Wild Turkeys
Credit: CDFW

October 31, 2021 - All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all safety protocols including physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing. For information on how to get vaccinated in California, please visit myturn.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.

Date To Be Determined — Release for Public Review of Updated Draft Conservation Plan Regarding Take of Endangered Species in the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery. The Conservation Plan is a key component of CDFW’s application for an Incidental Take Permit under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act. To receive updates about the public review period, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/whale-safe-fisheries.

Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Hunting Opportunities. The SHARE program is offering new wild pig hunts on the east shore of Lake Berryessa. Deer, pig, bear, waterfowl and upland game hunting are also available this fall through SHARE. An $11.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.

Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). This hour-and-a-half tour will stroll a third of a mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, rabbits, herons, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in northern California, as migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To sign up, please visit Eventbrite(opens in new tab). To purchase a Lands Pass, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 12 people per tour. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, which may include masking and/or physical distancing. Come prepared and be respectful of other visitors. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Weekends — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours(opens in new tab).

Saturdays — Swan Tours. Celebrate the bird migration on the Pacific Flyway this fall and winter! CDFW’s free and popular Swan Tours are set for selective Saturdays from November through January. Held in partnership with Mathews Rice Operation, the tours transverse flooded rice fields north of Marysville. This area boasts the largest overwintering population of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place. To register, please email genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.

3-4 — Marine Protected Area Decadal Management Review Community Meetings, 1 to 3 p.m., virtual event. Join the state in a conversation about the last 10 years of MPA management, research, enforcement and outreach. The Nov. 3 meeting will be for the non-consumptive ocean community while Nov. 4 will be for government agencies. Participants can select the audience with which they most identify, or attend both! Each meeting will be recorded and open to the public and will cover the same information and format. To register, please visit the Nov. 3 Zoom Meeting Registration(opens in new tab) or Nov. 4 Zoom Meeting Registration.(opens in new tab) For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/mpas/management/decadal-review or email mpamanagementreview@wildlife.ca.gov.

6 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone D12. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

6 — White Goose Season Opens in the Imperial County Special Management Area (extends through Jan. 31). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

6 — Tour of the Davis Wetlands, 3 to 5 p.m., Road 30, Davis (95618). Join Yolo Basin Foundation docents for this monthly tour of the City of Davis Wetlands. The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. The tours are appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders, and the group will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours(opens in new tab).

7 — Scaup Season Opens in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, Colorado River and Balance of State Zones (extends through Jan. 31). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

7 — General Deer Season Closes in Zones D11, D13-D15 and X9c. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

8 — Canada Goose Season Opens in the North Coast Special Management Area (extends through Jan. 31). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

8 — Brant Season Opens in the Northern Brant Special Management Area (extends through Dec. 14). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

9 — California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, time to be determined. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

9 — Brant Season Opens in the Balance of State Brant Special Management Area (extends through Dec. 15). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

9 — Technical Pop-Up Shop for Cannabis Cultivators, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 445 Lake Benbow Drive, Garberville (95542). CDFW is offering its second pop-up shop for commercial cannabis cultivators at the Historic Benbow Inn in Garberville. The pop-up shop can review current or upcoming cultivation related projects and provide guidance on remediation activity with one-on-one assistance. CDFW’s Cannabis Permitting and Conservation Engineering staff will be on hand to answer questions. One-on-one meetings can be scheduled at askcannabis@wildlife.ca.gov on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to include “Technical Pop-Up" in the subject line and the preferred time in the message. No walk-ins will be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/cannabis/events.

12 — R3H3 Huddle: “Wild Foods and the Holidays!” noon to 1 p.m., virtual event. Please join the CDFW Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) team and past R3H3 presenters from 2021 for a look at using fish, game and foraged items for holiday meals and more. Need last minute gifts or recipe ideas for gatherings this holiday season? Come spend an hour learning how to turn fish, game and foraged items into gifts, meals and décor! R3H3 is a casual, one-hour, live and informational huddle intended for beginning adult audiences new to hunting, fishing, shooting sports and foraging. Advanced participants are welcome to attend but may find the information too basic. Seating is limited. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/173919(opens in new tab).

13 — Fall Wild Turkey Season Opens Statewide (extends through Dec. 12). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

13 — General Pheasant Season Opens Statewide (extends through Dec. 26). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

13 — Late Season Dove Hunting Opens Statewide (extends through Dec. 27). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

13 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Tour, 9 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Yolo Basin Foundation offers monthly tours of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, October to June. These tours are appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. View seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, look for migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours(opens in new tab). There is a suggested donation of $10 per adult for tours. Donations support the wetlands education programs.

13-14 — Art Under the Oaks, 9:30 to 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Get in touch with nature through art! Participants will learn about the intricate ecological relationships found in an oak woodland and then dive into the basics of painting with a guided watercolor painting session. Basic materials (paint brushes, paints, sketch pads) will be provided. Capacity is limited and registration is required. For more details and to register for either day, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar(opens in new tab).

15 — 2022 Sport Fishing Licenses Available. The 2022 sport fishing licenses become available at various sites. For more information or to purchase a license online, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing.

15 — Nimbus Fish Hatchery Public Webinar: Salmon Dissection, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Explore the fascinating physiology of spawning Chinook salmon by watching the dissection of male and female specimens. Each program will include time for live questions from our audience! To register, please visit the Zoom webinar registration page(opens in new tab).

17 — Cannabis Permitting Workshop, 9:30 to 11 a.m. CDFW, State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) are hosting a free online commercial cannabis cultivation permitting workshop. The free workshop is ideal for new and existing commercial cannabis cultivators and consultants. DCC will provide an overview of the state’s cannabis cultivation licensing program and review their requirements for commercial cannabis farming. CDFW will cover permitting and using the online notification system. The State Water Board will review the cannabis policy and other important information. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/cannabis/events.

18 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 1 p.m., via Zoom. Public welcome. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

20 — Garden Days at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about native plant gardening and help the reserve maintain its new demonstration gardens! Participants will spend time exploring topics in native plant gardening and then spend time working in the gardens. Work changes with the season and may involve weeding, planting or collecting native seeds. All ages and abilities are welcome, but everyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/garden-days-221120(opens in new tab).

20 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Pop-up Information Booth, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Parking Lot A, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Every third Saturday of the month, Yolo Basin Foundation will have a pop-up information booth in Parking Lot A of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It's a great time to visit since volunteers will provide maps of the auto tour route and hiking trails, provide information about what to keep an eye out for and answer questions as visitors set out to explore local wildlife. It is a great time to view migratory waterfowl flying into the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area as they make their way south along the Pacific Flyway. View greater white-fronted geese and snow geese flying in formation, and black-necked stilts, avocets, dowitchers and more shorebirds wading in the waters. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, please visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea(opens in new tab).

21 — General Deer Season Closes in Zone D16. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

22 — Nimbus Fish Hatchery Public Webinar: Salmon Dissection, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Explore the fascinating physiology of spawning Chinook salmon by watching the dissection of male and female specimens. Each program will include time for live questions from our audience! To register, please visit the Zoom webinar registration page(opens in new tab).

27 — Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 3 to 5 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). This guided walk through the reserve's trails helps participants get in touch with their senses. Explore different habitats and their varying cycles and gain a new sense of homecoming within. The tour covers two miles of moderate trail. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/mindfulness-tour(opens in new tab).

28 — General Deer Season Closes in Zone D12. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
Source: CDFW