Busy opening weekend for hunters, wardens
The opening weekend of deer and bear hunting season in zone D7 (eastern Fresno and Madera counties) proved a busy one for both hunters and game wardens, who made 3,092 enforcement contacts and issued 43 citations.

The Department of Fish and Game held check points on Highway 168 and also set up a decoy operation on Kaiser Pass Road to snare road hunters. The most common violations were for loaded rifles and handguns, along with overlimits of trout.

DFG biologists were also on hand to collect data. A total of 29 deer and four bears came through the check station, which was held near Cressman's on Saturday before moving to the bottom of the four-lane highway Sunday to coincide with the game warden check point. Eight more deer tags were validated in the field.

More than half of the validated deer (21 of 37) had two-point antlers. Twelve had three-point antlers, three had four points and there was one 4x5 with a 24-inch spread.

The rifle opener for zone D8 (eastern Tulare County) is Saturday.

Events

Smokey Bear Run

When: Saturday

Where: Bass Lake

After a three-month absence, the 2011 Valley Runner of the Year Series returns with this 24th annual race that starts and finishes at Recreation Point.

The 10-kilometer main event (8:30 a.m.) is worth 20 series points. There is also a 2-mile run/walk (8:15) and three kids races beginning at 7:45. Details: smokeybearrun.com.

Condor Comeback 2011

When: Saturday

Where: Pinnacles National Monument

See two young California condors get their wings during a 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. celebration on the east side of the park off Highway 25. Visitors will watch the birds take flight on two large flat-screen monitors via a live video feed from the backcountry condor facility.

No entrance fees will be charged. Details: (831) 389-4486, ext. 267

News & notes

• Professional big-wall climber Mike Libecki, a Clovis native, will give a presentation on his globe-trotting adventures Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at MetalMark Climbing & Fitness (4042 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno). The presentation is free, and non-members can climb and eat barbecue for a $10 fee. Details: (559) 229-7900.

• California's Fish and Game Commission voted last week to close all abalone fishing in Sonoma County due to the presence of dead red abalone and other invertebrates found along beaches and coves. Divers are encouraged to avoid those areas.