Outdoors Articles


California's Catalina Island copes with drought
by Alex Krowiak, MARCH 13, 2017
Santa Catalina Island

Walking south along the coast of Catalina Island, the noises of bustling tourists and the crashing Pacific waves quickly give way to a steady whir. This is the sound of Southern California Edison’s energy plant that not only powers the entire island, but also provides it with potable water through its desalination system. “These are our workhorses,” says Ron Hite, the manager...
Full Story 
Oroville Dam update: 5 HP units now running
by Department of Water Resources, MARCH 12, 2017
Feather River

The flood control spillway flows remain at 0 cubic feet per second (cfs). Inflows are approximately 12,000 to 18,000 cfs which has resulted in the lake rising from 860.1 to 860.5 feet elevation in the last 24 hours.  Five units at the Hyatt Power Plant are currently running, allowing for a total outflow of 12,900 cfs. Contractors continue to remove sediment...
Full Story 
The California Legislature honored wildlife photographer Joshua Asel of Sebastopol with a resolution declaring his image of the life-or-death battle involving three species as the California Wildlife Photo of the Year. The photograph, presented on the Senate floor, captures the death-grip of a great blue heron as it clenches a garter snake, and the snake’s last-ditch diversion of releasing a shrew...
Full Story 

Rain increases vehicle collisions
Before and After
by Don Stec, MARCH 10, 2017



Driving in rain, especially when streets are flooded, can cause conditions to be more hazardous. Still, many people risk their safety and the safety of drivers nearby by not following the Basic Speed Rule.  The U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, defines the Basic Speed Rule: The Basic Speed rule requires vehicle operators to drive at a...
Full Story 

California Camp Meat Act?
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, MARCH 9, 2017

Monterey Bay

Question: I wonder if you could settle the subject of a discussion. Recently, I mentioned in camp that it was legal in California to kill “camp meat” under certain prescribed rules. For instance, if there were 10 men in camp for 11 days or more (perhaps 11 men, 10 days), then they could kill any one deer for “camp meat.” Such...
Full Story 
ODFW Weekly Recreational Report
by ODFW, MARCH 8, 2017


Winter steelhead fishing continues Steelhead fishing conditions on many coastal rivers are close to perfect right now. Now’s the time to hit your favorite river if you can; with more rain in the forecast the great conditions may not last through weekend. Check out reports for the NW, Willamette and SW zones for more details. Early season trout stocking is underway It’s not...
Full Story 
Page 64