Does anyone have a clear understanding reguarding the use of mounted scope lights in California? I know I can use a 12 volt light in most of the state, and in some areas the light must be 9 volt hand held used on foot. The regs. do not say anything about the light being mounted to your gun. One more question for ya. In the area where you can use a 12 volt light from your vehicle with the motor off, are you able to shoot from the vehicle? I.E. From the back of your truck. Thank you for your info.
Calif. night hunters question.
- Thread starter DirtNap
- Start date
Dirtnap,
You can't attach a light to your rifle while hunting. Dirtnap, if you're in SoCal, join a club. There are several. You'll learn more about varmints, night hunting, and California's terrain in a single season than in a decade of trial and error or by reading a zillion bb posts.
But I have to tell ya, Weasel, you're off the mark about the pickup. Yours is a strict interpretation of the motor vehicle code. When it comes to coyote hunting, park rangers, game rangers, and even law enforcement, local, county, or CHP, do not cite varmint callers. Now I've only been a member of the disjointed CSVCA for about 15 years, but some of the guys have been members since the 70's, and no one in that long history can remember a single citation for shooting off their rig when parked off the 2-track, engine off, and well away from the asphalt. If you're shooting from a highway, you deserve a ticket or to be arrested. However, my experience is I've been stopped and asked "How's the hunting?" by the sheriff. A friend was stopped by a DFG ranger and asked to help look for a downed aircraft. And a federal ranger in the Mojave Preserve stopped me to tell me where she'd seen a big tom bobcat the day before. Everyone in every club has been stopped on multiple occasions for various reasons. But no one has been cited in modern memory.
If anyone has a contrary experience in the field, more than a legal interpretation, I'd love to hear about it.
You can't attach a light to your rifle while hunting. Dirtnap, if you're in SoCal, join a club. There are several. You'll learn more about varmints, night hunting, and California's terrain in a single season than in a decade of trial and error or by reading a zillion bb posts.
But I have to tell ya, Weasel, you're off the mark about the pickup. Yours is a strict interpretation of the motor vehicle code. When it comes to coyote hunting, park rangers, game rangers, and even law enforcement, local, county, or CHP, do not cite varmint callers. Now I've only been a member of the disjointed CSVCA for about 15 years, but some of the guys have been members since the 70's, and no one in that long history can remember a single citation for shooting off their rig when parked off the 2-track, engine off, and well away from the asphalt. If you're shooting from a highway, you deserve a ticket or to be arrested. However, my experience is I've been stopped and asked "How's the hunting?" by the sheriff. A friend was stopped by a DFG ranger and asked to help look for a downed aircraft. And a federal ranger in the Mojave Preserve stopped me to tell me where she'd seen a big tom bobcat the day before. Everyone in every club has been stopped on multiple occasions for various reasons. But no one has been cited in modern memory.
If anyone has a contrary experience in the field, more than a legal interpretation, I'd love to hear about it.
BillyTheKidd
New member
Nahuatl, I belonged to that club for many years. I don't know that a local or state law inforcement officer can wright you up for a Fish&Game violation, they have to call in the Fish&Game to do the dirty deed.
I'd be welling to bet if the F&G catches you shooting from your truck or lighting down a road you'll lose your rifle and get a BIG ticket.
First of all, it's real hard to catch someone shooting from a truck. I have heard of a team in the CVCA, AKA the CSVCA ( that's another story ) that were wrote up for shooting from the truck, also lighting from a moving truck.
The DFG director back in the 60s and early 70s Ray Arnett was predator hunting friendly. The state wanted to stop all night hunting, but Ray kept most of the state open to us.
DirtNap, you can NOT use a 12 volt lights in most of the state, only in designated areas. You can use 9 volt lights or less in all of the state, except San Benito and Monterey countys where no lights are allowed at all.
DirtNip be real careful, make sure you know the lighting laws and take a copy of them when you go hunting....Good luck
I'd be welling to bet if the F&G catches you shooting from your truck or lighting down a road you'll lose your rifle and get a BIG ticket.
First of all, it's real hard to catch someone shooting from a truck. I have heard of a team in the CVCA, AKA the CSVCA ( that's another story ) that were wrote up for shooting from the truck, also lighting from a moving truck.
The DFG director back in the 60s and early 70s Ray Arnett was predator hunting friendly. The state wanted to stop all night hunting, but Ray kept most of the state open to us.
DirtNap, you can NOT use a 12 volt lights in most of the state, only in designated areas. You can use 9 volt lights or less in all of the state, except San Benito and Monterey countys where no lights are allowed at all.
DirtNip be real careful, make sure you know the lighting laws and take a copy of them when you go hunting....Good luck
I too am a former member of the CVCA. That doesn't mean I, or anyone else knows anything because of it.
This is taken from the California Dept of Fish & Game website:
Quote:
No person shall pursue, drive, herd, or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat, or snowmobile.
(LINK)
I guess a guy could take his chances. They last guy I heard about getting written up is the son of a former CVCA member that I recently met. He lucked out and didn't lose his truck, or even his rifle, but he did have to pay a $1000 fine. Personally, It's not worth it to me. Maybe folks with more money can justify taking a chance?
This is taken from the California Dept of Fish & Game website:
Quote:
No person shall pursue, drive, herd, or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat, or snowmobile.
(LINK)
I guess a guy could take his chances. They last guy I heard about getting written up is the son of a former CVCA member that I recently met. He lucked out and didn't lose his truck, or even his rifle, but he did have to pay a $1000 fine. Personally, It's not worth it to me. Maybe folks with more money can justify taking a chance?
BillyTheKidd
New member
Weasel-UT...I somehow think we know what it's all about. I think we have been there and done that.
Dogboy
New member
Any peace officer meaning ANY cop on the street can issue a citation for any law violation he wants to, the key is if he wants to, the authority is there no question about it.
If a Deputy Sheriff wants to cite for Fish and Game violations he sure can, goes for city cops, CHP or BLM Ranger etc.
I've had people pass me on the freeway at 100 mph, I'm in a marked Sheriff's unit and I stop them, they say "you can't cite me your not the CHP". Guess what they got, a ticket and it cost them big bucks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Don't care what you may have witnessed or heard from your friends, you can be cited legally if that uniformed cop from whatever agency he works for decides to write the ticket. Been there done that and have not ever lost a case in court... Be careful guys... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
P.S. Cops can even send you a ticket in the mail if they witness something illegal and they are off duty... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If a Deputy Sheriff wants to cite for Fish and Game violations he sure can, goes for city cops, CHP or BLM Ranger etc.
I've had people pass me on the freeway at 100 mph, I'm in a marked Sheriff's unit and I stop them, they say "you can't cite me your not the CHP". Guess what they got, a ticket and it cost them big bucks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Don't care what you may have witnessed or heard from your friends, you can be cited legally if that uniformed cop from whatever agency he works for decides to write the ticket. Been there done that and have not ever lost a case in court... Be careful guys... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
P.S. Cops can even send you a ticket in the mail if they witness something illegal and they are off duty... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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BillyTheKidd
New member
Dogboy, that's good to know, I think lol.
OK. Both of you. EX-members of CVCA? Which means both of you are rig hunters from hi-desert telling some new guy not to shoot from a rig. Danny, I've seen your truck.
There never was a CVCA. It appeared on Frank's website out of the blue, his own creation. The clubs have been autonomous groups since that night at Denny's when we voted to dissolve the CSVCA.
Back to hunting with a spotlight in California.
The southern spotlight zone is approximately 45,000 square miles or about 28 million acres. Almost everything east of 395, from Mono Lake to the Mexican Border and from Huntington Beach to the Colorado River. Don't "run" a light. Don't spotlight out of the zone. Lipsqueak foxes. Tag bobcats. Don't shoot bunnies with a .22 in LA county. If I thought standing in the sunroof were high risk, I'd never do it. Ask law enforcement yourself. I have talked to rangers and leo's on multiple occasions. An leo belongs to the club. They do not care about otherwise law-abiding hatch-standing coyote hunters. That's a fact.
If you're running a light or hunting out of the zone, you deserve to be cited, but you probably won't be, even then.
Rick was running a light east of the New York Mountains and was spotted by a CHP aircraft. He was in Clark Co., Nevada, where running a light is legal. His argument in court was about his GPS coordinates and which side of the NV-CA border he was on. Rick knew he was in NV, but close to the line, and the CHP pilot said he was in CA. He would have never run a light knowing he was still in California.
I have no idea who Weasel is talking about, but I'll email Kevin and he'll know.
I'll stick with my original statement. If you're parked off the two-track, engine stopped, progress ceased, sails furled, and well away from the asphalt, and adding, well away from any inhabited dwellings, no one will bother you. And if anyone has any direct first-hand experience or knowledge contrarywise to the above, I'd love to hear about it. So far, it looks like heresay about some guy running a light. If anyone has been cited in the last 50 years while sitting still off the 2-track, everyone, in every club, would like to hear about it.
Dirtnap, check out the Predator Hunting Club Info in the Member Clubhouse section of this website. Come join us at a meeting. You'll be glad you did. We have a good mix of expert and novice hunters. We'll give you a map of the zone, a tally-ho caller, a year's worth of newsletters, an invitation to 6 club hunts, a barbeque, a campout, a scotchlight shoot, and 12 meetings per year, all for the price of a membership. And it's a friendly group.
There never was a CVCA. It appeared on Frank's website out of the blue, his own creation. The clubs have been autonomous groups since that night at Denny's when we voted to dissolve the CSVCA.
Back to hunting with a spotlight in California.
The southern spotlight zone is approximately 45,000 square miles or about 28 million acres. Almost everything east of 395, from Mono Lake to the Mexican Border and from Huntington Beach to the Colorado River. Don't "run" a light. Don't spotlight out of the zone. Lipsqueak foxes. Tag bobcats. Don't shoot bunnies with a .22 in LA county. If I thought standing in the sunroof were high risk, I'd never do it. Ask law enforcement yourself. I have talked to rangers and leo's on multiple occasions. An leo belongs to the club. They do not care about otherwise law-abiding hatch-standing coyote hunters. That's a fact.
If you're running a light or hunting out of the zone, you deserve to be cited, but you probably won't be, even then.
Rick was running a light east of the New York Mountains and was spotted by a CHP aircraft. He was in Clark Co., Nevada, where running a light is legal. His argument in court was about his GPS coordinates and which side of the NV-CA border he was on. Rick knew he was in NV, but close to the line, and the CHP pilot said he was in CA. He would have never run a light knowing he was still in California.
I have no idea who Weasel is talking about, but I'll email Kevin and he'll know.
I'll stick with my original statement. If you're parked off the two-track, engine stopped, progress ceased, sails furled, and well away from the asphalt, and adding, well away from any inhabited dwellings, no one will bother you. And if anyone has any direct first-hand experience or knowledge contrarywise to the above, I'd love to hear about it. So far, it looks like heresay about some guy running a light. If anyone has been cited in the last 50 years while sitting still off the 2-track, everyone, in every club, would like to hear about it.
Dirtnap, check out the Predator Hunting Club Info in the Member Clubhouse section of this website. Come join us at a meeting. You'll be glad you did. We have a good mix of expert and novice hunters. We'll give you a map of the zone, a tally-ho caller, a year's worth of newsletters, an invitation to 6 club hunts, a barbeque, a campout, a scotchlight shoot, and 12 meetings per year, all for the price of a membership. And it's a friendly group.
BillyTheKidd
New member
Nahuatl, you saw my truck? lol. Well ok, but I only used it to light from and that is legal in some areas of the state. Here in NM it is legal to shoot from your truck at coyotes and prairie dogs, so my California rig works really good. I use to call some of the members of the clubs the "Hells Angeles" of predator hunting lol.
There WAS something called the CVCA. That was not Franks idea, it was mine. "California Varmint Callers Asso". If you ever had a jacket with the older patch on it or have any of the older animal pins, they say CVCA or California Varmint Callers on it. If you've ever seen the book Jim Dougherty wrote " Varmint Hunters Digest " The name California "State" Varmint Callers was never mentioned because it didn't exist at the time.
All this came about because someone didn't report something to the IRS so the CVCA and to change it's name to the CSVCA, that happend back in the early 70s I believe. I don't remember for sure, but I think I changed it back to the CVCA in an effort to keep the Asso. together. The SG chapter took the name CSVCA and to this day still has that name.
Dirtnap, it is a good idea to join one of the clubs. They know how to play the game and can tell you where you can and can't hunt.
There WAS something called the CVCA. That was not Franks idea, it was mine. "California Varmint Callers Asso". If you ever had a jacket with the older patch on it or have any of the older animal pins, they say CVCA or California Varmint Callers on it. If you've ever seen the book Jim Dougherty wrote " Varmint Hunters Digest " The name California "State" Varmint Callers was never mentioned because it didn't exist at the time.
All this came about because someone didn't report something to the IRS so the CVCA and to change it's name to the CSVCA, that happend back in the early 70s I believe. I don't remember for sure, but I think I changed it back to the CVCA in an effort to keep the Asso. together. The SG chapter took the name CSVCA and to this day still has that name.
Dirtnap, it is a good idea to join one of the clubs. They know how to play the game and can tell you where you can and can't hunt.
Looks like CVCA to me? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif My pins and wall plaque all say CVCA or California Varmint Callers Association. Of course BillyTheKidd, maybe we are so old we're jest a tad bit senile. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Oh yeah, is Fallbrook "High Desert"? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
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And now SG is unrecognizable, but you know that. I wouldn't know who to contact there anymore. Total strangers with the CSVCA checkbook. I hate that.
Danny, Weasel, I stand corrected about the initials. I'm a novice by your standards. I think I shot my first coyote in '77. Thanks for the info on the 'old' CVCA. That's back when there were 37 chapters in SoCal.
If you came to the memorial hunt, you wouldn't recognize it. It's downright peaceful. No wrestling matches. No old grudges. I didn't need the Sawzall for proof of kill. Contrary to what I said about the hunt on Monday, two guys from Granville's club were there. That's seven clubs (20 teams) hunting together if you count Bakersfield. We could have had a car show.
I saw that mess the other day. It must be bad to be in the middle. I know you went to high school with LB and still try to keep up the other friendships. I don't envy you. I'm in the same boat. I went to school and played little league with JVO and it was always a bummer to see SG and OC butt heads.
Dogboy? I'll just call you Mr. The Law. I bet you're one of those sheriffs who would pull me or Danny over and ask about the hunting.
The hatch issue is always on my mind. NONE of us wants trouble. At the end of the day we all want to make it home in one piece, stay out of the emergency room, out of court, out of impound, out of jail, and out of the morgue. The last one is inevitable, but I'm not into hurrying it up any.
Danny, Weasel, I stand corrected about the initials. I'm a novice by your standards. I think I shot my first coyote in '77. Thanks for the info on the 'old' CVCA. That's back when there were 37 chapters in SoCal.
If you came to the memorial hunt, you wouldn't recognize it. It's downright peaceful. No wrestling matches. No old grudges. I didn't need the Sawzall for proof of kill. Contrary to what I said about the hunt on Monday, two guys from Granville's club were there. That's seven clubs (20 teams) hunting together if you count Bakersfield. We could have had a car show.
I saw that mess the other day. It must be bad to be in the middle. I know you went to high school with LB and still try to keep up the other friendships. I don't envy you. I'm in the same boat. I went to school and played little league with JVO and it was always a bummer to see SG and OC butt heads.
Dogboy? I'll just call you Mr. The Law. I bet you're one of those sheriffs who would pull me or Danny over and ask about the hunting.
The hatch issue is always on my mind. NONE of us wants trouble. At the end of the day we all want to make it home in one piece, stay out of the emergency room, out of court, out of impound, out of jail, and out of the morgue. The last one is inevitable, but I'm not into hurrying it up any.
smallblockfuelie
New member
There are different rules for non-game animals in the state of California. I have a copy of a letter from a DFG offical who answered a question about the requirement for a shotgun plug while hunting coyotes. Liz (I believe was her name) said a plug wasnt required so long as the chamber and tube could hold no more than 5 rounds.
Perhaps this arguement would be best resoved by asking someone in the DFG office?
Perhaps this arguement would be best resoved by asking someone in the DFG office?
BillyTheKidd
New member
Nahuatl, I'm kind of a history buff when it comes to the CVCA or the CSVCA. Only 18 chapters, Pasadena was the first and High Desert was the last. South Bay, El Monte, AKA Chapter4, SG, OC, Fallbrook, San Fernando, Coast, National, Riverside, Long Beach, So Cal. Weasel-UT can probably add a few.
Nahuatl, San Gabriel was just one of the chapters to beat on state hunts, Orange County won there share in the 70s and 80s. Heck, I was in So. Cal. and we won the state hunt beating both OC and SG. I do miss my friends and the competition, those days are all history now.
Weasel-UT, Fallbrook disbanded back in 78 I believe. I started the High Desert Chapter about 95. I missed all the club stuff so much I started the New Mexico Predator Callers Asso lol. Man I'd love to have that FB patch for the museum, got any more? Do you have any old pictures?
Did we highjack this post or what, we got carried away I think lol.
Nahuatl, San Gabriel was just one of the chapters to beat on state hunts, Orange County won there share in the 70s and 80s. Heck, I was in So. Cal. and we won the state hunt beating both OC and SG. I do miss my friends and the competition, those days are all history now.
Weasel-UT, Fallbrook disbanded back in 78 I believe. I started the High Desert Chapter about 95. I missed all the club stuff so much I started the New Mexico Predator Callers Asso lol. Man I'd love to have that FB patch for the museum, got any more? Do you have any old pictures?
Did we highjack this post or what, we got carried away I think lol.
Dogboy
New member
Yes I would pull you over and ask about the hunting and have you show me a few tricks on the spot!!!! LOL!!
Stopped a couple of old chukar hunters yesterday morning on Hwy 395 hawling butt towards Red Mountain, told them to slow down that the CHP was up ahead...... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And I too find the light use for night hunting very confusing, so much so I would not attempt to enforce it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Stopped a couple of old chukar hunters yesterday morning on Hwy 395 hawling butt towards Red Mountain, told them to slow down that the CHP was up ahead...... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And I too find the light use for night hunting very confusing, so much so I would not attempt to enforce it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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I think it's a hijack if we totally change the topic. It seems to me we're still talking about night hunting in California and whether truck hunting will earn you a cite. It's good for all to read club history from a couple of 30+ year members in a state that doesn't have the best hunting image. Maybe we'll pique someone's interest and get a new member. A hundred years of experience between us. Weasel adds color photos. I loved the FB patch too. I suppose if I dig through my stuff, I'm going to come up with a CVCA patch of my own, now that I think about it, but the club patch is a hoot.
But the best part is Mr. The Law's post. I'm assuming from your last remark, Mr. Dogboy, you're an SB county sheriff? And very much like the other friendly law enforcement officers with whom I've had contact while hunting. Here's a guy in a black and white who'd ask me about the hunting, just as I predicted he would. You answered Dirtnap's question in spades.
Dogboy, do you belong to High-Desert? If Oak Hills is the Hesperia-Oak Hills, you're right in the middle of their turf and right across the 138 from me. I hunt Pearblossom now and then.
Heath, when leo's are asked a question, they stick with the letter of the law. They never know who's asking. But in the field, I believe they have always have some latitude. Busting coyote hunters is a very low/no priority. It was great to meet you last week too.
But the best part is Mr. The Law's post. I'm assuming from your last remark, Mr. Dogboy, you're an SB county sheriff? And very much like the other friendly law enforcement officers with whom I've had contact while hunting. Here's a guy in a black and white who'd ask me about the hunting, just as I predicted he would. You answered Dirtnap's question in spades.
Dogboy, do you belong to High-Desert? If Oak Hills is the Hesperia-Oak Hills, you're right in the middle of their turf and right across the 138 from me. I hunt Pearblossom now and then.
Heath, when leo's are asked a question, they stick with the letter of the law. They never know who's asking. But in the field, I believe they have always have some latitude. Busting coyote hunters is a very low/no priority. It was great to meet you last week too.
Dogboy
New member
There is always latitude in our decisions. You always have the official answer and then the reality answer. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Yes I'm with S.B.County. And I don't belong to any clubs, don't really have the time. I have hunted out west, off the 138 and found some good areas, and have shot some nice yotes out there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
There is still some virgin territory out here. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
The only concern I would have about night hunting here is being along ways away from anyone's home.
Most folks don't know the difference from a hunter, shooter, or crook. They just call 911 and say someone's shooting at my house and all the young cops go racing to that location and get everyone all jacked up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Those are the ones you need to be concerned with regarding my previous comments.
Yes I'm with S.B.County. And I don't belong to any clubs, don't really have the time. I have hunted out west, off the 138 and found some good areas, and have shot some nice yotes out there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
There is still some virgin territory out here. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
The only concern I would have about night hunting here is being along ways away from anyone's home.
Most folks don't know the difference from a hunter, shooter, or crook. They just call 911 and say someone's shooting at my house and all the young cops go racing to that location and get everyone all jacked up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Those are the ones you need to be concerned with regarding my previous comments.
BillyTheKidd
New member
DirtNap, you didn't open up a can of worms. There is always something to be learned for all of us. It is hard to understand the lighting laws in California along with many other laws. The more it's talked about the more we all learn.
One of the problems with internet talk forums is people take offence to things others say to easily. It's all words with no facial expression. We are all predator hunters and should take everyones opinion as just that, an opinion.......Good Hunting
One of the problems with internet talk forums is people take offence to things others say to easily. It's all words with no facial expression. We are all predator hunters and should take everyones opinion as just that, an opinion.......Good Hunting