Events News & Notes 9/2

Published online on Wednesday, Sep. 02, 2009

Dove hunting opener busy for wardens, too
Local game wardens were busy Tuesday on the opening day of dove hunting season.

Wardens in Fresno and Madera counties made 334 contacts with dove hunters and issued 38 citations while giving 34 warnings, according to Department of Fish and Game patrol captain Nathaniel Arnold.

Fifteen hunters were cited for hunting in baited fields, while 11 were written up for discharging firearms over a public road. Six were trespassing, and six did not have a valid hunting license. Two lacked an upland game bird stamp, two failed to show birds upon demand and two more used illegal hunting methods. Some hunters were cited for multiple violations.

In all, 50 doves were seized for evidence.

In addition, wardens issued four citations during the weekend before the opener for hunting out of season. One alleged poacher ran from a warden and was later discovered to possess a stolen shotgun.

News & notes

- A 120-pound cake shaped like Half Dome helped rock climbers celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Yosemite Mountaineering School on Saturday in Curry Village. Guests included Fresno native Wayne Merry, who founded the school in 1969. Merry now lives in the Yukon Territory.

- The Sierra Club and Trout Unlimited announced a new partnership geared toward getting more kids to fish. The Sierra Club will donate 700 fly fishing rods and reels to Trout Unlimited for use in their youth and outreach programs. Details: www.sierrasportsmen.org.

- September is a big month for local endurance events. The Smokey Bear Run is Sept. 26 at Bass Lake, followed by the Shaver Lake Triathlon on Sept. 27.