CDFW Now Accepting Applications for Upland Game Bird Grants

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:02:26 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has opened the annual grant application period for projects that benefit upland game bird populations and the habitats upon which they depend. Projects should seek to ensure that sustainable populations of these species persist in perpetuity to provide continued hunting opportunity and other public uses. The full proposal solicitation notice (PDF) can be found on the CDFW website.

The funding comes from the Upland Game Bird Account, which is a dedicated account created by the California Legislature in 2010 under Fish and Game Code, section 3684. Excess monies from this account are available for expenditure through the Upland Game Bird Grant Program.

Eligible entities include landowners, public and private entities (including nonprofit organizations) and California Tribes. For-profit entities are not eligible.

Projects can support research; habitat restoration, enhancement and acquisition; or upland game bird hunting opportunity and outreach.

Applications must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, September 15. Applications may be submitted by email to uplandgamemgmt@wildlife.ca.gov (please include the subject line title of "2022 UGBA Grant Proposal”). Applications may also be sent via regular mail to:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Branch
ATTN: 2022 UGBA Grant Proposal
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244

Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than September 15. Applications delivered by any other means (FedEx, UPS, hand delivery, etc.) must be delivered no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 15.

For general questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact Dan Skalos at Dan.Skalos@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:
Dan Skalos, CDFW Upland Game Unit, (916) 698-1146
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Photo:
Upland game hunting, CDFW file photo

California Offers Abundant Opportunities for 2022 Spring Turkey Season

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:29:24 GMT

California’s general spring turkey season opens statewide March 26 and runs through May 1. With growing populations of wild turkeys in many parts of the state, spring turkey season has become one of the more anticipated opportunities on the hunting calendar.

This year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will host 95 special turkey hunts during the spring turkey hunting season. To apply for special hunts please visit CDFW’s online sales site to purchase your $2.42 application for opening weekend. Additional hunting days and locations throughout the season are available and separate $2.42 applications are required for each opportunity.

Among the many opportunities to hunt wild turkey this spring:

Youth and Archery Opportunities: To view specific hunting dates for youth-only and archery-only seasons, visit CDFW’s regulations webpage.
CDFW’s SHARE Program offers public hunting opportunities on private properties. In 2022, spring turkey SHARE hunt opportunities are available on two private ranches in Tulare County, the 722-acre River Ridge Ranch and the 975-acre Hart Ranch. Applications for these special SHARE hunts must be made through CDFW’s online sales site. There is a $12.42 application fee for each hunt that provides economic incentives and liability insurance to participating landowners. For more details on these hunts, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/SHARE.
Dozens of CDFW-managed wildlife areas will be open to wild turkey hunting on a walk-in basis throughout the season. Please visit CDFW’s Ecological Reserves and Wildlife Areas of California web page for a listing of these lands and the recreational opportunities available.

The application deadlines are Feb. 26 for the Junior Hunts, March 5 for the opening weekend General Season hunts and archery-only hunts, and March 9 for the Balance of the Season hunts.

Shooting hours for spring turkeys are from one half-hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. Both a hunting license and upland game bird stamp validation are required to hunt wild turkeys. An upland validation is not required for junior hunting license holders.

Hunters are limited to one bearded turkey per day with a spring season limit of three birds.

Nonlead shot is required when hunting with a firearm anywhere in the state. Turkeys can be legally hunted with air rifles of at least 0.177 caliber. Crossbows may be used for the general turkey season but not during archery season without a disabled archers permit. For more information on regulations, visit the CDFW Hunting Regulations webpage.

Turkey hunters are strongly encouraged to review the CDFW Wildlife Area Operational Changes Due to COVID-19 web page prior to visiting any state-operated wildlife area to understand all required health and safety practices in place to help protect visitors and staff. Turkey hunters are further advised to check with the local management of the individual property they are planning to hunt for specific entry procedures, details and other regulations.

Media Contacts:
Taylor Williams, CDFW R3 Program, (916) 275-8017
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Upland Game Program, (916) 801-8708

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CDFW News

CDFW Now Accepting Applications for Upland Game Bird Grants

California Offers Abundant Opportunities for 2022 Spring Turkey Season