Question: I have been trying to get into the sport of bowfishing but two issues have my parents and I a little puzzled. My dad heard that if you are going to bowfish, you need some kind of special reel on the bow (don't know whether it was an open face reel or a crank reel). We are also unsure what license I should use. Do we need a hunting or a fishing license to bowfish?— Nicholas M.
Answer: You will need sport fishing licenses since you will be taking fish and not game. No special reels or gear are required for bowfishing, but you must have the arrow shaft or the point, or both, attached by a line to the bow or to a fishing reel (includes crossbow).
Be sure to check with the law enforcement agency for the area where you intend to fish because not all areas (including federal, state and local parks) are open to bowfishing. Some areas prohibit using this type of fishing gear because they consider it a "deadly weapon." This is especially true in city limits. If fishing in freshwater, please read section 2.25 in the Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for the list of permitted species and any special restrictions.
Q: My uncle has a ranch up in northeastern California and his property is overrun with ground squirrels. He's worried about his calves stepping in the holes and breaking their legs. Do we need hunting licenses to help him get rid of these varmints? How can we legally help my uncle control his ground squirrel invasion problem and not get in trouble with a game warden? — Anonymous
A: When taking nongame mammals (like these ground squirrels) for depredation purposes, the landowner must be able to prove they have caused damage — before you start killing them. In addition, the no-license requirement only applies to the landowner and any designated person. So the person "taking" the ground squirrels must have written proof that they are acting on behalf of the landowner — they have to carry it whenever they're disposing of the varmints.
Shooting certain nongame mammals not causing damage can be allowed by licensed hunters, but all hunters must have written permission of the landowner to hunt on private property.
As always, remember that safe gun handling practices must always be practiced when using a firearm and other laws may apply.
Q: There are scopes with range-finding capabilities for compound and crossbows available on the market. Is it legal to have one of these scopes mounted on a bow or crossbow in areas where I am legally allowed to hunt in California? — Tim
A: Scopes with laser rangefinders are not prohibited. Just be sure the device does not project any visible light or electronically intensify light for the purpose of enhancing an animal or providing a visible point of aim on an animal. Scopes that do that, can be used only for shooting nongame and furbearing mammals.
Q: When reading DFG regulations, I find a shotgun is limited to three rounds, but I cannot find anywhere the ammo limits for a rifle or AR. I'd like to know as I want no trouble when I go squirrel hunting with my AR-type gun. — Robert K.
A: There are no restrictions on the number of rounds a rifle can hold while hunting. DFG Lt. Todd Tognazzini says rifles sold in California for the past several years are restricted to a 10-round capacity. This is due to laws created under the assault weapon ban. However, rifles owned prior to the capacity ban can still be used for hunting as long as ammunition is legal for the area being hunted.
Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. Contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov
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