Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip. Also a reminder, all calendar items are subject to change as a result of changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Various Days
Bat Talk and Walk Events, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Yolo Basin Foundation is offering a variety of educational programs about the colony of bats that live in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Programs run through September. Join in for a Build a Bat House Workshop, bring your little ones for a morning of crafts, storytelling and bats at Bats and Crafts on Aug. 13, or enjoy a family-friendly evening Bat Walk to watch one of the local bat colonies as they flyout at sunset for their nightly hunt for food. For more information, visit www.yolobasin.org/bats2022.
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. An $11.75 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge. Nature is calling all California families this summer to enjoy some outdoor fun – in your backyard, neighborhood and/or local nature area. Hosted by CDFW’s North Central Region, the Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge is a fun and educational way to explore the natural world around you by completing two scavenger hunts, one provided and the other created by your family. The contest also has an extra credit element of cataloging your findings, just like a scientist. The contest is open all summer with the final deadline for entries on Aug. 31, 2022. To sign up and receive your challenge packet, email Genelle.Treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
Saturday, Aug. 6 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Stargazing, 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Enjoy a stargazing tour of the night sky out in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area with amateur astronomers from the Davis Astronomy Club. This will be a captivating tour of the night sky and will include viewings of constellations, star clusters, galaxies and some unusually colored stars. Also available for viewing will be the first-quarter moon with its stark craters, setting planet Venus and rising planet Saturn with its beautiful rings. The evening’s event will include a short talk about the major constellations and other star groupings, and an orientation of the nighttime sky. As the sun sets, the group will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The cost is $125. For more information and to register, visit www.yolobasin.org/explorer.
Archery and Falconry-Only Tree Squirrel Season Opens (extending through Sept. 9). For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
Saturday, Aug. 13 — General Deer Hunting Season Opens. California’s 2022 general deer season will open in Zone A on Saturday, Aug. 13, and in Zone B-4 on Saturday, Aug. 27. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. Remember to report your deer tags. All deer tags you purchase, whether you hunt or not, must be reported. Successful hunters must report their tags within 30 days of their successful hunt or by Jan. 31, 2023, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are required to report by Jan. 31, 2023. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.
First General Season for Black Bears Opens in Deer Hunting Zone A. 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. 25. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. General season for black bears opens in remaining deer hunting X zones on Oct. 8 and extends through Dec. 25. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs for a description of the current mammal hunting regulations.
Monday, Aug. 15 — Spiny Lobster Report Cards Go on Sale. Sport lobster divers and hoopnetters can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card for the 2022-2023 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.
Wednesday/Thursday, Aug. 17 or 18 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, scheduled for Aug. 17 and/or 18 to be determined. The meeting will be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Saturday, Aug. 20 — Archery Season for Black Bears Opens. Bear may be taken with bow and arrow beginning Aug. 20 in those areas defined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 365(a) as the Northern California, Central California, Southern Sierra, Southern California and Southeastern Sierra areas and will close on Sept. 11. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs for a description of the current mammal hunting regulations and American black bear hunt zone boundary descriptions. 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.
Falconry Season for Pheasant, Quail, Chukar, Ptarmigan and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Opens (extending through Feb. 28, 2023). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
Archery-Only Quail, Chukar and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Seasons Open (extending through Sept. 9). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
Thursday, Aug. 25 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Deer Hunting D3, D4 and D5 Hunt Zones, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This webinar will help those lucky individuals who draw this tag every year. Discussion will focus on the herd dynamics, access points, range movements and other helpful tips to succeed in this popular unit. To register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/184934. For more information, email Shawn.Olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento. The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
Saturday, Aug. 27 — Advanced Hunter Education Clinic: Upland Game Bird Clinic, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 7376 S. Wolfson Road, Los Banos. This clinic will discuss upland game bird hunting. Instructors will cover all upland game birds except turkeys. Participants will learn the biology, regulations, hunting tactics and preparation of upland game birds available in California. To register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/182286. For more information, email Shawn.Olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
Wednesday, Aug. 31 — Public Outreach Meeting on Bay Delta Region Type A Wildlife Areas, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., via Teams. CDFW will take comments and recommendations and provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and possible impacts to hunter access on public lands. State wildlife areas to be discussed are the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Complex. To register and receive a link to the meeting, email Joe.Hobbs@wildlilfe.ca.gov or call (530) 757-2431.
