All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all current safety protocols. For information on how to get vaccinated in California, please visit myturn.ca.gov.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days — Bat Talk and Walk Events, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Yolo Basin Foundation is offering a variety of educational programs about the colony of bats that live in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Programs run through September. Join us for a Build a Bat House Workshop, bring your little ones for a morning of crafts, storytelling and bats at Bats and Crafts on Aug. 13, or enjoy a family-friendly evening Bat Walk to watch one of our local bat colonies as they flyout at sunset for their nightly hunt for food. For more information, please visit www.yolobasin.org/bats2022.
Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadlines for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $11.75 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge. Nature is calling all California families this summer to enjoy some outdoor fun – in your backyard, neighborhood and/or local nature area. Hosted by CDFW’s North Central Region, the Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge is a fun and educational way to explore the natural world around you by completing two scavenger hunts, one provided and the other created by your family. The contest also has an extra credit element of cataloging your findings, just like a scientist. The contest is open all summer with the final deadline for entries on Aug. 31, 2022. To sign up and receive your challenge packet, please email Genelle.Treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Community Restoration Events at Ballona Wetlands, Aug. 5, 12, 20 and 26, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa Del Rey (90293). The Bay Foundation's Ballona Wetlands Community Restoration Project focuses on removing invasive iceplant and other non-native vegetation that can impact native California plants such as pickleweed, salt grass and alkali weed. Participants will help to remove non-native plants by hand. Parking is behind Gordon's/Alka Water Market and the restoration site is a short walk up Culver Blvd. Registration is required and limited to 50 participants. Physical distancing will be required and vaccination is strongly encouraged. Please plan to wear a mask if unvaccinated. For event information and to sign up, please visit www.santamonicabay.org/events.
1 — Recreational Ocean Salmon Fishing Re-Opens from the Oregon/California State Line to the 40°10’ Line. For more information, please visit the ocean salmon webpage at www.wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon or call the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429 or the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (800) 662-9825.
4 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: California Dove Hunting, 6 to 7:30 p.m. This webinar will present information on hunting dove in California. Participants will learn the distribution, habitats and habits of these evasive birds and how to take them in the field. These birds offer hunting opportunity throughout the state, and they offer great table fare to those lucky enough to bag them. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/184907. For more information, please email Shawn.Olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
6 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Stargazing, 7 to 11:30 p.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Enjoy a stargazing tour of the night sky out in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area with amateur astronomers from the Davis Astronomy Club. This will be a captivating tour of the night sky and will include viewings of constellations, star clusters, galaxies and some unusually colored stars. Also available for viewing will be the first-quarter moon with its stark craters, setting planet Venus and rising planet Saturn with its beautiful rings. The evening’s event will include a short talk about the major constellations and other star groupings, and an orientation of the nighttime sky. As the sun sets, the group will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The cost is $125. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/explorer.
6 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Day, 10 a.m. to noon, Sagehen Creek Field Station, 11616 Sage Hen Road, Truckee (96161). Join a community science collaboration between CDFW and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will learn to catch and handle bumble bees and will practice photographing them and collecting habitat data. Use the CABBA Field Events registration form to register for the project and sign up for this free, voluntary field training event. For more information, please visit www.cabumblebeeatlas.org/events.html or contact Xerces Biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org or CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
6 — Archery and Falconry-Only Tree Squirrel Season Opens (extending through Sept. 9). For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
13 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/08/13/creek-cleanup.
13 — General Deer Hunting Season Opens. California’s 2022 general deer season will open in Zone A on Saturday, Aug. 13, and in Zone B-4 on Saturday, Aug. 27. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. Please remember to report your deer tags! All deer tags you purchase, whether you hunt or not, must be reported. Successful hunters must report their tags within 30 days of their successful hunt or by Jan. 31, 2023, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are required to report by Jan. 31, 2023. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.
13 — First General Season for Black Bears Opens in Deer Hunting Zone A. General black bear season will open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extend through Dec. 25. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. General season for black bears opens in remaining deer hunting X zones on Oct. 8 and extends through Dec. 25. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Please visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs for a description of the current mammal hunting regulations.
15 — Spiny Lobster Report Cards Go on Sale. Sport lobster divers and hoopnetters can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card for the 2022-2023 lobster season on CDFW’s Online License Sales site at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales, at sporting goods stores and tackle shops or by phone at (800) 565-1458.
16 — California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Tish Non Community Center, 266 Keisner Road, Loleta (95551). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
17-18 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, scheduled for Aug. 17 and/or 18 to be determined, Tish Non Community Center, 266 Keisner Road, Loleta (95551). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
20 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Participants can enjoy the unique native plants as they journey through different habitats and might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/08/10/saltmarsh-tour.
20 — Archery Season for Black Bears Opens. Bear may be taken with bow and arrow beginning Aug. 20 in those areas defined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 365(a) as the Northern California, Central California, Southern Sierra, Southern California and Southeastern Sierra areas and shall close on Sept. 11. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Please visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs for a description of the current mammal hunting regulations and American black bear hunt zone boundary descriptions. The bag and possession limit for either archery or general season is one adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken.
20 — Falconry Season for Pheasant, Quail, Chukar, Ptarmigan and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Opens (extending through Feb. 28, 2023). For zone maps and other upland game season information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
20 — Archery-Only Quail, Chukar and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Seasons Open (extending through Sept. 9). For zone maps and other upland game season information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
25 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Deer Hunting D3, D4 and D5 Hunt Zones, 6 to 7:30 p.m. This webinar will help those lucky individuals who draw this tag every year. We will discuss the herd dynamics, access points, range movements and other helpful tips to succeed in this popular unit. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/184934. For more information, please email Shawn.Olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
25 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The public is welcome. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov.
27 — Advanced Hunter Education Clinic: Upland Game Bird Clinic, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 7376 S. Wolfson Road, Los Banos (93635). This clinic will discuss upland game bird hunting. We will cover all upland game birds except turkeys. You will learn the biology, regulations, hunting tactics and preparation of upland game birds available to us in California. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/182286. For more information, please email Shawn.Olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
27 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Roll up your sleeves to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/08/27/community-habitat-restoration.
31 — Public Outreach Meeting on Bay Delta Region Type A Wildlife Areas, 5 to 7 p.m., via Teams. CDFW will take comments and recommendations and provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and possible impacts to hunter access on public lands. State wildlife areas to be discussed are the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Complex. To register and receive a link to the meeting, please email Joe.Hobbs@wildlife.ca.gov or call (530) 757-2431.
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