Jerry Springer, President of the California Deer Association, announces the availability of scholarship opportunities for students pursuing advanced education in Resource Management, Agriculture, Forestry, Animal and Wildlife Husbandry, Rangeland Science, Veterinary Sciences, and Wildlife Biology.

“CDA has raised millions of dollars in direct support of habitat and research for California’s wildlife,” said President Springer, adding, “Contributing back to our next generation of conservationists is a great benefit to California, CDA members and students.”

The CDA’s Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 through a founding benefactor and to date has awarded close to $25,000 through 14 individual scholarships grants. CDA has awarded scholarships that assist CDA members and their families pursue a certificate of higher learning that not only support the mission of CDA, but help alleviate their own post-secondary financial obligations.

Former recipient, Jason Zito, now a Predator Control Specialist for the State of Hawaii, adds, “Receiving the scholarship from CDA helped me graduate debt free. $1,000 or even $2,500 may not be much to some, but to a student, it helps tremendously. I’m very appreciative of CDA’s Scholarship Program.”

Scholarship awards are not fixed and each year can include multiple awardees. Historically, scholarships have ranged from $1,000-$2,500 each. The filing deadline is July 31, 2012.

For more details and specific requirements, please visit www.caldeer.org or click this link directly to download the application.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California Deer Association Scholarships Available

Jerry Springer, President of the California Deer Association, announces the availability of scholarship opportunities for students pursuing advanced education in Resource Management, Agriculture, Forestry, Animal and Wildlife Husbandry, Rangeland Science, Veterinary Sciences, and Wildlife Biology.

“CDA has raised millions of dollars in direct support of habitat and research for California’s wildlife,” said President Springer, adding, “Contributing back to our next generation of conservationists is a great benefit to California, CDA members and students.”

The CDA’s Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 through a founding benefactor and to date has awarded close to $25,000 through 14 individual scholarships grants. CDA has awarded scholarships that assist CDA members and their families pursue a certificate of higher learning that not only support the mission of CDA, but help alleviate their own post-secondary financial obligations.

Former recipient, Jason Zito, now a Predator Control Specialist for the State of Hawaii, adds, “Receiving the scholarship from CDA helped me graduate debt free. $1,000 or even $2,500 may not be much to some, but to a student, it helps tremendously. I’m very appreciative of CDA’s Scholarship Program.”

Scholarship awards are not fixed and each year can include multiple awardees. Historically, scholarships have ranged from $1,000-$2,500 each. The filing deadline is July 31, 2012.

For more details and specific requirements, please visit www.caldeer.org or click this link directly to download the application.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California Deer Association Offers Scholarships

Acting on a tip, California Fish and Game (DFG) wardens removed two taxidermy mounts from a Georgetown bar – and not because they were underage drinkers. In fact, one of the animals, a wolverine wearing a red hat and clenching a cigarette between his teeth, was several decades old. According to the DFG, however, his owners were violating a state fish and game code for possessing protected animals, whether they be dead or alive.

The fish and game code in question states that there are nine mammals that are against the law to kill or possess for whatever reason and it does not matter how old they are and whether they are stuffed, according to DFG Spokesman Andrew Hughan. The second animal to be seized was a red-tailed hawk. Hughan said the hawk violated another code section that prohibits people from possessing a non-game bird.

The wolverine is a protected mammal in California, the last Sierra wolverine to be shot was a scientific specimen in 1922. The creature is rarely seen, one was captured on film by a remote-controlled camera north of Truckee in February 2008.

Anthony Fox, bartender and son-in-law of the owner of the bar, claims the hawk has been on display for the past 20 years, but only guesses that it originated in California, while the wolverine has been on display at the bar for more than 50 years and was killed in Alaska. Both animals were donations from community residents to the bar.

Fox says the bar is teeming with history: the building the bar operates out of is 120 years old, with little pieces of history collected from customers over time. The bar even has people’s ashes in bottles. He feels that the wardens took a piece of the bar’s history when they confiscated the animals. Fox is also especially hurt because he feels like wardens didn’t have the right to take the animals without a warrant. “I’m not angry, I feel violated,” Fox said. “They took part of our history, they took a part of the town‘s history. They will keep them locked up and we’re not ever going to get them back.”

DFG Warden Patrick Foy said they were acting on a tip they received on April 27th that there were “numerous endangered species” on display at the bar. Upon inspection, they only found two in violation of the code. In an email, Warden Foy said under no circumstances was a warrant necessary for this case. “They [the wardens] were 100 percent within policy to seize the evidence items as done.”

On a positive note, the wardens did not issue a citation to the bar owners. In an interview with the Sacremento Bee, Hughan said, “…at the end of the day, the wardens received a tip, they found a law being broken and they did what they had to do. All we wanted to do is make sure they were compliant.”

The Georgetown bar has numerous other animals and tidbits of historical items on display such as a badger, fox, mallard, several deer, elk and even two jackalopes.

Fox says he and the owners were unaware of their violations at the time that wardens came to confiscate the animals.

Locales may legally display other types of game, such as deer, but not any of the nine fully protected mammals. The list of protected species includes: Morro Bay kangaroo rat, Bighorn sheep (except Nelson bighorn sheep), Northern elephant seal, Guadalupe fur seal, Ring-tailed cat, Pacific right whale, Salt-marsh harvest mouse, Southern sea otter and wolverine.

It’s possible that the DFG will relocate the confiscated hawk and wolverine to a museum or wildlife viewing area that has proper permits to possess the specimen.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Cigarette Touting Wolverine Confiscated by Wardens from California Bar

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is clarifying an inadvertent error that has been found in our 2011-2012 Mammal Hunting Regulation booklet.

On page 19 of the booklet that was printed, Section 311(f) indicates that “0.20 caliber minimum for taking wild turkey” is required. This is incorrect but has been corrected in the online version of the booklet (see link here http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36051).

The actual regulation was changed in 2011 after the booklet was printed and the correct regulation for 311(f) is: “Air rifles powered by compressed air or gas and used with any caliber of pellet, except that wild turkey may only be taken with a pellet that is at least 0.177 caliber.”

The 2012-2013 mammal hunting regulation booklet is now in preparation and this change will be reflected.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Clarifies Legal Take Methods for Wild Turkeys

Applications are being accepted for a limited number of deer and pig hunt access permits on opening weekend, August 11-12, of the Zone A season. Specific locations for this huntn include Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife area.

Interested parties will need to fill out an application for an access permit which can be obtained by calling the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8 – 4:30 p.m. or online atwww.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region4/cottonwoodcreek.html. The application can be submitted via e-mail to lhext@dfg.ca.gov or mailed to DFG’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave. Los Banos, CA 93635.

Applications must be received before 4:30 p.m. on July 5.  The drawing will be held July 6 at 11 a.m. at the Los Banos office and is open to the public. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the lottery. Applicants may not apply for both days or for multiple areas.

Reservations are required for access to the wildlife areas and only 45 permits will be issued for each day. Reservations will be selected via a computerized drawing. Applicants will be allowed to apply for a one-day hunt on one area only and successful candidates will receive special permits in the mail stating what area and day they may hunt.

Junior license holders must apply with an adult hunter. Up to three persons may apply as one party by including all the required information on the 2012 Zone A application form. Only official applications will be accepted. An individual’s name may appear in the drawing only once and multiple applications received will be rejected.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Applications for Deer and Pig Hunting Open up in Western Merced County

Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens responded quickly Tuesday morning and relocated a bear that has been getting into Southern California trash cans.

The 400-pound bear has been sighted multiple times around the Glendale area in the last three weeks. This morning, it was cornered in a La Crescenta backyard giving DFG officials the opportunity to safely tranquilize and remove it. It was then transported to the Angeles National Forest for release back into the wild.

The bear appears to be a healthy male about three years old. DFG has been monitoring the bear in this area for several weeks and working with local law enforcement and DFG biologists to balance public safety needs with the desire to safely move the bear to suitable habitat.

“The cooperative effort paid off this morning with a successful removal of the bear without injury, to the animal or any of the surrounding public,” said DFG Assistant Chief Paul Hamdorf. “We are obviously very pleased that the bear will be released and that it was done safely.”

When wild animals are allowed to feed on human food and garbage, they lose their natural ways, often resulting in death for the animal. Bears and other animals are attracted to anything edible or smelly. Humans can take these steps to prevent attracting bears and other animals to their homes or campsites:

• Store garbage in bear-proof containers or in the garage until pick-up.
• Keep food indoors or in airtight and odor-free containers.
• Put away picnic leftovers; clean BBQ grills.
• Keep pet food inside.
• Pick up fallen tree fruit as soon as possible, or protect fruit trees with electric fencing.
• Remove cosmetic fragrances and other attractants, including bird feeders and compost piles.
• Install or request bear-proof trash containers.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Successfully Relocates Southern California Bear

The Humane Society of the United States and California State Senator Ted Lieu – D, Redondo Beach, have introduced Senate Bill 1221 aimed at banning hound hunting for bears and bobcats. The proposed legislation would authorize Department of Fish and Game (DFG) employees to capture any dog not under the “reasonable control” of its owner or handler. The bill was originally written for air-quality control.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is against the legislation. A release on its website says the bill is an attack on hunters and public safety. “Coupled with California’s dramatic increases in population and urbanization, it is increasingly important that state wildlife officials have every tool necessary to control populations. Hunting with hounds is an accepted, effective, challenging and humane method of hunting,” the release said.

Jim Matthews, writing for the Outdoor News Service, wrote that this could have implications for when he’s waterfowl hunting. While his dog is a good retriever, he is known for running after the occasional rabbit or bobcat. If wardens were to catch him doing so, he could “dispatch” him.

The committee will hold a hearing date on April 24th, 2012.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Bill to Ban Hound Hunting of Bears and Bobcats Introduced in California

Pheasants Forever, Inc. has named Dan Connelly of Granite Bay as its state coordinator in California. Connelly, formerly of the California Department of Fish and Game, will serve in a volunteer capacity as the national nonprofit conservation organization’s primary contact in California, which is home to six Pheasants Forever (PF) chapters, one Quail Forever (QF) chapter and over 1,000 combined PF/QF members.

Connelly will spearhead the organization’s efforts to expand and increase membership, and participate on California’s Upland Game Bird Advisory Committee and associated upland game bird habitat programs. Connelly will also foster relationships with volunteers, supporters, state agencies, and other private and federal partners with a mutual desire to improve wildlife habitat and awareness of pheasant and quail conservation efforts.

“Dan has great experience in wildlife conservation within the state of California, and we could not be happier that he is applying his skills and time to move Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s habitat mission forward. If you are someone who wants to make a difference for pheasant and quail populations, you should really get in contact with Dan,” stated Matt Holland, senior field coordinator with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, “We will need motivated and purpose driven advocates to grow our impact in California.”

Connelly had a 27-year career with the California Department of Fish and Game, where he was the Senior Wildlife Biologist supervising waterfowl, upland game and game bird heritage programs. He also spent seven years as the Valley Bay CARE Coordinator for Ducks Unlimited. Connelly earned a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Nevada, Reno. He resides in Granite Bay, California, and can be reached at (702) 606-6775 / Email Dan.

For more information regarding Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever in California, please contact Matt Holland at (320) 354-4377 / Email Matt.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Veteran Volunteers Expertise for State’s Pheasants and Quail

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG to Offer Black Powder Hunting Clinic

California’s 2012 general spring wild turkey hunting season opens statewide on March 31 and extends through May 6, with the archery season extending through May 20.

Hunters who have a current junior hunting license may also hunt the weekend before the opener, on March 24 and 25, and the two weeks after the general season (through May 20), using shotguns or any other legal method of take.

Please note that the season is closed to all hunters from March 26 to March 30.

Shooting hours for spring turkeys are from one-half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. Both a hunting license and upland game bird stamp are required to hunt turkeys, although an upland stamp is not required for hunters with junior licenses. The bag limit is one bearded turkey per day and no more than a total of three turkeys during all seasons (general, archery, junior) combined.

The statewide population of wild turkeys is estimated at 240,000 birds.DFG’s most recent hunter surveys indicate that on average about 24,000 hunters bag about 22,000 turkeys in the spring season each year statewide. Wild turkeys are found in most counties in California, with the top 10 for spring harvest being El Dorado, Mendocino, Placer, Sonoma, Shasta, Yuba, Butte, San Diego, Napa and Lake counties.

For places to hunt turkeys, hunters should refer to the “Guide to Hunting Wild Turkeys in California” on DFG’s website at www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/ (on the right side of the page).

DFG also offers several special hunts for turkeys that are open to a limited number of hunters. Information and applications can be found in the California Hunting Digest at www.dfg.ca.gov/publications/digest.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California Spring Wild Turkey Season Quickly Approaches