Credit: CDFW
August 17, 2019 - SONORA, California – Bow hunting season begins Aug. 17 and Stanislaus National Forest officials urge hunters to know which roads and trails are open and accessible.
“The forest experienced significant snowfall last winter and temperatures remained unseasonably cool for longer than usual,” said Sarah LaPlante, Summit/Mi-Wok District Ranger. “Some roads and trails remain closed until we can remove known hazards, such as dead and down trees. The heavy snow meant our employees couldn’t access roads and trails and prepare them for the summer season until recently.”
Ranger district staff have been opening roads and trails as quickly as possible, LaPlante added. “This unusual spring has us working with partners like Kennedy Meadows to increase our ability to mitigate those hazards so we can open roads and trails.”
Three roads remain closed on the Summit Ranger District: Forest Road 5N95 (Hell’s Half Acre), 5N09X and FR 6N06 (Fence Creek Road).
To find which trails are open and accessible, visit the Stanislaus National Forest recreation web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/stanislaus/recreation.
“In addition to these closures, we want to remind visitors that we enacted temporary fire restrictions in Moderate and High Hazard Areas July 26 that are in effect through the end of the fire season,” LaPlante added.
Forest Order STF-16-2019-13 (high hazard area) and Forest Order STF-16-2019-14 (moderate hazard area) prohibit campfires, cook stoves and smoking outside developed campgrounds, except in the developed recreation sites. To see the fire restrictions, visit https://go.usa.gov/xRjQ5.
Check with your local Stanislaus National Forest office for more information:
Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office: 209-532-3671
Calaveras Ranger District: 209-795-1381
Groveland Ranger District 209-962-7825
Summit Ranger District at 209-965-3434
Source: Stanislaus National Forest
Archery season begins Saturday August 17, 2019 for California Hunting Zone D6/D7
August 17, 2019 - Clovis, CA. – Archery season will begin in California Hunting Zone D6/D7, on the Sierra National Forest (SNF) on Saturday August 17, 2019.
“We encourage all hunters and visitors to exercise caution when traveling through the forest and especially when choosing a location for hunting” said SNF Supervisor Dean A. Gould. With areas that have burned and the high degree of tree mortality the risk of trees falling increases significantly.
When entering a burned area, potential hazards include: loose rocks, falling trees and limbs, flash flooding and debris flows when raining; and portions of the trail may be damaged or blocked. “I advise everyone to do their research before the trip and be prepared for changing conditions. Know your destination; preparedness, to include ensuring you have emergency communication capability, and minimizing your risk to exposure are the best tools you have,” stated Gould. Be sure to tell family members where you’re going, what your plan is, and when you will be home or back to camp.
For information on California hunting rules, regulations, and safety select this link California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
When hiking or hunting in the Sierra National Forest this time of year, always wear bright, colorful easily seen clothing. Select this link for a few tips from the American Hiking Society on hiking safely during hunting season.
For information regarding the Sierra National Forest, the High Sierra Ranger District office in Prather, CA. at 559-855-5355, Bass Lake Ranger District North Fork, CA. at 559-877-2218, or the Forest Supervisors office in Clovis, CA. at 559-297-0706. You can also find information about Hunting online at sierra/recreation/hunting
Source: Sierra National Forest
