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 safety protocols including physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing. 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 — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Wild pig, waterfowl, turkey and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. An $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 — 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 our 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.
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. Tours fill on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. 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.
Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). The 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 and will not be held New Year’s Day. 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.
5 — Flyway Nights Speaker Series, 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom. The Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project, or Big Notch Project, is a joint state and federal project between the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This project provides essential benefits to various native fish species, including threatened and endangered Chinook salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. Our speaker is Josh Martinez, a Senior Environmental Scientist with DWR. As manager of the Restoration Ecology Unit, Josh has spent the last 14 years working on habitat restoration and fish passage projects in the Yolo Bypass. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/flywaynights.
6 — 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 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/2023/1/6/friday-habitat-restoration.
7 — Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Join the reserve's naturalists every first Saturday to learn about the birds of the Elkhorn Slough. This tour is appropriate for birders from beginner to advanced and is recommended for individuals ages 15 and older. The tour meets at the reserve's visitor center, but depending on recent sightings, the group may walk the trails or caravan out to adjacent parks and natural spaces. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
7-8 — Open Wetlands at the Ballona Wetlands, 9 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa Del Rey (90293). The Nature Nexus Institute and the Los Angeles Audubon Society invite participants to come see the biodiversity and beauty of this coastal wetland. A docent-led bird walk leaves at 9 a.m. or drop by any time during the morning for a stroll with one of our trained naturalists. Binoculars are available to borrow. Parking is behind Gordon's/Alka Water Market, and the entrance to the reserve is through the gate in the northeast corner of the parking lot. For more information, please call Cindy Hardin at (310) 301-0050.
8 — Canada Goose Season Closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
10 — Environmental Enhancement Committee Meeting, 10 a.m. to noon, Garibaldi Conference Room 114, 1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento (95605). CDFW’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response will hold a public meeting of the Environmental Enhancement Committee. The purpose of the meeting is selection of projects for grants from the Environmental Enhancement Fund which uses oil spill related fines and penalties to fund environmental enhancement projects. To attend virtually, please join the Teams meeting. The meeting agenda (PDF) is also available. For more information about the Environmental Enhancement Fund, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/ospr/science/environmental-enhancement-fund/about or contact Daniel Orr at Daniel.Orr@wildlife.ca.gov or (916) 599-1381.
11 — Duck Season Closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
11-12 — California Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Resources Committee Meeting, starting at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 and 9 a.m. on Jan. 12, Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Conference Rooms 2-221-B and 2-221-C, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
13 — White Goose and White-fronted Goose Season Closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
14 — Garden Days at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about native plant gardening and help the reserve maintain its new demonstration gardens! Participants will spend time exploring topics in native plant gardening and then spend time working in the gardens. Work changes with the season and may involve weeding, planting or collecting native seeds. All ages and abilities are welcome, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
14 — 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 our 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/2023/1/14/creek-cleanup.
14 — 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.
18 — Community Restoration Event at Ballona Wetlands, 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 Boulevard. Registration is required and the event is 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.
19-22 — International Sportsmen’s Expo, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento (95815). CDFW will be returning to the International Sportsmen's Exposition (ISE) in Sacramento. 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 www.sportsexpos.com/attend/sacramento.
20 — 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 wetland in the City of Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation give our slow-growing native plants room to thrive. 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/2023/1/20/friday-habitat-restoration.
21 — 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/2023/1/21/saltmarsh-tour.
21 — King Tide Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9 to 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Explore the year’s highest tides at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Join naturalists on a guided hike to witness the “King Tide” phenomenon and learn about efforts to mitigate sea level rise impacts in coastal communities. The tour is open to all ages, but attendees must register in advance. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
21 — 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.
25 — Information Meetings on Pipeline P00547 Oil Spill, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. State, including CDFW, and federal trustee agencies for natural resources impacted by the October 2021 Pipeline P00547 oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach in Southern California are hosting two virtual information meetings to update the public on the natural resource damage assessment effort and to solicit input for potential restoration actions. For those interested in attending one of the virtual meetings, registration details can be found at wildlife.ca.gov/ospr/nrda/pipeline-p00547.
28 — Community Habitat Restoration at the Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Spend the day with the Friends of Ballona Wetlands helping to restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Let’s roll up sleeves and get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives our 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/2023/1/28/community-habitat-restoration-kwagl.
29 — Goose Season Closes in the Balance of State Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
30 — Falconry Only Season Opens for Rabbits and Varying Hares (extending through March 19). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
31 — Duck and Goose Season Closes in the Balance of State, Colorado River, Southern San Joaquin and Southern California Zones. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
31 — Deer Tag Reporting Deadline. Deer tag holders must submit a harvest report for any 2022 deer tag by the Jan. 31, 2023 deadline. All tag holders must report even if they did not hunt or they hunted unsuccessfully. Tag holders who do not report by this deadline will be charged a $21.60 non-reporting penalty fee when purchasing a 2023 deer tag drawing application or deer tag. To report harvest online, please visit www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/hunting#9941260-tag-reporting.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641