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2B Daily News – Saturday, February 11, 2012 Outdoor & living life Not too late to enter California Junior Duck Stamp Contest California Outdoors Q&A Are Wild Pigs a Threat to Me or My Dogs? Question I learned recently that some Indians on a reservation in my area released some pigs for hunting purposes and now they are breeding and beginning to populate the area where I walk my dogs in Descanso, California. Are these pigs a threat to me or my dogs? (Sheri M., San Diego) Answer We do know that wild pigs inhabit some of the areas around Julian and Descanso. However, we are unable to posi- tively identify the mechanism for their recent introduction. According to Marc Kenyon, Statewide Coordinator for the Bear, Mountain Lion and Wild Pig Programs at the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), wild pigs are timid creatures that simply want to be left alone for the most part. However, they can be very aggressive if approached and they perceive the person as a threat (particularly if they have piglets nearby). If you see a wild pig while recreating in the outdoors, please try to avoid approaching it. You can stand still and maintain your dog close to you on the leash. Pigs are nearsight- ed and will tend to ignore objects that stand complete- ly still. Carrie Wilson Photo courtesy US Fish & Wildlife Service A previous winning entry in the Junior Duck Stamp annual art competition is shown. "There is still time for K-12th grade California students to partici- pate in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp annual art competition," says Marilyn Gamette, state program coordinator. "California teachers are encouraged to submit their stu- dent's work for consideration in this state and national competition. The program is a non-traditional pairing of art and science education. It spans cultural, ethnic, social and geographic boundaries to teach awareness of our nation's natural resources." The deadline for entries is March 15. The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a curriculum combining wetland and waterfowl conservation with the visual arts intended to teach wetlands and waterfowl conserva- Fisheries grant The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will release the 2012 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) for the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program on Feb. 15. Applications will be accept- ed beginning at 8 a.m. Feb. 15 through 3 p.m. on March 30. The 2012 PSN will be posted at www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Admi nistration/Grants/FRGP/Sol icitation.asp on Feb. 15. Applications can also be submitted online at https://nrmsecure.dfg.ca.gov /frgpproposal/Default.asp as of Feb. 15. The online application process, which is new this year, allows applicants to cut and paste text and save the final application as a PDF, eliminating the previous requirement to mail in five paper copies and a copy on disk. Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail after their proposal is submitted. Applicants will also have the opportunity to attend PSN public workshops at various locations throughout tion to students at all primary and secondary school grade levels. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice (FWS) awards certificates of appreciation to all students who enter the contest. One hundred win- ners in four age categories and Best of Show receive awards as well as being published in the yearly Cali- fornia Junior Duck Stamp calendar. The Best of Show artwork from each state is sent to Washington D.C. to compete in a national con- test, and the national winner is fea- tured on that year's Federal Junior Duck Stamp. The Junior Duck Stamp compe- tition is similar to the FWS's presti- gious Federal Migratory Bird Hunt- ing and Conservation Stamp (Fed- eral Duck Stamp) national art con- test. Migratory bird hunters are the state. These workshops will review important changes in the PSN and the online application process. Workshops will be offered in Fortuna, Fort Bragg, Yreka, Corte Madera, Windsor, Belmont, Wat- sonville, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Los Alamitos. A list of specific workshop locations and times can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Admi nistration/Grants/FRGP/Gra ntProcess.asp. Proposals should focus on projects that restore, enhance or protect anadro- mous salmonid habitat in the coastal watersheds of California or projects that lead to the restoration, enhancement, or protection of anadromous salmonid habitat. Applicants should take care to review the 2012 PSN and note the changes from the previous year's PSN, including: •A change in focus, including different water- sheds and project types. • There are now five recovery plans from which tasks can be selected. The North State's premier supplier of stoves STOVE JUNCTION The Over 25 years of experience COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon FIREPLACE PRODUCTS 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com required to possess a Federal Duck Stamp. However, junior stamps are acquired solely for their collector's and environmental education val- ues. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps are used to fund conservation education, awards and scholarship programs. Junior Duck Stamp Program entry forms and teacher's guides may be obtained from the website: http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/Sta tes/California.htm. California entries must be post- marked March 15 or earlier and mailed to: Junior Duck, c/o Sacra- mento National Wildlife Refuge, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988. For more information, contact the Refuge at (530) 934- 2801 or http://www.fws.gov/sacra- mentovalleyrefuges/. OUTDOOR BRIEFS • The statewide steelhead task list has been updated. •Off-channel design cri- teria have been added. Please refer to the 2012 PSN for details about these and other changes. Since 1981, there has been a collaborative effort with more than 600 stake- holders to restore declining anadromous salmonid habi- tat. Over the last 30 years, the Fisheries Restoration Grants Program has invested more $250 million and sup- ported approximately 3,500 salmonid restoration pro- jects. Funded projects will be consistent with DFG's Steelhead Restoration and Management Plan for Cali- fornia, DFG's Recovery Strategy for California Coho Salmon, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Southern California Steel- head Recovery Plan Final Version January 2012, NOAA's Recovery Plan for Evolutionarily Significant Unit of Central California Coast Coho Salmon Public Draft Version March 2010 and NOAA's Recovery Plan for the Southern Oregon Northern California Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit of Coho Salmon Public Review Draft January 2012. Salmon meeting The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites the public to attend its annual salmon status update and outlook meeting in Febru- ary. The outlook for 2012 ocean and river fisheries will also be discussed. This year's meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.at the Sonoma County Water Agency, 404 Aviation Blvd. in Santa Rosa. The meeting will provide the latest information on California salmon escape- ment in 2011 and the out- look for sport and commer- cial ocean salmon fisheries in the coming season. A list of additional meet- ings and other opportunities for public comment is avail- able on the ocean salmon webpage, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mari ne/salmonpreseason.asp. $ 15 Off regular price With this ad! • Same Day Service • Free E-File • Check Our Price • Over 45 Years Experience P. Ralph Campbell, EA Enrolled Agent Daniele Jackson 530-529-9540 855 Walnut St. #2, Red Bluff Furthermore, pigs have a great sense of smell. They will smell you before they see you. If you walk with the wind at your back, your scent is more likely to be detected at great distances by wild pigs, and they will likely avoid you. However, there have been some instances where wild pigs have come into contact with people. Usually only one pig will approach while the rest of the group of pigs (known as a sounder) evacuate the area. If this does happen to you, try to stay away from the head of the pig. They have sharp teeth that can cut through clothing. Back out of the area as quickly as possible. Sand dollars Question Is it legal to pick up sand dollars on the beaches of San Francisco, with or without a fishing license, even though some are still alive — purple in color with hair (fuzz)? (Peter R.) Answer If you are in an area where tidal inverte- brates may be taken, you may take and/or possess up to 35 live sand dollars. A current sport fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older. A license is not required to pick up empty shells. See sec- tion 29.05 in the Ocean Fishing Regulations for a list of areas where it is legal to take fish from the beach/tidepool areas. Hunting coyote and skunks Question I live in Imperial County and would like to go coyote and skunk hunting but need to know the biggest caliber of gun that can be used. I do see that for raccoon you may not use a caliber larger that a .22 rim- fire. What can I use for coyote and skunk? (Robert A.) Answer There is no maximum rifle caliber speci- fied in Fish and Game regulations for taking coyotes and skunks (nongame mammals). Fish and Game reg- ulations authorize nongame mammals to be taken in any manner (see section 475 in the Mammal Hunting Regulation booklet). This authorization includes firearms with no further description or restriction, except when hunting within the California condor range where lead ammunition is prohibited (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 475(f)). Fishing license for someone working here on a visa? Question What kind of a fishing license is required for a person working in California on a visa from a for- eign country? (Jackie S.) Answer A nonresident license, which may cover one, two or 10 days, or a calendar year of state fishing privileges, would be required to fish in state waters for anyone who is not a California resident. For more information, please see www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/fishdescrip.html. Can felons hunt with a crossbow during rifle sea- son? Question Can a felon with a California hunting license and appropriate tags for deer hunting or for any other game legally hunt with a crossbow during rifle season? (Carl R.) Answer Felons may not possess firearms at any time (firearms are defined in California Penal Code, section 12001(b)). Crossbows are not considered archery equipment or a firearm, but they are consid- ered to be a deadly weapon and can be used during rifle seasons. Department of Fish and Game regula- tions do not prohibit a felon from using a crossbow to hunt with, however, the person should first check with their parole officer to see if a crossbow violates their conditions of parole. Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. While she cannot personally answer everyone's questions, she will select a few to answer each week. She may be contacted at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.