Deer near the American River in Sacramento (CDFW Photo by Travis VanZant)
All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm 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). Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Walk event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields before watching the “flyout” of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. The bats emerge in long ribbons as they head out to hunt for insects for the night. For more information and to register, visit www.yolobasin.org/battalkandwalks.
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 $12.75 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — Vernal Pool Tour at Grasslands Regional Park, Aug. 6 and 13, 30475 County Road 104, Davis (95616). Explore these seasonal wetland habitats with Yolo Basin Foundation staff and volunteers in a small group experience. Learn about the natural history of vernal pools, how they are restored and get a close-up view of the creatures and colorful wildflowers that are unique to vernal pool ecosystems. For more information, visit www.yolobasin.org/grpvernalpooltours.
Sundays – Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW every Sunday for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center to listen to nature-themed stories and create a fun craft! Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.
3 — CDFW Law Enforcement Division Wildlife Officer Academy Class 66 Graduation Ceremony, ceremony begins at noon, Paradise Alliance Church, 6491 Clark Road, Paradise (95969). Wildlife officer cadets completing CDFW’s Law Enforcement Academy will be badged and sworn in as California wildlife officers in Paradise, Calif. More than 40 cadets will join the rank of wildlife officer and start their new careers protecting and serving the people and precious resources of this state. For more information, contact nate.stebbins@wildlife.ca.gov.
4 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/8/4/friday-habitat-restoration.
5 — Archery and Falconry-Only Tree Squirrel Season Opens (extending through Sept. 8). For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
6 — 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. Enjoy the unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/8/6-saltmarsh-tour.
12 — General Deer Hunting Season Opens. California’s 2023 general deer season will open in Zone A on Saturday, Aug. 12, and in Zone B-4 on Saturday, Aug. 26. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. 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, 2024, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are required to report by Jan. 31, 2024. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.
12 — 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. 31. note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. For those portions of zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins on Oct. 14 and extends through Dec. 31. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. 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. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free (888) 277-6398.
13 — Bats and Crafts, 10 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 Country Road 32B, Davis (95618). Perfect for little ones who can't stay up late enough for the Bat Talk and Walk, this fun-filled day will include meeting live bats, arts and crafts, games and other bat related activities. For more information and to register, visit www.yolobasin.org/battalkandwalks.
18 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/8/18/friday-habitat-restoration.
19 — Upper Butte Basin Clean-Up Day, 8 a.m., Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area, Howard Slough, 9256 Hwy 162, Butte City (95920). Help the wildlife area prepare Little Dry Creek, Llano Seco and Howard Slough for the upcoming waterfowl season. All family members are encouraged to participate as the day will be educational, entertaining and beneficial to the operations of the wildlife area. If possible, participants should bring outdoor work clothes, boots and waders, tools (gloves, hammers, pruning shears, rakes, shovels, etc.), sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Water will be available. Work will last until about noon followed by lunch at the main office. For more information, contact the wildlife area at (530) 982-2169.
19 — 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. Enjoy the unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/8/19-saltmarsh-tour.
19 — Archery-Only Quail, Chukar and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Seasons Open (extending through Sept. 8). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
19 — Falconry Season for Pheasant, Quail, Chukar, Ptarmigan and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Opens (extending through Feb. 29, 2024). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
19 — 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. CDFW will cover all upland game birds except turkeys. Attendees will learn the biology, regulations, hunting tactics and preparation of upland game birds available to Californians. To register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/201029. For more information, email shawn.olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
19 — Archery Season for Black Bears Opens. Archery bear season in all bear zones opens Aug. 19, and runs through Sept. 10. 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. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free (888) 277-6398.
21 — California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna (95540). Webinar/teleconference participation options will be available. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
22-23 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, scheduled to begin each day at 8:30 a.m., River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna (95540). Webinar/teleconference participation options will be available. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
24 — 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, visit wcb.ca.gov.
26 — Bat House Building Workshop, 10 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 Country Road 32B, Davis (95618). In conjunction with International Bat Night, this will be a day to learn about inviting bats into the yard or farm. The event includes an opportunity to build a bat house and view several of our native species of bats. Supplies and instruction will be provided. Registration is $100 per bat house. For more information and to register, visit www.yolobasin.org/battalkandwalks.
26 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/8/26/community-habitat-restoration.
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Media Contact: Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641