By JIM MATTHEWS

www.OutdoorNewsService.com

News reports about a new scientific study released this week in the Proceedings National Academy of Science (PNAS) produced screaming headlines in newspapers across the nation about the dangers of ammunition lead residue to endangered California condors:

“Condors threatened by 'epidemic' lead poisoning from hunters' bullets,” howled the Christian Science Monitor.  “New study: Lead poisoning of condors at 'epidemic proportions',” screeched the San Jose Mercury News.

The scientific paper practically sets the stage for the animal rights community and our out-of-touch legislature to call for a complete ban on all hunting in California to protect condors. What the study doesn’t point out is this: That would not help at all.

The scientific paper paints a gloomy picture for condors, even with the ban on using lead ammunition in condor range and a nearly 100 percent compliance by hunters. Apparently the big birds are getting lead at a rate that is almost unchanged from before the ammunition was outlawed.

The paper, entitled “Lead poisoning and the deceptive recovery of the critically endangered California condor,” is meant to be a comprehensive look at the impacts of lead poisoning on this iconic bird and how the lead ban has impacted its recovery. The paper concludes that the population would slip into extinction if the current level of management were to end. That management includes the steady introduction of captive breed birds back into the wild and regular intervention to treat lead-poisoned birds from the wild, a program that costs more than $5 million a year.

The research points out that even with the lead ban, condors’ background blood lead levels and the possibility of lethal episodes are almost unchanged. It also concludes that the primary source of lead is ammunition residue in hunter-left gut piles from legally taken game or from hunter-wounded and lost game. It goes even further with modeling that shows that even if the number of lead-laced food sources is reduced by 99 percent, nearly half the condors would still face exposure to ammunition lead each year and virtually all of them over a 10 year period.

Ironically, the lead ban and the high compliance rate by hunters, is having a dramatic impact on reducing the lead poisoning in scavenging vultures and golden eagles within condor range. A study published last year in PLoS One showed that 83 percent of the resident eagles in the study area (condor range in Kern County) had excessive exposure to lead before the ban, but virtually none of the resident birds after the ban showed lead levels above the normal background level in their blood. Even with migratory eagles which likely feed outside the lead ban area, 77 percent showed exposure before the ban and only 12 percent after the ban. With vultures, which also migrate in and out of the lead ban area, the results were nearly as dramatic with 61 percent showing elevated blood lead levels before the ban and only nine percent showing above background levels after the ban.

Since this study was conducted the first year of the lead ban, when non-lead ammunition availability was not as good as today, the results are likely even more dramatic today. The lead ban is working with golden eagles and turkey vultures.

So how can the condors not be showing any improvement in their blood background levels? It’s difficult for understand for two reasons.

First, condors are believed to primarily if not exclusively feed on large mammal carcasses, meaning that lead in small game and birds that might be eaten by eagles and vultures, would be ignored by condors, making the effect of big game hunter compliance even more dramatic. The scientists in the PNAS study do an excellent job of showing that condors feed on 150 to 300 carcasses per year and that even if one percent of those are tained by poachers or others breaking the lead-ban law, all of the birds could be impacted over a 10 year span. But it doesn’t try to determine how many lead-laced carcasses it might take for the condors to have the lead blood and feather levels they routinely exhibit. Between the feather and blood data and the testing that is done twice a year, scientists could estimate the incidents of lead exposure with some accuracy. It would give them a way to predict how many lead-laced carcasses are found each year and better understand why the lead ban isn’t working for condors like it’s working for eagles and vultures in the same range.

Second, the PNAS study virtually dismisses any possibility that condors might be getting lead in the wild from any other significant source but lead ammunition, yet their own work shows that 13 percent of all condors have “unexplained” lead, or lead that doesn’t match the isotope ratios found in lead bullets. Since most solid lead (a wheel weight, for example) has the same isotope ratio as lead bullets, there are no efforts to see if condors might be getting lead from other sources, in addition to bullet lead. Even if the bullet lead could be eliminated, the lead that comes from other sources in that other 13 percent would still hinder the recovery of the species. Scientists simply ruled out all other possible options for solid lead and other types of lead a long time ago and refuse to consider other lead may be involved – even when they identify there is more to the lead problem.

Lastly, it is amazing to me there has never been a comprehensive study done on condor feeding behavior or food choices. Scientists speculate that most if not all feeding is done on large mammal carcasses, but that is anecdotal knowledge. With every bird in the wild wearing radio telemetry equipment, a food study would be simple to conduct. Scientists could follow them to feeding locations and examine the site. You could analyze droppings at roost sites. It is incredible to me that it’s still a mystery what California condors eat – especially since over $5 million a year is spent on this species. This study would give them big clues about where the birds are really getting the lead.

Hunters are doing their part. Now it’s time for the scientists to do their part and find the solutions instead of giving the anti-hunting community fuel to end sport hunting.

END

OUTDOOR CALENDAR -- 28jun12

JULY 7 RAAHAUGE’S HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2012 class dates are Aug. 11, Aug. 18, Aug. 25, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, and Dec. 1. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge’s at 951-735-7981.
JULY 7-8 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes five days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of those weekends. Classes are also held the third Saturday. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $20 per person, but each student who passes the course receives a $20 Bass Pro Gift Card. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
JULY 14 BEGINNER’S DOVE, QUAIL AND CHUKAR SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a three-hour dove, quail and chukar hunting seminar for beginning hunters starting 10 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps and detailed information on bird hunting on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
JULY 14 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL CHINO FUND-RAISING BANQUET: The Chino Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will be having its annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at HomeStrong USA, 8711 Monroe Court, Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga. Tickets are $50 per person, $75 per couple, $25 per life member or sprig (junior hunter). For more information, contact the Debbie Davis at 909-730-7730 or visit www.calwaterfowl.org.
JULY 14 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes five days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of those weekends. Classes are also held the second Saturday. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $20 per person, but each student who passes the course receives a $20 Bass Pro Gift Card. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
JULY 14-15 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun shows will be September 29-30 and Dec. 8-9. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons are available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
JULY 21 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 21 at Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises, Corona. Cost is $30 per family with pre-registration on line at youthsafariday.com, or $40 per family the day of the event. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
JULY 21-22 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes five days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of those weekends. Classes are also held the third Saturday. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $20 per person, but each student who passes the course receives a $20 Bass Pro Gift Card. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
JULY 22 BEGINNER’S DOVE, QUAIL AND CHUKAR SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a three-hour dove, quail and chukar hunting seminar for beginning hunters stating 10 a.m. Sunday, July 22, at Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises, Corona. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps and detailed information on bird hunting on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
JULY 28 BEGINNER’S DOVE, QUAIL AND CHUKAR SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a three-hour dove, quail and chukar hunting seminar for beginning hunters starting 10 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps and detailed information on bird hunting on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
JULY 28-29 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will be Oct. 6-7. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons are available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
AUGUST 4 PUBLIC LAND DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a two-hour public land dove hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, August 4, at Turner’s Outdoorsman, San Marcos. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps, dove hunting and map information, and how to find places to hunt on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
AUGUST 4 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL LANCASTER FUND-RAISER: The Lancaster Chapter will be having its annual Bucks N’ Ducks fundraising dinner beginning 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at 240 E. Avenue K, Lancaster. Cost is $50 per person, $25 per junior (17 and under) and $25 per life member or spouse. For more information contact, Robert Neaman at 661-943-8844 or Rodney Torres at 209-769-1088, or at www.calwaterfowl.org.
AUGUST 4-5 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes five days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of those weekends. Classes are also held the third Saturday. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $20 per person, but each student who passes the course receives a $20 Bass Pro Gift Card. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
AUGUST 11 PUBLIC LAND DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a two-hour public land dove hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, August 11, at Turner’s Outdoorsman, Fountain Valley. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps, dove hunting and map information, and how to find places to hunt on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
AUGUST 11 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL VISTA FUND-RAISER: The Vista Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will be having its annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Vista Elk’s Lodge, 1947 E. Vista Way, Vista. Cost is $50 per person, $75 per couple, and $35 per sprig (junior hunter). For more information, contact Steve Fettes at 760-450-5965 or Tim Davanis at 916-335-9604 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org.
AUGUST 11 RAAHAUGE’S HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2012 class dates are Aug. 18, Aug. 25, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, and Dec. 1. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge’s at 951-735-7981.
AUGUST 11 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes five days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of those weekends. Classes are also held the second Saturday. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $20 per person, but each student who passes the course receives a $20 Bass Pro Gift Card. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
AUGUST 18 PUBLIC LAND DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a two-hour public land dove hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, August 18, at Turner’s Outdoorsman, Reseda. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps, dove hunting and map information, and how to find places to hunt on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
AUGUST 19 PUBLIC LAND DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a two-hour public land dove hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Sunday, August 19, at Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises, Corona. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps, dove hunting and map information, and how to find places to hunt on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
AUGUST 18 RAAHAUGE’S HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2012 class dates are Aug. 25, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, and Dec. 1. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge’s at 951-735-7981.
AUGUST 18-19 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes five days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of those weekends. Classes are also held the second Saturday. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $20 per person, but each student who passes the course receives a $20 Bass Pro Gift Card. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
AUGUST 18-19 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa show will be November 24-25. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons are available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
AUGUST 23 PUBLIC LAND DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a two-hour public land dove hunting seminar beginning 7 p.m. Thursday, August 23, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps, dove hunting and map information, and how to find places to hunt on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
AUGUST 25 RAAHAUGE’S HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The 2012 class dates are Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, and Dec. 1. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge’s at 951-735-7981.
AUGUST 25 PUBLIC LAND DOVE HUNTING SEMINAR: Jim Matthews, publisher of the Western Birds where-to-go hunting newsletter, will give a two-hour public land dove hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, August 25, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $50 per person and includes a trial two-issue subscription to Western Birds and a package of public land dove hunting maps, dove hunting and map information, and how to find places to hunt on public lands. For information or to register, call Matthews’ office at 909-887-3444 or go to www.OutdoorNewsService.com for a flyer and registration form.
AUGUST 25-26 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next date for the Bakersfield gun show is Nov. 17-18. For information, call 805-481-6726 or go to www.centralcoastgunshows.com.
SEPTEMBER 29-30 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun show will be Dec. 8-9. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons are available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
OCTOBER 6-7 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. Dates for the 2013 shows have not been set yet. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons are available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.

CALENDAR RESOURCES
For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA DEER ASSOCIATION (SOUTHERN CALIF0RNIA CHAPTER): The Southern California Chapter of the California Deer Association meets 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact Glenn Tessers at 310-429-5222.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at its clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
CONEJO VALLEY BASS CLUB: The Conejo Valley Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Elks Club, Thousand Oaks. Events are the third Saturday. Contact Kevin Gelsinger at 818-951-1630.
DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
GOLDEN STATE FLYCASTERS: The Golden State Flycasters and Trout Unlimited Chapter 920 meets 6 to 9 p.m. Monday before the third Thursday of each month at Tio Leo’s Restaurant, Del Mar. Information at www.goldenstateflycasters.org.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Information at hidesertflyfishers.com/wordpressblog/.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (High Desert Chapter): The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Road, Victorville. Contact Karen Shackleford at 760-887-1092.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County usually meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Old World German Restaurant, 7561 Central Ave., Huntington Beach. 2011 schedule of meetings: Jan., Feb., Mar., first Wednesday of month, other months first Tuesday. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
QUAIL AND UPLAND WILDLIFE FEDERATION: The Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation meeting the third Thursday of every month beginning 7:30 p.m. at the Oaktree Gun Club. Contact Derek Fong at 661-297-0876 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Web site: www.scvquwf.com.
QUAIL FOREVER (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Forever meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Trap tune-up shoots are the first Sunday of each month beginning 9 a.m., also at Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Phil Garo at 760-241-9011 or go to the web site at www.highdesertquailforever.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Hunny’s Restaurant, Main Street and 4th Street, Corona. Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
QUAIL UNLIMITED (VENTURA COUNTY CHAPTER): The Ventura County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Smogie’s Smog Shop, 3940 Market St., Ventura. Contact Till Tocci at 805-659-2226 or 805-981-3426 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Jeff Simonides at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Steve Prough at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

[Want your event or club listed here? Send the information to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or e-mail it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Following the style used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the likelihood of it being included here.]
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