Category Archives: Upland Game

Turkey Hunting with Extra Ammo

Posted on March 28, 2013 by | Leave a comment
The author with a spring turkey (Carrie Wilson photo)

When hunting spring turkeys, hunters may carry only shotgun shells with loose #2 size shot or smaller (Carrie Wilson photo)

Question: I wonder if you can settle a bet for me and my friends. They told me when hunting for turkeys, it is illegal to also carry shotgun slug ammunition. I disagree because what if someone wants to carry slugs in case they get the chance that a pig might run by. Please set us straight. (Rob, Paso Robles).

Answer: Sorry, your friends are correct! Only shotgun shells with loose #2 size shot or smaller may be in your possession while hunting for turkeys (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 311(b)). So, if you are hunting turkeys, you cannot carry a slug because it’s not shot loose in the shell. If you are hunting wild pigs with a shotgun using slugs in the California condor range, the slugs must not contain more than 1 percent lead by weight.

Carp by spear gun?
Question: When I was a kid, we used to hunt carp with a spear gun. We’d jump into the creek and get carp up to 21 pounds. It was a lot of fun for a bunch of skinny kids with the fish pulling us all over the pool! Can you please clarify the regulations and let me know if, where, when or even if it is still doable? (Damian L., Modesto)

Answer: It is only legal to spearfish carp in the Colorado River District, parts of the Valley District, parts of the Kern River and in those areas listed in CCR Title 14, section 2.30. It is only legal to spearfish carp in the areas listed in this section.

Carrying a sidearm
Question: I am new to hunting and have a question. I understand that in order to hunt with a handgun, the barrel length needs to be four inches or longer. However, I have a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan 454 Casull 2.5 inch barrel. I do not plan to hunt with it, of course, but would like to know if I can carry it as a back up. I do not want to purchase another gun if I already have one. Please help me with my question. (Daniel K., Los Banos)

Answer: Regulations do not restrict you from carrying a sidearm while hunting except when hunting during an “Archery Only Season” for that species or while hunting under the authority of an “Archery Only Tag” during the “General Season” for that species.

And, the four inch barrel length for handguns only applies when hunting for elk and bighorn sheep. Pistols and revolvers with any barrel length using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take deer, bear and wild pigs. In the California Condor Zone, all ammunition in your possession must be certified non-lead.

See sections 311, 353, 354, 465, & 475 in the 2012-2013 Mammal Hunting Regulations for specific methods authorized for taking birds and mammals.  These regulations are available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/.

Transporting baitfishes
Question: I have a question regarding transporting finfish. Is it legal to catch anchovies and shiners by throw net and then transport them to the fishing location? I would like to do this in San Francisco Bay but would not take Bay fish to other waters (or take ocean baitfish into Bay waters.) If it’s all within the Bay, does that still indicate “transporting?” If so, is there a distance limit? For example, can I net baitfish near a marina with parked boats and take them 50 to 100 yards to a legal fishing site? California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regs refer only to restrictions on freshwater species but do not refer to saltwater and San Francisco Bay fish. We all just want to play by the rules, so can someone please clarify for us? Thank you. (Gino P., Cotati)

Answer: It is legal to use a Hawaiian-type throw net in the ocean north of Pt. Conception (including San Francisco Bay) to take some species, including anchovies and shiner surfperch. For a complete list of species that may be taken with this gear, please see section 28.80 in the Ocean Sport Fishing regulations.  There is no minimum distance provided in the regulations, and bait fish taken inside San Francisco Bay may be used inside the Bay.

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Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at Cal.Outdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Posted in Bait, Big Game, Firearms/Ammunition, Fish and Game Code, Freshwater Fishing, Hunting, Methods Of Take, Spear Fishing, Title 14, Turkey, Uncategorized, Upland Game

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Lots of Free Youth and Special Hunts Available Statewide!

Posted on October 25, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Lots of special hunts are offered free of charge through out the year for apprentice (first-time) hunters, juniors (15 years and under), families, women and those who are mobility-impaired. Don’t miss out! (Photo courtesy of the National Shooting Sports Foundation)

Question: I haven’t hunted for pheasant in years but would like to do so and introduce my daughter to the sport. I’ve heard the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) holds special pheasant hunts for new apprentice and returning hunters and that these hunts are paid for with funds generated by the upland game bird stamps that licensed hunters buy. Can you please provide me some information on this program regarding dates, locations, requirements and how to apply? (James K., Napa)

Answer: DFG holds many special hunts throughout the state specifically for apprentice (first-time) hunters, juniors (15 years and under), families, women and those who are mobility-impaired. These include hunts for wild turkey, quail, chuckar, pheasant and wild pigs. Planted pheasant hunts are for apprentice hunters only. Newly certified Hunter Education (HE) grads are especially encouraged to apply because they will be given priority one time only over others applying through regular drawings. Newly certified hunters just have to type their HE cert number into the application and their names are automatically added to the “first hunt” roster. Those names will be drawn first, and based upon their preferences, selected for hunts not yet filled prior to those applying through the regular drawings. All hunts that do not include planted pheasants are for wild bird hunts and are not part of the priority selection with the HE Cert.

Special hunts are offered throughout the year. To view the schedule and apply:

1)     Go to the DFG hunting page at www.dfg.ca.gov/Hunting/

2)     Click the “Online Application for Special Hunts” link in the top right corner

3)     Create an account (quick and easy!) or log into an existing account

4)     Click the “View Available Hunts” link at the bottom of the next page.

5)     A display of all hunts available around the state will pop up, along with the    dates, requirements, contact numbers and information about each hunt.

6)     Then select the type of hunt you’re interested in.

7)     Applicants will be notified shortly by e-mail of which hunt(s) they were successfully selected for.

If an applicant hasn’t already purchased their license, which is a requirement to apply, it will take 24 hours to be entered into DFG’s licensing system so it can be verified through the drawing application.

These special hunts are some of the best opportunities out there to help encourage and support new hunters, women hunters and those who are mobility-impaired. And they are all funded by hunters for hunters. Don’t miss out!

Are crab snares legal?
Question: I am looking forward to doing some crabbing this year. I have a seven loop crab snare but a bait and tackle shop owner told me it was completely illegal to use. Is this true? If so, why? Also, will I need a fishing license to take crabs? (Jeremy H.)

Answer: Crab loop traps (often sold as “crab snares”) are legal, but no more than six loops are allowed (California Code of Regulations Title 13, section 29.80(d)). Valid sport fishing licenses are required to take crab, unless you are fishing from a public fishing pier (as defined by CCR Title 14, section 1.88).

Two shotguns with separate shells?
Question: I was just reading this weeks’ Q & As (which I really enjoy!) and Terri S. asked whether one could have shotgun shells to hunt wild pigs while hunting turkeys. You stated that, “the hunters may not possess a shotgun slug while turkey hunting.” You also stated that “Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB, except that shot size larger than No. 2 may not be used or possessed when taking wild turkey.“

For clarification could they have two shotguns with separate shells if they were in possession of a pig tag? What is the law on carrying different kinds of firearms when attempting to hunt different kinds of game? (Cristen L.)

Answer: You can carry more than one gun when hunting different types of game. However, you cannot possess certain types of ammunition while hunting certain species. For example, while hunting turkey you may not possess anything larger than #2 shot, and while hunting waterfowl you may not possess lead. In both of these cases, your second gun cannot have anything illegal to possess. So it is legal to carry two guns, but neither gun may have ammunition that is illegal for any species you are hunting.

Military fishing and hunting licenses?
Question: I am in the U.S. Navy stationed at Camp Pendleton and want to hunt and fish while I am here. Do you have special licenses for active duty military? (Timothy T., Camp Pendleton)

Answer: Active duty military may purchase resident fishing and hunting licenses while stationed in California. We do not currently offer special military licenses.

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Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.

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Posted in crabs, Firearms/Ammunition, Hunting, Licensing/Permits/Stamps/Report Cards, Saltwater Fishing, Turkey, Uncategorized, Upland Game, Wild Pigs

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Hunting from a Boat along the San Joaquin Delta

Posted on October 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Pintail (Photo courtesy of USFWS)

Question: I was recently told that I can hunt anywhere along the San Joaquin Delta for waterfowl as long as the boat is not moving and I don’t use a motor to retrieve the ducks and geese. I am wondering if this is true or are there only specific areas where waterfowl hunting is allowed? (Ryan S.)

Answer: Many areas of the San Joaquin Delta are open to waterfowl hunting from a boat, but general laws do apply so you could not hunt or shoot a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling, cannot hunt on private property or within prohibited areas such as municipalities. It is important to research your specific hunting area and know legal access points. No person shall pursue, drive, herd or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat or snowmobile (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 251). Exceptions are also listed, including 1) When the motor of such motorboat, airboat, or sailboat has been shut off and/or the sails furled and its progress therefrom has ceased, and it is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oar or pole. Although you cannot shoot a bird while your boat is under power, you can use your motor to retrieve dead waterfowl.

New Lobster Report Card For Every Trip?
Question: I have a question regarding lobster report cards. I was wondering if I have to buy a new one every time I go out. The lady at the sporting goods store said I had to. This doesn’t seem right because the limit is seven lobsters and there are about 100 spaces to fill out. Please let me know as I don’t want to keep buying these every time if I don’t really have to. (Ryan T.)

Answer: No, you do not need to buy a new report card each time you go on a lobster trip. Here are some basic tips for filling out your card properly:

Prior to beginning lobster fishing activity, you must record the month, day, location and gear code on the first available line on the report card. When you move to another location, switch gear or finish fishing for the day, you must immediately record on the card the number of lobster kept for that location using a particular gear type. New lines must be used when changing locations, days or gear types.

Enter only one gear type per line. Even if multiple gear types are deployed simultaneously, each gear type must be entered on its own line with the catch correctly split between the gear types. Only a handful of cards are returned to DFG each year with every single line filled in – using new lines for each instance of changing gear, location, etc. will NOT cause you to have to buy a new card!

Make sure to write the correct information in each field (for example, don’t enter the location code where the number of lobster is supposed to be). Use the location code number – do not write in the name of the location.

Fill in all of the fields. For example, if two locations are fished on the same day, fill in the date for both locations. If no lobsters are taken, fill in “0”.
An additional lobster report card may be purchased in the event an individual fills in all lines and returns the card.

All lobster report cards need to be returned, even if no lobster were taken. In the event a card was bought but not used, you should write, “did not lobster fish” across the card, and turn it in.

DFG will accept late cards but the data is important for monitoring the fishery, so returning it by the deadline helps greatly.

One last thing, don’t forget to use indelible ink.

Carrying a sidearm while upland and small game hunting?
Question: I am a person who does everything by the book and I have a question regarding sidearms while hunting. Is it legal to carry a sidearm for protection while upland game bird and/or small game hunting or is it considered a method of take and illegal? If it is legal, does the lead-free ammunition restriction apply when in the condor range? (Bao N.)

Answer: Yes, it is legal to carry a sidearm for protection while upland game bird and/or small game hunting as long as you don’t use it to take the game. If hunting in condor country, the ammunition for your sidearm must be lead-free.

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Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.

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Posted in Abalone, Firearms/Ammunition, Licensing/Permits/Stamps/Report Cards, Upland Game, Waterfowl

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