By JIM MATTHEWS

www.OutdoorNewsService.com

Most environmental and conservation groups “work” by spending money lobbying legislatures or in court rooms today, trying to badger government agencies into doing good things for wildlife.

There are two huge down sides to that.

First, the government agency has to defend itself in court and frequently ends up paying more than just their attorney fees when they lose, which is most of the time.  In the case of the state and federal wildlife agencies, that money ends up coming from programs that should be benefitting wildlife. Second, lobbying is even more expensive and frequently politicians do what conservation groups want them to do but don’t include any funding mechanisms for the do-gooder measures. The new legislation forces agencies to juggle stretched monetary resources even further to try to accommodate the legislators’ demands.

That kind of “conservation” might win battles, but it loses the war. In most cases nothing ever gets done on the ground to help wildlife because there’s simply not the money to do the job. So then the groups lobby and/or sue some more because nothing is getting done, and the cycle repeats itself. The only beneficiaries are the lobbyists and attorneys getting rich on government money that should be supporting wildlife programs.

Cliff McDonald’s Water for Wildlife is a different sort of “conservation” group. If you were to donate $500 -- as Turner’s Outdoorsman did recently -- to Cliff’s group of volunteers, it will have a tangible and concrete impact on the long-term survival and health of a desert animals.

The work they do isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s mostly concrete and plumbing work adapting to helping provide a needed drink of water to wild dwellers of the Mojave Desert. Working with those same government agencies that other groups sue, McDonald and his crews construct or repair “guzzlers” (man-made water catchments that store rain water), dig out and plumb springs, repair historic stock tanks and wind mills and make sure they are accessible to wildlife.

Frequently, the only factor limiting where more than 90 species of wildlife can live in the desert is a readily available place to drink. Give them a new, permanent water source and you’ve opened up a whole new area of habitat. It’s like the wildlife housing tract was there all along, but it just never was piped for water which would allow the residents to move in. It’s that simple.

McDonald and his volunteers have also been extremely successful in getting land managers with the Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service to see this water work as a form of mitigation, a way to make up for desert habitat lost to sprawling desert cities, wind farm and solar developments, and military base expansions.

When habitat is lost one place, the addition of a water source in a new place can allow the replacement of what has been eliminated. The growth of California desert bighorn sheep herds can directly be traced to the expansion of water sources for these animals.

So the Water for Wildlife guys and gals have quietly been been going about their business the past eight years. They’ve spent over $50,000 in cash on the raw materials needed in the repair and construction of 120 small game drinkers or guzzlers, the repair of 12 springs (making them permanent water sources instead of dry or sometimes-dry water sources), and rebuilding four cattle wells, converting them all to wildlife use. McDonald says they have put in water lines, dug trenches, repaired water tanks, patched burro-exclusion fencing, and driven thousands of miles to repair, maintain, and fill desert water sources. He figures they deliver over 5,000 gallons of water to existing water sources per year.

He has over 600 volunteers on his e-mail list. During the last of six projects done this year in and around the Mojave Preserve, 54 people showed up in June to invest a little sweat equity for wildlife. It’s a big camp-out, pot-luck work party. No one gets paid. No one gets sued. No one gets lobbied. When they need to buy something to get the work done, they check the bank account and if it’s empty, an e-mail goes out.

In 2009, McDonald was one of three nominees for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year award, and won a $5,000 runner-up prize for Water for Wildlife because the winner is chosen via a popularity contest and almost no one knows about Water for Wildlife.

Well, now you know. Sending Water for Wildlife $25 or $50 won’t get you a fancy magazine or even a newsletter. You will simply get e-mails from McDonald asking for help when they have a project. He and the gang are working on next year’s slate now. You can get more information at ww.WaterForWildlife.us or by calling McDonald at 760-449-4820 on his cell or at home at 928-768-4107. The e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BILL TO BAN HOUND HUNTING STILL ALIVE: The bill that would ban hound hunting for bears and bobcats passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on Monday this week, a step that will likely send it to the House floor in Sacramento later in July. Senate Bill 1221 by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance., passed on an 8-4 vote after being voted down the first time it came up in this Committee.

DUCK NUMBERS AT RECORD LEVELS: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released its preliminary report on North America’s breeding duck population and said it was at a record high.

The report is based on surveys conducted in May and early June, and the USFWS said the total population estimate of 48.6 million breeding ducks represents a seven percent increase over last year's estimate of 45.6 million birds and the highest estimate record in the history of the survey. The estimate is 43 percent above the 1955-2011 long-term average and marks only the sixth time in the survey's history that the total duck population exceeded 40 million.

Poorer habitat conditions across the U.S. and Canadian survey areas, however might not translate into a record fall flight of ducks in 2012 because poorer production this year. Still, it is a good sign that should translate into another good fall hunting season.

FREE FISHING DAY SATURDAY: Angler’s do not need a fishing license to fishing this Saturday in any public fishing water in California. This Saturday, July 7, is one of two Free Fishing Days designated by the Department of Fish and Gamewhen people can try their hand at fishing without having to buy a sport fishing license.

All other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, and fishing hours remain in effect. The next free fishing day is September 8.  For more information on Free Fishing Days, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html.

PUBLIC LAND BIRD HUNTING SEMINARS: And finally, in a fit of shameless self-promotion, I will be conducting three beginning bird hunting seminars in July. Two will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, and Saturday, July 28 at Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga, and one will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, July 22 at Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises in Corona. Cost is $50 per person. Seminar flyers and registration forms are available at www.OutdoorNewsService.com, or simply by calling my office at 909-887-3444.

END

OUTDOOR CALENDAR -- 05jul12

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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