Hunting Licenses, Big Game Drawing Applications Now Available

Media Contacts:
Maria Melchiorre, DFG License and Revenue Branch, (916) 928-6881
Brad Burkholder, DFG Wildlife Branch, (916) 445-1829
Kirsten Macintyre, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8988

Hunters can now purchase 2012-2013 hunting licenses and apply for the Big Game Drawing online, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced. Transactions can be conducted at any DFG license sales office, license agent or online.

All premium deer hunt tags, and elk, antelope and bighorn sheep tags are awarded through the DFG Big Game Drawing. To qualify for the Big Game Drawing, the sales transaction must be completed before midnight on June 2, 2012. When the transaction is complete, the customer will receive a receipt to show their hunt choices have been entered in the drawing. Mail-in applications will not be accepted. Beginning June 22, hunters can contact a DFG license sales office or look online to check the results.

To find a license agent near you or to purchase items online, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing. To learn more about the Big Game Drawing application process, please view the 2012 California Hunting Digest (2012 Big Game) at www.dfg.ca.gov/publications/digest/.

Additional Drawing Opportunities

DFG has expanded the random draw fund-raising program initiated in 2011 through its Automated License Data System. Last year, chances for a deer tag and an elk tag were offered to the public and those two opportunities alone generated more than $130,000 for conservation.

For 2012, there are four tags available through fund-raising random drawings. In addition to the deer tag and elk tag offered last year, a pronghorn antelope tag and a bighorn sheep tag are available. The drawings for deer, elk and antelope are open to anyone 12 years of age or older as of July 1, 2012. The sheep drawing is open to anyone 16 years of age or older as of July 1, 2012. The cost to enter the drawings is $5.66 per entry, per hunt. Applicants do not need a valid hunting license to apply, and may apply for the drawings as many times as they wish by June 2, 2012. Winners will be required to purchase an annual hunting license. However, the tag will be issued at no additional cost.

Kelso/Old Dad Mountains Bighorn Sheep Tag

DFG has added one Kelso/Old Dad Mountains Bighorn Sheep tag to the Fund-raising Random Drawing. The Fund-raising Random Drawing sheep tag allows the hunter to hunt in the Kelso/Old Dad Mountains zone with any legal method. The hunt dates are from Nov. 3, 2012 to Feb. 3, 2013.

As an added bonus for the hunter who draws the sheep tag from that random drawing, a private entity, San Gorgonio Wilderness Outfitters, has offered free guide services to the recipient of the tag for the Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains zone.

Northeastern California Pronghorn Antelope Tag

DFG has added one Northeastern California Pronghorn antelope tag to the Fund-raising Random Drawing. The Fund-raising Random Drawing antelope tag allows the hunter to hunt in any of the Northeastern antelope zones (Mount Dome, Clear Lake, Likely Tables, Lassen, Big Valley and Surprise Valley) with any legal method. The hunt dates are July 28 through Sept. 16, 2012.

Open Zone Deer Tag

An Open Zone deer tag allows the hunter to hunt during the authorized season dates of any hunt, using the specific method and meeting any special conditions of the tag for that hunt.

Owens Valley Elk Tag

The Fund-raising Random Drawing tule elk tag allows the hunter to hunt in any of the Owens Valley zones (Bishop, Tinemaha Mountain, Tinemaha, West Tinemaha, Independence, Whitney and Lone Pine) with any legal method. The hunt dates are from July 28 to Aug. 26, 2012.

Annual General Trout Opener Coming Soon in the Eastern Sierra

 

The general trout opener in many counties throughout California will commence on April 28, one hour before sunrise. In Inyo and Mono counties, all waters are open to fishing on this date.  

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Because of the popularity of this annual event with the angling public, DFG is making every effort to stock trout in all accessible waters approved for planting prior to the season opener. Lingering winter conditions could play a major role in how many rivers, creeks, lakes and reservoirs can be stocked before April 28.

Most lakes, rivers and streams have a limit of five trout per day and 10 in possession. However, regulations differ on season opening and closing dates, bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits and gear restrictions. Anglers are advised to check the 2012-13 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulation booklet, found online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations, for regulations specific to each body of water.

This year DFG regional staff created the Eastern Sierra Back Country Fishing Guide to provide anglers with a quick, informative and accurate account of the distribution of fisheries in back country high elevation lakes. This guide does not address front country waters, defined as lakes and streams that are accessible by vehicle. Most of the lakes lie within U.S. Forest Service lands managed as Wilderness and usually require back country permits for overnight use. Most back country fisheries are based on self-sustaining populations of trout and do not need regular trout stocking to maintain fish populations. The guide can be found at http://dfg.ca.gov/regions/6/.

Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra is expected to be one of the most popular opening day destinations for anglers from around the state. In past years, an estimated 10,000 anglers have turned out for the opener, and approximately 50,000 trout are caught during the first week of the season. Typically Crowley is planted with hundreds of thousands of small and medium sized trout, and because of excellent food sources in the 5,280-acre lake, these trout grow to catchable sizes and weigh at least three-quarters of a pound by the opener. About 10 percent of the trout caught at Crowley during opening weekend weigh over a pound and a half. These fish are from stocks planted in previous years or are wild fish produced in Crowley’s tributary waters.

Anglers are asked to be particularly vigilant when cleaning fish and fishing gear at Crowley Lake and in the upper and lower Owens River Drainage. The New Zealand Mud Snail was discovered several years ago in the Owens River Drainage and DFG is trying to keep the snail from spreading into other waters. To avoid spreading New Zealand Mud Snails to other waters, anglers are advised to clean and dispose of their fish guts in trash cans, rather than throw them back into the water. Wading gear should be properly cleaned before using in new waters.

All persons age 16 and older must possess a valid California fishing license to fish within the state’s borders. Freshwater fishing license can be purchased online at www.dfg.ca.gov/OnlineSales or at regional DFG offices or other authorized dealers. Anglers no longer have to display their license visibly above the waist but they must have it in their possession while fishing.

Media Contacts:
Andrew Hughan, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8944
James Erdman, DFG Region 6, (760) 873-6071

Monterey Commercial Fishing License Sales Office Plans a Half-Day Closure

Media Contact:
Carrie Wilson, DFG Communications, (831) 649-7191

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) license sales office in Monterey will be closed the afternoon of March 6 to accommodate an office move.

The office at 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive will close at noon on Tuesday, March 6 and reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7.

Commercial anglers needing to renew their licenses must do so before or after the brief closure, as this service is only available at the DFG license counter.

Other DFG transactions, such as purchasing hunting or sport fishing licenses, will still be available online or through a license agent. For a list of other available local license agents, please go to https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/OutletSearch/FindOutlet.