Though the weather has turned colder, there are still plenty of outdoor educational and recreational programs available through the state Department of Fish and Wildlife during December.
As a reminder, wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip. All calendar items are subject to change.
Various Days
Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a two-thirds mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. Each tour is limited to 30 people. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit application deadlines for multiple hunting opportunities. Waterfowl, wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. Hunters may apply for a four-person blind for waterfowl hunting at Tides End in Yolo County. A $13.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Weekends
Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. This 90-minunte tour will stroll a third of a mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, herons, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in Northern California, as migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To sign up, visit the Eventbrite registration page. To purchase a Lands Pass, visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 25 people per tour. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Guided Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Tours fill on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Various Saturdays
Tundra Swan Tours. Celebrate the bird migration on the Pacific Flyway this fall and winter. CDFW’s wildly popular swan tours are set for selective Saturdays, now through early January. Held in partnership with Mathews Rice Operation, the free tours transverse privately-owned flooded rice fields north of Marysville. This area boasts one of the largest overwintering populations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. To register, visit register-ed.com/programs/california/273-tundra-swan-tours. For more information, contact genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Dec. 14 and Dec. 28, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join Nimbus Hatchery for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the hatchery and neighboring American River on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain. The maximum group size is 25 people, first-come, first-served. The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Dec. 7
Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Howe Community Park, 2201 Cottage Way, Sacramento. Join CDFW at Youth Beginner Fishing Clinics, held monthly at local parks on Saturdays through March. These free fishing clinics are for beginners ages 5 to 15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation and hopefully to catch their first fish. All materials are provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about Fishing in the City and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city/sac. To learn more about Fishing in the City opportunities in other areas, visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery Native Garden Volunteer Event, 9 a.m. to noon, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join two members of the California Climate Actions Corps on Dec. 7 in beginning to transform areas around the Nimbus Fish Hatchery into a native plant garden. Help needed includes rock removal and invasive plant removal. There is no age limit and all tools will be provided. To register, visit the volunteer sign-up page. For more information, email sara.benavidez@wildlife.ca.gov or samantha.edolmo@wildlife.ca.gov.
Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join the reserve’s naturalists every first Saturday to learn about the birds of the Elkhorn Slough. This tour is appropriate for birders from beginner to advanced and is recommended for individuals ages 15 and older. The tour meets at the reserve’s visitor center, but depending on recent sightings, the group may walk the trails or caravan out to adjacent parks and natural spaces. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Dec. 10
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Bear Hunting, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Looking for a real hunting adventure and a way to fill the freezer with delicious table fare? In an effort to serve hunters, this webinar features experts in the field to discuss California bear hunting opportunities, bear management/conservation efforts and practical bear hunting strategies. There will be a dedicated Q&A segment at the end. For more information and to register, visit the event registration page.
California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, 1 p.m., Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P St., Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Dec. 11-12
California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, 9 a.m. Dec. 11 and 8:30 a.m. Dec. 12, Natural Resources Headquarters Building Auditorium, 715 P St., Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Dec. 14
King Tide Birding Hike at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. As the high tide goes out, shorebirds descend on the exposed mudflats for a feast. Join an expert birder to see what birds you can spot. The tour is open to all ages, but attendees should register in advance. For more details and to register, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Dec. 14-15
King Tide Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, start time varies, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an Elkhorn Slough Reserve naturalist to see a high King Tide for yourself. Learn what causes high tides, talk about why King Tides are so interesting and take a hike to the reserve’s boardwalk to witness the event for yourself. The tour is open to all ages, but attendees should register in advance. For more details and to register, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Dec. 15
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.
Dec. 21
General Season for band-tailed pigeons in the southern hunt zone opens (extending through Dec. 29). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
Dec. 23
Archery Only pheasant season opens (extending through Jan. 19, 2025). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
Dec. 28
Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an experienced reserve docent to open up the senses on a two-mile walk through the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Dec. 29
Black bear season ends statewide (or earlier if CDFW determines that 1,700 black bears have been reported taken). All hunters must get their tag validated and present the bear head for tooth extraction by CDFW personnel. Current bear hunting regulations, in-season updates and general black bear information can be viewed at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear.
