May 7, 2024

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected for the first time in California’s deer and elk. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received confirmation on May 6 samples collected from two deer, one in Madera County near Yosemite Lakes and the other in Inyo County, near Bishop. The deer in Madera County was found dead due to unknown causes and the Inyo County deer was found dead after a vehicle collision. 

CWD is a fatal neurologic disease in cervid animals such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer that has been detected in free-ranging cervids from 34 states, including California, and five Canadian provinces as well as Scandinavia. It affects the brain, causing progressive damage and eventually, death. There is no effective treatment or vaccine to combat this disease.

There appears to be no known link between CWD and human disease, although a similar prion animal disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease in cattle, has been linked to fatal disease in humans through the consumption of infected beef. As a result the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend keeping the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chronic Wasting Disease). 

CDFW has been monitoring California elk and deer populations for CWD through lymph node sampling and testing since 2000, testing over 6,500 deer and elk, and has been working to increase surveillance efforts, with the help of hunters, taxidermists and meat processors since 2018.  

Clinical signs of the disease include progressive weight loss, clumsy movements and lack of coordination, listlessness, drooling, excessive thirst or urination and behavioral changes. Once these symptoms develop death occurs quickly. 

The disparate locations of these two detections indicates that CWD has probably been present in California for some time, since the incubation period can be months to years. 

“CWD infected animals can excrete infectious prions before clinical signs appear and these prions can persist in the environment for years, making it very difficult to prevent or control the spread once it has been introduced,” says, Dr. Brandon Munk, CDFW’s wildlife veterinarian who oversees CWD surveillance and response efforts. “The public can help limit the spread of CWD by reporting any signs of illness in deer and elk populations, and hunters should strongly consider testing their harvested deer or elk.”   

CDFW continues to provide surveillance, response, long-term management plans and public outreach and education through their “No Time to Waste” campaign to limit the spread. Hunters can assist in the efforts by voluntarily participating in CDFW’s statewide CWD surveillance and sampling efforts and encouraging other hunters to participate.

To report a sick deer or elk, go to https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

To learn more and find out how to get your cervid harvest tested, go to https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/CWD?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

May 3, 2024

Question: I’m new to boating. Why do I need to purchase a mussel sticker?  

Answer: The mussel fee sticker supports quagga/zebra mussel infestation prevention efforts throughout the state to protect the environment, recreational access and the economy. CDFW and other agencies’ prevention efforts include outreach and education, early detection monitoring, installation and staffing of watercraft inspection stations and boat cleaning and decontamination stations.

DMV-registered vessels (boats) must display a current mussel fee sticker unless they are only used in marine coastal waters. Law enforcement can cite watercraft for not having the current decal, and marinas may deny launching vessels that do not display a current sticker.

The revenue generated from the sale of the stickers is administered by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles the sticker purchase process, and CDFW provides biological expertise to support DBW’s grant program and supports water agencies in their development of mussel prevention programs.

The mussel fee sticker payment of $16 is available through the DMV or by visiting DMV field offices or AAA offices for members.

May 2, 2024

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Humboldt County following a recommendation from state health agencies determining that consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.

Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring, single-celled marine alga, produces the potent neurotoxin domoic acid under certain ocean conditions. Bivalve shellfish, like clams and mussels, accumulate the toxin without being harmed. In fact, razor clams are known to bioaccumulate domoic acid, meaning it may not clear their system until long after the ocean conditions that caused it have abated.

Sampling of razor clams from Clam Beach in Humboldt County in late April (PDF) found clams exceeding the current federal action level for domoic acid of greater than or equal to 20 parts per million.

Domoic acid poisoning in humans may occur within minutes to hours after consumption of affected seafood and can result in signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to permanent loss of short-term memory (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There is no way to prepare clams for consumption that will remove the toxin – cooking and freezing have no effect.

The recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County remains closed due to elevated levels of domoic acid. The closure, which began in November 2023, will remain in effect until state health agencies determine razor clams no longer pose a health risk. 

CDFW will continue to work with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to collect, monitor and analyze razor clams to determine when the recreational razor clam fishery can be reopened safely in these areas.

For more information on any fishery closure or health advisories, please visit: www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories.

Regulation changes include the following:

1.  A large number of groundfish regulation changes. Groundfish include many species of fish including rockfish, lingcod, greenlings, cabezon, and others.

2.  A change in purple sea urchin regulations.

3.  Complete Pacific halibut regulations.

April 23, 2024

The California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources at its April 17-18, meeting in San Jose.

The Commission approved a major amendment with special conditions as recommended by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to an experimental fishing permit related to pop-up gear testing in the Dungeness and rock crab fisheries.

Several Private Land Management (PLM) areas were approved for five-year or annual plans and one area was approved for their initial plan. More information on the PLM Program, including lists for hunters and applications can be found on the Department’s PLM website.

The Commission voted unanimously to readopt, for an additional 90 days, emergency regulations for the recreational take of white sturgeon to support recovering populations and to track fishing pressure and success.

A unanimous vote confirmed the Commission’s determination that listing Southern California steelhead as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act is warranted. Findings for the determination will be adopted at a future meeting.

The Commission adopted proposed amendments to waterfowl and mammal hunting regulations, which are expected to be effective June 30, and July 1, respectively.

A unanimous vote confirmed the Commission’s determination to list the Mohave desert tortoise as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. Findings for the determination will be adopted at a future meeting.

The Commission also hosted several speakers to recognize the 100-year anniversary of the extirpation of California’s grizzly bear, including Chairman Octavio Escobedo III of the Tejon Indian Ranch. A resolution recognizing the anniversary was adopted by the Commission, and two commissioners plan to provide an updated version in the future for Commission consideration.

The Department’s Director, Chuck Bonham, also announced the release of a Black Bear Conservation Plan for California. The public comment period is open, and comments must be made by June 14, 2024.

Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta, Commissioner Eric Sklar and Commissioner Darius Anderson participated in-person and were joined by a variety of Commission and Department staff.

The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next California Fish and Game Commission meeting is scheduled for June 19-20, 2024, in Mammoth Lakes and via Zoom and phone. A location will be determined and updated on the Commission’s website soon.

April 19, 2024

Question: Is it legal to set up and hunt mule deer from a hunting blind in California?

Answer: Yes, it is lawful to hunt deer from a blind. Setting up a hunting blind for deer hunting is a common strategy, whether a ground blind or a tree-stand. A hunting blind is a tent-like construction that camouflages the hunter and allows the animal to come into view and, eventually, within range for a clear shot. Hunting blinds take many forms, and some are permanent while others are portable. Some are on the ground, while more expensive blinds are elevated with legs, and require a ladder to enter. Hunters are encouraged to be considerate of their surroundings and remove any blind that’s been built or brought to the area when their hunt is completed. The full set of regulations for deer and all mammal hunting can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Deer#54775-regulations.

April 18, 2024

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) this week successfully released approximately 500,000 juvenile salmon into the Klamath River just below the Iron Gate Dam.

On Tuesday, April 16, joined by leaders from the Karuk, Yurok, Shasta Indian Nation and the Quartz Valley Indian tribes, CDFW released about 90,000 yearling coho salmon. It was the first major release of coho salmon, a state and federally listed threatened species, into the Klamath River since dam removal began in earnest late last year.

The fish were trucked about 7 miles from CDFW’s new, state-of-the-art Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County and released following remarks and a Tribal blessing.

“We’re all here for the same reason. We’re all here to pray for these fish to make it and to see justice for our people down river,” said Kenneth Brink, Vice Chairman of the Karuk Tribe. “It’s a different time we are living in now. Our kids no longer have to see our river die. We are watching our river heal now. It’s a great time.”

“These baby fish represent hope,” said Yurok Tribal Council Member Phillip Williams. “The Klamath was mistreated for more than a century, but now the river is healing and so are we. Through dam removal, habitat restoration and hatchery augmentation, we are building a brighter future for the next generations.”

Jason Roberts, Inland Fisheries Program Manager for CDFW’s Northern Region, said, “These will be the first fish from the hatchery that will come back to a free-flowing Klamath River. They will help repopulate the newly opened habitat above the dams and provide us with brood stock for future years of coho releases.”

The following day, April 17, CDFW released more than 400,000 fall-run Chinook salmon fry from the same location below Iron Gate.

The coho and Chinook salmon released this week are expected to return to an undammed Klamath River in two to four years after life in the Pacific Ocean with access to hundreds of miles of new spawning and rearing habitat as a result of dam removal.

Roberts said river conditions were ideal for the salmon releases this week with water temperatures at 51 degrees, high dissolved oxygen levels and low turbidity.

In the two weeks prior to release, CDFW further tested river conditions by placing “sentinel” juvenile salmon in holding enclosures for 48 hours at various locations in the Klamath River. All 200 salmon in the sentinel study survived showing no ill effects from their time in the river.

Later this spring, CDFW will release about 1.75 million fall-run Chinook salmon smolts into the river. CDFW varies the ages of the fish and release strategies to improve survival. All future salmon releases will take place below Iron Gate until dam removal is complete. The Iron Gate Dam is scheduled for removal later this year.