All calendar items are subject to change.

October 2, 2024 - 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.

Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadlines for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program, with two new hunts this fall. Juniors can apply for two guided deer hunts on Catalina Island and hunters may apply for a four-person blind for waterfowl hunting in Yolo County. A $13.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.

Various Days — Guided Wetland Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The half-mile walking route can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is 15 people, by reservation only. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Various Days — General Bear Season Opens in Select Deer Zones. General black bear season will open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extend through Dec. 29. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. For those portions of zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins on Oct. 12 and extends through Dec. 29. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. The bag and possession limit for either archery or general season is one adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll free (888) 277-6398.

2 — California Spiny Lobster Commercial Fishing Season Opens Statewide. For more information on commercial lobster management, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/invertebrates/commercial-regulations.

4 — Wildlife Conservation Board Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee Meeting, 10 a.m. to noon, California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). This will be a hybrid meeting. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

5 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Northeastern Waterfowl Zone. For more information about regulations, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

5 — General Deer Season Opens in Zones D19, X1, X2, X3a, X3b, X4, X5a, X5b, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

5 — Archery-Only Deer Season Opens in Zone D12. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

5-6 — Early Season Junior Hunt for Quail in the Mojave National Preserve. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

6 — 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 Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Enjoy the 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/10/6/2024-saltmarsh-tour(opens in new tab). 

9-10 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, 9 a.m. Wed. and 8:30 a.m. Thurs., Natural Resources Headquarters Building Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

12 — General Deer Season Opens in Zones D11, D13-15 and D17. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

12 — General Bear Season Opens in the Remaining X Zones. General bear season opens in deer hunting zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b in areas open to bear hunting. The general bear season will remain open until Dec. 29, or until CDFW determines that 1,700 bears have been taken. All hunters must get their tag validated and present the bear head for tooth extraction by CDFW personnel. Current bear hunting regulations, in-season updates and general black bear information can be viewed at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear.

12 — Early Archery-Only Season for Pheasant Opens (extending through Nov. 3). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

12 — 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/10/12-creek-cleanup(opens in new tab).  

12 — 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 on the second Saturday of each month. 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. The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages, first come, first served with a maximum group size of 25 people. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.

18 — 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 wetlands 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/10/18-friday-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab). 

19 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone X9c. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

19 — General Season for All Quail Opens in Zone Q1 and Zone Q3 (extending through Jan. 26, 2025). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

19 — General Season for Chukar Opens Statewide (extending through Jan. 26, 2025). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

19 — General Season for Snipe Opens Statewide (extending through Feb. 2, 2025). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

19 — 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 Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Enjoy the 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/10/19-saltmarsh-tour(opens in new tab). 

20 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW 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, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.

23 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Colorado River Waterfowl Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

25-27 — Beer, Bands & Bitterbrush Stands, 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. Sunday, 2634 Beckwourth Calpine Road, Beckwourth (96129). Join volunteers with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) to restore wildlife habitat and plants of cultural significance to the Washoe Tribe within the burn scar of the Loyalton Fire at CDFW’s Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area. The second-annual public land planting event will be followed by a community celebration in the nearby town of Portola, featuring live bands, wild foods, on-site camping, raffles and silent auctions to raise money for conservation. For more information, visit the Beer, Bands, & Bitterbrush Stands webpage(opens in new tab).

26 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Waterfowl Zones. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

26 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone D16. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

26 — 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 1/3 mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, rabbits, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in northern California, and migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. Tours begin on Oct. 26 and continue every weekend. 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, visit the Eventbrite page(opens in new tab). To purchase a Lands Pass, visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 25 people per tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

26 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/10/26/community-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab). 

27 — Nature Quest, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Join the Friends of Ballona Wetlands, Los Angeles Zoo and Cosplay For Science for an exciting quest at the Ballona Ecological Reserve! Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon's Market. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/09/27/quest(opens in new tab).  

28 — Wildlife Conservation Board 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Workshop, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Arts Council at Old City Hall, 1313 Market Street, Redding (96001). This in-person workshop is for the public to provide input on WCB’s goals and objectives for the next five years. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

28 — California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest Opens. CDFW is accepting entries through Dec. 6 for the annual California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The winner will be featured on the 2024-25 California Upland Game Bird Stamp. For contest rules and entry forms, visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.

30 — Wildlife Conservation Board 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Workshop, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Japanese American Citizen League, 424 Adams Street, Monterey (93940). This in-person workshop is for the public to provide input on WCB’s goals and objectives for the next five years. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
Source and photo: CDFW