From Sportfishing
Fish Report for 3-5-2009
CDFG Press Release: California Outdoors Q&As
3-5-2009
Marine Management News
Contact: Carrie Wilson, Office of Communications, CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov .
Question: I spend a great deal of time fly fishing with family and
friends in areas designated to be exclusively for catch and release,
artificial barbless lures or flies only. Unfortunately, we usually run
into someone who's either fishing with bait or keeping their catch or
fishing with two rods on stretches where the practice is prohibited. On
the back of our licenses we have the CALTIP phone number to report
poachers, but let's be honest, is a phone call from me going to stop
anyone from breaking the laws that we're witnessing? Should we confront
these obvious violators of the law or leave them be and hope a game
warden shows up sometime? (Scott R.)
Answer: If you see violations in progress or know of people who are
repeatedly breaking the law, I encourage you to use the Department of
Fish and Game (DFG) CALTIP line (888-DFG-CALTIP) or else call your local
sheriff's office which can get the word to dispatch operators to
locate a game warden. The more information you can provide as to
descriptions of the individuals, vehicle descriptions and license plate
numbers, observations of the activities, etc., the better the chance
that law enforcement can find the individuals who are not in compliance
with the law and cite them for their violations.
As far as whether you should approach the anglers or not, I would
consider your own safety first and make your decision based on that. If
the people obviously don't know they are doing something wrong, then
they may appreciate your insight. Otherwise, best to report the
violations and leave it to the game wardens to hopefully take care of
the situation.
Photo: Fly fishing angler - www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA/2009/20090305.asp
Question: In a recent column you said it is legal to donate excess fish
from a multi-day fishing trip to a church or non-profit shelter as long
as no compensation is received. What about a tax deduction? This way the
guys with too many fish donate to the churches, the churches feed the
hungry and the fisherman gets a deduction and doesn't have to worry
about dead fish to clean. Everyone wins! What do you think? (Dick
Langlois)
Answer: Sorry, but while this might sound like a great idea, donated
fish cannot be claimed as a tax deduction because you cannot assign a
value to sport-caught fish. The best thing for anglers to do is to catch
and keep only what they know they will actually use so that they don't
end up with excess fish.
Question: I just received my first order of non-lead ammo for my 270
rifle but am concerned because there is no marking on the casing or
bullet to indicate they are non-lead. They look alarmingly like my
regular leaded ammo. How can I verify the validity of this ammo if I
encounter game wardens in the field who ask? Thanks for your help.
Really enjoy the Q & A section...good stuff. (Gerry M.)
Answer: If you'll be hunting in "Condor Country" and the non-lead
ammunition you will be carrying cannot be easily identified as non-lead,
the best thing to do is to carry the box end with you (or the whole box)
to show to a warden should you get contacted in the field. If you're
thinking the ammo looks alarmingly like lead, we may also!
It's a good idea to make sure that any commercially loaded
ammunition, or bullets for handloading, purchased for use in the
lead-free zone is on the certified lead-free ammunition approved list
found on our Web site at
www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/certifiedammo.html. This site
is updated periodically so check often.
According to Hunter Education Instructor Blaine Nickens, the listed
lead-free ammunition from major cartridge manufacturers can usually be
found in sporting goods stores in and adjacent to the lead-free zone.
There are also small vendors on the certified-ammo list and online
vendor sources for the major commercial offerings that can be
mail-ordered if you do not live in the vicinity of the condor lead-free
zone.
In addition, if you have no evidence that your ammo is compliant with
the non-lead ruling in that area and the game warden thinks it
necessary, the warden can take a sample of your ammo for testing.
More information about hunting in this lead-free area is available
online at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor.
Question: I took a hunter education class in Missouri and have a
hunter's safety card issued from there but recently moved to
California and would like to hunt here. Do I have to complete another
hunter ed course in California or can I just purchase a license using my
old card? Thanks. (Steve H.)
Answer: No, you do not have to take another hunter education course as
long as you can show your certificate proving that you have taken an
approved course in the past. In California, we accept hunter education
certificates from the other states. However, Lt. James Kasper from
DFG's Hunter Education program recommends that everyone should
periodically update their knowledge with a refresher course and the 10
commandments of handling a firearm. Our hunter education program is
always improving and most people do benefit from a refresher.
Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. Her DFG-related question and answer column appears weekly at www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA. While she cannot personally answer everyone's questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov .
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