|
March 13, 2008 Casitas Lake now closed to private boating over quagga mussel fears
By CYNDI GOLLAZ Outdoor News Service The phones didn’t stop ringing at the Casitas Marina last Wednesday. Or Thursday. Or Friday. Or any day since. Anglers are all calling to ask, “Is it true?” Yes it’s true. Fishermen will no longer be able to bring their private boats, kayaks, canoes, or float tubes through the gates of Casitas Lake, located between Ventura and Ojai off Highway 33. The risk of the lake becoming contaminated by quagga mussel, tiny mollusks that have the potential to clog water systems and industrial intake pipes, is too great, according to the Casitas Municipal Water District. The water district board voted 3-2 to ban private boats for one year at Casitas Lake after a four-hour long meeting last Tuesday, March 4 at Nordoff High School in Ojai. The meeting room was packed with over 400 anglers and recreational boaters. Any fisherman who had their boat in dry or wet storage at the lake prior to the decision can still launch, but any new ones will be turned away at the gate. Board members were concerned about the spread of quagga mussels in the lower Colorado River, San Diego, and Riverside counties. The invasive mussels became an issue for area lake operators when the mollusks were discovered at Lake Mead and in the Colorado River system in January, 2007. Since then, the quagga mussel has spread to several Southern California lakes by canal, aqueduct, and on the hulls of sportfishing boats, and the fear of further contamination is growing. Infestation of quagga mussel can cause a great deal of damage to a lake’s water system. The mussels have the potential to infest pipes, pumps, or other components of municipal and industrial water supply systems resulting in millions of dollars in necessary removal and repair work that could be passed on to local rate payers. This risk was too big for the Casitas Municipal Water Board. Board Member, Bill Hicks, said the decision was a tough one. “We were in between a rock and a hard place. Our first priority is to protect the lake,” he said. “I know it’s very hurtful for people and fishermen who depend on the lake for income, but if we get the quagga mussel, the cost to contain it is way greater than the revenue we will lose for not having [boat] fishing for some time. It was wise to close the lake, but I disagree with a year.” Business at and around Lake Casitas has already been affected. “It’s knocked our population down by at least 50 percent. A lot of people are under the impression the lake is closed, it is not, just restricted to outside boats coming in,” said Randy King, Casitas Lake marina manager. “It’s also going to hurt local restaurants, hotels and gas stations that depend on the business from the lake,” King said. King felt that the lake had a good inspection process in action prior to the decision. He said, boats coming in would be inspected very aggressively and any with moisture would be turned away. Casitas has a reputation for its great bass fishery, frequently holding bass tournaments and attracting anglers from across the nation, but those anglers may no longer come this season, now that anglers are limited to fishing off shore or renting a boat from the marina. “Here we are coming on to the spawn with the best fishing of the year. There is no good spin on this at all,” said King. The board meets once a month, and will re-visit the Casitas closure in upcoming meetings. “We need to decide what needs to get done, so we can get it done and open the lake back up,” said Hicks. A proposed Cachuma Lake private boat ban will also be decided at a 9 a.m. March 25 board meeting to be held at the board hearing room of the Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria. Other water districts throughout the southern half of the state will also be considering similar closures. Lake Cuyamaca management in San Diego has also already closed its waters to boaters.
Commentary Water agency heads are wringing their hands in glee over quagga mussel threat
By JIM MATTHEWS Outdoor News Service Water agency heads are thrilled about quagga mussels. The invasive mollusk will clog their water systems more effectively than a Barney doll will plug up your toilet when flushed by a three-year-old. So why are the bureaucrats happy? If they don’t already have quagga mussels, the mere threat of them gives the agency brass an excuse to do something they’ve been wanting to do for years: close their lakes and reservoirs to public use. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is a perfect example. Here is an agency that kept Haiwee Reservoir in Inyo County closed for decades for no good reason. When some local anglers and one fishing attorney teamed up to bring the LADWP in compliance with state law that mandates that anglers be allowed access, they grudgingly opened the reservoir. Then came 9-11. And under the guise of protecting the public’s water supply, the LADWP brass slammed the gates closed again on Haiwee. Never mind that having anglers at the lake added more eyes to keep an eye out for terrorists trying to dump poison into the lake. Never mind that this water passes through -- oh -- a half dozen water checks where any problems would be detected. It really wasn’t about security. LADWP honchos never wanted people fishing the lake in the first place. It was too much trouble, and under the made-up guise of some “terrorist threat” they closed it again. The fishing attorney has retired. It’s closed again. Now water agencies have a very real threat to their entire water supply system. Quagga mussels are tiny and reproduce with amazing rapidity. In a couple of years, masses of them can carpet a lake bottom, cover docks, and jam valves, pipes, and aqueducts. Because they are tiny, they can easily hitch rides attached to fishing and recreational craft. They can live out of water for days, weeks even. In bilge water, they can live months. A bass boat can be on Lake Havasu one weekend, pick up a few quaggas, and then transport them to Lake Casitas the next weekend. Water agencies were alerted to this problem in California about the time of 9-11, but they’ve refused to do any proactive planning or develop measures to keep the mussels out of California water systems. Now the mussels are in the Colorado River system, which is attached to most of Southern California’s municipal water supply. Again, never mind that the mussels will be able to work their way through the piping system just about everywhere, let’s target those people we really don’t want to deal with at those water supply reservoirs. Let’s ban fisherman and recreational users. If they can’t bring their boats, jet skis, ski boats, canoes, kayaks, or float tubes, most of them won’t come. Can’t you hear them thinking: “Maybe we can ban all public access. Those quagga’s could live a long time on boot and tennis shoe soles. Those people could step in the water.” It would all be in the name of protecting our water supply and keeping water rates down. Duck. The sky is falling. Or is that a bass boat? Last week, the Casitas Municipal Water District banned all private boats not already in slips or in dry dock at Casitas Lake. With a reputation as one of the best big bass fisheries in the country, this water attracts anglers from across the nation. Recreational fishing is a major artery in little Oak View’s economy. The district board clamped that artery off. While I don’t want to downplay the impact the mussels could have on any water system, the same agencies that now want to ban anglers -- and you can bet they are all lining up to do the same thing done at Casitas -- have done little or nothing to develop inspection or disinfection stations that are thorough and quick. They have known this problem was coming for years. Lake Cuyamaca and Lake Wohlford were the first Southern California waters to be closed to private water craft, and last week’s Casitas decision is just the first of a whole succession of waters that will likely be closed. Quickly. If you thought the emission standards mandated for private craft at Diamond Valley was a bad deal, just wait. It’s going to get worse. Yet, there are other alternatives. At the Fred Hall Show this past week in Long Beach, the Department of Fish and Game was trotting around a quagga-sniffing dog. Could it sniff out a single mussel? Probably. That sounds like a pretty quick and cheap solution for water agencies. Imagine if they all had started training dogs five years ago. It will be easier to ban anglers. Agency experts simply say there are no guarantees with a sniffing dog, and the only sure solution is to eliminate the human transport mechanism. This is the equivalent of locking three-year olds with Barney dolls out of the bathroom. It might work, but there are other consequences. The result of both actions is the same: What’s that smell? Shhhhhh. Now use another sense. Can you hear the padlocks being snapped shut?
NEW FIREARMS ON DISPLAY: Want to have a look at the latest firearm products from Remington, Marlin, Springfield Armory, and many others? The Shootist in Murrieta is having a special new product expo and open house this Saturday and Sunday and most of the major firearms makers will have representatives in attendance showing their 2008 products. The Shootist, which also has one of the finest used gun departments in Southern California, is located at 24910 Washington in historic downtown Murrieta. For information or directions, call 951-698-7543 or log on to the web site at www.TheShootistGuns.com.
PREVENTING SNAKE BITE IN DOGS: Dog training expert Bob Kettle will be conducting two series of snake avoidance classes for family and hunting dogs in May. The classes are being run by local chapters of Quail Unlimited as fund-raising events to improve upland bird habitat in Southern California. This means you get to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. You not only protect your hunting dog from rattlesnake bite, but you also see that he’ll have birds to find this fall. The first sessions are May 17-18 in Hesperia and the second sessions are May 31-June 1 in Sierra Madre. For information on the Hesperia class, contact John Shaver with the High Desert Chapter of QU at 760-956-8160. For the Sierra Madre session, call the San Gabriel Valley Chapter at 866-206-9070 x6715. These events usually sell out, so early reservations are recommended.
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
MARCH 14-16 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Cima area of the Mojave National Preserve March 14-16. Five guzzlers and two springs are scheduled for repair and restoration. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project dates are April 11-13 and May 16-18. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net. MARCH 15 HIGH DESERT NWTF BANQUET: The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will have its second annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 15 at Hesperia Terrace, 17581 Sultana, Hesperia. Tickets are $60 per person, $95 per couple. Contacts: 760-956-7092, 760-887-1092, 760-694-1191. MARCH 15 BISHOP CWA BANQUET: The Bishop Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 15, at the Tri-County Fairgrounds, 1141 N. Main St., Bishop. Tickets are $65 per person. Contacts: Joe Pecsi at 760-872-0999 or Tom Homen at 209-587-0886. Information: www.calwaterfowl.org. MARCH 15-16 NEW FIREARMS PRODUCT EXPO: The Shootist, 24910 Washington Ave., Murrieta, will be hosting a new firearms product expo 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 16. Most major firearm manufacturers will have all their new 2008 products on display giving consumers a first opportunity to see the new models. Free raffles all day, both days. Contact The Shootist at 951-698-7543 or get more information at www.theshootistguns.com. MARCH 20 ARCHERY HOG HUNTING SKILLS WORKSHOP: Proper broadhead selection will be the subject of a free archery hog hunting skills workshop at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 20 at the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. Contact Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. MARCH 22 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be having its annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 22, at the Oak Tree Room (next to Coco’s Restaurant), 1150 Colorado Blvd., Arcadia. Cost is $70 per person, $100 per couple Funds raised will be used for upland bird habitat improvement projects in Southern California. For more information, call 866-206-9070 x6715. MARCH 22 SIGHT-FISHING FOR BASS WORKSHOP: Sight-fishing for largemouth bass will be the subject of a free fishing skills workshop at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 22 at the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. Contact Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. MARCH 26-30 FRED HALL DEL MAR SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 26-30 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This is the companion show to the Long Beach event, and it is the largest sportsman’s show in San Diego County. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339. MARCH 29 WHITE SEABASS FISHING WORKSHOP: White seabass fishing tips and tactics will be the subject of a free saltwater fishing skills workshop at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 29 at the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. Contact Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. MARCH 29 CAMPING WORKSHOP: Tent selection for different outdoor camping conditions and needs will be the subject of a free personalized camping skills workshop from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. Contact Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. MARCH 29-30 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa guns shows will be June 7-8, Aug. 16-17, and Nov. 29-30. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com. MARCH 29-30 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are April 19-20, May 17-18, June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com. APRIL 4-6 WEST COAST HUNTER’S EXPO: The West Coast Hunter’s Expo is a three-day hunting-only sportsman’s show to be held April 4-6 at the Newport Dunes Resort and Marina, Newport Beach. Hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 with children under 12 free. Information: www.westcoasthunters.com. APRIL 5 CALIFORNIA DEER ASSOCIATION SAN BERNARDINO BANQUET: The Southern California Chapter of the California Deer Association will have its 7th annual fund-raising banquet beginning 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the National Orange Show, San Bernardino. Funds are used to benefit deer and deer habitat throughout the state, including work on a number of Southern California projects. Dinner tickets are $70 per person or $105 per couple. Contact Merle Binder at 909-794-3604, Glen Tessers at 310-973-8148, or Dave Mahosky at 951-237-0573. Information: www.caldeer.org. APRIL 5 COACHELLA VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The Coachella Valley Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its annual cowboy-themed fund-raiser beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at the Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison St., Coachella. Cost is $45 per person. Contact David Chandler at 760-200-8999 or via e-mail at cvfnra@coachellavalleysecurity.com. APRIL 5 NORCO 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 2008 class dates are May 3, June 21, July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981. APRIL 5 RANCHO CUCAMONGA HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. These free classes are held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Bass Pro and limited to 40 people. This class is full; next open class is June 7. Reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. APRIL 5-6 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next Bakersfield gun shows will be June 21-22, August 30-31, and Nov. 22-23. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com. APRIL 12 HOG HUNTING SEMINAR: There will be a two-hour wild hog hunting primer at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga, beginning 10 a.m., Saturday, April 12. The free seminar will be conducted by Jim Matthews, editor of California Hog Hunter, a newsletter on hunting wild hogs, and Durwood Hollis, hunting book author and public land hog hunting expert. Information and reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. APRIL 12 and 19 POWER SQUADRON BOATING COURSE: The U.S. Power Squadron will be hosting a two-day boating skills class for boat owners and their families April 12 and 10 in Victorville. The class includes instruction on boat handling, seamanship, equipment, rules and regulation, knots, charts and aids to navigation, engine troubleshooting, trailering and much more. The first day is classroom work, while the second day is on-the-water instruction at Silverwood Lake. Information call 888-367-8777, e-mail seo@arroheadsps.org, or visit the web site at www.arrowheadSPS.org. APRIL 19-20 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are May 17-18, June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com. MAY 3 NORCO 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 2008 class dates are June 21, July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981. MAY 3 RANCHO CUCAMONGA HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. These free classes are held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Bass Pro and limited to 40 people. This class is full; next open class is June 7. Reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. MAY 17 SPRING SMACKDOWN TROUT DERBY: The annual Spring Smackdown Trout Derby will be held at Diamond Valley Lake from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17. Entry fee is $35 for adults, $10 for juniors. Top prize is $1,000. Proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Southwest. Contact: Last Change Bait and Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410. MAY 17-18 HESPERIA SNAKE AVOIDANCE CLINIC FOR DOGS: The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting two days of snake avoidance training for dogs at the Kingston Elementary School, 7473 Kingston Ave., Hesperia. The classes are run by Bob Kettle, an expert in this kind of training, and cost is $55 per dog. Appointments are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. All proceeds are used to improve wildlife habitat in the West Mojave. Contact John Shaver at 760-956-8160 to sign up or for more information. MAY 17-18 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will be Oct. 11-12. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com. MAY 17-18 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com. MAY 31-JUNE 1 SIERRA MADRE SNAKE AVOIDANCE CLINIC FOR DOGS: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting two days of snake avoidance training for dogs at the Sierra Madre Dog Park, 611 Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. The classes are run by Bob Kettle, an expert in this kind of training, and cost is $65 per dog. Appointments are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. All proceeds are used to improve upland bird habitat in Southern California. Contact 866-206-9070 x6715 or e-mail sgvqu@onbox.com. JUNE 7 RANCHO CUCAMONGA HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. These free classes are held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Bass Pro and limited to 40 people. Reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. JUNE 7-8 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 6-7 and Nov. 1-2. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com. JUNE 14 HOG HUNTING SEMINAR: There will be a two-hour wild hog hunting primer at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga beginning 10 a.m., Saturday, June 14. The free seminar will be conducted by Jim Matthews, editor of California Hog Hunter, a newsletter on hunting wild hogs, and Durwood Hollis, hunting book author and public land hog hunting expert. Information and reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. JUNE 20-22 BLYTHE CATMASTERS FISHING TOURNAMENT: The West Coast Catmasters will have its second annual Blythe Flatmasters Gathering and Tournament June 20-22 at Mayflower Park, Blythe. Entry fee is $25 per angler with $20 going to the big stringer pot and $5 to the big fish pot. More information at www.westcoastcatmasters.com. JUNE 21 NORCO 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 2008 class dates are July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981. JUNE 21-22 VICTORVILLE GUN SHOW: The Victorville Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 21, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at the San Bernardino County Fair Grounds, Victorville. Admission is $9. The next Victorville gun show will be Sept. 27-28. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.victorvillegunshow.com. JUNE 21-22 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next Bakersfield gun shows will be August 30-31 and Nov. 22-23. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com. JULY 5 RANCHO CUCAMONGA HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. These free classes are held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Bass Pro and limited to 40 people. Reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500. JULY 12 NORCO 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 2008 class dates are Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981. AUGUST 9-10 GLENDALE GUN SHOW: The Glendale Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, Glendale. Admission is $9. The next Glendale gun show will be Nov. 15-16. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.glendalegunshow.com.
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. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426. 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 steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com. CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s 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 idpamike@yahoo.com. 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 fish_90605@yahoo.com. 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 m_r_cross@yahoo.com. 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. HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966. 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 incareal@juno.com. 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 mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net. 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 Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794. 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 prendergasts@netzero.com. 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 meet 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Bob Peters via e-mail at bpi1@ca.rr.com or Don Jamroz at donjamroz@aol.com. QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net. QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com. QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. 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 davidpreddy@cox.net 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 sgvqu@onebox.com. 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 Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. 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 sssarmi@sbcglobal.net. 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 crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com. 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 TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com. 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 odwriter@earthlink.net. Following the style
used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the
likelihood of it being included here.] |