According to the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the deadline is rapidly approaching for several special hunting opportunities announced in the 2008 California Hunting Digest Big Game book.
The book, with news items, applications for special hunting opportunities and harvest statistics, is now available to subscribers and is at all DFG license offices, as well as independent license agents.
One of the major changes in hunting this year is the new requirement for hunting in California condor range. Beginning July 1, it will be illegal to use lead ammunition for hunting deer, bear, wild pig, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope in areas designated as California condor range. The areas affected are most of deer hunt Zone A, South Unit 110 and all of deer D7-11, and D13.
More information and a map of the range area can be found in the magazine. Information is available at website www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor.
June 2 is the due date for hunters wishing to participate in the Big Game Drawing as described in the book. This special drawing requires any licensed hunter over the age of 16 to complete and submit an application which is located in the booklet. Each application must be submitted with a non-refundable fee of $7.50. Each hunter has the opportunity to state their hunting preferences in these drawings.
Pending approval by the Fish and Game Commission, elk hunters also can look forward to an additional 10 tags for the Northwestern California Roosevelt Elk Hunt. DFG proposed offering these additional tags to help with the increasing elk populations and the overall success of the hunt during last year.
For information on how to apply for a special hunt, please pick up a free copy of DFG's California Hunting Digest Big Game book from outlets above.
or sign-up electronically to regularly receive this quarterly publication at publications@dfg.ca.gov.
Hunters can also find a mail order form to purchase a license and tag applications at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/hunting.html.
For information, call Lorna Bernard, Office of Communications, Education & Outreach, (916) 322-8937 or James Fong, License and Revenue Branch Chief, (916) 928-6888.