OUTDOOR NOTES : No Longer Hunted, DFG Back in Hunt

As cautiously and quietly as they would stalk a deer, California hunters are optimistic that they have turned the tide against the anti-hunting lobby.

For the first time in four years, according to the California Wildlife Federation, no negative comments or challenges have been filed on the Department of Fish and Game’s Environmental Impact Reports for big game. Even the archery bear hunt, which was tossed out by a Sacramento Superior Court last year, went unchallenged past the June 5 deadline for opposition.

This means that the deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and elk seasons all will proceed as proposed by the DFG next fall and winter, subject to approval by the Fish and Game Commission.

DFG wildlife biologist Doug Updike said: “This is an extremely important milestone for the department. (The) staff has dedicated thousands of hours in document preparation--valuable staff time that, now that EIR text and format have been established, can once again be dedicated to wildlife management.”

If the anti-hunting movement is on the wane, its repeated court victories at least achieved the purpose of forcing the DFG to get its ducks in line with proper biological documentation of the various big-game species. The turning point was last year’s general black bear hunt, which was approved by the same judge who struck down the archery bear hunt.

Daniel C. Heal, president of the United Fund for Outdoorsmen, said, “It looks like smooth and safe sailing. The Fund for Animals representative told us that their attorneys recommended not taking any action because the environmental documents were all in order. The department has done an excellent job. Hunters, fishermen--all outdoorsmen--are finally starting to work together.”

BAJA FISHING--Blue marlin have become active from Cabo San Lucas to the East Cape, to the delight of fishermen heretofore scrapping for a striper or sailfish, which for the past few weeks have been reluctant to feed. Most of the blues range from 200 to 400 pounds and are striking artificials. Malibu’s Richard Moore, fishing out of Rancho Buena Vista in the East Cape, took a black marlin weighing 628 pounds. The 88-fathom spot north of the East Cape continues to produce unusually large yellowfin tuna, from 40 to 100 pounds. . . . At Cabo, winds, which slowed fishing last week, were mellowing by week’s end. Vern Farmer, aboard Gaviota VII, took a 572-pound black marlin. . . . San Diego’s fleet eagerly awaits the arrival of albacore--or any tuna--but there have been few spottings of the popular gamefish and fewer catches. The fleet’s medium-range boats are having limited success on yellowtail, and most are resorting to the productive calico bass and rockfish fisheries along the Baja coast and the offshore islands.

ALASKA FISHING--Bill Peck of Montclair reported excellent fishing for sockeye salmon below the confluence of the Kenai and Russian rivers and for halibut out of Homer. On the Kenai, Peck said, about 2,000 anglers were elbow to elbow for a mile. “I never saw so many fish in my life,” Peck said. “The sockeyes were absolutely wild.” He estimated he released about 90 above his limit of three per day. He also took a king salmon of 24 1/2 pounds and said: “When I threw it on the bank, an eagle tried to steal it.”

SALTWATER FISHING--Whopper of the Week for Week 4 of the Saltwater Whoppers Derby went to Ed Guinn, who was fishing out of Santa Barbara’s SEA Landing when he caught a 27-pound 3-ounce white seabass. Guinn moved into fifth place in the Seabass, Yellowtail and Albacore category.

FLY-FISHING--Guide Kelvin Gregory will speak on fishing the Kern River at the Pasadena Casting Club’s meeting Thursday night at 7:30, at the Masonic Temple, 3130 Huntington Dr. . . . Author-guide Larry Tullis will tell the Wilderness Fly Fishers about “Fishing the Green (River in Utah)” at their dinner meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m., at the Ramada Hotel, 1150 S. Beverly Dr. Non-members are welcome. Details: (213) 472-6466.

FRESHWATER FISHING--Jon Kraft of San Fernando Valley Bass and Tim Wilsterman of Bass & Buddies tied for first place in the Southern California Bass Council’s Top Gun tournament at Lake Castaic. Each caught five-fish limits weighing 8 1/4 pounds.

INSTRUCTION--Roosterfish School at Hotel Las Arenas, 45 miles below La Paz, July 17-21. Contact Kit McNear at Sportfishing Seminars, Inc.: (818) 762-LURE. . . . Eagle Claw Fishing Schools--featuring one-on-one instruction--will target various species at the popular Horseshoe Kelp area off San Pedro July 20 aboard the Sport King. Limited to 30 anglers. Cost: $100. Details: (714) 840-6555. . . . The East Fork Fly Fishing Store in Irvine will start a series of weekly, one-night classes for beginners July 17. Details: (714) 724-8840. . . . Fish-On seminar, with the program’s Dan Hernandez and other instructors discussing nearshore-to-offshore fishing tactics July 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Balboa Bay Club. Cost $20. Details: (805) 296-5422.

GRUNION--Runs on Southland beaches are expected starting Saturday at 11:05 p.m., then at midnight, 12:50 a.m. and 2 a.m. on consecutive nights. Bare hands only, and fishing licenses are required for those age 16 and over.

HUNTING--The Los Angeles chapter of Quail Unlimited will meet on July 17 at 7 p.m. at 3701 S. Gaffey St., Bldg. 625, in San Pedro. Gunsmith Bill Houston and San Gabriel chapter habitat coordinator Pierre Lucas will be featured.

FOR THE RECORD--A June 24 feature on pargo fishing near La Paz listed an incorrect international telephone number for further information. The number is 011-526-822-1313.