Though some winter weather still remains, there are plenty of events and activities scheduled for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the state.
As a reminder, all California Department of Fish and Wildlife calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days
Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) access permit application deadline for multiple hunting opportunities. Spring pig and turkey hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $14.61 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Guided Wetland Tours by reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a two-thirds mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. Each tour is limited to 30 people. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Weekends
Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. This 90-minute tour will stroll a third of a mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, herons, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in northern California, as migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To sign up, visit the Eventbrite registration page. To purchase a Lands Pass, visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 25 people per tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Thursday, Feb. 6
Flyway Nights Speaker Series: Megan Isadore, River Otter Ecology Project, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., via Zoom. Join Megan Isadore for an entertaining and educational program to learn about river otters’ remarkable lives and adaptability. River Otter Ecology Project has been studying the resurgence of otters in the Bay Area and beyond since 2012. Learn about their life history, prey species, behavior and why we care so much about where they live and how they are doing. For more information, visit the Yolo Basin Foundation website at yolobasin.org/flywaynights. To register, visit the event registration page.
Saturdays,
Feb. 8 and Feb. 22
Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Saturday and Sunday,
Feb. 8 and 9
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Colorado River Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and Balance of State Zones. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
Tuesday, Feb 11
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Taxidermy Care 101, How to Prepare Wildlife for Mounting, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. You finally harvested the wildlife you have been pursuing, and you want to preserve that animal for the taxidermist. Now what? A knowledgeable taxidermist will discuss what you can do in the field to better preserve wildlife for taxidermy. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/219581.
Wednesday and Thursday,
Feb. 12 and 13
California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, 8 a.m., California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Second Floor, Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Wetlands Tour, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Tour the Yolo Wildlife Area with an experienced field trip leader. View flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, look for migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. Meet at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Headquarters. To register, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours. Contact volunteer@yolobasin.org for more information.
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Bone Broth Delicious and Nutritious, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Do you want to show the animals you harvest the utmost respect? Are you looking to utilize more of your wild game? Our presenter will show you how to transform the bones of everything from turkey to elk into delicious bone broth. After this webinar, you will think twice about throwing the dog a bone. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/221919.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento. The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
CDFW’s Annual Salmon Information Meeting, 10 a.m., via Zoom webinar. This free annual information meeting covers 2024 spawner abundances returning to the Central Valley and Klamath Basins, 2025 abundance forecasts, and management context guiding the development and implementation of 2025 ocean salmon fisheries. Members of the public are invited to learn about pertinent data and management context shaping the upcoming ocean salmon season. This meeting will be hosted as a webinar only. The meeting link, agenda and other materials will be posted on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Calendar of Events webpage as they become available. For more information, contact the Ocean Salmon Project at emma.keller@wildlife.ca.gov.
