Following is a listing of some scheduled events around the region, put on through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. As a reminder, all calendar items are subject to change.
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.
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 of a mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. This experience can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is eight 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.
March 6
Flyway Nights Speaker Series – Mike Davis: Wildlife Spectacles in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., via Zoom. If a spectacle refers to a public display of something that is dramatically eye-catching, then there are wildlife spectacles in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area that meet that definition. One of the most popular spectacles is the nightly exodus of great clouds of bats that leave their roost under the causeway to catch insects. The talk will be given by Mike Davis, a retired professor and cooperative extension specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis, where he taught plant pathology classes as well as courses on mushroom identification and cultivation. To register, visit the event registration page. For more information, visit Yolo Basin Foundation’s website at yolobasin.org/flywaynights.
March 8
Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday 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 and 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.
March 10
White and White-fronted Goose Season Closes in the Northeastern California Zone.
Canada Goose Season Closes in the North Coast Special Management Area.
For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
March 11
Public Informational Session for the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., via webinar. CDFW is hosting a virtual informational public meeting to present the draft 2025 SWAP for review. Public participation in the review is valued and all are welcome. To register, visit the Zoom registration page. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/swap.
March 13
California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, time to be determined, California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P Street, Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
March 14-16
Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P Street, Bakersfield. CDFW will be returning to the Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds. CDFW staff will be onsite and available to answer questions. For more information, visit www.calshows.com.
March 15
Nest Box Survey Orientation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. This is a free orientation meeting for a unique opportunity in a season-long field project. Working with a crew leader in teams of one or two, detailed data is collected and used to understand and enhance the local wood duck population and other wildlife. Commitment averages five hours, once or twice a month, April through July. Open to the public, ages 18 and over. This meeting is required for project participation. For reservations and information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
March 16
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.
March 18
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Turkey Hunting Strategies, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Winston Churchill wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” The panelists will break down prior turkey hunts and will use these “field studies” to explain common strategies of what worked and what didn’t work for them. They will discuss practical turkey hunting strategies to make you a better turkey hunter. For more information and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/221595.
March 19
Last Day of California Spiny Lobster Recreational and Commercial Fishing Season Statewide. Recreational lobster report card data can be reported by logging on to CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. All cards purchased for the 2024-2025 spiny lobster season must be reported by April 30 to avoid a non-return fee the following season. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/lobster.
March 22
Additional Spring Wild Turkey Season for Hunters with Junior Hunting Licenses Opens (extending through March 23). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
March 29
General Spring Wild Turkey Season Opens (extending through May 4). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
