One of the stranger waterfowl hunting seasons in recent memory closes after this weekend for the majority of the state, including the San Joaquin Valley.

It hasn't been an easy year for local waterfowl hunters who frequent public areas and private clubs because bluebird weather throughout much of December and January kept most birds hankered down in no-shoot zones. Only last weekend's storms altered the pattern.

Furthermore, the California Department of Fish and Game no longer publishes hunt results on its website, which makes it difficult to compare this year's bird counts to previous years.

Next weekend, Feb. 4-5, is designated for youth hunters, who must be 15 years old or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult. Bag limits are the same as during the general season (seven birds, which may not include more than two female mallards, two pintail, three scaup, two redheads and one canvasback).

News & notes

• The controversial proposal to amend statewide regulations for striped bass will be discussed during the California Fish and Game Commission's meeting Feb. 2. The proposal would raise the daily limit from two to six fish and reduce the size limit from 18 to 12 inches. The meeting is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. at the Resources Building Auditorium (1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento).