Ca hunters, I need help with regs

[andrew]

I have read the regs book and cant understand on the laws about night hunting. I want to go for coyotes in Northern California but I dont know if its legal or not. If anyone night hunts, could you shed some light on this. Thanks.

[songdog]

In CA it's legal to hunt at night with lights for predators (coyote, fox, bobcat, etc.). ###No deer, pigs, bear, etc.

It's probably more effective, at least on bobcats but I don't like it as much as during the daytime since you still can't see nearly as much. ###Be careful about calling alone at night though. ###Still a lot of lions out there and I get the willies just thinking about it...

[andrew]

Thanks songdog. Is that anywhere in n. california? is there any regs about discharging a firearm in ca at night? Why would someone want to hunt at night in winter and fall

[songdog]

I'm not 100% sure about NorCal vs. SoCal but I don't think that they distinguish north from south except for duck and quail openers and things like deer zones, etc.

It's cold in the winter at night but it's a lot easier to see bobcats (my primary reason for calling at night) at night. ###They don't typically come running in like a coyote so being able to see them sneaking in has its advantages.

[californiacoyotes]

ithink it depends on the county too. ###an area i hunted is shotgun only...it took me a month to figure it out...but only with help from another varminter. read the "use of lights" on page 8 of the 2001 regs. if i remeber right you are in sacramento, but being a life long socal resident i ain't to familar with the highways(as boundaries) up your way. or call DFG and ask to talk to a warden or somebody in the know. they are, at least down here very helpful to me.

[Hook]

It is legal to hunt at night in certain areas of the state. In the Mojave desert and up through the eastern sierra you can use a 12 volt lighting system. And in other areas you are restricted to 6 volt lights.

I have hunted coyotes and bobcats several times at night and it is a blast. ###
Please read the regs carefully and make sure you understand were and when you can use lights to hunt at night. ###

I use an amber or red lens for night hunting. they dont seem to get alarmed at those color lights.

[Bishop]

The best way to find out is to go to the DFG website and email your question. ###You will get a response from a Lt. Liz Schwall. ###Print it and put it in you pack. ###That way if you run into a uneducated warden or ranger you have written verification from a DFG supervisor.
I'm carrying one now that says using commercial bear scents is NOT baiting, and legal in California.