Hikes and educational programs are among the calendar items for January, offered through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
As a reminder, all calendar items are subject to change.
Also, 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. Wild pig, waterfowl, turkey and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $12.75 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Weekends
Guided Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Tours fill on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
Jan. 11
Flyway Nights Speaker Series, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. via Zoom. The Yolo Basin Foundation Graduate Student Fellowship provides financial support and mentoring for selected graduate students who are working in the areas of environmental education, conservation or public use related to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Four graduate students will present their research on the topics of the effects of wildfires on native mosquitos, evaluation of the Discover the Flyway school program, population and habitat assessment for giant garter snake and western pond turtle, and the spawning of Chinook salmon in Putah Creek. To register, visit the event registration page. For more information, contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
Jan. 11 through 13
King Tide Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, start time varies, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an Elkhorn Slough Reserve naturalist to see a high King Tide. Together you’ll learn what causes high tides, talk about why King Tides are so interesting and take a hike to the reserve’s boardwalk to witness the event in person. The tour is open to all ages, but attendees should register in advance. For more details and to register, visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
Jan. 16
California Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Resources Committee Meeting, time and specific location to be determined, Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Getting Your Rifle Scope Dialed In, 6 p.m., part one of three. Do you want to get a jump start in preparing for hunting season? This webinar will discuss scope nomenclature, considerations prior to purchasing a rifle scope, how to mount a rifle scope and how to sight in a scoped rifle. This is part one of a three-part webinar series. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/204360
Jan. 18-21
International Sportsmen’s Expo, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento. CDFW will be returning to the International Sportsmen’s Exposition in Sacramento. For more information, visit www.sportsexpos.com/attend/sacramento.
Jan. 21
Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Explore the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area with a knowledgeable field trip leader on the third Sunday of each month from October to June. Witness flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, spot migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. To register, visit yolobasin.org/ybwa-tours. For more information, contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW on the third Sunday of each month 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.kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.
Jan. 23
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Bighorn Sheep Hunting, 6 p.m. Learn more about this amazing big game animal. A CDFW wildlife scientist will discuss biology, habitat and population distribution followed by a discussion with a lifelong sheep hunter and guide regarding hunting tactics and practical strategies to make the most of this coveted tag. The webinar will also include information for hunters on ways to help with bighorn sheep conservation efforts. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/206174.
Jan. 27
Volunteer Training at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Volunteers at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve lead weekly guided hikes on the reserve trails, support stewardship and restoration projects, and assist with school field trips. The goal is to inspire a connection through education about the incredible habitats of Elkhorn Slough and its surrounding watershed. Interested in becoming a volunteer? The annual five-week long volunteer training will start on Jan. 27. For more details and to apply, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/volunteer/2024-volunteer-training or email questions to beth.scrutton@wildlife.ca.gov.
Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an experienced reserve docent on a two-mile walk to open the senses on a mindfulness tour around the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
Jan. 29
Falconry Only season opens for rabbits and varying hares (extending through March 17). For more information on resident small game mammal seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
Jan. 30
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Getting Your Rifle Scope Dialed In, 6 p.m.; part two. Do you want to get a jump start in preparing for hunting season? This webinar will discuss scope nomenclature, considerations prior to purchasing a rifle scope, how to mount a rifle scope and how to sight in a scoped rifle. This is part two of a three-part webinar series. Part three will be held in February. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/204361.
Jan. 31
Deer Tag reporting deadline. Deer tag holders must submit a harvest report for any 2023 deer tag by the Jan. 31, 2024, deadline. All tag holders must report even if they did not hunt or they hunted unsuccessfully. Tag holders who do not report by this deadline will be charged a $21.60 non-reporting penalty fee when purchasing a 2024 deer tag drawing application or deer tag. To report harvest online, visit www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/hunting#9941260-tag-reporting.
