Recent sunny day at Cosumnes River Preserve Credit: CDFW
All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
February 1, 2024 - Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Spring pig and turkey hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $13.78 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — White Goose Late Season Opens in the Imperial County Special Management Area. The season is open Feb. 1-2, 5-9 and 12-20. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
1 — Deadline to Report on Bear Tag. All bear tag holders are required to report on their tag regardless of whether they were successful, unsuccessful or did not hunt bear. The deadline for reporting on a bear hunt tag is Feb. 1, 2024. After the Feb. 1 deadline, the online reporting system will lock hunters out from reporting. Hunters who miss the online reporting window can and should still mail in their tags to the address on the tag. All bear tags postmarked after Feb. 1 will be considered late. Tags can be reported online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales(opens in new tab).
2 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/2/2/friday-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab).
3 — Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Granite Regional Park, 8200 Ramona Ave., Sacramento (95826). It’s trout season in Sacramento! Join CDFW at Youth Beginner Fishing Clinics, held twice a month at local parks on Saturdays in January through March. These free fishing clinics are for beginners ages 5-15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation and hopefully to catch their first fish. All materials are provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about Fishing in the City and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city/sac. To learn more about Fishing in the City opportunities in other areas, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city.
3-4 — Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, Colorado River and Balance of State Zones. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
4 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 3 to 5 p.m., 45400 County Rd 28H, Woodland (95776). The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. During the tour, participants will caravan along well-maintained gravel roads on the auto tour route. Multiple stops will offer guests an up-close encounter with a diverse array of bird species that inhabit the expansive 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands. Registration is required to attend. To register, please visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours(opens in new tab). For more information, please contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
4 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon's Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/2/4-saltmarsh-tour(opens in new tab).
7 — White and White-fronted Goose Late Season Opens in the Northeastern Zone (closing March 10). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
7 — Informational public meeting for Clear Lake Hitch Draft Study Plan, 11 a.m. to noon, via Teams webinar. CDFW is hosting a virtual informational public meeting to present the draft study plan: Instream Flow Evaluation for Clear Lake Hitch Passage in Tributaries of the Clear Lake Watershed, Lake County. For more information, please visit: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=219761&inline(opens in new tab).
8 — Flyway Nights Speaker Series, 7 to 9 p.m., via Zoom. Yolo Basin Foundation, in collaboration with CDFW, is embarking on the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Public Access and Education Capital Improvement Project. Supported by state funding, this project aims to make targeted enhancements to public access, education and community engagement within the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Public participation is crucial to ensure these targeted improvements align with the community’s needs and aspirations. The public is encouraged to share thoughts, ideas and suggestions to create a welcoming and enriching environment for everyone. To register, please visit the event registration page(opens in new tab).
10 — Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River! Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, please call (916) 358-2884 or email Molly.Shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
10 — Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Milt Brandt Visitors Center & Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery, 3288 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville (95441). Join CDFW at one of California's biggest and best celebrations of the endangered steelhead trout, which return annually to the Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery at Lake Sonoma to spawn the next generation of fish. Attendees at this free event can view nature exhibits and learn about environmental stewardship, preservation of natural resources and protection of threatened and endangered species. For more information, please visit www.steelheadfestival.org(opens in new tab).
10 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/2/10-creek-cleanup(opens in new tab).
10-11 — Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and Balance of State Zones. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
12 — Canada Goose Late Season in the North Coast Special Management Area (closing March 10). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
14-15 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined, California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Second Floor, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
15 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 9 a.m., California Natural Resources Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The public is welcome. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
15-18 — Bart Hall San Diego Show, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar (92014). CDFW will be returning to the Bart Hall show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. CDFW staff will be onsite and available to answer questions and hear concerns. For more information, please visit hallshows.com(opens in new tab).
16 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/2/16/friday-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab).
17 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon's Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/2/17-saltmarsh-tour(opens in new tab).
17 — Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Howe Community Park, 2201 Cottage Way, Sacramento (95825). It’s trout season in Sacramento! Join CDFW at Youth Beginner Fishing Clinics, held twice a month at local parks on Saturdays in January through March. These free fishing clinics are for beginners ages 5-15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation and hopefully to catch their first fish. All materials are provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about Fishing in the City and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city/sac. To learn more about Fishing in the City opportunities in other areas, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city.
17 — White and White-fronted Goose Late Season Opens in the Balance of State Zone (closing Feb. 21). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
17-18 — Canada Goose Late Season in the Balance of State Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
18 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW on the third Sunday of each month for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft! Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, please email Julia.Kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.
18 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Explore the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area with a knowledgeable field trip leader on the third Sunday of each month from October to June. Witness flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, spot migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. To register, please visit yolobasin.org/ybwa-tours(opens in new tab). For more information, please contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
24 — Community Habitat Restoration at the Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Spend the day with the Friends of Ballona Wetlands helping to restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Let’s roll up sleeves and get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/2/25/community-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab).
Source: CDFW
