DFG response pg. 3 Scuba tanks while abalone diving???

What is the difference of scouting vs. exploring?  Aren't we are really scouting when we are diving?  As long as you don't have them on your person with scuba tanks then ....... ?

Edit, in reference to scouting with tanks:
 
It's not legal, within the spirit of the law or ethical. 

29.15(e) spells out the gear restrictions and specifically bars use of scuba or hookah.  If you're finding then on scuba, you are using scuba to take them.

The free dive and shore pick restrictions are in place to limit harvest and ensure sustainability.  If you're using tools that enhance your chances of take, like a scuba tank, you're violating the spirit of the law. 

I know ethics are a personal matter but if you need scuba to scout abs, you just suck.  I've heard of guys using them to scout trophys and it seems to completely contradict the challenge and accomplishment of pulling a ten.  If you can't find regular sized abs without compressed air......golf is a fun sport.

Why in the FUCK would you need to use tanks to scout for Abs????? ...Pussys.

I do neither (freedive or scuba) ...  just fun to learn about this stuff.

   So, if you are out wqith your tanks, go look for fish in the rocky crevices but close your eyes if you see an Ab.

" If you can't find regular sized abs without compressed air......golf is a fun sport. "


and probably won't count every stroke and take a first swing mulligan and a front 9 and back 9 mulligan.  move the ball away from obstacles or to get a clear shot to the green, it goes on and on.

My score with golf is sometimes in triple digits and  never used scuba tanks for finding abs,  i would still like to dive after obtaining my abs to become familiar with the underwater terrain, i have not even though about getting an abalone card till this year, I want to get back into scuba and abalone diving and want to learn to shoot some fish too.
Let me know when you head up to the water again so I can meet you there, with or without tanks.

Thanks Dale...I just emailed her. If she replies I will post her response.
Are you ready to go more than once this up coming season?

Every year I promise my self to go more and end up going less, maybe I'm getting old, but the water in Nov last year was phenomenal.

But I am looking forward to the new season.

Antonio,

   Yes, please share what the outcome answer to the original question is.  Love to know for the fun of it.

Bill

Edit, in reference to scouting with tanks:
 
It's not legal, within the spirit of the law or ethical. 

29.15(e) spells out the gear restrictions and specifically bars use of scuba or hookah.  If you're finding then on scuba, you are using scuba to take them.

The free dive and shore pick restrictions are in place to limit harvest and ensure sustainability.  If you're using tools that enhance your chances of take, like a scuba tank, you're violating the spirit of the law. 

I know ethics are a personal matter but if you need scuba to scout abs, you just suck.  I've heard of guys using them to scout trophys and it seems to completely contradict the challenge and accomplishment of pulling a ten.  If you can't find regular sized abs without compressed air......golf is a fun sport.

Art,
My original post was "Is it legal to have Scuba tanks in your vehicle while transporting abalone?"
The scouting question came about from Josh saying that it can be misconstrued as scouting.
I have no issues whatsoever getting my abs and can limit on every dive trip with no problem.
Any ab diver (even Andy) can tell you that they are all over the place and it's not a huge accomplishment to get a limit.

And yes golf is a fun sport..........which I do suck at 

Edit, in reference to scouting with tanks:
 
It's not legal, within the spirit of the law or ethical. 

29.15(e) spells out the gear restrictions and specifically bars use of scuba or hookah.  If you're finding then on scuba, you are using scuba to take them.

The free dive and shore pick restrictions are in place to limit harvest and ensure sustainability.  If you're using tools that enhance your chances of take, like a scuba tank, you're violating the spirit of the law. 

I know ethics are a personal matter but if you need scuba to scout abs, you just suck.  I've heard of guys using them to scout trophys and it seems to completely contradict the challenge and accomplishment of pulling a ten.  If you can't find regular sized abs without compressed air......golf is a fun sport.

If you're finding them on scuba, you are using scuba to take them???? BTW....Finding is not taking

(e) Special Gear Provisions: The use of SCUBA gear or surface-supplied air to take abalone is
prohibited. Abalone may not be taken or possessed aboard any boat, vessel, or floating device in the
water containing SCUBA or surface-supplied air. Abalone may be taken only by hand or by devices
commonly known as abalone irons. Abalone irons must be less than 36 inches long, straight or with a
curve having a radius of not less than 18 inches, and must not be less than 3/4 inch wide nor less than
1/16 inch thick. All edges must be rounded and free of sharp edges. Knives, screwdrivers and sharp
instruments are prohibited.

I personally have spoken to a CA record holding free diving spearfishermen regarding scouting. They informed me that prior to competitions they would routinely scuba dive an area for weeks to locate where all the trophy fish hang out and mark them on their GPS.

They would be in teams one guy in the water with tanks and the other on the surface in a kayak following his bubbles. When the structure holding fish is located the diver would send up a floatation marker by filling it with air. When the marker reaches the surface the kayaker would then mark the location on his GPS.

When the tournament arrives they already have their diving locations dialed in and they are extremely proficient at what they do.

Edit, in reference to scouting with tanks:
 
It's not legal, within the spirit of the law or ethical. 

29.15(e) spells out the gear restrictions and specifically bars use of scuba or hookah.  If you're finding then on scuba, you are using scuba to take them.

The free dive and shore pick restrictions are in place to limit harvest and ensure sustainability.  If you're using tools that enhance your chances of take, like a scuba tank, you're violating the spirit of the law. 

I know ethics are a personal matter but if you need scuba to scout abs, you just suck.  I've heard of guys using them to scout trophys and it seems to completely contradict the challenge and accomplishment of pulling a ten.  If you can't find regular sized abs without compressed air......golf is a fun sport.

If you're finding them on scuba, you are using scuba to take them???? BTW....Finding is not taking

(e) Special Gear Provisions: The use of SCUBA gear or surface-supplied air to take abalone is
prohibited. Abalone may not be taken or possessed aboard any boat, vessel, or floating device in the
water containing SCUBA or surface-supplied air. Abalone may be taken only by hand or by devices
commonly known as abalone irons. Abalone irons must be less than 36 inches long, straight or with a
curve having a radius of not less than 18 inches, and must not be less than 3/4 inch wide nor less than
1/16 inch thick. All edges must be rounded and free of sharp edges. Knives, screwdrivers and sharp
instruments are prohibited.

lol, I won't argue semantics, below is the definition of "take" as interpreted by the DFG. I'm sure that one could argue that "finding" is not "hunting or pursuing" but I'd think its an uphill battle that a judge would make the final call on.....I doubt it'd be favorable. 
 
1.80. TAKE. Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans
or invertebrates or attempting to do so.

Edit, in reference to scouting with tanks:
 
It's not legal, within the spirit of the law or ethical. 

29.15(e) spells out the gear restrictions and specifically bars use of scuba or hookah.  If you're finding then on scuba, you are using scuba to take them.

The free dive and shore pick restrictions are in place to limit harvest and ensure sustainability.  If you're using tools that enhance your chances of take, like a scuba tank, you're violating the spirit of the law. 

I know ethics are a personal matter but if you need scuba to scout abs, you just suck.  I've heard of guys using them to scout trophys and it seems to completely contradict the challenge and accomplishment of pulling a ten.  If you can't find regular sized abs without compressed air......golf is a fun sport.

If you're finding them on scuba, you are using scuba to take them???? BTW....Finding is not taking

(e) Special Gear Provisions: The use of SCUBA gear or surface-supplied air to take abalone is
prohibited. Abalone may not be taken or possessed aboard any boat, vessel, or floating device in the
water containing SCUBA or surface-supplied air. Abalone may be taken only by hand or by devices
commonly known as abalone irons. Abalone irons must be less than 36 inches long, straight or with a
curve having a radius of not less than 18 inches, and must not be less than 3/4 inch wide nor less than
1/16 inch thick. All edges must be rounded and free of sharp edges. Knives, screwdrivers and sharp
instruments are prohibited.

lol, I won't argue semantics, below is the definition of "take" as interpreted by the DFG. I'm sure that one could argue that "finding" is not "hunting or pursuing" but I'd think its an uphill battle that a judge would make the final call on.....I doubt it'd be favorable. 
 
1.80. TAKE. Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans
or invertebrates or attempting to do so.

So what do bird watchers do?

-Allen

Watch

I prefer the term ... scout.

   Can we go Ab watching?

Iv'e seen scuba divers at Fort Ross scuba first then ab dive later countless times. Doesn't look like a problem?
Fort Ross has some of the best DFW rangers too.

Iv'e had scuba gear in my car that I did not use while being checked for abalone and was not a problem.