waterfowl flock in Central Valley
Waterfowl in California'south Central Valley. CDFW photo by Debra Hamilton.

Question: I am 18 years old and only passed the Hunter Education grade and got my hunting license. I want to become duck hunting and information technology seems the best place to go is i of the state wildlife areas. How does the reservation organization work? (John, Chico)

Answer: Congratulations on passing your hunter education course! You are right. There are many splendid waterfowl hunting opportunities in California's fundamental valley wildlife areas. You lot can try waiting in line at some of these areas, but to answer your specific question about reservations, here's what you need to know.

Bold you desire to hunt the wildlife areas of the state nearest your home in Chico, you demand to move quickly! Waterfowl season closes for this portion of the state on Jan. 28, 2018. Reservations are available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website at the waterfowl hunting Reservations and Passes page, but you must apply for each engagement at to the lowest degree 17 days in advance, so in that location are only a few dates left that you are able to use for chase in January. You tin apply for waterfowl reservation drawings through the Online License Service, at whatever CDFW License Agent or CDFW License Sales Role. The fee is $1.34 per hunt choice. Don't forget to purchase your California duck validation and federal duck stamp. Log in to the Online License Service, using your date of birth, terminal proper noun and Go ID (from your hunting license). Select "Purchase Licenses" and proceed to 2017 – Hunting. Waterfowl Multi-Pick Reservation Applications are available under the Drawings section.

Check station employee checking hunter paperwork
Gray Lodge Wildlife Expanse hunter bank check station. CDFW file photo.

The Waterfowl Multi-Option Reservation Awarding allows a hunter to select hunt areas and choose whatsoever combination of hunt dates from a calendar of hunts. Each area has different rules about the people who may accompany the hunter, so pay attention to that for planning purposes.

You may submit every bit many chase choices as you lot like equally long as you do not submit more than one hunt choice for the same area on the same day. Duplicate hunt choices will be disqualified. Nosotros recommend keeping a record of requested areas and shoot dates to avert duplication and rejection from the cartoon.

If y'all are fatigued, your reservation may allow you lot to bring one or more other hunters. One of the enjoyable rewards of a successful draw is calling your all-time hunting buddy and inviting him or her along! It's important to think that hunters must purchase whatsoever needed passes and validations in advance, through a CDFW license sales role, a license amanuensis or online. Check stations exercise not sell any license items, permits or passes.

Before going to a wildlife area to hunt waterfowl, verify that the members of your hunting party take the items below:

  • California Hunting License
  • Harvest Data Program (HIP) Validation
  • California Duck Validation (non required for junior hunters)
  • Federal Duck Stamp (required for all hunters historic period 16 or older)
  • Prepaid Wildlife Area Pass (not required for junior hunters)
    – Either a Type A One-Day, 2-Twenty-four hour period or Season Pass for Type A Area, or
    – Blazon A or B Flavour Pass for Northeastern Zone Blazon B Areas

Passes purchased online will be mailed to the customer. Permit 15 days for delivery of your pass. If you demand a pass for use sooner than 15 days, delight purchase a pass from a license amanuensis or CDFW license sales office. Good luck!

Is it "Fishing" if I'yard Not Using a Hook?

Question: Is it legal to do my fishing techniques using an bogus lure or fly without a claw? It is not really angling as I would not be trying to actually catch fish. If I'm non fishing then exercise I need a fishing license? (Allen H.)
Answer: Yes, it is legal and no, you don't demand a license. Without a hook fastened to your artificial lure or wing, you have no method of take, and and then a fishing license is not required. This practice is more common than you think. Flyfishing instructors ofttimes take their students practice this way before trying the existent affair. Practicing flycasting without a fly or a hook makes it easier to untangle the flyfishing line from the tree branch you'll inevitably snag while y'all are learning, and makes information technology safer for those standing effectually you lot.

# # #

If you accept a question for the California Section of Fish and Wildlife, delight experience gratuitous to ask u.s.a. via email at CalOutdoors@wildlife.ca.gov. While nosotros cannot reply every question, we will pick a few to answer each week in this column.