Pete Thomas Outdoors

How does the Department of Fish and Game control feral pigs?

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: Our class is working on invasive species and would really appreciate it if you could help us with one question. How does the California Department of Fish and Game help with the control of feral pigs? If you could email us back the answer, we would greatly appreciate it (The Alien Hunters or Pam K.).

Answer: It is great to hear from young citizens who are interested in wildlife issues and are actively seeking to educate themselves about these topics! According to DFG Statewide Wild Pig Program Coordinator Marc Kenyon, the California Legislature in 1957 classified the wild pig as a game mammal which then allowed the Department to manage them as wildlife and regulate their harvest. The Department is the agency with responsibility over game animals in the state and because this classification is in statute, only legislative action could change it. However, the California Fish and Game Commission, a separate entity, has recognized that damage from wild pigs does occur and to that end, a policy has been put into effect that states:

"The wild pig population of the state must be controlled to minimize the threat of increasing damage to California’s native plant and animals, to agricultural operations and to park and recreational activities from the foraging habits of the animals. Consistent with State law and regulations, the Department will prepare and recommend to the Commission regulations which enhance recreational hunting and facilitate the issuing of depredation permits and/or other legally available means to alleviate this problem."

Please visit the Fish and Game Commission’s website to understand the difference between the Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission.

Similar to the Commission, the Department works to minimize the impacts pigs cause. To achieve this, we work with private citizens, other government organizations and natural resources conservation partners to, among other things: 1) curtail the spread of wild pigs; 2) protect agricultural, archaeological and environmental resources and private property from damage caused by wild pigs; and 3) facilitate the removal of pigs causing damage.

Legal to drift or anchor boat in river to hunt for waterfowl?

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 it legal to drift down or anchor a boat in a river to hunt for waterfowl? The river is in the "Balance of the State" zone and is surrounded by unincorporated privately owned farmland, with the occasional house or barn visible from the water. I know you cannot discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling or near a public road, and I know that all motors must be out of the water. Would drifting be considered forward motion? (Anonymous)

Answer: Drifting is not considered "under power." What you describe would be legal as long as you access the river from a legal access point, and once you’re hunting, your motion is not due to momentum provided by the motor before it was turned off. You must also take into account the retrieval of the birds you take. Should you take a bird that lands on private property that you do not have the authority to access, you run the risk of a hunting trespass for retrieval, or waste of game if you do not retrieve it. Also, you need to remember not to discharge a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling, and these may be difficult to see from the river. Finally, there may be other state or local ordinances and regulations (such as no shooting zones) or other restrictions that may prevent you from hunting the section of water you want to hunt.

Q: I was surprised to discover the current regulations do not say female Dungeness crabs must be thrown back. Has there been a change in the long standing regulation that required this? Is it now legal to keep the female Dungeness crab, providing all other stipulations are met (size, season, limit, zone)? (Kurt H.)

A: Yes! Sport fisherman may keep the female Dungeness crab – commercial fishermen must throw them back. Since the females are often much smaller and less meaty than the males and lack the large claws, many fishermen toss them back so they can reproduce more young for future generations. The larger females that meet the minimum size requirements also carry the most eggs and produce the most offspring, so it’s beneficial for the population to let the females go. However, there is no law that compels you to do so.

Q: I read where Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into law a bill allowing the mounting and display of these animals in California. Does that mean that mountain lions taken in other states can be brought into California for mounting and display? (Peter B., Los Angeles)

Do crippled birds count toward my bag limit?

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: I was informed that a downed crippled bird that was not recovered, even though a true effort was made to find the downed bird, still counts toward your bag limit. Where is this stated in the regulations? (Aaron W.)

Answer: It is not in regulation. It is an ethical hunter issue. Ethical hunters will make every attempt to find a downed bird. Even if that bird is never located but the hunter knows it was hit, the ethical hunter will still count it towards their bag limit. Ethical hunters do what is right even when they think no one’s looking.

Q: I understand that each person that drops a hoop net must be the same person that retrieves it. How is this going to be monitored? If we have four people in the boat and 10 nets, are we supposed to somehow mark each net to distinguish whose is whose? (Bill J.)

A: The law states that the owner of the hoop net or the person who placed the hoop net into the water shall raise the hoop net to the surface and inspect the contents of the hoop net at intervals not to exceed two hours.

According to Department of Fish and Game Lt. Eric Kord, the intent of this law is to require a minimum checking interval of every two hours at least by whoever placed the net in the water and not to cite somebody for pulling up their buddy’s net. Wardens understand if you are working together as a team, but any net placed into the water is your responsibility to raise and inspect every two hours. Depending on someone else to do that for you may result in you receiving a citation if they fail to comply with this requirement.

Q: Can a private fisherman filet a fresh-caught salmon on the Sacramento River while retaining the carcass? I ask because I am of the opinion the salmon is not a size or weight limit fish. Does this change the answer? (Leslie G.)

Permits required to take youth hunter to public wildlife areas?

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: My son is 11 years old and a licensed hunter. We would like to duck hunt this year at state and federal Wildlife Areas. Does he need a one or two day pass? Does he need any paperwork aside from his license? I would hate for him to be turned away from the check station the morning of our hunt because we were not properly prepared. (Steve H.)

Answer: Persons hunting under the authority of a Junior Hunting License on state Wildlife Areas (or federal areas managed by Department of Fish and Game) where entry permits are required are exempt from the permit and pass requirements, except they must have a no-fee entry permit issued to them. Holders of Junior Hunting Licenses are only eligible for entry permits when accompanied by an adult (18 years or older). One adult may accompany up to two holders of Junior Hunting Licenses. In addition, adults must accompany holders of Junior Hunting Licenses on Type A and Type B areas.

For additional information regarding hunters using Junior Hunting Licenses on state Wildlife Areas, please see sections 551 (f), (g), & (h) in the 2012-2013 Upland Game and Waterfowl Regulations / Regulations for Hunting on Public Lands booklet, available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/.

Additional and specific information regarding entering and hunting on State Wildlife Areas is available for each Area online at www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/index.html.


Q: I have an ongoing debate with a friend and am hoping you can resolve it. Let’s say salmon season is open but I’m drifting for halibut and hook up on a legal-sized salmon on a halibut rig, what is the protocol? I was unable to find anything about this in the regulations booklet, but I did find where it says it is illegal to catch and waste fish. Also, what is the protocol if trolling for salmon with regulation gear and hook up with an untargeted ling cod? If you can cite which code is correct for these situations, I can finally put this to bed. Your help will be greatly appreciated. (Tom C.)

Legal to sell flies made with big-game and waterfowl parts?

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: My friends that hunt big game and waterfowl often give me deer hide or duck wings and body feathers which I use to tie flies for fishing. In the past I have given them flies in return for the hair, fur and feathers. In addition, I have sold flies to a few local sport stores, which may contain materials provided by my hunter friends. Would I be violating Fish and Game laws by trading (bartering) or selling these flies? Granted, these hunters provided materials that make a very small portion of the fly materials used to make flies. However, I grew up among sportsmen in a culture that encouraged the sharing of the harvest (taken by hunting or fishing) and an ethic of utilizing the harvest to the fullest extent (meat, fur, hair and feathers). Please let me know. (Terry T., Davis)

Answer: Yes and No. If the flies you tie are made only with the deer hair your friends have given you, then you may sell them (Fish and Game Code, section 4303). Any of the flies you tie that contain bird feathers from birds lawfully taken in California may not be sold as this would be a violation of multiple sections of the Fish and Game Code (including sections 3039 and 3504).

The law does provide some exceptions for mammals that are taken under a Trapping License or that are raised under a Domesticated Game Breeding License.

Buying and selling parts of bird and mammal species that do not exist in the wild in California are not restricted under this law. For a list of the species that do exist in the wild in California, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/genplantsanimals.html.

Q: If I go out alone and I have 10 hoop nets on my boat, but I only have five baited nets, am I ok or do I need to remove the unbaited nets to comply? (Anonymous)

Is it legal to ship abalone to others as gifts?

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 it legal to ship harvested red abalone as gifts within California and also out of state if the abalone is tagged and still in the shell? If yes, anything else we should be aware of? (Michelle G.)

Answer: There are ways to gift abalone to an out-of-state person, but you would have to abide by the following laws and check with out-of-state officials to make sure they allow importation of abalone. The following laws affect how abalone are shipped out of state:

    •    No more than the legal bag and possession limit of three abalone may be possessed at any time (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.15(c)). Therefore, you cannot ship more that three abalone at a time. Otherwise, the shipper and the person picking up the abalone would be exceeding the possession limit.

    •    It is unlawful for a common carrier or his agent to transport, or offer for transport, or to receive for transportation from, any one person, during any interval of time, more than the bag limit of birds, mammals, fish, or amphibia which may legally be taken and possessed by such person during that interval (Fish and Game Code, sections 2346 and 2347).

    •    Abalone in possession (including transportation) shall not be removed from their shell, except at which time they are being prepared for immediate consumption (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(g)).

    •    Abalone must be shipped whole, in the shell with the tags attached (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(g)).

    •    Any package in which birds, mammals, fish, or amphibia, or parts thereof are offered for transportation to, or are transported or received for transportation by, a common carrier or his agent shall bear the name and address of the shipper and of the consignee and an accurate description of the numbers and kinds of birds, mammals, fish, or amphibia contained therein clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof (FGC, section 2348).

What are the fishing limits, license requirements for children?

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: I was always taught as a kid fishing in the streams in the high Sierras and Mother Lode lakes that a child under 16 had to count their catches under their licensed parent’s or other adult’s license on site.

My question is, can a child capable of catching their own fish without assistance from an adult catch a limit of trout, for example, separate from a licensed adult? I see this come up with parents who want to take their kids fishing (and the kids really want to learn how to fish!), but the parents are not interested enough to buy a fishing license.

I’m interested in taking a group of kids fishing but can’t figure out how many licenses we’ll need and how many fish we can legally take. Some of these kids are too young for a license but really want to catch their own fish. Can you please clarify this for me? (Doug M.)

Answer: A child or young adult 15 years of age or younger does not need a fishing license to catch their own limit of fish. They also do not need to put their catches under an adult guardian’s license limit. All of the same regulations apply for them except the requirement to purchase a fishing license. However, if fishing for sturgeon, abalone, lobster or steelhead (which all need additional report cards), then they will have to purchase those.


Q: What are the rules for hunting wild pigs and where can I find maps or private farms were I can go to hunt them? (Isaac G.)

Is advice on how to get rid of pesky gulls legal to do?

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: There is a video floating around of a local captain offering advice on how to get rid of pesky gulls. He ties sardines (no hooks) to each end of some monofilament line and goes on to explain that one gull will grab the bait, and then all the others will follow.

Is that legal? Seems like birds could get tangled up and die. Introducing mono into the sea also seems to be dangerous to the creatures there. Is this practice acceptable? (Phil F.)

Answer: No, this practice is not legal. Intentionally putting monofilament line into the water is littering. It is also harassment of animals, which is prohibited by Title 14 section 251.1. This provision defines harassment as an "intentional act which disrupts the animal’s normal behavioral patterns, which includes but is not limited to breeding, feeding or sheltering."  From what you describe, the whole point of this practice is to disrupt the gulls' normal behavioral patterns.


Q: If I’m in the field upland bird hunting and a flock of ducks/geese fly overhead, am I allowed to shoot those birds, too? (Robert G.)

A: Yes, but only if the season for waterfowl is open in the area, if you have the required state and federal waterfowl stamps affixed to your license, AND you only have steel or other non-toxic shot in your possession.

Effects of hunting bears and bobcats without dogs

Governor Brown signed SB 1221 on Sept. 26, 2012 to repeal authorization for the use of dogs to pursue bears and bobcats. The DFG has received a large number of questions from the public regarding what effects it may cause. Below are some of those frequently asked questions and answers:

Does SB 1221 affect the current bear hunting season?
  No. The new law will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2013. The 2012 bear hunting season closes on Dec. 30, 2012, or when the DFG determines that 1,700 bears have been taken, whichever occurs first.

What will be the effect on the bear population?
  The DFG does not believe this law will negatively affect the State’s black bear population. Any increase or decrease in the overall bear population will likely be reflective of bear habitat, since habitat quantity and quality have more impact on the bear population than current hunting effort.

Will I be able to surrender and get a refund on my bear or bobcat tag(s)?
  No. Hunters are able to hunt bear and bobcat with dogs through the end of the current season, or until Jan. 1, 2013, whichever occurs first. After that date, hunters retain the ability to take those species during open seasons without the use of dogs.

Will officers kill my livestock guard dog if it inadvertently chases a bobcat or bear?
  This law applies specifically to the take of bear and bobcat as a method of take during regulated hunting seasons. Current laws (Fish and Game Code, sections 3960-3961) allow for the protection of game mammals during the closed season on the animal. If a livestock dog were to attempt to take a bear or bobcat during the open season, it would be considered an unlawful method of take and appropriate enforcement action would be pursued.

While these laws allow for the capture or killing of dogs inflicting injury to certain mammals, DFG staff are careful in exercising its discretion and has rarely used this authority. The DFG does not expect this law to result in an increase in incidents involving the killing or capture of livestock guard dogs.

Will the DFG still meet its bear hunting season quota of 1,700?  
The 1,700 bear harvest cap is not technically a quota. The DFG is not specifically targeting a specific number of bears to be killed each hunting season. This harvest cap exists because the Fish and Game Commission has determined that the bear population and the environment will not be negatively affected at this level of take.

In the past ten years, this cap has been met only three times. The DFG will continue to collect data and information on the bear population. From this data, we will continue to develop information for population trends and propose tag and take levels to the Fish and Game Commission consistent with the DFG’s Black Bear Management Plan.

Where can I find a copy of SB 1221?
  Go to http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/, and in the top right-hand corner under quick search, type SB 1221 next to Bill Number.

If you have a question you would like to see answered in this column, e-mail it to [email protected].

Gull image courtesy of Carrie Wilson. Black bear image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Why is there no season limit on number of waterfowl taken?

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: Why is there no season limit on the number of geese or ducks a hunter can legally take and possess? I hunted ducks with my uncle last year who is retired. He had bought into a private hunting blind and has access from his home to three nearby state or national refuges. Last year his season take on ducks was in excess of 190, and for geese it was 54. He hunted on refuges nine times in addition to his private hunting blind. On refuges, he stood in the "sweat line" to be admitted later in the day. It seems to me that hunters who can afford the $2,000 price tag to hunt private property and who live close enough to the refuges to register in the "sweat lines" are taking an inordinate number of ducks and geese. I’m sure any consideration to impose a take limit would have a severe effect on farmers leasing out their properties, but the opportunities to hunt ducks and geese are being limited to the fortunate few who have the big money to pay for hunting access.

Also, why not impose a limit on the number of times a hunter can gain access on a seasonal basis to all refuges? I submitted 38 lottery reservation cards last year but was not picked once. I would have tried the sweat lines, but to drive 228 miles to take a chance on being admitted, in front of locals who live nearby, are greater odds than being picked in the lottery. (Joe A.)

Answer: Waterfowl are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. According to Department of Fish and Game waterfowl biologist Shaun Oldenburger, restrictions on waterfowl hunting regulations (also called federal frameworks) are established by the USFWS. Laws have been established for the possession of migratory birds during the hunting season. Although there are no season-long limits, there are possession limits. For both ducks and geese, the legal possession limit for an individual is twice the daily bag limit. For example, in California’s Balance of the State Zone, a daily bag limit consists of seven ducks and eight geese, and a maximum of 14 ducks and 16 geese (twice the daily bag limits) are allowed in possession at one time.

Special hunts available in California for first-time hunters?

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: 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 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 younger), 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 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 Hunter Education 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 Hunter Education 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.


Q: 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.)