February has some opportunities for hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts, offered through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Various days during the month feature the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) access permit application deadline for multiple hunting opportunities. Spring turkey hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $12.70 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Guided Wetland Tours are also offered by reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a half-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is 15 people. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Discover the Flyway School Program is hosted throughout the month at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. Its goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. This school year, Yolo Basin Foundation is offering teachers three options: the chance to bring students to a field trip to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the opportunity to have Yolo Basin educators and docents bring the program to their classroom or the option to participate from school or home in a live, virtually led activity. Teachers can learn more and register at www.yolobasin.org/schoolprograms.
Weekends feature the Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 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. Capacity is limited and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours.
Scheduled on Saturday, Feb 18 is the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Pop-up Information Booth, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Parking Lot A, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Every third Saturday of the month, Yolo Basin Foundation will have the information booth in Parking Lot A of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It is a great time to visit since volunteers will be present to hand out maps of the auto tour route and hiking trails, provide information about what to keep an eye out for and answer questions as visitors set out to explore local wildlife. Come visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area during this time of magical migrations. Waterfowl, geese, swans and more are making their way south along the Pacific Flyway. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea.
Restoration Grant Funding and Permitting Online Workshop is set for Thursday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to noon. CDFW will host an online workshop to provide an update on grant funding available for restoration projects as well as permitting tools through CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape Program. This meeting is to be held via webinar. For more information, view the public meeting announcement or visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/watersheds/restoration-grants.
