Deer at the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve 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 — 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, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — General Bear Season Opens in Select Deer Zones. 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. Please 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, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll free (888) 277-6398.
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). Starting Sept. 30, 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 terrain is uneven at times and may be challenging for strollers and wheelchairs. 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.
1 — 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/2023/10/1-saltmarsh-tour.
3 — California Department of Human Resources No Degree Required Career Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, 925 Del Paso Blvd. Suite 100, Sacramento (95815). Think a college degree is needed to work for the State of California? Think again! There are plenty of state careers that don't require a college degree, including at CDFW. For more information, please visit the event page or email careers@wildlife.ca.gov.
4 — California Spiny Lobster Commercial Fishing Season Opens Statewide. New regulations are in place beginning this season. For more information regarding commercial lobster management, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/invertebrates/commercial-regulations.
5 — You Betta Work Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1015 20th Street, Sacramento (95811). The Sacramento LGBT Community Center Economic Justice Program is hosting the next “You Betta Work” Fair, an in-person career fair where the community can connect with over 20 LGBTQ friendly employers, get a free professional headshot and be in a space where they can network and see who’s hiring in the Sacramento region. For more information, please visit saccenter.org/event/you-betta-work-fair-3 or email careers@wildlife.ca.gov.
6 — Friday 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/2023/10/6/friday-habitat-restoration.
7 — General Deer Season Opens in Zones D19, X1, X2, X3a, X3b, X4, X5a, X5b, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
7 — Archery-Only Deer Season Opens in Zone D12. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
7 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Northeastern Waterfowl Zone. For more information about regulations, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
7-8 — Early Season Junior Hunt for Quail in the Mojave National Preserve. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
8 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 3 to 5 p.m., 45400 County Road 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. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
8 — Saltwater Marsh Walk, 10 to 11 a.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Expert docents will lead participants on a short walk through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and out to the observation platform while explaining the history and ecology of the area. Enjoy the unique native plants on the journey through different habitats, and possibly 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/2023/10/8-saltmarsh-walk.
11-12 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, 8:30 a.m., San Jose Scottish Rite Center, 2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose (95125). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
12 — National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Job and Resources Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., California State Capitol, West Side, 1315 10th Street, Sacramento (95814). California Highway Patrol is hosting a job and resources fair with multiple state agencies for persons with disabilities. For more information, please email careers@wildlife.ca.gov.
12 — Wildlife Conservation Board Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee Meeting, 10 a.m. to noon, California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). This will be a hybrid meeting. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov.
13 — Asian Resources, Inc. Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 6270 Elder Creek Road, Sacramento (95824). For more information, please email careers@wildlife.ca.gov.
14 — General Deer Season Opens in Zones D11, D13-15 and D17. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
14 — General Bear Season Opens in the Remaining X Zones. General bear season opens in deer hunting zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b in areas open to bear hunting. The general bear season will remain open until Dec. 31, or until CDFW determines that 1,700 bears have been 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.
14 — Early Archery-Only Season for Pheasant Opens (extending through Nov. 5). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
15 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Tour, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Tour the Yolo Wildlife Area with an experienced field trip leader the third Sunday of the month from October through June. View flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, look for migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
20 — Friday 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/2023/10/20/friday-habitat-restoration.
21 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone X9c. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
21 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Waterfowl Zones. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
21 — General Season for All Quail Opens in Zone Q1 and Zone Q3 (extending through Jan. 28, 2024). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
21 — General Season for Chukar Opens Statewide (extending through Jan. 28, 2024). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
21 — General Season for Snipe Opens Statewide (extending through Feb. 4, 2024). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
23 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Colorado River Waterfowl Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
28 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone D16. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
28 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Tour Docent Training, 9 a.m. to noon. Lead or assist public tours of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area or Davis Wetlands! Learn and share fascinating facts about the history, management and wildlife in the wetlands, and promote the use of this open space to tour participants. Potential docents should have an interest in conservation, as well as the natural history of wetland and riparian habitat, and species. Binoculars, a spotting scope, loaner bird ID cards, bird species checklist, trip log, participant roster, walkie talkies and first-aid kit are provided for the tours. Please contact volunteer@yolobasin.org to learn more or to sign up.
28 — 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/2023/10/28/community-habitat-restoration.
28-29 — Bitterbrush Restoration Event at Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area, 8 a.m., Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area, Chilcoot (96105). CDFW and NGO partners are hosting a public land planting event and community gathering to help plant 10,000 bitterbrush seedlings at the Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area along Highway 395 to restore critical winter range habitat for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Following the planting efforts, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers will host the Beer, Bands & Bitterbrush Stands event at a ranch located 30 minutes from the project site where participants will gather for food, live music and camping on site. To learn more about the restoration work, visit a story map collection of the project. For more information and to register, please visit the event page or contact Devin O’Dea at odea@backcountryhunters.org or (415) 246-5329.
30 — California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest Opens. CDFW is accepting entries through Dec. 1 for the annual California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The winner will be featured on the 2023-24 California Upland Game Bird Stamp. For contest rules and entry forms, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641