All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all safety protocols including physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing. For information on how to get vaccinated in California, please visit myturn.ca.gov.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or wildfire 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 Hunting Opportunities. The SHARE program is offering new wild pig hunts on the east shore of Lake Berryessa. Deer, pig, bear, waterfowl and upland game hunting are also available this fall through SHARE. An $11.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
Various Days — General Bear Season Opens in Select Deer Zones. General black bear season will open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extend through December 26. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. For those portions of deer hunting zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season opens on October 9 and extends through December 26. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Please visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/
Various Dates — Discover the Flyway School Program, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. Its goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. This school year, Yolo Basin Foundation is offering teachers three options: the chance to bring students to a field trip held at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the opportunity to have our educators and docents bring the program to their classroom or the option to participate from school or home in a live, virtually led activity. Teachers can learn more and register at yolobasin.org/schoolprograms.
Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Beginning October 23 and continuing on weekends, this 1 ½-hour tour will stroll 1/3 mile to an elevated viewing deck. Here you will have a bird's-eye view of wildlife. We often encounter hawks, rabbits, herons, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. As one of the premier birding spots in northern California, migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. 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, please visit Eventbrite. To purchase a Lands Pass, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/
Weekends — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/
2 — California Spiny Lobster Recreational Fishing Season Opens Statewide, 6:00 a.m. For more information regarding lobster and lobster management, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/
2 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Northeastern Waterfowl Zone. For more information about regulations, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
2 — Early Canada Goose Season Opens in the Balance of State Waterfowl Zone. For more information about regulations, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
2 — General Deer Season Opens in Zones D19, X1, X2, X3a, X3b, X4, X5a, X5b, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
2 — Archery-Only Deer Season Opens in Zone D12. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
2 — Discover the Flyway Teacher Workshop, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students, based on California science and social studies standards. Its goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. For more information on Discover the Flyway school programs, please visit www.yolobasin.org/
2 —Tour of the Davis Wetlands, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Road 30, Davis (95618). Join Yolo Basin Foundation docents for this monthly tour of the City of Davis Wetlands. The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. The tours are appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders, and the group will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-
2-3 — Early Season Junior Hunt for Quail in the Mojave National Preserve. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
5 — Wildlife Conservation Board 2021 Wildlife Corridor and Fish Passage Solicitation Pre-Applications Due. Pre-applications are due by 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov/grants.
6 — California Spiny Lobster Commercial Fishing Season Opens Statewide. For more information regarding commercial lobster management, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/
9 — General Deer Season Opens in Zones D11, D13-15 and D17. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
9 — General Bear Season Opens in the Remaining X Zones. General bear season opens in deer hunting zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b in areas open to bear hunting. The general bear season will remain open until December 26, or until CDFW determines that 1,700 bears have been taken. All hunters must get their tag validated and present the bear head for tooth extraction by CDFW personnel. Current bear hunting regulations, in-season updates and general black bear information can be viewed at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear.
9 — Early Archery-Only Season for Pheasant Opens (extending through October 31). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
9 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Tour, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Yolo Basin Foundation offers monthly tours of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, October to June. These tours are appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. View 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. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-
10 — Bucks for Ducks, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., The Oaks at the El Macero Country Club, 44571 Clubhouse Dr, El Macero (95618). Join Yolo Basin Foundation for an afternoon outdoors under the oaks to celebrate the chance to reconnect and bring our community together in support of the mission and future work of expanding public appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife through education and innovative partnerships. Meet like-minded people and learn more about environmental education programs while enjoying plentiful hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Limited tickets are available at yolobasin.ejoinme.org/
14 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
16 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone X9c. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
16 — General Season for All Quail Opens in Zone Q1 and Zone Q3 (extending through January 30, 2022). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
16 — General Season for Chukar Opens Statewide (extending through January 30, 2022). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
16 — General Season for Snipe Opens Statewide (extending through January 30, 2022). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
16 — Garden Days at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about native plant gardening and help the reserve maintain its new demonstration gardens. Participants will spend time exploring topics in native plant gardening and then spend time working in the gardens. Work changes with the season and may involve weeding, planting or collecting native seeds. All ages and abilities are welcome, but everyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/
21 — Monitoring Monarchs: A Community Science Story, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Join local community scientist Connie Masotti to learn about monitoring monarch butterflies in the Monterey Bay area. Find out more about these unique insects and learn what you can do to help the population in California. To register for this free virtual event, please visit the events calendar at www.elkhornslough.org/
23 — General Duck and Goose Season Opens in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California and Colorado River Waterfowl Zones. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/
23 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone D16. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
31 — Last Day of Recreational Ocean Salmon Season from the 40°10’ Line to Pigeon Point. Recreational ocean salmon fishing closes statewide. For more information, please visit the ocean salmon webpage at wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/
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