Sunset at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve in Watsonville, California. (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 — 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, please visit www.yolobasin.org/battalkandwalks.
Various Days — Discover the Flyway Docent Training, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 Country Road 32B, Davis (95618). Join us this fall! Become a Discover the Flyway docent with Yolo Basin Foundation and provide outdoor learning opportunities for K-12th grade students. Help teachers and students from local schools connect to nature, learn about science and protect wetlands through field trips to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. For those who enjoy spending time outdoors with young people and appreciate being part of a community of volunteers, this is a wonderful opportunity. No experience in education or science is necessary. The 2023 docent training sessions will take place outdoors at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters. For more information, please visit www.yolobasin.org/volunteer.
Various Days — General Bear Season Opening 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.
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 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 — Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Spotted Dove and Ringed Turtle Dove Early Season Opens, extending through Sept. 15. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
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/2023/9/1/friday-habitat-restoration.
2 — Free Fishing Day. The second of two Free Fishing Days being offered by CDFW in 2023 is scheduled Sept. 2. While all fishing regulations – such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures – remain in effect, anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on Free Fishing Days. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/free-fishing-days.
2-10 — California Biodiversity Day Celebrations. California Biodiversity Day takes place on Sept. 7 of each year, marking the anniversary of the launch of the California Biodiversity Initiative in 2018. This yearly event celebrates the state’s exceptional biodiversity, while also encouraging actions to protect it. CDFW and partner organizations are hosting nearly 100 activities statewide throughout the week of Sept. 2–10. For a list of events and volunteer opportunities, please visit resources.ca.gov/biodiversityday2023. One easy way to get involved is to join the 2023 California Biodiversity Week Challenge on iNaturalist. Find and document 30 wild species in California and submit photos and observations on the platform anytime Sept. 2-10. Tag the adventures and follow along on social media at #CABiodiversityDay. For more information, please contact the CDFW Biodiversity Coordinator at Dena.Spatz@wildlife.ca.gov.
3 — 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.
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/2023/9/3-saltmarsh-tour.
5 — Deer Hunting Tactics Webinar: After the Shot, 6 p.m. This webinar will provide tips and strategies for what to do after successfully shooting a deer, including animal recovery and processing from the field to table. For more information, please contact Erick Elliott at (530) 233-0658 or Erick.Elliott@wildlife.ca.gov. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/201518.
7 — CDFW Conservation Lecture Series: Atlas of the Biodiversity of California, 1 to 2:30 p.m., via Zoom. Attend a special CDFW conservation lecture in honor of California Biodiversity Day, featuring CDFW scientists and biogeographers. The lecture will cover the Atlas of the Biodiversity of California and how using data, maps and models protects California's natural heritage. For more information and to register, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/lectures.
9 — Tree Squirrel General Season Opens, extending through Jan. 28, 2024. For more information on small game seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
9 — Mountain Quail General Season Opens in Zone Q1, extending through Oct. 20. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
9 — Sooty (Blue) Grouse General Season Opens, extending through Oct. 9. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
9 — White-tailed Ptarmigan General and Archery Seasons Opens, extending through Sept. 17. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
9 — Grasslands Waterfowl Clinic, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 7376 South Wolfson Road, Los Banos (93635). This clinic will focus on waterfowl hunting opportunities located in the famous Grasslands. The Los Banos area has thousands of contiguous acres of marsh that is home to numerous waterfowl during the waterfowl season. Come learn how to take advantage of the waterfowl hunting opportunities that exist in Central California. For more information, please contact Erick Elliott at (530) 233-0658 or Erick.Elliott@wildlife.ca.gov. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/201032.
9 — Elkhorn Slough Reserve Bioblitz, 10 a.m. to noon, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). In celebration of California Biodiversity Week, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve will host a reserve-wide bioblitz! Citizen scientists will help record the rich diversity of plants and wildlife found in the many habitats on the reserve. The morning will begin with a quick tutorial on iNaturalist before heading out to the field with reserve docents to snap photographs of the flora and fauna. For more information, please contact Virginia.Guhin@wildlife.ca.gov.
9 — Teachers on the Reserve Workshop, Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). This one-day workshop is an introduction to the habitats, plants and wildlife on the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Lasting three hours, the workshop combines informative presentations with topical field activities and will introduce teachers to the natural history of the area, demonstrate various fieldtrip activities and share the many resources available to teachers for both in-person and virtual visits. To register, please visit form.jotform.com/elkhornslough/teachers-on-the-reserve-workshop-re. For more information, please contact Virginia Guhin at Virginia.Guhin@wildlife.ca.gov.
9 — 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/2023/9/9-saltmarsh-tour.
9 — Effie Yeaw Biodiversity Day Bioblitz, 9 a.m. to noon, 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael (95608). Come out and observe nature through this bioblitz at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. This is a joint event co-hosted by Effie Yeaw Nature Center, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Academy of Sciences and CDFW. For more information, please visit www.sacnaturecenter.net. To register, please visit the Eventbrite registration page.
15 — Feather River Fish Hatchery Ladder Opening, 5 Table Mountain Blvd., Oroville (95965). The ladder will open Sept. 15 and salmon spawning will begin the following week, continuing through approximately mid-November. For more information, please call (530) 538-2222 or visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/hatcheries/feather-river.
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/2023/9/15/friday-habitat-restoration.
16 — General Deer Season Opens. General deer season opens in zones B1-3, B5, B6, C1-4, D6, D7, X9a, X9b and X12. Hunters should check for area closures and restrictions before heading to their destination. For information on land closures, please contact the agency in charge of the hunting grounds. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. Please remember to report deer tags! All deer tags purchased, whether used for a 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 also required to report by Jan. 31, 2024. Please visit www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin for information on reporting. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.
16 — Band-tailed Pigeon Season Opens in the North Zone, extending through Sept. 24. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
17 — 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, please visit www.yolobasin.org/battalkandwalks.
19 — California Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Resources Committee Meeting, time to be determined, 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.
23 — Oroville Salmon Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feather River Fish Hatchery, 5 Table Mountain Blvd., Oroville (95965), and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Oroville. The event will feature tours to view salmon spawning, informational booths, educational displays and vendor booths. For more information, please visit www.visitoroville.com/salmon-festival.html.
23 — Elkhorn Slough Reserve Annual Open House, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). This year’s event will honor National Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the local community. Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly day! The event will include kids crafts and games, informational booths highlighting the reserve’s research and stewardship work, demonstrations by CDFW wildlife officers, bilingual bird walks and more. For more information, please call (831) 728-2822.
23 — Coastal Cleanup Day, 9 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). International Coastal Cleanup Day is the largest volunteer event on the planet. Join over 60,000 volunteers worldwide in removing hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways. In Los Angeles, 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/2023/09/23/coastal-cleanup-day.
23 & 24 — Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days for Northeastern California Zone. To participate, hunters must be 17 years of age or younger and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older. People should contact the wildlife area or national wildlife refuge they wish to hunt for details. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
25 — General Deer Season Opens. General deer season opens in zones D3-5, D8-10 and X8. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. Please remember to report deer tags! All deer tags purchased, whether used for a 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.
29 — California Spiny Lobster Recreational Fishing Season Opens Statewide, 6 p.m. Beginning with the 2023-24 season, the recreational lobster fishery starts at 6 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October. For more information about the new lobster regulations in place this season, please see the Marine Management News article Changes to Recreational Spiny Lobster Fishing Regulations for the 2023-2024 Season.
30 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone X10. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. Please remember to report deer tags! All deer tags purchased, whether used for a 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.
30 — Quail General Season Opens in Zone Q2 (all quail species), extending through Jan. 28, 2024. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
30 — Riverside County Waterfowl Hunting Clinic, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., San Jacinto Wildlife Area Headquarters, 17050 Davis Road, Lakeview (92567). The clinic is designed for all skill levels. Covered topics include concepts of decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, duck identification and safety. Other topics will include hunting on state and federal Waterfowl Management Areas and game care. For more information, please contact Erick Elliott at (530) 233-0658 or Erick.Elliott@wildlife.ca.gov. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/201511.
30 — North Sacramento Valley Waterfowl Clinic, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). The clinic is designed for all skill levels. Covered topics include concepts of decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, duck identification and safety. Other topics will include hunting on state and federal Waterfowl Management Areas and game care. For more information, please contact Erick Elliott at (530) 233-0658 or Erick.Elliott@wildlife.ca.gov. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/200418.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641