spiny Lobsters by hand while on SCUBA for example, just try to take a spiny lobster without wearing gloves! Ouch!

Fishing license

Q: I have a fishing license but my friend doesn’t. When I catch a fish, can my friend help me by netting the fish while I hold the rod?

A: No. The California Fish and Game Code defines take in section 86. It states: “Take” means hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill. If your friend is assisting you with the “catching” of fish, by the letter of the law, he or she would need a license too.

###