September 6, 2012

Question: Is it illegal to have wild bird feathers? I live in the national forest and I often find feathers around. I never know if it is ok for me to keep them. I am an artist and need to know if I can gather feathers to use in my artwork to (hopefully) sell. Please let me know what I can and cannot have. (Cedar)

Answer: Generally, California and U.S. laws protecting wildlife prohibit both possessing and selling any part of any bird found in the wild in California. However, there are some exceptions:

1.   You may possess but not sell or purchase the feathers from any wild bird which was harvested legally during the open season (e.g., ducks, geese, quail, pheasants, etc.) You don’t have to take the birds yourself. They can be acquired from another person who took them, but there can be no sale or bartering involved in you acquiring them.

2.   You may possess and sell the feathers of any bird which you acquire from any person who is licensed to possess and raise game birds for commercial purposes.

3.   Feathers of bird species commonly sold in hobby or pet stores (e.g. canaries, parrots, parakeets, etc.), or any species of domestic poultry, are not protected by Fish and Game laws and may be possessed and sold. Although I realize these are probably not the feathers you are inquiring about, they may be found in various locations throughout California.

Additional and specific information regarding the laws protecting birds is available online. Go to www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/ and in the “Helpful Information” column on the right side of the page, choose the link to the Fish and Game Code. Specific laws to study include: Sections 22, 2000-2002, 3039, 3504-3513, 3800-3801.6.

For federal laws protecting birds, please check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/.

September 6, 2012

Question: I understand when fishing for salmon from a boat in the ocean, you are required to have a net on the vessel for landing the fish. Are there size restrictions for the net? (Jeff)

Answer: Yes, while fishing in ocean waters, you are required to have a landing net aboard any boat or other floating device with an opening that measures no less than 18 inches in diameter (CCR Title 14, section 28.65(d)).

May 20, 2014

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers contacted more than 650 abalone divers at a wildlife checkpoint operation north of Jenner on Sunday, May 18. Checkpoints are an effective tool for wardens, who seek to promote safety, education and compliance with law and regulations through education, preventative patrol and enforcement.

All vehicles traveling south on Highway 1 in Sonoma County were screened at the checkpoint. Screening consisted of an introduction and brief questions. Approximately 260 vehicles were directed into the inspection area. Wildlife officers issued 31 citations and several dozen warnings. Violations included overlimits of abalone, undersize abalone, report card violations and alterations, abalone not tagged, abalone meat out of the shell, undersized fish and several other Fish and Game Code violations.

One diver attempted to throw a tagged but undersized abalone into nearby bushes, but instead threw it into a warden's truck bed. The loud clanking alerted officers to the attempt.

September 13, 2012

Question: If I hunt deer with a 30-30 cal, can I carry a .22 pistol at the same time (not to shoot deer)? And if I wound a deer with the 30-30 cal, can I kill the wounded deer with the .22 cal? (John D., Ramona)

Answer: Yes, it is legal to carry a .22 caliber rimfire pistol while taking deer during an open rifle season. No, you may not kill a wounded deer with any rimfire cartridge (see California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 353). If hunting in Condor Country, remember that your pistol ammunition must also be lead-free.

September 13, 2012

Question: I want to use a net to cast and catch my own bait rather than continue to buy bait at the stores. Is it legal to do so? I do most of my fishing in lakes and I see shads and minnows I would like to catch. I can’t seem to find any information on the website that relates to catching your own bait and if you could what are the sizes of the nets that I can use. Any information or alternatives in regard to this would really help. (Khanh Vu)

Answer: Unfortunately, the device you describe (commonly called a throw net, casting net or Hawaiian throw net) is not legal to use in freshwater. Approved baitfish may be taken only by hand, with a dip net, or with traps not over three feet in greatest dimension (CCR Title 14, section 4.05. In addition, possession of these nets in inland waters or within 100 yards of any canal, river, stream, lake or reservoir is a violation of state law (CCR Title 14, section 2.09).

Quote from: SeaChumm on May 19, 2014, 02:47:41 PM

Quote from: Cen Coast on May 19, 2014, 02:22:58 PM

+1 looks like SeaChumm

Yep that's my lap alright.

Aaron

Is it bad that I recognized your lap?

 

Guess that's what happens when you look at and verify every AOTY pic. 

Sincerely,

Jim

THAT was funny, Jim. 

May 15, 2014

Question: I have a hunting license and was wondering if I can legally hunt with a bow under this license or does this license only cover firearm hunting? The reason that I am asking is because I have had my hunting license for about three years now, and have recently purchased a compound bow. (Tomas C.)

Answer: Yes! Your California hunting license covers hunting with firearms, muzzleloaders, archery equipment and crossbows. In some states, a crossbow is considered archery equipment, but in California it is not. A crossbow may only be used during general seasons.