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Waterfowl at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. CDFW Photo by Travis VanZant.
February 2025 California Department
of Fish and Wildlife Calendar
All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Spring pig and turkey hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $14.61 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — White Goose Late Season Opens in the Imperial County Special Management Area. The season is open Feb. 3-9 and Feb. 12-20. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
Various Days — Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a 2/3-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. Each tour is limited to 30 people. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). This 90-minute tour will stroll a third of a mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, herons, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in northern California, as migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To sign up, visit the Eventbrite registration page. To purchase a Lands Pass, visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 25 people per tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — Deadline to Report on Bear Tag. All bear tag holders are required to report on their tag regardless of whether they were successful, unsuccessful or did not hunt bear. The deadline for reporting on a bear hunt tag is Feb. 1. After the Feb. 1 deadline, the online reporting system will lock hunters out from reporting. Hunters who miss the online reporting window can and should still mail in their tags to the address on the tag. All bear tags postmarked after Feb. 1 will be considered late. Tags can be reported online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales.
1 — Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Southside Park, 2115 6th St., Sacramento (95818). It’s trout season in Sacramento! Join CDFW at Youth Beginner Fishing Clinics, held monthly at local parks on Saturdays through March. These free fishing clinics are for beginners ages 5-15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation and hopefully to catch their first fish! All materials are provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about Fishing in the City and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city/sac. To learn more about Fishing in the City opportunities in other areas, visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city.
1-2 — Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and Balance of State Zones. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
2 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9-11 a.m., City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant, 45400 County Road 28H, Davis (95618). The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. During the tour, participants will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route. Several stops will be made along the way providing guests with a closer look at the many species of birds that utilize the more than 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands. To register, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours. Contact volunteer@yolobasin.org for more information.
2 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon's Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2/2/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
5 — White and White-fronted Goose Late Season Opens in the Northeastern Zone (closing March 10). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
6 — Flyway Nights Speaker Series: Megan Isadore, River Otter Ecology Project, 7-9 p.m., via Zoom. Join Megan Isadore for an entertaining and educational program to learn about river otters’ remarkable lives and adaptability. River Otter Ecology Project has been studying the resurgence of otters in the Bay Area and beyond since 2012. Learn about their life history, prey species, behavior and why we care so much about where they live and how they are doing. For more information, visit the Yolo Basin Foundation website at yolobasin.org/flywaynights. To register, visit the event registration page.
6 — Fisheries Restoration Grant Program 2025 Proposal Solicitation Notice: Concept Proposal Phase Workshop, 11 a.m. to noon, via webinar. For agenda and meeting link, visit wildlife.ca.gov/notices.
7 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/2/7/friday-habitat-restoration.
8 — Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month! Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
8 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/2/8-creek-cleanup.
8 — White and White-fronted Goose Late Season Opens in the Balance of State Zone (closing Feb. 12). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
8-9 — Canada Goose Late Season in the Balance of State Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
8-9 — Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Colorado River Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
8-9 — Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and Balance of State Zones. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
11 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Taxidermy Care 101, How to Prepare Wildlife for Mounting, 6-7 p.m. You finally harvested the wildlife you have been pursuing, and you want to preserve that animal for the taxidermist. Now what? A knowledgeable taxidermist will discuss what you can do in the field to better preserve wildlife for taxidermy. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/219581.
12 — Canada Goose Late Season in the North Coast Special Management Area (closing March 10). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
12-13 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, 8 a.m., California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Second Floor, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
15 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon's Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2/15/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
16 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Wetlands Tour, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Tour the Yolo Wildlife Area with an experienced field trip leader! View flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, look for migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. We will meet at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Headquarters. To register, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours. Contact volunteer@yolobasin.org for more information.
19 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft! Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.
22 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/2/22/community-habitat-restoration.
22 — Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month! Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
25 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Bone Broth Delicious and Nutritious, 6-7 p.m. Do you want to show the animals you harvest the utmost respect? Are you looking to utilize more of your wild game? Our presenter will show you how to transform the bones of everything from turkey to elk into delicious bone broth! After this webinar, you will think twice about throwing the dog a bone. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/221919.
26 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
26 — CDFW’s Annual Salmon Information Meeting, 10 a.m., via Zoom webinar. This free annual information meeting covers 2024 spawner abundances returning to the Central Valley and Klamath Basins, 2025 abundance forecasts, and management context guiding the development and implementation of 2025 ocean salmon fisheries. The public are invited to learn about pertinent data and management context shaping the upcoming ocean salmon season. This meeting will be hosted as a webinar only. The meeting link, agenda and other materials will be posted on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Calendar of Events webpage as they become available. For more information, contact the Ocean Salmon Project at emma.keller@wildlife.ca.gov.
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