Fish and Game Q&A: Is it unlawful to use night-vision equipment while legally hunting?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I have an important question regarding the use of "passive" night-vision equipment when legally night-hunting nongame mammals and nongame birds in the state of California. My research indicates that it is perfectly legal to hunt nongame mammals (e.g. coyote and bobcat) using passive (which means it does not project an infrared beam of light or other artificial light) night-vision equipment (e.g. rifle scopes, binoculars, etc.) that do not conflict with the California Penal Code for legal possession.

If you believe that my conclusions are in error, please state the applicable regulation and specific verbiage in the law. For the record, is it illegal to use any type of night-vision equipment in the state of California while legally hunting big game or nongame animals? Yes or no? (Rick B.)

Answer: Yes, it is unlawful to use or possess at any time any infrared or similar light used in connection with an electronic viewing device or any night-vision equipment or optical devices. According to Department of Fish and Game Ret. Capt. Phil Nelms, this includes but is not limited to binoculars or scopes that use light-amplifying circuits that are electrical- or battery-powered to assist in the taking of birds, mammals, amphibians or fish (Fish and Game Code section 2005(c).

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, California, releases its 2011 workshop schedule

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, California, has posted its 2011 workshop schedule on its website.

The first clinic is a duck hunt on Jan. 15 in Williams. Limited to 10 participants, the California nonprofit's president, Susan Herrgesell, recommends that those interested in attending this workshop should register soon.

Other clinics include fly-fishing, pheasant hunting, whitewater rafting, shooting and ATV/dirt-bike riding. The organization's popular multi-course workshop will take place from Oct. 7 to 9 at Wonder Valley Ranch in Fresno County.

For both the novice and the expert, these one-, two- or three-day workshops feature hands-on training with top-of-the-line equipment as well as knowledgeable and encouraging instructors and include classroom time, equipment overviews, safety and field instruction.

Registration can be completed either online on the BOW-California website or by printing and mailing a registration form.

-- Kelly Burgess
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Photo: Fly-fishing workshop attendees practice casting before heading to the water. Credit: BOW, California

Fish and Game Q&A: Will painting my kayak scare away great white sharks?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column. NOTE: This is Carrie's column from last Thursday, when I was on vacation and unavailable to publish it:

Question: I bought a former scuba kayak and have retrofitted it into a fishing kayak. I transformed the underside into what appears to be the underside of a killer whale (orca) because I figure if I’m going to be spending lots of idle time fishing, I don’t want, in any way, to attract the attention of great whites! The underside was totally white but now the outer edges are black with a small black patch at the rear so that it looks just like the characteristic underside of a killer whale. I also rigged up my two fins to drag out the back in case I ever found myself in dire need.

My reasoning here is killer whales and great whites are natural enemies, so if I paint the bottom like an orca, any great white within several hundred yards will take off. As I thought more about this aspect though, I now wonder if while I’m sitting in this thing for long periods of time, will I be more apt to be a target rather than a threat? Has there been any evidence of great whites attacking dead killer whales just like they attack dead regular whales? I’m wondering now if I am a soon-to-be "dead duck" instead of a brilliant kayak engineer! Please advise. Thanks. (Mark)

Answer: Well, I can safely say I’ve never gotten a letter and questions quite like yours, but it’s a refreshing change from the many regulation questions! I applaud your kayak engineering prowess. However, I’m not sure painting the hull of your kayak to resemble the underbelly of an orca, along with attaching fins that mysteriously drag out the back, will spook a white shark or prevent an attack.

Ecological kayaking tours offered at Newport Dunes

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina is now offering ecological kayaking tours. Guided by trained naturalists, the 1- to 2-hour tour takes in portions of the 750-acre, federally protected natural wildlife reserve that adjoin the resort.

The area is home to nearly 200 species of birds and numerous forms of rare plant life that are found throughout six distinctive habitats covering open water; mudflats; salt marshes; freshwater marshes and ponds; water-saturated riparian shoreline; and upland bluffs, cliffs and mesas.  Each location features a unique combination of food, water and shelter that enables its endemic plants and animals to grow and thrive. 

"This amazing wildlife sanctuary truly is one of Southern California's 'hidden jewels,' " said Andrew Theodorou, the Dunes' vice president and general manager. "We are delighted to assume the reins of this recreational and educational resource."

The cost is $25 per person, with children 3-years-old and younger free. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends, which used to run the tours. Life vests are required for children, and will be provided; adults will also be provided life vests but are not required to wear them.

Tours depart at 10 a.m. and reservations, with a two-person minimum, can currently be made for any day of the week. Group tours (20 maximum) are also available and should be reserved in advance. For reservations or more information, call (949) 279-4507 or e-mail jbrancucci@newportdunes.com

Newport Dunes Resort is a 100-acre waterfront resort featuring a 386-site state-of-the-art RV park, 450-slip marina and a private waveless beach and playground. The Dunes also is home to 24 mobile cottages that the public may rent. In addition to planned activities including water aerobics and sailing lessons, the Dunes offers rentals of pedal boats, surrey bikes, 18-foot electric boats and, during the summer, an aquatic park filled with giant inflatable recreation equipment.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Guests at the Newport Dunes Resort enjoying the waveless lagoon. Credit: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina

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Teva Mountain Games begin Thursday in Vail, Colo.

The Teva Mountain Games will kick off its eclectic mix of adventure sports, art and entertainment Thursday in Vail, Colo. The ninth annual event taking place through Sunday expects about 2,000 athletes to compete in 24 disciplines in eight sports, all vying for portions of a prize purse totaling more than $100,000.

Hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation, sporting events will include IFSC World Cup Bouldering competition -- the only World Cup bouldering event taking place in the U.S. -- as well as stand-up paddle boarding events, a discipline new to the games this year.

The games will also host competitions featuring some of the world's top athletes in each sport, competing alongside amateurs of all levels in trail running, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, road cycling, amateur climbing, fly-fishing and a half-marathon.

In addition to all the adventure sports, there will be a photography competition, an interactive exhibition and demonstration area, DockDogs canine competitions, the Serac Adventure Film School, concerts and mountain lifestyle parties.

The games offer a family-friendly atmosphere with myriad free activities for all ages, including an adventure clinic on back-country and mountain preparedness, hosted by First Ascent guide Erik Leidecker; a mountaineering clinic hosted by First Ascent guide and mountaineering legend Peter Whittaker; a zip-lining course; the Eukanuba Doggie Dash obstacle course; outdoor film series screenings; free Parkour demonstrations with a hands-on beginner clinic; and the chance to try stand-up paddling with C4 Waterman team member and stand-up paddle surfing pro Charlie MacArthur.

A schedule of events is available on the Teva Mountain Games website.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: A pro kayak freestyle competitor at the 2009 Teva Mountain Games. Credit: Shane Macomber Photography

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New eyewear allows for hands-free video recording

Time for a new pair of sunglasses? You might want to check out i-Kam Xtreme eyewear, which allows the wearer to be their own videographer.

That's because each pair features a built-in video recording device, allowing for hands-free recording of your latest outdoor adventure. Be it hunting, fishing, skiing or even a ballgame, outdoor enthusiasts of all types have an easy way to record what they see, and play it back later for future enjoyment.

With no cords or battery packs required, the glasses have a digital camera incorporated into the frame, offering 4GB of built-in memory for up to 3 hours of recording, plus an integral microphone to capture all the sounds to go along with the video. The eyewear  will also accept a Micro SD card for an additional 8 GB of memory. 

The glasses can be hooked directly to a PC or Mac with the supplied USB cable to view video. When using a Micro SD card, it can be inserted into a card reader to watch footage.

Fred Hall Show opens Wednesday at the Long Beach Convention Center

The 64th annual Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show hits Southern California this week, opening Wednesday at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

Occupying nearly 750,000 square feet of space, this extravaganza of exhibits and seminars is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.

To refer to the Fred Hall Show as a fishing tackle and boat show seems a misnomer these days. The exhibitor list has grown to include hunting lodges, firearms manufacturers, outdoor adventures, shooting sports and fishing destination resorts worldwide.

But not to worry -- fishing will still be well represented in the approximately 600 vendor booths and 400 seminars taking place over five days. Plus, 16 boat dealers representing 30 watercraft manufacturers will be on site.

"The Fred Hall Shows, both in Long Beach and Del Mar, are the only major boat shows left in California," Bart Hall, Fred's son, told Outposts. "The boating industry in this state has been decimated by the recession -- nearly 50 dealers statewide have gone out of business -- but last year there was no recession at the Fred Hall Shows, and we expect it to be the same this year as well."

Harbor seal pupping season will close a portion of Point Reyes National Seashore

Ocean-sports enthusiasts visiting California's Point Reyes National Seashore will need to make certain to stay away from Drakes Estero from March 1 through the end of June.

It's pup-birthing season for harbor seals, and that area of the park is popular with the animals. They must not be disturbed during this sensitive time of year.

The National Park Service requests that park visitors -- including ocean kayakers, surfers, abalone divers and recreational anglers -- avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season.

Maps indicating specific area closures are available at the park's three visitor centers.

Point Reyes, located about 30 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1, has the second-largest population of harbor seals in California, with 20% of the state’s harbor seals living or breeding within the park’s boundaries. (Channel Islands has the largest.)

This weekend the ocean will bring out the best in people

Many have said ocean is therapeutic, but this weekend it goes beyond that: The waters off Southern California will become a theater in which kindhearted people will do their best to help others.

On Saturday, Sean Clancy will paddle his kayak from Huntington Beach to Santa Catalina Island to raise money for the Dream Street Foundation, which treats kids with life-threatening illnesses to a unique camping experience.

People have pledged donations and as of Thursday night Clancy had received $10,326. Last year he made the same voyage and raised $16,000. He asks those who would like to help to visit the Dream Street website and find "Sean's Kayak Event" in the "You Can Help" field.

Also on Saturday, the Malibu Invitational gets underway at Surfrider State Beach. It's a high-level surf contest that runs through Sunday, and some proceeds will benefit local surfer Lyon Herron, 16, who has been battling Gardner syndrome, a potentially deadly cancer, since he was 6.

"We're looking forward to a great event with some of the world's best  surfers. But more importantly we're excited to help Lyon," said Brad Gerlach, a big-wave surfer and spokesman for Primo Beer, the event sponsor.

On Sunday is the Catalina Classic paddleboard race from Catalina to Manhattan Beach. The Ocean of Hope uses this grueling 32-mile competition as a fundraiser for the Sarcoma Alliance. Twenty team members will compete to raise money toward finding a cure for this deadly cancer.

Robert Chambliss is the only sarcoma survivor to have actually paddled in the race. But he didn't finish the 2005 competition because his right shoulder began to ache because of the cancer. Robert died in 2007. During the 2008 competition two paddlers, Gene Boyer and Ron Roebuck, delivered some of his ashes across the channel to help Chambliss finish the race.

It was a touching moment when they arrived at the beach, and there figures to be more touching moments this weekend. May the best men and women prevail--heaven knows they'll be trying.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Surfrider State Beach in Malibu will be the site of the Malibu Invitational surf contest this weekend. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

A not-so-peaceful weekend at Shaver Lake

When we snagged a reservation in January to car-camp at Shaver Lake in the western Sierra the weekend of the longest day of the year, we were enticed by the Camp Edison lakefront campsites mentioned every year in Sunset Magazine’s 50 best campgrounds list (No. 6 this year). We figured we'd be able to slip our new kayak onto the tranquil blue water, glide peacefully along the shore, maybe stop for an impromptu picnic at a lakeside beach. Little did we realize that the longest day of the year would seem more like the longest day of our lives.

The problems started when we pulled up to our “lake view” site, directly across the road from the coveted “lake front” sites. Little more than a highway pullout, the campsite was flush against an adjacent site with zero privacy, and the “lake view” was marred by several neighboring RBs (recreational behemoths) and too many SUVs to count. One lakefront site had no fewer than six tents (right).

I think there was even an M-6 tank in there but I couldn’t distinguish it from the pickup trucks, SUVs and RBs. This is the site where a floodlight was kept on every night, blinding us each time we returned from the restroom. I don’t think this is what Thomas Edison had in mind.

Costa Rica is happiest, greenest place on earth, survey says

Costa Rica is for many outdoors enthusiasts the most magnificent place on earth. The Central American nation is blessed with good surf. It teems with more than 800 bird species. Its fishing fleets ply waters that abound with sailfish and tarpon. Its eco-lodges are watched over by tall green trees and monkeys.

Its volcanoes are sights to behold and with this in mind we share an image captured recently by Zach Smith of Arenal.net, a website promoting tourism to and around Costa Rica's spectacular Arenal Volcano.

Now Costa holds another distinction: happiest and greenest place on earth.

A survey by the New Economics Foundation, a British think tank, made the determination after looking at 143 countries that are home to 99% of the world's population and using an equation weighing life expectancy and happiness against environmental impact.

Costa Rica, whose rich biodiversity is breathtaking, emerged just ahead of the Dominican Republic and well above the United States with its 114th ranking. Australia was third.

The survey found that Costa Ricans, with their pura vida or "pure life" outlook, have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85% of those interviewed said they were happy. That combined with the nation's tiny ecological footprint helped place it atop the Happy Planet Index.

The happy part is somewhat surprising as I've been there many times and witnessed poverty and know that lots of women and even girls there are drawn to prostitution, which sadly is also a primary tourist attraction for some. 

As sociologist Andrea Fonseca said in an Agence France-Presse story about the survey, Costa Rica's rise to the top of the happy list "has a lot to do with social imagination." Not that there's anything wrong with that.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. Credit: Zach Smith

Is Costa Rica becoming a new major theater for drug traffickers?

Costa Rica, one of the world's most beautiful countries and a paradise for all manner of outdoors enthusiasts, is concerned about increased drug trafficking and its ability to effectively deal with the issue.

A story in this week's English-language Tico Times cites a series of recent incidents and arrests and suggests that drug cartels, which may be finding it more difficult to move product into the U.S. via Mexico, are seeking new arenas in which to operate.

Could it be that Mexico's war on drug trafficking is having this unfortunate side effect? Perhaps. Cocaine seizures in Costa Rica, for example, increased from 2,955 kilos in 2002 to more than 32,000 kilos in 2007.

Bruce Bagley, editor of the book "Drug Trafficking in America," and the department chair of International Studies at the University of Miami, told the Tico Times: "Drug traffickers are finding Mexico to be too dangerous, violent and risky, which has caused them to look for other routes through Central America and the Caribbean."

What will this mean for tourism in a land renowned for surfing, fishing, bird-watching and whitewater rafting? It should not be a major issue, but consider what's happened in Mexico. Many have stopped visiting that country because of a perceived danger to tourists.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Costa Rica's Arenal volcano, situated along Lake Arenal, flares up in this 1992 handout file photo.