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August 2021 Calendar Features Events For Outdoor Enthusiasts
Deer CDFW
A number of hunting opportunities will open up for hunters during August, including the general deer season opening in Zone A on Aug. 14, then later in the month in Zone B-4. Photo Courtesy Of CDFW

California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has multiple events and activities on the calendar for August, 2021. Following are some of those items.

As a reminder, all calendar items are subject to change as a result of the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CDFW officials urge everyone to 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, 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.

Aug. 1 — Recreational Surfperch Season opened in San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. For current ocean recreational fishing regulations, visit wildlife.ca.gov/regulations.

1 — Commercial Spot Prawn Trapping Season opened North of Point Arguello. For more information, visit marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov/spot-prawn/true.

Aug. 7 — Archery and Falconry-Only Tree Squirrel Season opens (extending through Sept. 10). For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.

Aug. 12 — Exploring Scaled Management for the California Halibut Fishery Webinar Series – Recreational Fishery, 4 to 6 p.m. This is the first of three webinars being offered by CDFW to learn about and discuss California halibut, which has been identified by CDFW as a high-priority fishery for scaled management attention. Visit the CDFW California Halibut and Marine Management News webpages for additional information about California halibut and the scaled management process, including this webinar series. Agendas and materials will be shared and posted in advance of webinars. To register, email mlmafisheriesmgmt@wildlife.ca.gov.

Aug. 14 — General Deer Hunting Season opens. California’s 2021 general deer season will open in Zone A on Saturday, Aug. 14, and in Zone B-4 on Saturday, Aug. 28. The opener for zones B1-B3, B5, B6, C1-C4, D6 and D7 is Saturday, Sept. 18. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. Please remember to report your deer tags. All deer tags you purchase, whether you hunt or not, must be reported. Successful hunters must report their tags within 30 days of their successful hunt or by Jan. 31, 2022, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are required to report by Jan. 31, 2022. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.

14 — First General Season for Black Bears opens in Deer Hunting Zone A. 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 Dec. 26. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. General season for black bears opens in deer hunting zones X-1 through X-7b on Oct. 19 and extends through Dec. 26. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Also, visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs for a description of the current mammal hunting regulations.

14 — Art Under the Oaks, 9:30 to 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Get in touch with nature through art. Participants will learn about the intricate ecological relationships found in an oak woodland and then dive into the basics of painting with a guided watercolor painting session. Basic materials (paint brushes, paints, sketch pads) will be provided. Capacity is limited and registration is required. For more details and to register, visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.

Aug. 15 — Spiny Lobster Report Cards go on sale. Sport lobster divers and hoopnetters can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card for the 2021-2022 lobster season on CDFW’s Online License Sales site at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales or, if open for business, at CDFW license counters, sporting goods stores and tackle shops. Please note that CDFW license counters are currently closed due to COVID-19 concerns. Before heading to a CDFW facility, contact the regional headquarters office to determine if that facility has reopened.

Aug. 17 — California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee 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, visit fgc.ca.gov.

Aug. 18 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.

Aug. 21 — Archery Season for Black Bears opens. Bear may be taken with bow and arrow beginning Aug. 21 in those areas defined in 365(a) as the Northern California, Central California, Southern Sierra, Southern California and Southeastern Sierra areas and shall close on Sept. 12. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398. Visit fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs for a description of the current mammal hunting regulations and American black bear hunt zone boundary descriptions. The bag and possession limit for either archery or general season is one adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken.

21 — Falconry Season for Pheasant, Quail, Chukar, Ptarmigan and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse opens (extending through Feb. 28, 2022). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

21 — Archery-Only Quail, Chukar and Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse Seasons opens (extending through Sept. 10). For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

21 — Garden Days at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. 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, visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/garden-days-210821.

Aug. 25 — Public Outreach Meeting on Bay Delta Region Type A Wildlife Areas, 5 to 7 p.m., via Teams. CDFW will take comments and recommendations and provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and possible impacts to hunter access on public lands. State wildlife areas to be discussed are the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Complex. To register and receive a link to the meeting, contact Joe Hobbs at Joe.Hobbs@wildlilfe.ca.gov or (530) 757-2431.

Aug. 26 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 1 p.m., via Zoom. The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.

Aug. 28 — Bat House Building Workshop, 10 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. In conjunction with International Bat Night, this will be a day to learn about inviting bats to your yard or farm. The event will include an opportunity to build a bat house and view several of our native species of bats. We provide the supplies and instruction, and you supply the people power. Registration is by bat house and is limited to 20 groups. Each group can have up to four people building a bat house together. This is a fun activity for small groups or families. To register, visit www.yolobasin.org/bats2021.

Various Days — Bat Talk and Walk events, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Did you know that a colony of migratory bats lives under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Walk to learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals and watch the “flyout” of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California! These events are held on various dates through September. For more information and to register, visit www.yolobasin.org/bats2021.

Various Days — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 10 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. 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, visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours.

Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadlines for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. An $11.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.