California hunters will no longer be able to use dogs to hunt bears or bobcats, one of several outdoors-related bills signed into law this week by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, allows the use of dogs to track nuisance animals, for research or if a wild animal enters a dog owner's property. But the general hunting of bears and bobcats with hounds will be prohibited.

The bill was backed by the Humane Society of the United States but opposed by most hunting and shooting associations.

Another new law renames the Department of Fish and Game the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which proponents say more accurately reflects the agency's broader conservation mission.

A third bill changes the composition of the California Fish and Game Commission, ending its tradition of appointing its most senior member president. Instead, the president and vice president will be selected by a majority of the five commissioners and can serve no more than two consecutive years in those posts.

Events

Color Me Rad 5K

When: Saturday

Where: Woodward Park

Need a way to brighten your day? This colorful noncompetitive run ought to do the trick.

As runners make their way around the course, they'll be blasted with non-toxic colored corn starch in blue, green, pink, purple and yellow. That's quite the color palette.

More than 7,000 have signed up, according to Sierra Running Co. owner Aaron Samansky. Registration closed Wednesday.

"Just about everyone I know is doing it," he added.

Waves of runners begin at 9 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.

Yosemite facelift

What: Yosemite National Park's annual fall cleanup effort

When: Today through Sunday

Volunteers must register at the Visitor Center in Yosemite Village from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trash bags, safety vests and litter sticks provided. All participants receive a ticket for a daily 5 p.m. raffle.

Go to yosemiteclimbing.org for details.

News & notes

• The DFG is reminding people to leave bear cubs that they see in the wild alone, even if the animal appears orphaned. By fall, cubs have been weaned from their mothers and have learned to gather food on their own, state bear coordinator Marc Kenyon said in a news release.
• Visalia fitness coach Justin Levine plans to run 300 miles from Visalia to Santa Monica in 100 hours from Oct. 16-20, raising money and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For more information, go to facebook.com/limitlesslifeinmotion.
• Lake Tahoe-area extreme skier Glen Plake was one of the few survivors of an avalanche last weekend on Mount Manaslu in Nepal that killed at least eight people. Three others are still missing, including two of Plake's climbing partners.
• The 20th annual Grizzly Century is Oct. 6, giving cyclists a chance to ride the Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway with rest stops and SAG support. Register at www.signmeup.com. For course details, go to grizzlycentury.org.