Dates Set for Volunteer Work Days at San Jacinto Wildlife Area

Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, advised that the next volunteer work day for San Jacinto Wildlife Area would be Saturday, August 3rd.  Tom told me that this work day will be primarily to clean out and make ready the 65 water control structures on the wildlife area’s duck ponds so they can start flooding for the upcoming season.  Tom advised that volunteers should meet at the check station at 7 am and anyone coming out to volunteer should bring gloves, shovels and/or hoes and lots of water, since its expected to be hot. After the work is done we will get together at a local Mexican restaurant for a well deserved lunch (each person responsible for their own bill).

Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout as 65 water control structures is a lot to clean out and, of course, the more the merrier (and the less work for each person).

Tom also told me that they have set Saturday, September 28th as the volunteer blind brush-up day at San Jacinto.  This work day will begin at 7 am and is to brush up the blinds on the refuge and make them ready for the upcoming season.  Tom advised that palm fronds are needed (the type without the thorns) and since much of the area will be at least partially flooded by then bring your waders.  Also, as always when working at SJ bring a good supply of drinking water as it will likely still be hot in late September. Just like the first work day, after the work is done we will get together at a local Mexican restaurant for a well deserved lunch (each person responsible for their own bill).

A good turn out for this one will help get things in “ship shape” at San Jacinto and we’ll all look forward to another great season of waterfowling.

If you have any questions contact Tom Trakes at the San Jacinto headquarters at (951) 236-3040, or the San Jacinto staff at (951) 928-0580.

San Jacinto Wildlife Area’s Annual Hunter Education Course a Big Success

Saturday, June 1st was San Jacinto Wildlife Area’s Annual Hunter’s Education Class. Tom Trakes, of San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that 36 new hunters passed their Hunter’s Education test (14 more then last year!) and are now eligible to be fully licensed hunters in the State of California. The students ranged in age from about 9 years old on up.

 

The hunter’s education students, and for then younger ones, their parents, all enjoyed a nice barbecue lunch together at the San Jacinto Headquarters at midday.

The next activity for hunters will be a workday at San Jacinto Wildlife Area, probably late July or early August. This will be a general workday to clean out water control structures and plan and perhaps build or replace some blinds in the waterfowl area. There will then be at least one additional workday, likely in early September, to finish up what work is needed and to brush up the blinds. Keep your eye on SoCalHunt for announcements of the exact dates when these are set.