CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions

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WB Staff
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions

Post by WB Staff »

CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions (2).jpg
The USDA Forest Service has announced the temporary closure of nine national forests in northern California effective Sunday, Aug. 22 at 11:59 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 6 at 11:59 p.m. due to extreme fire conditions. A 10th forest, the El Dorado National Forest, was closed earlier this week due to wildfire. In response, CDFW has announced it will close 7 of its properties that lie within or immediately adjacent to USDA Forest Service boundaries during this same period to support emergency response routes, firefighting efforts and to protect public safety. CDFW is evaluating options to refund hunting tag fees for those areas closed due to wildfire conditions.


The Dixie Fire has burned parts of Butte, Plumas, Tehama, Lassen and Shasta counties. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE.

The USDA Forest Service has announced the temporary closure of nine national forests in northern California effective Sunday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m. through Monday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. due to extreme fire conditions. A 10th forest, the El Dorado National Forest, was closed earlier this week due to wildfire.

In response, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will close seven of its properties that lie within or immediately adjacent to USDA Forest Service boundaries during this same period to support emergency response routes, firefighting efforts and protect public safety.

“We understand these closures — even temporary — will significantly impact our hunters, especially with archery deer seasons opening this weekend in many parts of northern California,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We have a public safety emergency and an environmental crisis on our hands with these wildfires. We thank hunters, anglers and others who cherish these public lands for respecting these closures and allowing firefighters and public safety personnel to secure these areas and help protect our wild places and our rural communities.”

Hunters are urged to check directly with the appropriate land agency about any wildfire-related closures before heading out on hunting trips.

Unfortunately, resident deer tag fees are nonrefundable regardless of land closures due to fire, weather or other natural disasters per the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 708.2(b). Refunds may be issued to nonresident tag holders (subject to specific requirements) and for select elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep tags.

Bonham said CDFW is evaluating options to petition the California Fish and Game Commission to refund deer tag fees — and other big game tag fees – for those areas closed due to wildfire conditions. Land closures announced this week are temporary. California’s deer seasons are just beginning to open. Many of California’s general seasons are still a month or more away from opening.

“Our hope, certainly, is that deer hunters will have the opportunity to hunt at some point and participate in part or all of their favorite seasons,” Bonham said. “But we also are prepared to support our deer, elk, pronghorn and sheep hunters who have done so much for conservation over the years.”

Premium deer tags awarded using a first choice in California’s Big Game Drawing, elk tags, pronghorn antelope tags, and bighorn sheep tags may be returned to CDFW with a request to have preference points reinstated and one preference point awarded for the species for the current hunt year. To be considered for preference point reinstatement, the tag must be returned (postmarked) prior to the first date the tag is valid for hunting.

Premium deer tags cannot be exchanged, but any hunter that has only been issued one deer tag during the hunting license year may purchase one additional deer tag from the list of available deer tags (PDF).

A complete list of tag return deadlines along with additional information on tag returns, exchanges and preference point eligibility requirements can be found on CDFW’s Hunting Licenses and Tags webpage.
gabuelhaj
Posts: 508
Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 8:21 am
Location: Manteca

Re: CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions

Post by gabuelhaj »

"Unfortunately, resident deer tag fees are nonrefundable regardless of land closures..."

Guess this will be considered a donation then?

Hope they spend this money wisely......

Good luck!
Glenn Abuelhaj
Jboutfishn
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Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:29 am
Location: State of Jefferson

Re: CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions

Post by Jboutfishn »

"Hope they spend this money wisely......" CDFW? really?
coyote268
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:15 am

Re: CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions

Post by coyote268 »

You gotta be kidding
gabuelhaj
Posts: 508
Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 8:21 am
Location: Manteca

Re: CDFW and USDA Forest Service Announce Closures due to fire conditions

Post by gabuelhaj »

Jboutfishn wrote:"Hope they spend this money wisely......" CDFW? really?
Tongue in cheek comment, glad you picked up on it!

Good luck!
Glenn Abuelhaj
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