From Sportfishing
Fish Report for 3-19-2009
CDFG Press Release: California Outdoors Q&As
3-19-2009
Marine Management News
Contact: Carrie Wilson, Office of Communications, CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov .
Question: This will be my first year turkey hunting and I need pointers
on where to go and what to look for. I live in the Modesto area but will
go anywhere for a good hunt. Also, I noticed that the shooting stop time
is 4 p.m. everyday. Why is this when the days are only getting longer?
It seems way too early. Thanks for any help. (Paul L., Modesto)
Answer: Spring turkey season is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy
our beautiful state. The season opens March 28 this year and runs for 37
days through May 3 for the general season (spring archery and spring
season for Junior Hunting License holders are extended from May 4
through 17).
Photo: Wild Spring Turkeys - www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA/2009/20090319.asp
Shooting hours for the spring wild turkey season is always one-half
hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. The reason for the early stop time in the
spring (versus the stop time of sunset in the fall) is because the
spring season occurs during turkey breeding season. Only the toms (and
bearded hens) may be taken in the spring to allow the hens to nest
successfully. The goal is to maximize the opportunities for hunters to
take turkeys while protecting nesting hens. Setting this early shooting
stop time gives the birds a break from hunting pressure.
Turkeys typically roost communally and may have only one or no more
than a few trees where they roost at night. They become more vulnerable
toward the end of the day as they return to their preferred roost. If
the turkeys are disturbed along the way by gun shots, they may select
unfamiliar roosting areas, thus making themselves more vulnerable to
predation.
Turkeys are found throughout much of the state and their population is
on the increase. Turkeys primarily occupy mixed oak and pine woodlands
and, sometimes in the Central Valley, river bottom habitat. Much of
their preferred habitat is privately owned but if you lack permission to
access private lands, there are also good opportunities on public lands.
Turkeys can be found on portions of almost all national forests
statewide. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Wildlife Areas in Northern
California also have good turkey hunting opportunities. Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) lands have turkey populations but tend to be smaller
parcels that are often difficult to access. Some local government lands
may also be open to hunting.
Finding a place to hunt requires doing some homework. Once you find an
area that you are interested in hunting, obtain a map to ensure that you
are not trespassing. BLM maps of public lands are produced at 1:100,000
scale statewide. U.S. Forest Service maps are also available for each
national forest. Both can be obtained by visiting their local offices.
While there, you might ask if they know a good place to hunt turkeys.
You should also ask if there have been changes in ownership of the lands
you intend to access since the maps were printed.
DFG resources: DFG has an excellent Web site at
www.dfg.ca.gov/about/hunting/. Specifically, look in the
Upland/Small Game section and click on the "regulations" link. For
publications, the "Hunting Digest (spring 2009 edition)" and the
"Hunting Guide for Wild Turkeys" are excellent resources for
tips, special hunts and maps. They can both be downloaded at the above
site or are often found at your local DFG office. Finally, check out the
"Where to Hunt" section for maps and information. Maps of DFG
Wildlife Areas can be printed directly from www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/.
Question: I know chicken livers and such are used in freshwater for
catfish but someone told me that this type of bait is illegal in salt
water (I have heard that a couple of people were cited for using chicken
meat and organs on the Manhattan Beach Pier). I can't find anything in
the regulation booklet that says it's illegal. Can you confirm this?
Thanks. (Eric M., Huntington Beach)
Answer: There is nothing illegal about using chicken livers, meats or
organs as bait in saltwater either. Generally, if the regulations don't
specifically state that something is illegal or cannot be used it is
legal.
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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