Uncovering the Mountain Lion Mystique

In a short interview with Kyle Orr of the Dept Fish and Game regarding the recent attacks on livestock in Copperopolis by mountain lions he attempted to remove some of the mystique, and/or misunderstanding that surround these animals.

According to Orr, mountain lions are "opportunistic predators." What that means is that if an opportunity to dine comes before them, they take it.

Mountain lions preferred meal of choice is deer. Orr also states that the resident deer population in the Copperopolis area "is very healthy." Which in turn creates a more abundance of mountain lions, begetting possibly more domesticated livestock attacks. Feeding of local deer compounds the issue.

Rattlesnake information from Dept of Fish and Game

Rattlesnakes in California

As springtime calls people and snakes alike to the outdoors, encounters with snakes become inevitable. California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake - the rattlesnake.
California rattlesnake species include the northern Pacific rattlesnake (in northern California), and the Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake (all found in Southern California). Though rattlesnakes are dangerous if provoked, they also provide humans with a tremendous service they eat rodents, other reptiles, and insects, and are in turn eaten by other predators. In California where rattlesnakes are found from sea level to the inland prairies and desert areas and to the mountains at elevations of more than 10,000 feet, enjoying the outdoors means learning how to avoid contact with rattlesnakes.
Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles.
Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans on rare occasions. The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year with one to two deaths. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. About 25 percent of the bites are “dry,” meaning no venom was injected, but the bites still require medical treatment.
The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are several precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten when out in snake country - which is just about anywhere in California.

CA Dept of Fish and Game announce free fishing day today 7-7-12

Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line? Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? What's that? You say you never learned to fish?

Dept Fish and Game 2012 and 2013 Mammal Hunting Regulations now available online

The 2012-2013 California Mammal Hunting Regulations Booklet is now available for download from DFG’s website.
The document includes regulations for license requirements, methods of take, season dates, bag limits and hunting zones for both big game (deer, elk, bear, etc.) and small game (rabbit, squirrel, etc.) hunting.
Additional information about big game hunting, including tag drawing application instructions, can be found in DFG’s Big Game Hunting Digest, released earlier this year.