National Geographic’s “Wild Justice” Season 2 Premieres Sunday
March 9, 2012
“Wild Justice,” the popular television reality series that showcases wildlife crime fighting in California, begins its second season this Sunday night. The first episode of the season will air at 9 p.m. on the National Geographic channel.
The series opener corresponds with Daylight Savings Time to remember to check local listings for air times in your area.
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens worked with National Geographic video crews throughout the year to produce one of the network’s highest rated shows ever. Each week, camera crews accompany California game wardens on patrol working everything from poaching investigations involving deer, wild pigs and abalone to illegal drug use/possession, stolen vehicles and illegal marijuana cultivation.
The vast majority of California hunters and anglers are engaged in lawful, ethical outdoor recreation. Legitimate hunters and anglers have contributed to the majority of the fish and wildlife conservation efforts in California for more than 100 years. Although the show focuses on the very small percentage that break the law, the series also recognizes hunters and anglers who practice responsible conservation of the fish and wildlife populations, and their habitats.
The producers of the show, Original Productions, also produce the hit series “Deadliest Catch,” “Ice Road Truckers” and “Axemen,” among others. Their intensive style of production puts the viewer in the middle of the action as wardens conduct investigations of every sort. They even attached cameras to the collars of warden K9s to get a viewpoint unlike any other.
For more information, see the National Geographic Channel’s “Wild Justice” website, www.natgeotv.com/wildjustice.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - National Geographic’s “Wild Justice” Season 2 Premieres Sunday
Hunting Retriever Club to Hold Hunt Test in California Next Week
February 27, 2012
Retriever competitions just got a whole lot bigger after the Hunting Retriever Club announced plans to expand their venues into California, beginning on March 3, 2012 at the Prado Basin in Chino. According to HRS insiders, this is the start of more Hunt Tests to come for HRC fans across the state, with the next test scheduled for the Sacramento valley area later in the year. The HRC is affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI, who carries the registry for the HRC. The UKC offers 5 coveted titles to the HRC program: Started Hunting Retriever (SHR); Hunting Retriever (HR); Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH); Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRCH); and Upland Hunter (UH). In keeping with the philosophy of HRC, titles earned are awarded as a prefix to the dogs name on its pedigree as opposed to a suffix to the name. The United Kennel Club, Inc., established in 1898, is the second largest all breed dog registry in the United States, registers over 250,000 dogs each year and licenses 10,000 challenging, fun, relaxed, family-oriented events annually.
For more information or to enter, log onto www.huntsecretary.com.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Hunting Retriever Club to Hold Hunt Test in California Next Week
California Conservationist Unfairly Attacked for Legal Hunting Activities
February 24, 2012
Dan Richards, president of the California Fish and Game Commission and an avid angler, hunter and friend to sportsmen and women, is being unfairly attacked by extreme environmental and animal rights organizations for taking part in a legal hunt in Idaho. While hunting cougars may not be licensed in California, it is both legal and well-managed in Idaho.
But what is the real issue here? The organizations leading the charge against Richards have a much broader agenda. Richards has consistently been a voice of reason throughout the flawed Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) initiative, a controversial program that threatens sportfishing in California, and the businesses and 20,000 jobs that depend on it, by unnecessarily closing large areas of the ocean to recreational fishing. If successful in their efforts to remove Richards from the commission, these anti-fishing groups will be one step closer to shutting anglers out of more of California’s best fishing spots.
These anti-fishing and hunting organizations initially pressured Richards to resign from his post as Fish and Game Commissioner. Now that he had rightly refused to yield to this pressure, legislative action is being considered to forcibly remove him from the commission.
All that is needed to remove Richards from the commission is a simple majority vote by California’s state legislature – so your help is needed now!
KeepAmericaFishing encourages all California sportsmen and women to send a letter to their state senate and assembly members expressing support for Commissioner Dan Richards and urging legislators to oppose any measure that would remove Richards from the commission. Your message will also be copied to Governor Jerry Brown and the California Fish and Game Commission. Click here to send your message today.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California Conservationist Unfairly Attacked for Legal Hunting Activities
California DFG Offers One-day Wild Pig Hunting Clinic in April
February 22, 2012
The California Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Advanced Hunter Education Program will offer a pig hunting clinic in King City on Saturday, April 21.
The clinic, which is co-sponsored by the Pacific Coast Hunter Education Association, will be held at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $45 and space is limited. Youths 16 years and younger are free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The clinic will cover will pig biology, hunting techniques and requirements, methods for locating wild pigs, locations to hunt, and field dressing and care of game.
DFG’s Advanced Hunter Education Program will provide all necessary class equipment. Meals are not included but a barbecue lunch can be purchased from the Pacific Coast Hunter Education Association for $10 on the day of the clinic.
Registration forms are available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/index.aspx. After registering, participants will receive an e-mail with a map to the facility and a list of items to bring.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Offers One-day Wild Pig Hunting Clinic in April
California DFG Holds Wild Pig Hunts in Yolo County
February 13, 2012
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold eight limited wild pig hunts at Bobcat Ranch in Yolo County from March13 – May 2, 2012.
Offered through DFG’s Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program, a total of 48 hunters will be selected through a random drawing for an access permit to the private Bobcat Ranch property.
Each of the eight hunts will be two days and offered in the following methods:
- One archery hunt
- One apprentice hunt
- Six general methods hunts
Permit applications will be accepted for parties of up to two licensed hunters for the archery and general periods. Applicants may apply for more than one period but will ultimately only be drawn for one. Apprentice hunters must have a 2011/2012 junior hunt license to apply for the apprentice hunt.
The Bobcat Ranch is located in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters. Hunting under the SHARE Program helps achieve the ranch’s long-term conservation management objectives, including providing public hunting opportunities and controlling the wild pig population.
Applications for the apprentice hunt must be received by 3 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2012. For general and archery hunts, applications must be received by 3 p.m. Feb. 29, 2012. More information and applications are available at: http://1.usa.gov/yhDJhD
This opportunity was made possible by the SHARE Program, which offers incentives to private landowners who allow wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on their property. The goal of the SHARE Program is to provide additional hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California. Participating landowners receive liability protection and compensation for providing public access to or through their land for recreational activities.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Holds Wild Pig Hunts in Yolo County
California DFG Wardens Seeking Tips in Shasta County Deer Poaching Investigation
February 1, 2012
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is seeking assistance from the public regarding recent deer poaching in the Cassel area in Shasta County.
On Dec. 10, the remains of a buck were discovered by wardens in the Cassel area. On Jan. 20, a second illegally killed buck was discovered in the same area. Both of these animals were taken outside of the legal hunting season. It is unknown if the cases are related.
Local wardens are asking for the public to come forward with any information regarding the illegal take of these animals. If you have any information regarding the above incidents, please contact CalTIP (Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters) at 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (888-334-2258).
DFG is responsible for monitoring and setting animal seasons and bag limits in an effort to ensure that California’s diverse wildlife populations thrive.
“When a small handful of individuals take those resources with no regard for the law, they are not only showing contempt for the wildlife, but are also stealing opportunities from the rest of the public who would have a chance to legally harvest the animals,” said DFG Warden John Sutterfield, who patrols in and around Cassel.
CalTIP may offer a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for these crimes. Callers to the hotline may also choose to remain anonymous.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Wardens Seeking Tips in Shasta County Deer Poaching Investigation
California DFG to Offer Three Late Season Goose Hunting Opportunities
January 27, 2012
The California Fish and Game Commission has approved a third 2011/2012 late season hunting opportunity for geese.
Licensed hunters can now hunt white-fronted geese and white geese during the late season for geese in the Balance of the State Zone. This is in addition to the already established late season goose hunts in the North Coast and Imperial County Special Management Areas.
The purpose of these late season goose hunts is to reduce goose crop depredation complaints on private lands. Providing hunting opportunities in the late season will help reduce potential crop depredation by lowering the population(s) and shifting geese onto public areas. Most goose populations that winter in California are at or above population goals and remain in California through late spring. Providing hunting opportunities at this time helps minimize potential damage on agricultural lands. All late season goose hunts are closed on Type A and B wildlife areas. However, other public lands open to waterfowl hunting may be open during these late season hunts.
The new season in the Balance of the State Zone will be open from Feb. 18 through Feb. 22. A daily bag limit of eight geese is allowed which may include up to six white geese or up to six white-fronted geese. The Sacramento Valley Special Management Area will be closed to the take of white-fronted geese during the late season goose hunt. Type A and B wildlife areas will not be open to hunting. However, Type C areas and other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.
The North Coast Special Management Area will be open from Feb. 18 through Mar. 10. The daily bag limit is six small Canada geese only. Large Canada geese cannot be taken during the late season hunt. Type A, B and C wildlife areas will not be open to hunting but other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.
The Imperial County Special Management Area will be open from Feb. 11 through Feb. 26. The daily bag limit is six white geese. Type A, B and C wildlife areas will not be open to hunting but other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.
The complete regulations can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG to Offer Three Late Season Goose Hunting Opportunities
Fowl Weather a Boon for Poachers: Butte County Wardens Make Huge Overlimit Case in California
January 27, 2012
No one welcomed the recent storms more than California’s 70,000 waterfowl hunters. Rain and wind in California’s central valley has salvaged what was an extremely slow hunting season for waterfowl. All of the central valley wildlife areas and national wildlife refuges with hunt programs reported increased hunter success averages last weekend.
The vast majority of hunters in the field were law abiding and ethical. But wardens cited three Butte County men and one San Jose man who stepped far out of bounds by shooting a total of 108 ducks in two days.
California regulations provide for a duck hunting limit of seven ducks per day with 14 in possession if taken over two or more days. Collectively, the four men had an overlimit of 52 ducks, with additional individual species violations.
On Jan. 20, Butte County Warden Tyson Hulse observed unusual behavior from the men that suggested they might be “double tripping.” Double tripping is a term used to describe when a poacher takes a limit of ducks or geese, brings them back to his residence, then goes out again in an attempt to shoot more.
For 12 hours the following day, Hulse watched the four men continue taking overlimits of ducks. At the end of the day, he gathered three members of his squad and contacted the suspects at two different residences. In addition to the 108 ducks the men killed in the two day period, they had freezers full of additional duck meat in various states of processing that made it difficult to count.
Citations were handed to Todd Gregory Owen, 48, and Cody Lee Owen, 21, both of Biggs; Clint Matthew Owen, 24, of Richvale; and Jeffrey Delte, 24, of San Jose.
Hulse offered a special thank you to the Butte County Fish and Game Commission for their recent purchase of high quality binoculars and a spotting scope, without which the case would not have been possible.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Fowl Weather a Boon for Poachers: Butte County Wardens Make Huge Overlimit Case in California
California DFG Offers One-day Turkey Hunting Clinic in March
January 27, 2012
The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Advanced Hunter Education Program is offering a northern California turkey hunting clinic on Saturday, March 3. The clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area near Gridley.
Joe Johnson, a DFG biologist and experienced turkey hunter and instructor, will lead this exciting clinic. Topics to be covered include concepts of decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, equipment, game care and safety.
The clinic will be open to hunters of all ages and skill levels. The cost is $45 for adults. Youths 16 years and younger are free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. DFG’s Advanced Hunter Education Program will provide all necessary class equipment.
Advance registration for the clinic is required. Participants can register online at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/index.aspx. Registered participants will receive an e-mail with a map to the facility and a list of items to bring.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is located approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California DFG Offers One-day Turkey Hunting Clinic in March
California Hunters and Wildlife Both Win With Big Game Fund-Raising Tags
January 19, 2012
Hunters and Wildlife Both Win With Big Game Fund-Raising Tags Random drawings expected to generate more than $250,000 for big game conservation in 2012.
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is pleased to announce four random drawings for big game license tags in 2012. These drawings will raise funds needed for vital wildlife conservation programs.
In 2011, DFG offered two random drawings – one for an open zone deer tag and one for an Owens Valley zone elk tag – which together generated more than $130,000 for conservation. DFG will bring back these tags this year and make two more tags available for random drawing – one northeastern California pronghorn antelope tag and one Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains desert bighorn sheep tag.
Opportunities to win one of the four fund-raising tags are available to all interested hunters. Random tag drawing chances can now be purchased at DFG license sales offices and online, as well as at the upcoming International Sportsmen’s Expositions in Sacramento and Long Beach.
Each chance will cost $5.66 and there is no purchase limit. Purchase of random drawing chances does not require a valid license, but the successful applicants must show proof of a valid 2012-2013 California hunting license to obtain the tag. The application deadline for all tags is June 2, 2012 with the drawings taking place within 10 business days of the deadline.
“In our continued support of hunting and quest to increase hunting and fishing opportunities in California, I’m pleased that our hunters can purchase multiple random drawing fund-raising tag chances for special hunt tags this year,” said DFG Director Charlton H. Bonham.” I am particularly excited that this year we will include a once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn sheep tag as well as a coveted northeastern California pronghorn antelope tag.
“California’s big game conservation and hunting opportunities continue to demonstrate that world-class opportunities are available in this great state. Just this past season two hunters set pending Boone and Crocket State and Pope and Young world records for desert bighorn sheep.”
As an added bonus, San Gorgonio Wilderness Outfitters has offered to provide free guide services to the hunter who wins the Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains desert bighorn sheep tag.
“This is a wonderful offer and commitment by the San Gorgonio folks and demonstrates the great support of one another within the hunting community,” Bonham said.
Hunters who are not selected as winners of one of the four random tag draws are still eligible to bid on any of the 13 fund-raising tags available through auction by DFG’s conservation partners. Frequently asked questions are answered on the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/huntingfaqs.html.
Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - California Hunters and Wildlife Both Win With Big Game Fund-Raising Tags
