January | 2015 | SoCalHunt

Archive for January, 2015

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area Junior Hunt, Saturday – 1/31/15

Published January 31, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

Saturday’s special San Jacinto Wildlife Area 21st Annual Junior Waterfowl Hunt resulted in a good average take for each of the junior hunters in attendance. Shoverlers were the number one bird taken with Cinnamon Teal taking the second spot for number of birds taken. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the waterfowl take for the Junior Hunt on Saturday, 1/31/15, was as follows:

85 junior hunters checked in with 32 Northern Shovelers, 2 Mallards, 11 Gadwall, 1 Pintail, 26 Green Wing Teal, 29 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Red Heads, 3 Ring Necks, 9 Bufflehead, and 4 Ruddy Ducks. Zero geese were harvested at the Junior Hunt on Saturday. There were 10 coots checked in by the juniors on Saturday. This worked out to an average of 1.41 ducks per junior hunter or, with the coots figured in, 1.53 waterfowl per junior hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations issued 28 arrived on time.

Since SoCalHunt couldn’t attend the Junior Hunt this year I’ll be posting a report on the breakfast, lunch and raffle as soon as Tom gets me the info on that. Preliminary reports indicate it was a great event with lots of prizes and food for all that attended. As soon as I have the info I’ll post it here.

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/24/15

Published January 24, 2015 Uncategorized Closed

The average harvest of ducks per hunter at San Jacinto Wildlife Area rose slightly on this Saturday as compared to Wednesday’s totals on a day with windy, warm Santa Ana conditions. Green Wing Teal stayed in first place again for number of birds taken and Shovelers took back the second spot today just 2 bird behind the Green Wings. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/24/15 were as follows:

142 adult and 8 junior hunters bagged 99 Northern Shovelers, 61 Gadwall, 1 Widgeon, 101 Green Wing Teal, 1 Mallards, 2 Pintail, 4 Bufflehead, 12 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Redheads, 1 Ring Neck, 1 Scaup and 17 Ruddy Ducks. Zero geese were taken at San Jacinto on Saturday. 14 coots were also checked in on Saturday at San Jacinto. This figured out to an average bag per hunter of 2.01 ducks, or, with the coots included, 2.11 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 26 showed up on time.

So that’s it for the regular waterfowl season for 2014 / 2015. If you are a junior hunter, or you have a junior hunter in the family, there’s one more chance for them to waterfowl hunt this season at San Jacinto’s Annual Junior Waterfowl hunt. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 1/20/15

Published January 22, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

The per hunter average harvest of ducks at San Jacinto Wildlife Area stayed almost the same on this Wednesday as compared to Saturday’s totals on a day that started out with foggy conditions with limited visibility for a while in the morning. Green Wing Teal stayed in first place for number of birds taken and Gadwall slipped into the second spot today. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/20/15 were as follows:

115 adult and 6 junior hunters bagged 27 Northern Shovelers, 56 Gadwall, 4 Widgeon, 93 Green Wing Teal, 7 Mallards, 2 Pintail, 4 Bufflehead, 6 Cinnamon Teal, 5 Redheads, 2 Ring Necks and 12 Ruddy Ducks. No geese were harvested at San Jacinto on Wednesday. In addition 5 coots were also brought in on Wednesday at San Jacinto. This figured out to an average bag per hunter of 1.80 ducks, or, with the coots included, 1.84 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 21 showed up on time.

Don’t forget to bring a buck or two or ten, whatever you can spare if you’re able, and put some in the box in the check station for the Junior Waterfowl Hunt. These donations go towards running the event, the food and some of the prizes for the junior hunters. The juniors are the future of our sport and the junior hunt is a great way to get them enthused about the sport.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. At this point in the season it is now too late to put in for reservations on-line through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS). You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” drawing is done after that.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrive at the refuge. These can be purchased on-line via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you’re the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days. If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent you immediately get them without the wait for the mail. No licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this year. You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/17/15

Published January 17, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

The average bag of ducks at San Jacinto Wildlife Area jumped back up nearly three-quarters of a bird per hunter on Saturday over Wednesday’s totals on a clear sunny day that started cold and ended with mild temperatures. Green Wing Teal were way out in first place for number of birds taken and Shovelers stayed in a distant second spot today. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/17/15 were as follows:

145 adult and 7 junior hunters bagged 75 Northern Shovelers, 31 Gadwall, 1 Widgeon, 132 Green Wing Teal, 6 Mallards, 5 Pintail, 9 Bufflehead, 9 Cinnamon Teal, and 21 Ruddy Ducks. Again no geese were checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday. 4 coots were also included in the count on Saturday at San Jacinto. This figured out to an average bag per hunter of 1.90 ducks, or, with the coots included, 1.93 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 33 showed up on time.

SoCalHunt San Jacinto Hunting Report 1/14/15

Published January 14, 2015 Hunting Reports Closed

Today SoCalHunt hit San Jacinto Wildlife Area again for our last chance this season at a morning hunt. No reservation again but we had high hopes for a low sweat line draw to get out in the morning. Today was unique as this was the first time this season that both my regular hunting partners were available.

0300 and we walked up to the check station to submit our names for the sweat line drawing. At 0330 the list was taken in and shortly thereafter the list was posted on the check station window. Not a great draw but good enough that we had a chance to get out in the morning. Unfortunately, for us, it appeared that most of the reservation holders had decided to take advantage of their reservations. By the time we were called to the check station there were only a couple of marginal blinds left. Now it was decision time. Go out in the morning to a marginal blind or take the first spot on the refill list and hope that we get out to a good blind and the birds would still be flying. We chose the refill list.

Anyway, we hung out for a while and then it was off to Harry’s Café for a great breakfast. After a leisurely breakfast we returned to SJ to wait for a great blind to check in. We waited a while and finally one of the best blinds checked in with a decent strap of birds from the morning hunt. We were issued our yellow cards and it was off to the blind. We were set up and hunting right about noon.

Even though the day had started off cold it had now progressed to mild temperatures and bluebird skies. There was still some snow of the surrounding mountains, indicating that it hadn’t been that warm the last couple weeks.

We sat back and waited for the birds to fly. After about an hour or so a nice drake pintail looped in to our pond but stayed out of range as he scoped out our decoys. He, apparently, didn’t like something and headed out, out of range never offering any of us a shot. Not long after that a teal streaked through out pond, unfortunately, also out of range. We could hear an occasional shot from other parts of the wildlife area but as the day went on it seemed they were fewer and further between. As we waited for the ducks we enjoyed the usual activity in our pond. There was, of course, the usual complement of coots in the pond, fighting and feeding. An occasional hawk flew by and there were numerous black birds in the surrounding trees.

Around 3:45 a lone shoveler drake swam around the tip of the tule patch about 40 yards out from our blind. One of my hunting partners happened to be looking at the right place at the right time and when the bird realized his mistake and jumped to fly my partner was able to quickly bring his shotgun into action and bagged him with one shot. So, finally, a bird on the strap. Hopefully more to come.

Well, that wasn’t to be and the lone spoony was the last duck we saw. About 20 minutes before quitting time we decided to start picking up, my partners getting the decoys rounded up while I picked up the blind. Just in case I left my shotgun loaded but no duck appeared. As the sun dropped behind the Bernasconi Hills we finished picking up and headed for the trucks.

Well, one bird in the bag, better then nothing again but it would have been nice to get a few more. But as they say, if it was too easy it would be shooting not hunting. The bonus today was being in the blind with two good friends which was well worth the trip.

So, as things stand now I have one more day this season I can make it our to San Jacinto, hopefully. I’ll give it a shot for a refill next Wednesday and hope the birds decide to fly in the afternoon for the end of the season.

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 1/14/15

Published January 14, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

The per hunter average take of ducks at San Jacinto Wildlife Area crept back even a little more on Wednesday over Saturday’s results on a bright sunny day that started out cold and rose to mild temperatures as the day progressed. Green Wing Teal stayed in first place for number of birds taken with Shovelers staying in second spot today. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/14/15 were as follows:

130 adult and 1 junior hunters bagged 50 Northern Shovelers, 17 Gadwall, 1 Widgeon, 69 Green Wing Teal, 3 Mallards, 5 Pintail, 5 Bufflehead, 4 Cinnamon Teal, and 3 Ruddy Ducks. Once again there were no geese taken at San Jacinto on Wednesday. 5 coots were also bagged on Wednesday at San Jacinto. This worked out to an average take of 1.20 ducks per hunter, or, with the coots included, 1.24 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 37 showed up on time.

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/10/15

Published January 10, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

The average take of ducks per hunter at San Jacinto Wildlife Area slid back a little more on Saturday over Wednesday’s results on a gloomy day with lite sprinkles. Green Wing Teal retained first place for number of birds taken and Shovelers stayed in second place today. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/10/15 were as follows:

139 adult and 19 junior hunters bagged 70 Northern Shovelers, 31 Gadwall, 3 Widgeon, 79 Green Wing Teal, 2 Mallards, 6 Pintail, 9 Bufflehead, 12 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Canvasback, and 21 Ruddy Ducks. Again no geese were bagged at San Jacinto on Saturday. 6 coots were also checked in today at San Jacinto. This figured out to an average bag of 1.48 ducks per hunter, or, with the coots included, 1.52 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 32 showed up on time.

2015 California Game Warden Stamp Now Available

Published January 8, 2015 Announcements Closed

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announces the 2015 edition of the Warden Stamp is now available. With the change in name from Department of Fish and Game to the Department of Fish and Wildlife the DFW officially calls their Wardens “Wildlife Officers” now, and it even states such on this year’s stamp, but most hunters and fisherpersons still call them “Wardens” and the DFW is still calling this the “Warden Stamp”.
The new Warden Stamp, for 2015 is now available for purchase in person from any CDFW regional or licensing offices or by filling out and sending in the CDFW Warden Stamp form with a check or credit card info to your closest CDFW office. You may also purchase Warden Stamps via the CDFW online license services (ALDS).

If you’re going to mail in the form the addresses for the DFW offices are found on page two of the Warden Stamp form. To find the form, a list of CDFW Offices selling the stamp over the counter or the link to the ALDS to buy the form online click the link below:

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Warden-Stamp

Below the picture of the Warden Stamp is a list of links to either buy the stamp online, find a list of CDFW offices selling it over the counter (if you want to walk in and buy one) or a link to the mail-in form to purchase through the mail.

The Game Warden Stamp isn’t really a “stamp” for your license, such as your federal duck stamp is, as the name might lead you to believe, but rather it’s a roughly 3” x 3” decal.

The 2015 version of the stamp has a wood grain background with the shadow of a bear on it and a depiction of the DFW Wildlife Officer’s badge. (see picture below)

The 2010 version (which is still available, if you like that design better) is a green shield with an elk silhouette on it. The 2011 version (which is also still available, if you like that design better) is a light blue background with a silhouette of a trout or salmon on it. The 2012 version (which is also still available, if you like that design better) has a dark brown background and a silhouette of a California quail on it. The 2013 version (which is also still available, if you like that design better) has a gold background with a silhouette of a duck landing on it. The 2014 version (which is also still available, if you like that design better) has a red background and a silhouette of a lobster on it. (see pictures below). If you like them all you could buy one, or more, of each if you want to.

The stamps are $5 each and the funds go into a special account. The money is used to provide our Game Wardens with additional equipment, training and new programs, such as new communications and surveillance devices, protective equipment, training in specialized areas, new law enforcement programs to assist them in their duties.

Due to State budget cuts, non-hunting / fishing politicians feel that the DFW is a “painless” way to cut back on the budget by giving the DFW less to do more with.

Quoting the DFW web site on the Warden stamp:
“The Warden Stamp Program was initiated in 2010 to address the need for better equipment and training for the state’s wildlife officers and to provide funding for special law enforcement programs.
Wildlife crimes are on the rise and becoming more complex to solve. With approximately 400 wildlife officers in the state patrolling 159,000 square miles of natural habitat, the job is extremely demanding. Officers must perform a number of roles including catching poachers, eradicating illegal marijuana grows, responding to oil spills, providing public safety, educating the public and much more. Every day is a new challenge.
Wildlife officers protect more than 1,000 native fish and wildlife species, 6,300 native plant species and 360 threatened or endangered species. Wildlife officers patrol about 400 square miles of land per officer. Wildlife officers keep watch over 1,100 miles of coastline, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs and 80 major rivers. Wildlife officers patrol on foot, by plane, boat, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and even on horseback. There is approximately one wildlife officer for every 100,000 Californians.”

Now – back to me…
As I’ve said every year that I’ve written about the Warden Stamp, the important point here, in my opinion, is getting the money to the “boots on the ground”. If your $5 (or more, if you can afford it) results in some equipment, training or what have you that helps catch a poacher in your area the payoff may be more game or more fish for you and yours to legally harvest. And, the bottom line is, that’s what’s important. As for the “stamp”, stick it on your truck, ammo box or tackle box, stick it in a drawer, throw it away if you want, do whatever you want with it. The important thing is to help give our Wardens the tools they need to protect our hunting and fishing heritage.

Now, as I do every year, excuse me while I pull up the ALDS on my computer and order this year’s warden stamps.

SoCalHunt San Jacinto Hunting Report 1/7/15

Published January 7, 2015 Hunting Reports Closed

SoCalHunt was, once again, back at San Jacinto Wildlife Area for another try at a solo refill hunt.

The weather had done a complete 180 from last Wednesday’s rain/snow and cold temperatures with calm, partly cloudy skies and temperatures predicted to run up to near 80 degrees. With the weather mimicking late October first-week-of-the-season weather I was hoping the birds wouldn’t be acting like they had at the start of the season.

I started out a little later then usual and I was hoping there wouldn’t be too many on the refill list ahead of me. As I drove down Davis Road, right at 10 am, and approached the check station, there appeared to be nearly 20 trucks in the parking lot. I wasn’t real optimistic about getting a good spot and even though there might be a chance of getting shut out if a lot of the morning hunters decided to hold out and stay in their blinds.

I walked into the check station, signed up on the refill list and was surprised to see I was 16th on the list. I looked up at the blind map in the check station and noticed one of my favorites didn’t have a magnet on it. I asked Whitney if that blind was really available and she said it was. I was very surprised to have walked into the check station and immediately walk out with one of the blinds I hoped to get without even having to wait!

I drove out to the parking area, pulled on my waders and drug my Ducks & Bucks cart over the dike and into the water. A short wade took me to the island blind and I was set up and hunting just a little after 11 am. It was another beautiful day at SJ with the ever-changing clouds that are often present there, which do so much to enhance the scenery.

There was still some snow on the adjacent mountains from last week’s storm.

I sat back to wait for the ducks to come pouring in and it wasn’t too long until it became apparent that the expected flood of waterfowl might actually end up being a trickle today. As I waited for the ducks I enjoyed the scenery and the variety of other wildlife that always visits the ponds at San Jacinto. There was several hawks in the area today that seemed to be harassing the local coots and ibises. There was also a little ruddy duck that decided to preen herself about 15 feet in front of my blind.

Hawk (sorry, don’t know the exact species on this one)

Coots and Ibis

Ruddy Duck preening

I didn’t see any ducks flying for several hours and the few shots from nearby blinds that I heard while setting up had quit about the time I settled into my blind. Every once in a while a distant shot was heard but it appeared that for some reason the birds had decided to quit flying in my area of the wildlife area. About 3:30 the neighboring blind opened up on something and I turned to look in their direction. I saw a group of 4 teal rocketing towards my blind and I stood up just in time to turn 180 degrees and swing my shotgun at the ducks. I fired a round and one of the teal folded and skipped across the water as it splashed down. As I had to turn 180 to shoot at the birds I was unable to swing any further to try for a double but at least I had a bird down. For me, pretty unusual, dropping a duck with my first shot of the day.

Well, to condense the rest of the story, that was the only ducks that I saw today and the only shot I got. I had a nice drake green wing on the strap and, (which sounds even better), I was 100% today, one shot, one kill.

Today was very slow hunting, or shooting if you will, but the scenery today was worth the trip by its self, the bird I bagged almost being a bonus in a way. As I once again packed up my gear and headed for the truck the sun set on another beautiful day at San Jacinto. Plans are to try the sweat line again next Wednesday, the last opportunity I’ll have for a morning hunt this season. Maybe I’ll see you there?

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 1/7/15

Published January 7, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

The per hunter average take of ducks at San Jacinto Wildlife Area dropped back again on Wednesday over Saturday’s average on a day with temperatures climbing into the high 70’s and partly cloudy, calm skies. Shovelers and Green Wing Teal, again, swapped places for most birds taken with the Green Wings regaining first place and Shovelers sliding back into second place today. Also, for the second hunt day in a row, some rare Fulvous Whistling Ducks were bagged at San Jacointo. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/7/15 were as follows:

122 adult and 5 junior hunters bagged 76 Northern Shovelers, 17 Gadwall, 4 Widgeon, 83 Green Wing Teal, 2 Mallards, 2 Pintail, 15 Bufflehead, 3 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Fulvous Whistling Ducks, and 6 Ruddy Ducks. There were no geese checked in at San Jacinto on Wednesday. 5 coots were taken at San Jacinto on Wednesday. This worked out to an average take of 1.66 ducks per hunter, or, with the coots included, 1.70 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 24 showed up on time.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations on-line through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS). Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW web site at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/3/15

Published January 3, 2015 Hunt Results Reports Closed

San Jacinto Wildlife Area duck average stayed nearly the same, with just a small drop back, Saturday over Wednesday’s average on a day with cold temperatures and clear skies. Shovelers, once again, were in first place for number of birds taken with Green Wing Teal holding on to second place today. There were also 2 rare Fulvous Whistling Ducks checked in today. Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for the first hunt day of 2015, Saturday, 1/3/15 were as follows:

156 adult and 10 junior hunters bagged 157 Northern Shovelers, 21 Gadwall, 16 Widgeon, 126 Green Wing Teal, 11 Mallards, 7 Pintail, 1 Ring Neck, 2 Redheads, 2 Canvasback, 2 Scaup, 11 Bufflehead, 5 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Fulvous Whistling Ducks, and 5 Ruddy Ducks. There were no geese taken at San Jacinto on Saturday. 13 coots were checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday, including a rarity, a banded coot. This worked out to an average take of 2.22 ducks per hunter, or, with the coots included, 2.30 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservations 33 showed up on time.