All calendar items are subject to change.
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 — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Spring turkey hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $12.70 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a half-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is 15 people. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Discover the Flyway School Program, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. Its goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. This school year, Yolo Basin Foundation is offering teachers three options: the chance to bring students to a field trip to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the opportunity to have Yolo Basin educators and docents bring the program to their classroom or the option to participate from school or home in a live, virtually led activity. Teachers can learn more and register at www.yolobasin.org/schoolprograms.
Various Days — White Goose Late Season Opens in the Imperial County Special Management Area. Season is open Feb. 1-3, 6-10 and 13-21. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
Weekends — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 10 and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Capacity is limited and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours.
Sundays — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 to 11:45 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join us every Sunday for Tot Time at the Visitor’s Center at Nimbus Fish Hatchery where we’ll read a nature-themed story and create a fun craft! Recommended for children ages 2-5 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.
1 — Deadline to Report on Bear Tag. All bear tag holders are required to report on their tag regardless of whether they were successful, unsuccessful or did not hunt bear. The deadline for reporting on a bear hunt tag is Feb. 1. After the Feb. 1 deadline, the online reporting system will lock hunters out from reporting. Hunters who miss the online reporting window can and should still mail in their tags to the address on the tag. All bear tags postmarked after Feb. 1 will be considered late. Tags can be reported online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales.
2 — Flyway Nights Speaker Series, 7 to 9 p.m., via Zoom. Joe Hobbs will give updates on the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Habitat and Drainage Improvement projects by Ducks Unlimited, infrastructure projects by California Waterfowl Association, drought updates and future projects within the wildlife area. Hobbs has been with CDFW since 2000 and has been the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area manager since 2018. To register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/flywaynights.
3 — 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/2023/2/03/friday-habitat-restoration.
4 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 3 to 5 p.m., 45400 County Rd 28H, Woodland (95776). The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. The group will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route. Several stops will be made along the way providing guests with a closer look at the many species of birds that utilize the more than 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands. Tours run rain or shine, except in instances of flooding. Reservations are required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
4 — Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about the 300+ species of bird that call the Elkhorn Slough home on this guided tour. Capacity is limited and the tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/early-bird-tour-202212/?ri=2.
4-5 — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Rd., Gridley (95948). This 90-minute walking tour covers slightly more than a half mile through this premier birding spot that highlights migratory waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. No reservations are necessary for groups of less than 20 people. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To purchase a Lands Pass, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
4-5 — Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, Colorado River and Balance of State Zones. Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days are intended to provide a safe learning environment for youth who are interested in hunting and to encourage youths and adults to experience the outdoors together. The daily bag and possession limits apply along with all other waterfowl regulations for the 2022-23 waterfowl season. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
5 — 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 docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and 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/2023/2/5-saltmarsh-tour.
6 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Virtual Training, 6 to 8 p.m., via Zoom. 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 be trained on how to survey for bumble bees and submit data. To register for the project and sign up for the free virtual training event, please visit www.cabumblebeeatlas.org/events.html. For more information, please contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org or CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
6 — White and White-fronted Goose Late Season Opens in the Northeastern Zone (closing March 10). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
8-9 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days, California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Auditorium, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
11 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 8 to 11 a.m., 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Join Yolo Basin Foundation’s docent on a fantastic tour that is appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. View seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Look for migrating and resident waterfowl, geese, swans, raptors and wading birds. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
11 — 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 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/2023/2/11/creek-cleanup.
11-12 — Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and Balance of State Zones. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
16 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., California Natural Resources Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The public is welcome. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov.
16-19 — Bart Hall San Diego Show, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar (92014). CDFW will be returning to the Bart Hall show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. CDFW staff will be onsite and available to answer questions, hear concerns and offer a convenient place to buy annual fishing and hunting licenses, along with the 2023 Warden Stamp! For more information, please visit hallshows.com/san-diego-show.
17 — 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/2023/2/17-friday-habitat-restoration.
18 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Pop-up Information Booth, 9 to 11 a.m., Parking Lot A, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Every third Saturday of the month, Yolo Basin Foundation will have a pop-up information booth in Parking Lot A of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It is a great time to visit since volunteers will be present to hand out maps of the auto tour route and hiking trails, provide information about what to keep an eye out for and answer questions as visitors set out to explore local wildlife. Come visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area during this time of magical migrations. Waterfowl, geese, swans and more are making their way south along the Pacific Flyway. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, please visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea.
18 — 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 docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and 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/2023/2/18/saltmarsh-tour.
18 — White and White-fronted Goose Late Season Opens in the Balance of State Zone (closing Feb. 22). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
18 — Canada Goose Late Season in the North Coast Special Management Area (closing March 10). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
18-19 — Canada Goose Late Season in the Balance of State Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
23 — Restoration Grant Funding and Permitting Online Workshop, 10 a.m. to noon. CDFW will host an online workshop to provide an update on grant funding available for restoration projects as well as permitting tools through CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape Program. This meeting is to be held via webinar. For more information, please view the public meeting announcement or visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/watersheds/restoration-grants.
25 — 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, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/2/25/community-habitat-restoration.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641