Fishing Report: 2/20/13
Question: Why do lobster report cards run calendar year (January to December) instead of from the beginning of the season (October) to the end (March)? It would be less labor-intensive and more accurate to receive landing data once a year rather than twice a year, and you wouldn't be charging fishermen double to be able to fish the full season.
Question: What's the latest on the special big-game tags this year? Will any new tags be available via the random drawing system?
Question: A friend told me state Fish and Wildlife fish hatcheries are now producing and stocking triploid fish. Is this true?
NAPA This week I asked a few people to play a word association game with "Napa." The most frequent responses were: "wine," "wineries," "grapes," "romantic," and "vacation." A few others turned up: "Snobby" and "wine snobs."
Modesto-area fishing report
Question: My son is 11 years old and a licensed hunter. We would like to duck hunt this year at state and federal Wildlife Areas. Does he need a one- or a two-day pass? Does he need any paper work aside from his license? I would hate for him to be turned away from the check station the morning of our hunt because we were not properly prepared.
Question: My friends that hunt big game and waterfowl often give me deer hide or duck wings and body feathers which I use to tie flies for fishing. In the past I have given them flies in return for the hair, fur and feathers. In addition, I have sold flies to a few local sport stores, which can contain materials provided by my hunter friends. Would I be violating Fish and Game laws by trading (bartering) or selling these flies?
Question: Is it legal to ship harvested red abalone as gifts within California and also out of state if the abalone is tagged and still in the shell? If yes, anything else we should be aware of?
Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 1221 on Sept. 26 to using dogs to pursue bears and bobcats illegal. The DFG has gotten a lot of questions from the public regarding what effects it may cause. Below are some of those frequently asked questions and answers:
• BEST BETS — Millerton and Pine Flat bass action has improved. ... San Luis stripers steady. ... Kaweah bass continue hitting ... Albacore action out of Morro Bay. ... McSwain trout bite good. ... Delta striper action heats up. ... New Melones bass feeding.
Question: Why is there no season limit on the number of geese or ducks a hunter can legally take and possess? I hunted ducks with my retired uncle last year. He had bought into a private hunting blind and has access from his home to three nearby state or national refuges. Last year he took in excess of 190 ducks and 54 geese. He hunted on refuges nine times in addition to his private hunting blind.
Question: I haven't hunted for pheasant in years but would like to introduce my daughter to the sport. I've heard the Department of Fish and Game holds special pheasant hunts for new apprentice and returning hunters and that these hunts are paid for with funds generated by the upland game bird stamps that licensed hunters buy.
VALLEY
Most foods taste better when eaten on a backpacking trip. After an exhausting day on the trail, nothing is better than a good meal, and many things I would think twice about eating at home suddenly sound delicious.
• VALLEY
Question: While out lobster fishing last weekend, I caught a lobster with a tag attached to it. What should I do with it? — Anonymous, San Diego
Question: My parents have 370 acres of land in the Blue Lakes area. We have harvested a few feral hogs and I am thinking about trying to start a guide service. What steps do I need to take to become a guide? Also, are we required to purchase licenses and tags to hunt on our family's private property, or is it only required for federal and public land? I have been buying hunting licenses and tags to hunt on public land, but I was told we didn't need to on our land.
VALLEY
