Fishing in Mariposa County
Sierra Sun Times file photo
All calendar items are subject to change.
August 2, 2025 - 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. A $14.86 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — Bat Talk and Tour, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join the Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields before watching the flyout of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. The bats emerge in long ribbons as they head out to hunt insects for the night. For more information and to register, visit yolobasin.org/battalkandtour(opens in new tab).
2 — Archery and Falconry-Only Tree Squirrel Season Opens (extending through Sept. 12). For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
3 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 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, teaching 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. The 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/7/6/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
9 — Upper Butte Basin Clean-Up Day, 8 a.m., Howard Slough, 9256 Highway 162, Butte City (95920). The Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area will again be hosting volunteers who would like to help prepare Little Dry Creek, Llano Seco and Howard Slough for the upcoming waterfowl season. All family members are encouraged to participate as the day will be educational, entertaining and beneficial to the operations of the wildlife area. Water will be available, but volunteers are welcome to bring non-alcoholic refreshments. Volunteers should also bring outdoor work clothes, boots and waders if available, tools (gloves, hammers, pruning shears, rakes, shovels, etc.), sunscreen and mosquito repellant. We will begin at 8 a.m. at the main office at Howard Slough and work until about noon before returning to the office for lunch. Arrive early to sign up and enjoy some breakfast snacks. For more information, contact the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area office at (530)982-2169.
9 — First General Season for Black Bears Opens in A Zone. 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. 28. 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. 11 and extends through Dec. 28. 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, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free 888-277-6398.
12 — Grow Native! Gardening Club, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Ballona Discovery Park, 13110 Bluff Creek Dr., Los Angeles, (90094). Roll up your sleeves to help beautify Ballona Discovery Park! Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort you put in to clear out invasive vegetation gives our slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Healthy plant life is vital for a healthy ecosystem! For more details about the event and to register, visit https://www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/8/12/gardening-club.
12 — Tribal Committee, Sacramento, time and exact location to be determined. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
13-14 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, Sacramento, time and exact location to be determined. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
15 — Spiny Lobster Report Cards Go on Sale. Sport lobster divers and hoopnetters can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card for the 2025-26 lobster season on CDFW’s Online License Sales site at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales, at sporting goods stores and tackle shops or by phone at (800) 565-1458. The 2025-26 recreational lobster season opens at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
16 — Saltwater Marsh Tour/ Caminata Bilingüe por Nuestra Marisma de Agua Salada, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Come visit and see Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, where you’ll learn about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants as you journey through different habitats. You might even see some of the local wildlife. This tour is intended to serve a Spanish speaking audience and will be primarily in Spanish. For more details about the event and to register, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8tghhx7/lp/e38d3114-ae11-4b41-bb3c-50437c4c3955.
16 — Archery-Only Quail, Chukar and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Seasons Open (extending through Sept. 5). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
16 — Archery Season for Black Bears Opens. Archery bear season in all bear zones opens Aug. 17 and runs through Sept. 7. 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, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free 888-277-6398.
16 – Archery Deer Season Opens in Several Zones. Archery deer season opens in many deer zones across the state, including B1-3, B5-6, D3-5 and D6-10. https://wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
25 — Hunter Input Meeting for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges, 4-6 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, the availability of water for wetlands, avian influenza and hunting access opportunities. State lands to be discussed are the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas, including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.
28 – California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m. Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, located at the CNRA Headquarters Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento, 95814. The public is welcome. For more information, visit WCB webpage.
30 — Birding with Pride! 8 a.m.-11 a.m., 6520 Pacific Ave., Los Angeles, (90293). Friends of Ballona Wetlands invite 2SLGBTQ+ communities to join a birding nature walk in honor of Pride Month. The Ballona Wetlands is the second largest open space and the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Outdoor spaces like Ballona should be a space where people of any identity feel safe and welcome. For more details about the event and to register, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ky5fatv/lp/8f8d4f68-56ed-493e-a27b-b08ac96eaba0.
Source: CDFW
