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Northern California and Southern Oregon

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The dark spot at the base of gill plate distinguishes this species from other panfish. Photo by Ron Loftus

Shasta Valley Wildlife Area, Siskiyou County

The dark spot at the base of gill plate distinguishes this species from other panfish. Photo by Ron Loftus

Rogue River Springer
Southern Oregon
by Larry Ellis, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
Rogue River- Lower

On Wednesday we had the first Springer caught and released. The fish was wild so it had to go back into the river as this time of year only hatchery Springers can be kept.

First Lower Rogue River Springer of 2016
Southern Oregon
by Larry Ellis, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

I remember when the Mag Lip 4.5 was originally called the M2-SP FlatFish. The Mag Lip is a popular lure used to catch just about everything that swims in a river. Anyway back in the M2-SP days, you had to know the difference between an M2 and an M2-SP because they were both two completely different animals. It is easy...
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Hunting on rental property
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: I am renting some land and would like to hunt on it. Do I need hunting permission written into the lease agreement? Do I need to carry written permission from the landowner on my person? Do I need verbal permission? Or does my renting the land give me permission to hunt? (Jennifer) Answer: It is unlawful to enter certain lands...
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Shark fin prohibition
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: According to the shark fin regulations, skate wings cannot be possessed as they are the expanded pectoral fins of an elasmobranch. I don’t understand this because the skates are still legal to catch and the only part of a skate that is eatable as far as I know is the wing. How do I prepare the skate if it’s...
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Hunting chipmunks
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: I was recently in a conversation about hunting chipmunks and we are curious if it’s legal to do? I do not plan on hunting them, just want to know. (Michael C.) Answer: Chipmunks are classified as nongame mammals, which generally would mean they may not be taken. However, chipmunks may be taken because California Code of Regulations Title 14, section...
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Are Abalone Report Cards Used to Set New Quotas?
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: I was just filing my abalone harvest report, which rather than being due the end of January like before, is now not due until April 1. While I appreciate the extra time and opportunity to still fill out my report when I go to buy new tags for the season opener, I am wondering if this means my harvest...
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