Geese Had Benefited From Breeding Gains--Until Now

Ducks and geese have benefited from improved breeding conditions, but they might also feel the sting of what seems a double-edged sword.

Because of outstanding duck production in recent years, the California Department of Fish and Game has persuaded the federal government to relax strict measures designed to protect waterfowl in their drought-related decline a few years ago.

The DFG sought, and got, slight increases in bag limits and hunts for geese for the first time in a decade.

“We have experienced two good years of duck production in prairie duck breeding areas and many waterfowl species have increased substantially,” said Terry Mansfield, chief of DFG wildlife management. “It is appropriate to cautiously relax regulations.”

California’s waterfowl seasons are divided among five regions. The statewide bag limit has increased from four birds daily, eight in possession, to five birds daily and 10 in possession. The exception is the Colorado River Zone, where limits remain the same but where hunters will have 10 extra days to shoot and will be allowed to kill white-fronted geese for the first time since 1988. Throughout California, hunters will be able to shoot Canada geese--with a limit of one--for the first time since 1984.

Still, the DFG isn’t entirely satisfied. It had hoped for even higher limits and longer hunts, based on what it calls “sound biological reasoning” and called the federally imposed regulations “very conservative.”

Duck season opens Friday in the Colorado River Zone and Saturday in the Northern Zone, but most openers--including in the Southern Zone, which includes Southern California--begins Oct. 22. Most goose seasons open on or after Oct. 22.

Booklets detailing the number of each species allowed in each limit in each zone are expected to be available Oct. 10.

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It’s fall and it has been raining, but the ocean is still warm and the tuna are beginning to bite with consistency.

San Diego’s overnight fleet, operating south of the border, is reporting counts of yellowfin tuna into the thousands regularly for the first time all year, and even L.A. Harbor landings are getting into the act, catching tuna in U.S. waters 80 miles offshore.

Anglers aboard the First String out of L.A. Harbor Sportfishing bagged 116 during a two-day trip that ended Monday and the Islander out of 22nd St. reported similar success.

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The Kern River Fish Hatchery, which had been scheduled for closure by the state, is getting a reprieve.

Senator Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) said an agreement has been reached with the DFG--which said it was closing the hatchery for economic reasons--to keep it operational.

“The economic benefit to the community and the rest of Kern County in keeping this hatchery open far outweighs the savings to the state,” Maddy said.

The DFG’s announcement to close the hatchery, providing a savings of $115,000 a year, resulted in a public outcry among Kern County residents. They said they would suffer an economic blow because the decline in local fisheries would lead to a loss in tourism and fisheries-related revenue.

The result was an agreement that will reportedly maintain current stocking levels of 95,000 pounds of fish a year and the development of a plan to reduce DFG staff and utilize volunteers at the hatchery.

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The big marlin, the blacks and blues, continue to make waves off Cabo San Lucas. The largest of the week: a 580-pound black caught by Cabo resident Mike Godfried. A 430-pound blue was caught as well, and there were many catches in the 200-300-pound class.

According to Larry Edwards of Lemon Grove’s Cortez Yacht Charters, the U.S. representative of the Gaviota Fleet, many of the fish are now being taken on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula.

Edwards said that Malibu’s Jim Rapf, owner of the yacht Rapfsody, called from the cape to report losing an estimated 600-pound blue marlin that ate a dorado he was fighting on 20-pound test. A fisherman on Rapf’s boat reportedly fought the marlin for three hours before the line broke.

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For the first time, the Marina del Rey Halibut Derby--one of two local annual halibut tournaments--will be conducted in the fall rather than spring.

This year’s event, which benefits Boy Scouts of America and other youth groups and conservation projects, will be held Saturday and Sunday in Santa Monica Bay. Fishing begins at 5 a.m. Saturday and ends at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The tournament is open to private boaters, but Marina del Rey Sportfishing’s Betty O and Redondo’s Sea Spray will cater to non-boat owners.

Cost is $35 for the derby and $60 for the derby and banquet. Details: (310) 822-7090.

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A large black bear is reportedly doing fine after falling into a well late last week in a small town in Northern California.

And according to one official, freeing the bear “was like pulling a cork out of a champagne bottle.”

The bear, estimated at 350 pounds, was pulled from the 30-foot well by a tow-truck equipped with winch and harness.

According to a DFG news release, the bear “immediately shrugged off his rescue harness, pushed over a wire fence and lumbered off into the woods.”

Mona Hardson, owner of the property in Weaverville, called wildlife officials after hearing “clicking sounds” in her out-of-service well, which she plans to fill.

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Whales, dolphins and porpoises are the focus of the “Masters of the Ocean Realm” exhibit in progress through Jan. 8 at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum’s venue in Burbank. The exhibition features, among other things, life-size dioramas and special effects that “give the illusion of diving with these impressive creatures.” Details: (818) 557-3562.