Wilson on Outdoors: What to do when bullies intentionally harm wildlife

Q: I live in an over-55 community in Rio Vista. There are wild turkeys and Canada geese, which many of us love. Last month, someone deliberately ran into turkeys crossing a road to go to their roosting trees. A man who went out every evening to watch them “fly up” saw a car actually speed up to hit them instead of slowing to let them pass. Six were killed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife was called and presumably never caught the guy.

A few days ago, a golfer in a golf cart plowed into a gaggle of geese crossing the path. He hit and injured one. The golfer didn’t stop. A woman walking her dog saw it happen and confronted the golfer, who said, “Well, the geese shouldn’t be crossing the path.” Yesterday, on a main road outside the community, a turkey and its babies were crossing; eyewitnesses said that instead of slowing, a car sped up and killed at least the parent.

Many people here are very upset by bullies in vehicles intentionally killing innocent animals. I am making a flier that will go to people on the Nextdoor community email. I want to tell what the legality is about deliberately killing a wild turkey or Canada goose and what the consequences might be. I can’t seem to find a clear answer and was hoping you could help.

A: Scenarios like you are describing are very disturbing and constitute several violations. The use of a vehicle to take turkeys or geese violates the law because vehicles are not a lawful method of take (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 311 (Upland Game/Turkey) and 507 (Migratory Birds/Geese)). Pursuing, driving, herding or taking any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven vehicle is also prohibited (CCR Title 14, section 251). In addition, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or non-game birds (CCR Title 14, section 251.1). Violations of Fish and Game Code and Title 14 regulations such as these are generally punishable as misdemeanors, with fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail (see FGC, section 12002 (a)).

Hopefully, you will not encounter these types of situations again, but if you do, try to collect as many details as you can, including vehicle type, license plate number, date and time. Then, call the 24-hour CalTIP hotline at 888-334-2258 or send an anonymous text to 847411 (tip411). In the message, text CALTIP, followed by a space and then the information. You can even send photos. Remember, you can remain anonymous and may receive an award for your effort.

Q: I’ve spent hours on the CDFW website trying to find the season and take limits for halibut. Can you please tell me if you know the answer?

A: Yes! And next time you have a question like this, here’s the first and best place to check: www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map. This is a great resource, so please bookmark this page. You will find a clickable map of California. Click on the portion of the state (along the coast) where you’d like to fish, and a list will pop up of what’s open and closed in that area. Then, if you click on the species, you will be provided with the basic fishing regulations and requirements.

For Redondo Beach, it says, “The recreational fishery for California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is five fish south of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.”

In addition, if you click on “California halibut” on that page, a link will take you to a page featuring additional life history information and interesting facts about this species.

We always keep this site up to date, so you can count on that.

Q: I’m not a hunter but am wondering if there is a concern for hunters having to deal with fleas and/or ticks jumping off a cooling carcass when field dressing the animal?

A: Many animals have fleas and ticks, and hunters are encouraged to protect themselves by using appropriate sprays or products to reduce the chance of bites and dangers such as Lyme disease.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Wilson on Outdoors: What to do when bullies intentionally harm wildlife."