April 1, 2009

Commentary
Bighorn sheep herds growing and
more hunting could speed growth

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     Arizona has over 7,000 desert bighorn sheep and issues about 100 tags to hunters each year. Nevada has 5,000 desert sheep and issues 60 to 70 tags each year. California probably has more desert sheep than Nevada, but probably not quite as many as Arizona. So how many tags do you think we issue?
     California issues fewer than 20 tags most years. This coming fall, because our state game agency didn’t complete aerial surveys this season, the state will probably only issue 16 or 17 bighorn tags, and two of those will be sold to the highest bidders.
     California should have more bighorn sheep than Arizona. But even at today’s sheep population levels, we should be issuing between 60 and 80 tags for hunters each fall. That would require the DFG do accurate surveys on all of the state’s sheep herds, determine which ones could support hunting, and change how it determines how many tags are issued. The reality is this agency can’t even survey the hunted herds because of budget constraints. This is a catch-22. The game programs generate money for the DFG, but when they are cut, revenue declines so they can’t pay to do the work necessary to allocate more tags which would generate more money.
     “If Cal Fish and Game was doing its job, we should have a minimum of 35 tags each year,” said Gary Thomas, a volunteer with the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep. Thomas said that the added study necessary to increase tag numbers and give the state vital information on sheep herds in the state would require two or three people assigned to the desert sheep program.
     The DFG has five biologists working on Sierra Nevada bighorn because they are in danger of becoming extinct, and there’s federal funding for endangered species.
     But there’s not a single full-time, staff position devoted to desert sheep. This is in spite of the fact that herds have been growing the last decade, and there are several herds that could support a tag or two each year, but they aren’t hunted because the DFG doesn’t have the data.
     Thomas said Society maintains water sources and does informal surveys in desert mountain ranges each year, and they have noted growth in many herds. But the DFG has to have documentation on herd increase and can only issue one tag for every 15 mature rams (most states issue three to five tags for every 15 mature rams). They don’t know how many sheep live in most desert ranges because they can’t afford the expensive helicopter time currently required to count them.
     Thomas says it’s time to come into the 21st century and use trail cameras to make population estimates, correlating them with occasional ground and aerial surveys to assure accuracy. Both the National Park Service, on the Mojave National Preserve, and the Society are now placing cameras on desert water sources and the data flowing in is astounding. Thomas says it is simple to identify many individual animals and herd groups and he thinks accurate population estimates will be relatively simple once the techniques are tested and developed.
     Then maybe we could see an increase in bighorn tag numbers.
     But this is about far more than additional hunting opportunity. If 10 more tags are sold, the state would be able to fund the two to three biologists necessary for the DFG to monitor all the desert herds and fund additional habitat and relocation programs. How? If two of the “new” tags were raffle tags, each of those could raise $150,000 to $200,000 per year or more with a minor promotion program in the state’s sporting goods stores.
     That infusion of funding, if earmarked for desert sheep, could help restore bighorn populations back into dozens of historic ranges where they disappeared over 50 years ago, which was the original intent of having a hunting program -- to fund restoration of the herds.
     When the hunting program began, the motto was “10,000 by 2000” -- 10,000 bighorn sheep statewide by the year 2000 because of the additional funding it would generate. We could have been there if the DFG had done its job aggressively. But we’ve lost our way with bighorn and so many other state wildlife and fishery programs.

DFG missing the boat on
tournament trout plants
     It’s the little things that drive those of us in the private sector crazy about government agencies. This week’s second mind-numbing puzzler also comes from the Department of Fish and Game.
     The big Lake Isabella tagged trout derby to be held this Saturday through Monday has been getting press all over the state because there will be privately raised and planted trout wearing cash tags. One tagged fish is worth $20,000 and 10 others are worth $10,000 each this year. There will be another 900-plus tags worth from $1,000 down to $20. If all the tagged trout were caught during the event, there would be more than $200,000 paid out.
     So a lot of anglers are converging on Lake Isabella this weekend.
     Yet, Lake Isabella is not being stocked by the DFG this week for the big derby. It wasn’t stocked last week. It wasn’t even stocked the week before that.
     Is anyone in the DFG’s Fresno office paying attention? How tough would it have been to divert an Isabella plant slated for some other time to this week to help this community event?
     Thankfully, even without the DFG fish, the lake has been planted with several tons of rainbow trout. Many were raised in net pens in the lake, and trophy trout from Alpers’ hatchery in the Eastern Sierra were planted this week and last week. The trout bite is wide open. No thanks to the DFG.
     (Complete registration information and costs are available at http://derby.kernrivervalley.com or you can call 760-379-7511 or e-mail derby@kernrivervalley.com.)

Volunteers are doing the
heavy lifting for wildlife

     Cliff McDonald and his Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group refurbished five small game guzzlers and two springs this past weekend in the Mojave Preserve. Over 60 people, most of them hunters, were on Cliff’s work crew this time around. Over the past two years, his volunteers have resurfaced and repaired most of the water sources in the Preserve, increasing the availability of water for desert wildlife. You can puff up and tell yourself you’re doing something good for wildlife when you join Audubon or some other conservation group, but this is where the rubber meets the road.... The California Deer Association is having its annual fund-raising banquet this Saturday at the National Orange Show grounds in San Bernardino. This group has been responsible for on-the-ground projects throughout the state, and over a dozen locally, that benefit deer and other wildlife. Since manpower is always donated, the money raised at events like these is used for materials and equipment and goes a lot further. Tickets are $75 per person and you can pay at the door, but be sure to call Glenn Tessers at 310-973-8148 or Karen Shackelford at 619-887-1092 to reserve your spot.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     APRIL 3-5 ORANGE COUNTY BOAT SHOW: The 17th Annual Orange County Boat show will be held Friday through Sunday at the Anaheim Convention Center (across the steet from Disneyland). Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12, $6 after 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Children 12 and under free. For more information, go to www.orangecountyboatshow.com or call the Southern California Marine Association at 714-633-7581.
     APRIL 4 CALIFORNIA DEER ASSOCIATION BANQUET: The Southern California Chapter of the California Deer Association will have its annual banquet and fund-raiser beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, April 4, at the National Orange Show-Renniasance Room, 689 S. E Street, San Bernardino. For tickets or more information, contact Glenn Tessers at 310-973-8148 or Karen Shackelford at 619-887-1092.
     APRIL 4-5 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The remaining 2009 dates for the Bakersfield gun shows include June 20-21, Sept. 5-6, and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     APRIL 4-6 LAKE ISABELLA $200,000 FISHING DERBY: The 20th annual Lake Isabella Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, April 4, through Monday, April 6, on the waters of Lake Isabella. There will be tagged trout and prizes worth over $200,000, including one tagged trout worth $20,000, ten trout worth $10,000, and 989 tagged fish worth from $1,000 to $20. Individual entry fee is $15 per person of $35 per family before March 15 or $20 for individuals and $45 for families after March 15. Complete registration information at http://derby.kernrivervalley.com. For more information, call 760-379-7511 or e-mail derby@kernrivervalley.com.
     APRIL 11 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RMEF FUND-RAISER: The San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will have its big game banquet and fund-raiser beginning 4 p.m., Saturday, April 11, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 21333 Strathern St., Canoga Park. The event will celebrate the 25th anniversary of RMEF with live country music, catered barbecue, raffles and auction hunting trips. Cost is $75 per person. For information, call Cathy O’Connor at 818-345-4426 or via e-mail at SFVelkFoundation@aol.com.
     APRIL 11 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 2009 class dates are May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     APRIL 17-19 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve April 17-91. 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 date is May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
     APRIL 18 SAN DIEGO FRIENDS OF THE NRA FUND-RAISER: The San Diego Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle, North San Diego. Dinner tickets are $50 per person. For more information, contact Lissa Davis at 714-832-1355 or via e-mail at ldavis@nrahq.org. You can also buy tickets on-line at http://friendsofnra.org/EventDocs.aspx?eid=4735&sid=5.
     APRIL 18 CWA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHOOT AND BARBECUE: The California Waterfowl Association will have its 8th annual Southern California Shoot and Barbecue beginning 8 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Triple B Clays, 831 N. Rosemead Blvd., South El Monte. The shooting event consists of 50 sporting clays targets, 25 trap targets, and 25 skeet targets followed by dinner barbecue, a live auction, silent auction, and raffle. Cost is $100 per shooter, $50 for non shooters. For more information, contact Adam Weleba at 805-975-8170.
     APRIL 18-19 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 (not valid in San Bernardino County). Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class or the remaining 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
     APRIL 19 SAN DIEGO DAY AT THE DOCKS: The 30th annual Day at the Docks, hosted by the charter sportfishing fleet at the San Diego-based landings, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the San Diego sportfishing landings, Harbor Drive and Scott Street, Point Loma. The free event will allow visitors to board most of the 70 sportfishing boats moored at the landings and there will be tackle displays, antique tackle collections, historical displays, and seminars on San Diego-based ocean fishing. For more information, go to www.sportfishing.org.
     APRIL 25 SOUTH NEVADA FRIENDS OF THE NRA FUND-RAISER: The South Nevada Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Sam’s Town Casino,5111 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas. Tickets are $75 for adults, $50 for kids 12 and under. For more information, contact CCS Guns at 702-365-1732 or via e-mail at ccsguns@worldnet.att.net.
     APRIL 25 OCEANSIDE PADDLEFEST AND FISHING DERBY: The inaugural Oceanside Paddlefest will be held Saturday, April 25, in Oceanside Harbor. The event will feature a kayak fishing derby with a $500 first place prize and on-the-water demos of Hobie kayaks and outrigger canoes, vendor displays, seminars, and raffles with all proceeds benefiting the Hubbs White Seabass Research Institute. For information, contact OEX Oceanside at 760-721-6195 or online at www.oexoceanside.com.
     MAY 1-3 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve May 1-3. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
     MAY 9 HOG HUNTING A TO Z SEMINAR: There will be a six-hour compendium wild hog hunting class at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga, beginning 10 a.m., Saturday, August 23. The $75 seminar will be conducted by Durwood Hollis, hunting book author and public land hog hunting expert, and Ron Gayer, a long-time hog hunting guide at the Tejon Ranch. For information and to register, call Hollis at 909-605-3719.
     MAY 9 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 2009 class dates are June 13, July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     MAY 14 ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL FUND-RAISER: The Orange County Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its 4th annual fund-raising dinner beginning 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Po Folks Restaurant, 7701 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Dinner tickets are $55 per person. For information, contact Frank Theodoropoulos at 714-227-3304.
     MAY 16-17 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will tentatively be Oct. 24-25. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JUNE 5-7 SHOOTING SPORTS FAIR: The Raahauge’s Shooting Sports Fair will be held Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Prado Basin. This is the only hands-on event open to the public where you can shoot virtually all of today's firearms. All major arms makers are present. Shooting exhibitions and hunting seminars all three days of event. Hours are none to 6 p.m. Friday, June 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Admission is $12 for adults, parking $5. Friday women admitted free. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JUNE 6-7 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Aug. 15-16 and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JUNE 6-7 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     JUNE 13 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 2009 class dates are July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JUNE 20-21 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next dates for the Bakersfield gun show include Sept. 5-6 and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     JULY 11 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 2009 class dates are Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JULY 16 RIVERSIDE QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Vince’s Real Italian Spaghetti Restaurant, 1206, W. Holt Blvd., Ontario. Cost is $25 per person. For information or reservations, contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or via e-mail at gibbent@gte.net.
     JULY 18 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 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.

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. 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 (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 nrajrc@msn.com.
     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 first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.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.