A third hunting season for geese, Feb. 18-22, has been approved by California's Fish and Game Commission.

Licensed hunters can now hunt white-fronted geese and white geese during the late season in the Balance of the State Zone, which includes most of the San Joaquin Valley.

The purpose of these late hunts is to reduce goose crop depredation complaints on private lands, according to a Department of Fish and Game news release. Most goose populations that winter in California are at or above population goals. The flocks remain in California through late spring.

General waterfowl hunting season ended Sunday, but this weekend is open to youth hunters ages 15 and younger. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a non-shooting adult.

Complete hunting regulations can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.

Backcountry Film Festival

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Fresno State Satellite Student Union

Making its first appearance in Fresno, the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival promotes grass-roots filmmakers who tell stories about non-motorized recreation in the backcountry and environmental preservation. Nine films will be featured during the 3-hour presentation.

Tickets are $3 for the general public and $2 for students. All who attend will be automatically entered into a raffle, with the grand prize a rafting trip with Kings River Expeditions.

News & notes

• Department of Fish and Game stocking of trophy-sized rainbow trout has resumed in the Kings River below Pine Flat Dam. Planting areas include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bridge, Choinumni Park, Winton Park, behind Avocado Lake and Alta Weir. The fish weigh 3 pounds apiece, and 1,000 pounds worth will be stocked every other week through mid-April.
• Want to hike to the summit of Mount Whitney this summer or fall? You're going to need a permit. To obtain one, submit a lottery application by March 15. All applications turned in between now and March 15 will be given equal weight in the computerized lottery. Details: fs.usda.gov/inyo.
• The Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club is offering a beginner cross country ski lesson Saturday and a beginner snowshoe trip to the Shaver Lake Vista on Sunday. Details: tehipite.sierraclub.org/outings/.
• The 2012 Valley Runner of the Year Series resumes Feb. 18 with the 5-kilometer Race Judicata in Clovis. Download registration forms at runsierra.org.