In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly California Outdoors Q&A column:
Question: Is the Crab Hawk legal for use in California during open crabbing season? The ads say it is not a trap, and because it opens, crabs would not be damaged should they need to be released. Please clarify this for me and cite the appropriate section in the event you determine it is illegal. (Dennis J.)
Answer: The Crab Hawk traps are indeed traps and are not legal as sold because California state law requires traps to possess escape rings.
According to Department of Fish and Game Lt. Dennis McKiver, crab traps are required to have at least two rigid circular openings of not less than four and one-quarter inches inside diameter so constructed that the lowest portion of each opening is no lower than five inches from the top of the trap (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.80(c)).
Traps that are not specifically provided for in this section may not be used for crabs or other invertebrates. The Crab Hawk trap is not specifically provided for, nor does it meet standards for crab traps in California, so it is not legal to use in the state.
Q: I am a California resident and get a yearly California license with the Colorado River stamp. I also buy a yearly nonresident Arizona fishing license in that state with no Colorado River stamp. Now the question is can I fish from the Arizona side in the river or launch my boat in Lake Havasu and be legal with what I have, or do I need an Arizona Colorado River stamp in addition to the California one? (John C., Banning)
Q: In a very heated discussion in a duck blind recently, I was challenged to a bet over whether there is public land that requires the usage of steel shot for doves and quail. We eliminated the obvious like refuges, military bases like Camp Roberts and Hunter Liggett, and areas like the San Luis Wildlife Area.
Can you please clarify this situation or point me in the right direction? My friend feels very strongly that the condor zones have not only changed where we can use lead shot but also those requirements have flown down to other areas. (Don S.)
A: There have been no recent changes in the use of lead shot for small game including birds within the condor range.
According to DFG Lt. Todd Tognazzini, steel shot is only required for taking all game/nongame on some military bases, National Wildlife Refuges and Wildlife Areas. Lead shot may be used for taking all game birds (excluding waterfowl, of course) and small game (rabbits and tree squirrels) within the condor range.
Q: How do the fundraising tags affect the other big game draw tags? I know we are only allowed two deer tags per season. If someone applies for both deer zone tags and the fundraising open zone deer tag and then by chance is drawn for the open zone deer tag, would the open zone deer tag then be the first deer tag? I want to apply for the fundraising tag but don’t know how it will affect my regular deer tags? (Madrigal A.)
A: Hunters are limited to no more that two deer tags each season. According to DFG License Program Analyst Glenn Underwood, if you were fortunate enough to draw the fund raising deer tag, you would have to surrender either your first or second deer tag (your choice) prior to issuance of the open zone deer fund-raising tag.
DFG has a list of frequently asked questions that are similar to the one you asked available at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/huntingfaqs.html.
If you have a question you would like to see answered in this column, e-mail it to [email protected].
Dungeness crab image courtesy of Carrie Wilson
No offense i love using the crab hawk. The CrabHawk is awesome! The first time I took it out I caught a 4 lb spider crab! It's so much easier to carry then those big bulky hoop ring nets.
Posted by: Anglingadventures | Jul 11, 2012 at 04:44 AM
This rule is not even logical, when it comes to crab catchers or traps such as the crabhawk. It makes no sense to have 4 1/4" ring openings. It's spring loaded and remains OPEN until you pull it closed when reeling it in. This should be changed!!
Posted by: Ted | May 20, 2012 at 03:52 PM