2002 (Volume 63)

January – February 2002
Vol.63 No. 1

California faces another foreign invader: Wakame hits our coast
A new and uninvited kelp sets up residence in California coastal waters.
By Dr. Kathy Ann Miller

DFG studies in marine reserves: Science that will make a difference
Scientists monitor and study underwater areas to see if fish populations increase.
By Christina S. Johnson

The mighty sturgeon
Tagging study focuses on fish species that lived during dinosaur times.
By Nina J. Kogut

Shocking fisheries research
Where have the fish gone? What DFG biologists find could be considered…
shocking. By Chris Shaffer

On the banks of Butte Creek
Butte Creek, majestic and magnificent, also sports two ecological reserves open to the public. By Colleen Flannery

Napa River Ecological Reserve: An oasis in the heart of the wine country
With more than 90 percent of the state’s riparian areas gone, the Napa River Ecological Reserve is a true oasis. By Teresa LeBlanc

Oh Deer!
Researchers uncover fossil of deer that would have weighed almost 600 pounds.
By Charles Dailey

Then came speedy
The dedication of one little dog saves one man’s life. By Terry Hodges

Go for the smallmouths
Pound for pound, one of the finest sport fish around. By John Higley

March – April 2002
Vol. 63 No. 2

Singing sparrow croons “Photograph of the Year”
Some awesome images from the Annual Photography Award Program are led by Siegfried Matull’s singing sparrow. By Alexia E. Retallack

Capturing Peninsular bighorn sheep
Capturing bighorns gives DFG biologists gather the information needed to help this sheep survive.

California’s summer geese
It’s roundup and banding time for these feathered critters. By Eva Begley

Pilgrimage to Indian Creek
An annual trek to Indian Creek holds a few surprises for DFG biologists conducting fish population surveys. By Matthew Bettelheim

Native vs Nonnative: Sorting out Southern California’s stream community
Many Californians don’t realize that some of the critters they see commonly in the
Water aren’t supposed to be there. What’s native and what’s not? By Tim E. Hovey

Project Wild presents: How to attract wildlife… Imitate nature
Hopefully the start of a new tradition, Outdoor California teams with Project Wild to provide information and activities for teachers and students.
By Bobbie Winn and Sylvia Gude

Giant garter snakes of the San Joaquin Valley
Ever try to trap and tag a snake? DFG biologists do just that in this program to help the endangered giant garter snake. By Catherine Dickert and Jack Sparks

A Weekend with “Starsky and Hutch
Even Hollywood would have a tough time beating the adventures of these two wardens. By Terry Hodges

Go for the goldens
That yellow metal isn’t all that’s golden in California. By Bill Romanelli

May – June 2002
Vol. 63 No. 3

Burning space for the desert bighorn sheep
Tall chaparral reduces the quality of habitat for California bighorn sheep. In some cases, biologists give nature a hand with fire. By Chuck Graham

Natural Community Conservation Planning – The fist 10 years
NCCP’s were created as a method for letting human communities plan and work with natures communities in the best interests of all. By Gail Presley

Volunteers help DFG make elk monitoring possible
Volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation provide invaluable support to DFG biologists. By Melissa Crew

CALTIP: Protecting California’s wildlife since 1981 with help from citizens
One call is all it takes to stop crime committed against wildlife. By Liz Schwall

The yellow-billed magpie – California’s own specialty
Yellow-billed magpies are unique to California. A truly native species. By Frank Gray

Zoropsis spinimana: A Mediterranean spider in the San Francisco Bay Area makes some cry wolf
Its size alone makes people nervous. Meet the newest 8-legged critter to venture into California. By Rick Vetter

DFG, the Army and local schools…partners in outdoor education
Using space at an Army base, DFG staff join local school teachers to provide students with an outdoor educational experience. By Capt. Doug Huckins

Project Wild presents: Learning to look, looking to see
Learn how to really see the outdoors. By Sylvia Gude and Bobbie Winn

Davie Crockett and the Bush Baby
Life on the border gets interesting for one warden. By Terry Hodges

Refurbish your tackle now
It’s all in the preparation. Get your rod, reel and tackle together before the big trip. Here’s how. By John Higley

July – August 2002
Vol. 63 No. 4

The bear facts on black bear biology and ecology
Get the scoop on bears, their habits and their lives. By Doug Updike

Reproduction and survival of black bears in northern California
This fascinating species has a unique method of conceiving and bearing young. But the way biologists check in on them is even more intriguing.

Managing black bears in California
Monitoring, counting, evaluating, studying…it’s all part of keeping California’s black bear population strong and healthy. By Tim Burton and Doug Updike

Use of bear age data – A matter of pulling teeth
One tooth can tell quite a bit. Here how. By Doug Updike

How many bears?
We can’t herd them. Can’t walk through the forest and count ‘em. So just how do we know how many bears there are? By Doug Updike

Nuisance black bears: A human creation
When bears go bad, there’s usually a human behind it. By Amy Brinkhaus

Taking the wildness out of California’s black bears
Black bear problems are really a people problem. There are ways to coexist. By Chamois Andersen

Black bears and public safety
No doubt bears can be dangerous, but when are they truly a threat? By Doug Updike

What happens where bears do damage?
They can peel a car door like a banana, rip the front door off of a house or kill sheep as they graze. These bears become candidates for depredation permits.
By Doug Updike

Be bear aware!
Learn to live with bears. Here’s how.
By Lorna Bernard

Cysticercosis: From human to bear and back again
Hunters find cysts in black bear meat. A new disease? No, an old human one.
By Pam Swift

What to do with orphaned bears
Don’t assume the cub is an orphan. It’s mother won’t like it. But if it is, here’s what happens next. By Alexia Retallack

Project Wild presents: Bear fantasy and the bear reality
What’s the truth and what’s hype? By Bobbie Winn

September – October 2002
Vol. 63 No. 5

The call of the crane
Majestic and magnificent, these prehistoric birds delight visitors. By Elizabeth Rush

Hope Valley Wildlife Area
Named for the inspiration it gave settlers, this wildlife area boasts some great opportunities. By Eva Begley

Spenceville Wildlife Area
Along with a colorful history and scenic beauty, Spenceville Wildlife area has Fairy Galls. By Eva Begley

When wine making meets wildlife, it can be a beautiful thing: The Napa-Sonoma Marsh
Take one part wildlife needs, one part cultivation expertise, add ingenuity and drive, and you get a great partnership. By Larry Wyckoff

A Guide to California’s Wildlife Areas and Ecological Reserves
By popular demand an all in one issue. The guide has been updated with new areas and opportunities.

Don’t get bugged outdoors
Don’t let the little buggers ruin your outdoor adventure. By Craig D. Reid

Hints for fishing safety
It’s never the weapon – it’s the person wielding it. The commandments of firearm safety. By John Higley

Safe and considerate boating
Being on the water is great fun and even better when everyone obeys the rules and shows consideration for others. By John Higley

Photography ethics
Want to catch it on film? Remember, there are good behaviors and bad.
Special to Outdoor California

Ambush at Secret Creek
One pair of outlaws think their secret is safe, until one pair of law enforcement officers reach them otherwise. By Terry Hodges

Project Wild presents: Plastic jellyfish
What’s the truth and what’s hype? By Bobbie Winn

November - December 2002
Vol. 63 No. 6

Bays and estuaries: A vital link in California’s marine ecosystems – By Eric Larson and John Mello

What are DFG scientists doing underwater to study our marine resources? – By Briana Caia Brady

Sea otters in controversy: “Teddy bears of the sea” or ruthless predators – By Steven M. Barsky

Good things come in small packages – Tiny bits of fish and squid provide valuable information for managing fisheries
California seabirds: Give them a break not a line – By Nora Rojek

Caution in sea caves – By Chuck Graham

The Señorita – California’s cleaner wrasse – By Nancy Vander Velde

Wildlife Conservation Board – Racing to meet conservation challenges –
By Marilyn Cundiff

The making of a bug hunter: Adventures in diving for California spiny lobster - By Bill Romanelli

Buyer and seller beware: SOU is on the case – By Captain Nancy Foley

Old Pro - By Terry Hodges

Project Wild presents: Are you me? – By Bobbie Winn