By JIM MATTHEWS

www.OutdoorNewsService.com

A broad coalition of voices all over California have come together to oppose a bill in the California legislature that would grant the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) sweeping powers to cite and levy fines on all violations of the Fish and Game Code. It would also encourage “bounty hunting” by creating a private right of action for the destruction of California wildlife, unleashing radical animal-rights attorney on fishermen, hunting, property owners, and other government agencies. But, perhaps of most concern to anglers, it would set the stage to basically end the trout stocking program.

SB 1148 and AB 2402 contain a host of provisions that would “transform the Fish and Game Code into an extremely harsh regulatory regime by imposing strict criminal liability and allowing private civil lawsuits,” according to a letter written by Bob Huff, a state senator from Walnut, and signed by the entire Republican delegation in the Senate. It even looked like a few Democratic members were going reach across the aisle to oppose this bill as of Thursday.

The pair of bills were intended to merely provide a way to implement California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision (CFWSV), completed in April, 2012, but amendments to the bills in June and August substancially amended them to “incorporate policies either not suggested by, or inconsistent with the CFWSV,” according to Huff.

Specifically, as the bills are written now they would do the following things:

--The big one is that the bill would create a new board to administer the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund. This board would be in charge of administering the fund that currently takes 33 percent of all fishing license fees and uses it to raise and plant trout for anglers. Instead, this new board would administer this money solely for “the purposes of promoting angling opportunities and the conservation of wild and native trout, and ensuring thriving self-sustaining native trout populations throughout their historic ranges.” The hatchery trout program, except for wild trout rearing, could be eliminated under this law.

Even if the board opted to continue to plant non-native hatchery trout, the law mandates that wild fish in any watershed be used, increasing the DFG’s costs to rear and plant trout dramatically. And if the board determined non-native trout could be planted in any water, they would have to be sterile fish, which is another cost increase.

-- The second most critical part of the bill is it would allow for civil actions to be filed by an attorney or group on any supposed violation of the Fish and Game Code. Currently, only the government can prosecute violations relation to state fish and wildlife resources. This would allow the Humane Society of the United States or other radical groups to sue a fishing guide, hunting guide, landowner, and probably even a licensed driver for a game violation. If you ran over a tree squirrel in the San Bernardino Mountains, even inadvertently, you could be sued for illegal take of wildlife. If a Steven’s kangaroo rat downed in your dog’s water dish, you could be sued privately. If you hooked and lost a trout that you didn’t see had died, you could be sued for wanton waste of wildlife by a whack job attorney.

It would create a whole new career field for bounty hunter attorneys. Do you think this little gem was written by the animal right community?

-- It would also transfer from the Fish and Game Commission to the DFG the authority to designate endangered species under CEQA, without public input or comment, removing due process where a designation could cost individuals, cities, counties, and the state significant revenue to comply with the designation. Are the enviro-wackos behind this change?

-- It would give the DFG total control over regulations within Marine Protected Areas, without public imput or comment. Meaning they could close more fishing areas off the coast or set more stringent regulations without any public oversight. Do you suppose the anti-fishing crowd likes this provision?

-- It would make every violation of the Fish and Game Code a misdemeanor violation (some are currently infractions) as well as imposing strict liability for all offenses, meaning all violators face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, even for an accidental violation.

-- It would allow the DFG to set license and permit fees and mandate they are set to cover all costs, which is likely to dramatically increase all hunting and fishing license costs, tag fees, and permit costs for every permit issued by the DFG, from hatchery permits to guide licenses to private land management programs. Fees would not be limited to cost-of-living increases as required by current law.

As amended, the bill seems like it was written by the animal rights community and Trout Unlimited or California Trout, Inc. with no concerns about sportsmen or the cost of the proposed changes. It is an unmitigated disaster, and would do nothing for the state’s resources. But it sure would increase costs and run people out of the hunting and fishing sports.

Sportsmen and gun owners were able to help kill a bill this week that was as onerous as this one when AB 249 was jettisoned because of incredible pressure placed on members of both the Assembly and Senate. This bill would have effectively banned most currently legal semi-automatic sporting firearms, including the exceedingly popular AR-style rifles whose sales have been a boon to the state’s economy. SB 1148 and AB 2402 need to disappear, too.

END

OUTDOOR CALENDAR – 21aug12

AUGUST 23, 24, 26 RATTLESNAKE AVOIDANCE TRAINING FOR DOGS: Web Parton, an Arizona dog trainer and hunting guide, is bringing his SnakeSafe Training to Southern California for a series of classes to teach dogs rattlesnake avoidance. The sessions cost $100 per dog and reservations must be made in advance. Sessions are being scheduled mornings and evenings on Thursday, Aug. 23, Friday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 26 at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. For information or to schedule a session, contact Web Parton at 520-465-3460 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The web site is www.snakesafe.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 SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The Southwest Riverside County Chapter of the Friends of the NRA will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Temecula Creek In’s Kiva Ballroom, 44501 Rainbow Canyon Rd, Temecula. Cost is $80 per person. For more information call Mike Davis at 714-368-0451 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For a flyer or information about other FNRA events in California, go to www.friendsofnra.org/ca.
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.
AUGUST 31 IMPERIAL VALLEY DOVE DINNER FOR CWA: The California Waterfowl Association will have its annual Imperial Valley Dove Dinner fund-raiser beginning 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at 275 Marjorie Avenue, Brawley, CA. Cost is $30 per person. For more information, call Brad Luckey at 760-791-2175, Hollis Daker at 909-615-6329, or Rich Sheffield at 760-791-0905, or go to www.calwaterfowl.org.
SEPTEMBER 8 RAAHAUGE’S FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises Chapter of the Friends of the NRA will be having its annual fund-raising sporting clays fun shoot and dinner banquet beginning 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 at the range on 14995 River Road, Corona. Cost is $75 per person for dinner with the clays event an additional $25. For more information or to order dinner tickets, contact Mike Davis at 714-368-0451 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For general event information, contact Steve Gomez at 909-560-6000 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . All Friends of the NRA events in Califonria and ticket ordering is available on line at www.friendsofnra.org/ca.
SEPTEMBER 13-16: 2012 FFF FLY FISHING FAIRE: The Southwest Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers will have its 2012 Fly Fishing Faire Sept. 13-16 at the Mammoth Lakes campus of Cerro Coso Community College. The event is a how-to, where-to-go fly-fishing cornucopia of seminars, demonstrations, and hands-on instruction. Show hours are 2-5 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person (kids 16 and under free), valid for all four days. Information at southwestcouncilfff.org/faire. On-line registration at www.regonline.com/flyfishingfaire.
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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