Hey from California Upland.
The statewide opener is Saturday, October 17, thirteen days from this morning: chukar everywhere, and all quail in Zones Q1 and Q3. Q2 has been open for all quail since September 26. CDFW’s zone map is the authority on which date covers your ground. This is the fortnight to settle the other question that decides an opener: whether you’re allowed to stand where you scouted.
This week’s lead. Public Land Designations: Where You Can Legally Hunt Upland in California — the green on your map app is at least eight legal designations wearing one color, and they run from open to any licensed hunter to a citation if you load a shotgun. BLM, national forest, monuments, CDFW wildlife areas and the pass and entry-permit rules that catch people on the pheasant opener, refuges that are open to ducks and closed to every upland bird, and the two-minute check that settles it before you burn a tank of gas. Read →
What we published this week:
→ The Hill You Don’t Climb: Off-Road Driving Skills for California Hunting Access — two days of instruction at Hollister Hills, and what they changed about the roads we’ll drive to get Alan, Peter’s English cocker, to birds. Mostly, a shorter list of places we’re willing to drive and a longer list we’re willing to walk into. Read →
Coming up in California:
→ Central California NAVHDA training day — Saturday, October 10, near Frazier Park, at Lockwood Valley Road or High Jack Ranch. A week of dog work before the opener; birds are $10 each, up to four per dog, chapter dues are $30, and you sign up and order birds ahead. Details →
If you’re already into Q2 birds, or you’ve got a public-land question the piece didn’t answer, hit reply. We read every one.
Out the door, — Matt & Peter
californiaupland.com · @california_upland