Sandhill Cranes Return to Central Valley Wintering Grounds

Media Contacts:
David Moore, DFG Bay Delta Region, (707) 766-8380
Kirsten Macintyre, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8988

 

Flying down through Sierra passes with juveniles in tow, the majestic sandhill cranes are coming home to delta habitats where visitors can get a good look. The greater sandhill, summering in northern California, Oregon and Washington, and attaining a height up to five feet with wing span of seven feet, is easy to spot and observe at Woodbridge Ecological Reserve in Lodi this time of year. The slightly smaller lesser sandhill subspecies is also viewable at the reserve as it returns from its summer respite in Alaska.

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Both the greater and lesser sandhills will winter in the Central Valley from October through February.

 

Cranes have long been attributed with a “helpful nature,” as their social bonding behaviors draw much interest. Fifteen species of cranes are found worldwide and are revered in many cultures. The greater and lesser sandhill cranes of the Pacific Flyway are silver in color, the adults are distinguished with deep red crown markings that are not feathers, but are actually skin surface.

 

The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is located off of Woodbridge Road, north of Lodi and east of Interstate 5. The South Unit is open seven days a week for visitation and a series of interpretive panels provides guidance for recognizing and appreciating these marvelous birds. DFG manages the reserve with annual flooding of the reserve and mowing of grasses to create the habitat required for crane family “roosting” and “loafing.”

 

Docent led tours are also available the first three Fridays and Saturdays of the month. A donation of $10 per adult is suggested. Visitors should pre-register online at www.dfg.ca.gov/delta/cranetour. Tours begin an hour and a half before sundown as the cranes fly in to the reserve’s North Unit. This area is only accessible to visitors on the tour.

Lodi’s 15th Annual Sandhill Crane Festival will also be held Nov. 4-6. More information about the festival may be found at www.cranefestival.com.

Special Pheasant Hunting Opportunities Offered In North Central Region

Media Contacts:
North Central Region Hunter Info Line, (916) 358-2839
Sara Holm, DFG Wildlife Branch, (530) 346-6305
Dana Michaels, DFG Communications, (916) 322-2420 

Hunters seeking opportunities during the upcoming pheasant season can visit the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Upland Game Bird Stamp Program’s webpage to apply online. It lists numerous hunts statewide, including opportunities in DFG’s North Central Region, which includes Plumas, Sierra, Butte, Glenn, Lake, Colusa, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Sacramento, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras and San Joaquin counties.

DFG’s North Central Region will offer two pheasant apprentice youth hunts at Highland Springs and Headwater’s Honker Preserve, one wild bird apprentice youth and one wild bird family pheasant hunt at Little Dry Creek (Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area), and eight apprentice women, youth or mobility impaired pheasant hunts at Nelson Slough in the Feather River Wildlife Area. Applications and information are available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/gamebird.

Hunters must create an account using a valid e-mail address and submit an application with their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. Hunters may apply only once for each hunt, either as an applicant or as a guest. Submitting multiple applications will result in disqualification.

To apply online you will need a valid e-mail address, hunter’s name, address and phone number, 2011-2012 hunting license GO ID and, if applicable, information about mobility impairment and special accommodations needed.

Hunters will be selected by a computerized drawing for only one hunt, and only successful applicants will be notified.

Special hunts are provided in cooperation with many volunteer organizations. The purchase of an Upland Game Bird Stamp supports these special hunts and other programs that provide additional Upland Game Bird hunting opportunities. All upland game bird hunters, except those with Junior hunting licenses, must purchase an Upland Game Bird Stamp.

Recreational Spiny Lobster Season Opens Saturday

Media Contact:
Andrew Hughan, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8944
Kristine Barsky, Marine Region, (805) 985-3114

Recreational Spiny Lobster Season Opens Saturday

The sport season for California’s spiny lobster opens at one minute after midnight, Saturday, Oct. 1, and continues through March 21, 2012.

A California Spiny Lobster off the Southern California Coast. DFG photo by Derek Stein

Regulations governing the sport take of spiny lobster have helped to preserve the tradition of lobster diving and hoop netting in Southern California. The 2011-12 spiny lobster season regulations include:

• Anglers (16 years or older) must possess a valid sport fishing license, enhancement stamp and a lobster report card.
• Children who are under 16 and fishing for lobster must possess a lobster report card.
• Lobster report cards need to be filled out while you are on your fishing trip. Prior to the start of your fishing activity, the card holder must record the month, day, location and gear code on the card.
• When finished fishing or changing locations the fishermen must immediately record the number of lobster taken from that location.

A California Spiny Lobster off the Southern California Coast. DFG photo by Derek Stein

Lobster report cards must be returned to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) by the end of January of the following year regardless of whether you used the card or were able to catch any lobster. This information is extremely valuable for management, so please don’t forget to turn in your cards. Anglers who fill up a report card can turn in their card and purchase another.

• Spiny lobster taken must measure at least 3 1/4 inches in length, and are measured in a straight line on the mid-line of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell.
• The daily bag and possession limit is seven lobsters.
• Divers may take lobsters by hand only.
• For those catching lobster with a Type B hoop net, the upper ring or rings shall be connected to the bottom ring and supported by no more than six rigid support arms, and the assembled frame shall measure no more than 10 inches tall. This is a change in the regulations not printed in the Ocean Regulations or the supplement.
• No more than five hoop nets may be possessed by a person when taking spiny lobster or crab. No more than 10 hoop nets may be possessed aboard a vessel, regardless of how many fishermen are onboard.

DFG has fish samplers working at many launch ramps and beaches, and they’re anxious to interview anglers and measure their lobsters to collect information on this valuable fishery.

The complete set of spiny lobster regulations are contained in the 2011-12 Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet, found online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations and wherever fishing licenses are sold. More information about California’s spiny lobster is available on the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.
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