Waterfowl at Little Dry Creek Wildlife Area. 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 — Swan Tours. Celebrate the bird migration on the Pacific Flyway this fall and winter! CDFW’s popular, free swan tours are set for select Saturdays, November through January. Held in partnership with Mathews Rice Operation, the tours transverse flooded rice fields north of Marysville. This area boasts one of the largest overwintering populations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. To register, please email genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Hunting Opportunities. There are still opportunities available for pig, waterfowl and upland game hunting through May. A $12.75 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Saturdays — Guided Tours of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Basin, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join Nimbus Fish Hatchery for a free, family friendly mile hike to explore the edge of the American River and possibly see salmon getting ready to spawn! Participants might also spot other wildlife, including migratory birds, mammals and insects. Please be prepared for the hike with proper footwear, water and sun protection. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain. Tours are first come, first served with a maximum group size of 25 people. All are welcome, though the terrain is uneven at times and may be challenging for strollers and wheelchairs. There will be no tours on Saturday, Dec. 23. For more information, please call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
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 Center for nature-themed stories and to 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, please email julia.kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov. Please note there will be no Tot Time on Dec. 24 or Dec. 31.
1 — 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, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/12/1/friday-habitat-restoration.
3 — 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, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/12/3-saltmarsh-tour.
9 — 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, where 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek. Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right 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/2023/12/9-creek-cleanup.
12 — California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, time to be determined, Handlery Hotel San Diego, Terrace Room, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego (92108). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
13-14 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined, Handlery Hotel San Diego, Presidio Ballroom, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego (92108). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
15 — 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, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/12/15/friday-habitat-restoration.
16 — 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, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/12/16-saltmarsh-tour.
16 — General Season for Band-tailed Pigeons in the Southern Hunt Zone Opens (extending through Dec. 24). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
25 — Archery Only Pheasant Season Opens (extending through Jan. 21, 2024). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
31 — Black Bear Season Ends Statewide (or earlier if CDFW determines that 1,700 black bears have been reported taken). All hunters must get their tag validated and present the bear head for tooth extraction by CDFW personnel. Current bear hunting regulations, in-season updates and general black bear information can be viewed at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641