Learning to fish, learning about bats and getting ready for hunting season are all items on the calendar during August through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

All calendar items are subject to change. Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.

Various Days

Bat Talk and Tour, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields before watching the “flyout” of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. The bats emerge in long ribbons as they head out to hunt for insects for the night. For more information and to register, visit yolobasin.org.

Wetland Meet and Greet at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. Meet with a wildlife naturalist from the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. This 15-minute interactive meeting is based on participant interests, which may include information about Gray Lodge origins, help in identifying wildlife or patterns of behavior, or a brief explanation of conservation management. Reservations are required but there is no minimum group size. For more information, call 530-846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) access permit application deadlines for multiple hunting opportunities. Wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program. A $13.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.

Aug. 3

Archery and Falconry-only tree squirrel season opened, extending through Sept. 13. For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.

Aug. 10

Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour on the second Saturday of each month to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in temperatures over 100 Fahrenheit and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call 916-358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.

First general season for deer opens in A Zone. California’s 2024 general deer season will open in Zone A on Saturday, Aug. 10, and in Zone B-4 on Saturday, Aug. 24. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer. All deer tags you purchase, whether you hunt or not, must be reported. Successful hunters must report their tags within 30 days of their successful hunt or by Jan. 31, 2025, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are required to report by Jan. 31, 2025. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.

First general season for black bears opens in A Zone. General black bear season will open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extend through Dec. 29. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. For those portions of zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins on Oct. 12 and extends through Dec. 29. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. The bag and possession limit for either archery or general season is one adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free 888-277-6398.

Bats and Crafts, 10 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 Country Road 32B, Davis. Perfect for little ones who can’t stay up late enough for the Bat Talk and Tour, this fun-filled day will include meeting live bats, arts and crafts, games and other bat related activities. For more information and to register, visit yolobasin.org.

Aug. 13

Advanced Hunter Education webinar: 2024 Deer Hunting Forecast, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Counting down the days until deer hunting season? In an effort to serve hunters, we have brought in some experts in the field to discuss California deer hunting opportunities, trends, deer management/conservation efforts and chronic wasting disease (CWD). There will be a dedicated Q&A segment at the end. Submit questions beforehand to erick.elliott@wildlife.ca.gov and we will try to address as many questions as possible during the webinar.

California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee meeting, time to be determined, River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.

Aug. 14-15

California Fish and Game Commission meeting, time to be determined, River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.

Aug. 17

Archery deer season opens in many deer zones across the state, including B1-3, B5-6, D3-5 and D6-10.

Archery-only quail, chukar and sooty (blue)/ruffed grouse seasons open, extending through Sept. 6. For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

Falconry season for pheasant, quail, chukar, ptarmigan and sooty (blue)/ruffed grouse opens, extending through Feb. 28, 2025. For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

Archery bear season in all bear zones opens Aug. 17 and runs through Sept. 8. The bag and possession limit for either archery or general season is one adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll-free 888-277-6398.

Aug. 18

Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft. To celebrate World Honey Bee Day, we’ll read books about bees and have fun with bee crafts and activities. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.

Aug. 22

California Wildlife Conservation board meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P St., Sacramento. The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.

Aug. 24

Batty for Bats, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Enjoy a little bite to eat, see an exciting local band perform, meet a number of live ambassador bats and learn about a variety of native bat species. As part of the festivities, we will view the spectacular sunset fly-out of one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. Yolo Basin Foundation bat expert, Corky Quirk, will lead the tour and offer lots of great bat information. For more information and to register, visit yolobasin.org/battalkandtour.

Aug. 27

Hunter Input meeting for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands, avian influenza and hunting access opportunities. State lands to be discussed include the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.