California Department of Fish and Wildlife

10/07/2026

Sandhill cranes are back in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and you can hear their trumpeting calls from miles away! Each fall, visitors flock to CDFW’s Woodbridge Ecological Reserve (ER) in Lodi to watch these graceful birds touch down in the wetlands.

CDFW staff prepare the habitat all summer, and CDFW docents lead weekend tours October through February.

For more information or to register for a tour go to https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regions/3/Crane-Tour #2205890-are-there-other-wildlife-viewing-opportunities-

Tours do fill up, but Woodbridge ER is open daily for visitors to see sandhill cranes and other migratory birds.

Visitors 16 years of age or older without a hunting or fishing license, including those registered for a tour, need a CDFW Lands Pass: https://www.licenses.wildlife.ca.gov/internetsales/

10/07/2026

CDFW is pleased to announce the awarding of $2.7 million in grants to support improved boating and public access to state waters for a variety of recreational interests and to combat invasive golden mussels. Learn more at the news release linked below.

CDFW has announced the award of $2.7 million in grants for six projects to support recreational boating in state waters and combat invasive golden mussels.

10/06/2026

Now streaming!

In case you missed our world premiere event, you can now watch the CDFW-produced documentary “Not for Sale: 10 Years of Assembly Bill 96 — California’s Fight to Stop Wildlife Trafficking” right here on Facebook. Like, share and join us in celebrating the 10-year mark of Assembly Bill 96, legislation that banned the sale of ivory and rhino horn in California.

“Not for Sale” tells the story of CDFW’s work to stop wildlife trafficking, protecting the world’s irreplaceable species — biodiversity that enriches our landscapes from California to the other side of the globe. More than 39 million people reside in California, a major import and export point of entry for the U.S. with a global-scale economy. This puts California in position to have a significant impact in the effort to end wildlife trafficking both within our borders and internationally.

Many trafficked species have been driven to near extinction; protecting these species today, protects them for generations to come.

Special thanks to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Oakland Zoo and San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park for their assistance in the making of this documentary.

And remember, all of us can do our part to help spread awareness about the need to bring an end to wildlife trafficking. We can also help be CDFW’s eyes and ears by reporting poaching or wildlife trafficking crimes. Report wildlife crimes to CDFW by calling CALTIP 24/7 at (888) 334-CALTIP or by submitting a tip through the free “tip411” phone app.

10/06/2026

Prep your paintbrushes! CDFW is launching the annual California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The species for 2026 is the sooty grouse. Entries will be accepted from Nov. 2 to Dec. 4, with the winning artwork featured on the 2026-27 upland game bird stamp. The contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and older, excluding current and former CDFW employees. There is no cash prize and the money generated from stamp sales is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach. Follow the link for more information.

CDFW's annual upland game bird stamp contest is here. The species for 2026-2027 is the sooty grouse with the winning entry featured on the state’s next upland game bird stamp. Entries will be accepted from November 2 through December 4.

10/05/2026

In September, CDFW hosted an apprentice pheasant hunt at the Lake Earl Wildlife Area in Del Norte County, giving 12 junior hunters from Humboldt and Del Norte counties the opportunity to experience upland bird hunting in a safe, mentored environment. Before heading into the field, participants received instruction on fi***rm safety, game care, bird cleaning and respect for wildlife and the land. Hunters were then divided into teams and accompanied by wildlife officers, experienced volunteers, dog handlers and retrieving dogs. Parents were able to join their young hunters in the field and share in the experience.

After the hunt, participants, families, volunteers and CDFW staff gathered for food and shared stories from the day. Each young hunter went home with several items to remember the experience – but perhaps more importantly with new skills, new memories and plenty of smiles. For some families, the day carried an even deeper meaning. Several parents shared that they had participated in similar pheasant hunts at Lake Earl when they were young and were grateful to now watch the next generation enjoy the same opportunity.

CDFW would like to thank the local businesses, sponsors, volunteers, dog handlers, families and staff who helped make this year’s hunt possible. Their support continues a local tradition that introduces young hunters to safe, ethical hunting and helps ensure these experiences can be passed on for generations to come. A complete list of pheasant hunting opportunities for young hunters, new hunters and families throughout the state is available at CDFW’s Upland Game Bird web page: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds/Hunts/Planted-Pheasant

10/04/2026

Today is World Animal Day, an international day of action and awareness for animal welfare and protections. Also on this date, on Oct. 4, 2015, then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 96 into law, which would ban the sale of ivory and rhino horn in the state.

Tomorrow, Oct. 5, we will premiere our documentary film, “Not for Sale: 10 Years of Assembly Bill 96 — California’s Fight to Stop Wildlife Trafficking.” The special virtual premiere event begins at 3 p.m.

We will take you from the very beginnings of AB 96, to where we are today and how this important legislation is making a difference here in California and around the world for generations to come.

Steam the event live at https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/86518447193

10/02/2026

A recent CDFW investigation led to the arrest of one suspect who was booked into the Kern County Jail on multiple violations of the California Fish and Game Code, including the unlawful take of deer, unlawful possession of deer, hunting without a license, take of fish and wildlife in excess of three times the daily bag limit and take of fish and wildlife for profit.

On Sept. 24, following an extensive investigation into poaching activity, wildlife officers executed two simultaneous search warrants in Kern County. One at a residence in Bakersfield, and the second at a property in Stallion Springs.

In the months leading up to the search, a wildlife officer identified a suspect who was involved in numerous poaching incidents. The evidence gathered by the officer established probable cause to believe the suspect illegally harvested several deer without first procuring a hunting license or deer tags, took deer out of season and some of the deer included does and spike bucks that were not legally harvestable.

The warrant served at the Bakersfield residence uncovered significant evidence connecting the suspect to numerous wildlife crimes. Officers located 931 black bass, numerous packages of suspected deer meat, six sets of deer antlers and packaged bear meat. Samples of the deer and bear meat, along with samples of the antlers were sent to CDFW’s Wildlife Forensics Lab where the DNA will be analyzed to determine the s*x and genetic profile of each sample. With this information, the investigating officer will be able to determine exactly how many deer and bear the suspect was in possession of.

CDFW reminds the public that poaching harms California’s wildlife resources and undermines conservation efforts. CDFW’s wildlife officers take these crimes seriously. Anyone with information regarding wildlife crimes is encouraged to report tips via the 24/7 CALTIP hotline at 1‑888‑334‑2258.W

10/02/2026

Join CDFW’s pollinator coordinator and partners from state and federal agencies in the California Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative as they review the new Conservation Priorities for Western Monarchs in California report, including actions the public can take. Register here: https://libraryca.libcal.com/event/17638279?more

Join the California State Library for a live webinar on California Monarch & Pollinator Collaborative Conservation of Western Monarchs in California on Thursday, October 15th, 2026 at 6:30pm!

Register at https://libraryca.libcal.com/event/17638279

10/02/2026

10 years ago, Assembly Bill 96 went into effect, making it illegal to sell any ivory or rhino horn in California. But AB 96 led CDFW on a path where we are seeing the extent of wildlife trafficking coming across and taking place within our borders.

We’re not just talking about ivory and rhino horn anymore, we are talking about countless species both native to California and from around the world, wildlife parts as well as live wildlife, endangered species essential to natural ecosystems and international wildlife trafficking networks connected to other heinous criminal activities.

Learn more in the press release below and please join us Oct. 5 for the virtual premiere of “Not for Sale: 10 Years of Assembly Bill 96 — California’s Fight to Stop Wildlife Trafficking.”

In 2016, Assembly Bill 96 banned the sale of ivory and rhino horn in California, strengthening the authority and ability of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to combat illegal wildlife trafficking that threatens global biodiversity and drives demand for the poaching of endangered...

10/02/2026

In case you missed it, two olive ridley sea turtle nests were observed in mid-September, one at Seal Beach and the other at Huntington Beach. This is the first documented nesting of sea turtles on the U.S. West Coast!

Due to concerns of hazardous surf and possible washing away of the nests, both nests have since been relocated from the Orange County beaches to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

As waters continue to stay warm, wildlife officials are asking the public to keep an eye out for sea turtles along the coast.

- Spot a sea turtle? Report sightings using this digital form: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ddb6e7a3f2f94d85b7391e4d537ca57b?portalUrl=https://maps.fisheries.noaa.gov/portal.
- Find a stranded sea turtle? Call the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Stranding Hotline at (562) 506-4315.

As a reminder, if you see a sea turtle or sea turtle nest, please keep your distance. Give nesting sites plenty of space, and don't disturb a turtle if you see one on the beach. Remember that disturbing a sea turtle or its nest is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act.

Olive ridley turtles are the smallest of the sea turtles. Adults weigh up to 100 pounds and are about 2.5 to 3 feet in length. They are estimated to live about 30 to 50 years. The turtles are found around the world, primarily in tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. Major Pacific nesting populations are found in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

A big thanks to our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, Huntington Beach lifeguards, city of Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach Fire Department, Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, U.S. Navy Seal Beach, Seal Beach Marine Safety Department, city of Seal Beach, Surfside lifeguards, Surfside Colony Community Association, Aquarium of the Pacific and many others for their quick response and for helping monitor these important sites.

Sea turtles are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. It is unlawful for any person to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect or to attempt to engage in any such conduct with any endangered species (16 U.S. Code § 1538).

Photos courtesy of the interagency team that monitored and protected the turtles and eggs.