The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has posted a list of activities designed for outdoor fun and learning, as well as some hunting opportunities statewide in March. As a reminder, all California Department Fish and Wildlife calendar items are subject to change.
Ecological reserves, wildlife areas 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 deadline for multiple hunting opportunities. Spring pig and turkey hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $13.78 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) access permit application for fishing opportunities. Lake Barrett bass survey opportunities are available through the SHARE program. A $13.78 non-refundable application fee is charged for each choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Weekends
Guided Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Tours fill on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
March 7
Flyway Nights Speaker Series - The Diversity, Life Cycle and Leg Use Patterns of Dragonflies, the World’s Most Successful Predators, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., via Zoom. Christofer Brothers, a doctoral candidate in the Animal Behavior Graduate Group, will discuss the diversity within the insect order Odonata, the 300-million-year-old group of insects that are the dragonflies and damselflies of today. He will place special emphasis on some local species that occur in Davis, California, and will also discuss the complex life cycle, mating behavior and ecological role of dragonflies and damselflies. The talk will conclude with insights into his own research on dragonfly legs. To register, visit yolobasin.org/flywaynights. For more information, contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
March 9
Nimbus Fish Hatchery Volunteer Work Party, 9 a.m. to noon, Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. It’s time for some spring cleaning at the hatchery. Come help spruce up the landscape around the Visitor Center by removing invasive species and pulling weeds with the team. Come dressed to get dirty and bring gloves if you have them. Stick around until 11 a.m. to get a public tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. This is a family-friendly event and open to all ages. To sign up, visit the registration page. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River. 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 and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
March 10
White and White-fronted goose season closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
Canada goose season closes in the North Coast Special Management Area. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
March 16
Teachers on the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Teachers on the Reserve (TOR) is an introduction to the habitats and marvelous plants and wildlife on the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. This three-hour Saturday workshop combines informative presentations with topical field activities to prepare teachers to lead experientially rich school field trips for K-12 students to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. For more details and to register, visit elkhornslough.org/reserve/education/educational-workshops.
March 17
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW on the third Sunday of each month 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.kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.
Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Explore the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area with a knowledgeable field trip leader on the third Sunday of each month from October to June. Witness flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, spot migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. To register, visit yolobasin.org/ybwa-tours. For more information, contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
March 23
Additional spring wild turkey season for hunters with junior hunting licenses opens (extending through March 24). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
March 24
Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an experienced reserve docent on a two-mile walk to open the senses on a mindfulness tour around the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
March 26
California Fish and Game Commission meeting, time to be determined, California Natural Resources Building, 715 P St., Second Floor, Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
March 30
General spring wild turkey season opens (extending through May 5). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
