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Friday, January 25, 2013 — The Weekender
Journey
A day trip that really rocks If you’re television or movie fan, then a trip to Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is the perfect day out. The spectacular sandstone slabs created by the San Andreas Fault has been a popular hotspot for Hollywood since the 1930’s and have provided a backdrop for a variety of blockbusters including Planet of the Apes and the Flintstones, as well as vintage television hits Star Trek and the Lone Ranger and current small screen franchises CSI, NCIS and The Big Bang Theory. Situated just west of the Antelope Valley freeway in the Sierra Pelona mountains, the 905-acre park and its majestic formations that rise some 150 feet or more towards the sky, was named after notorious bandit Tiburcio Vasquez who used the craggy rocks to hide from the law in the late 1800s. Shortly after the turn of he century an enterprising man named Henry Krieg homesteaded the area, constructing cabins and then renting them to visitors until the 1970s when the County of Los Angeles acquired the park. Two years later it was added to the National Register of Historic Places due to its significance as a prehistoric site for the Shoshonean and Tataviam peo-
ples. Today, the park provides a unique outdoor playground with its maze of paths leading around the rock formations, making it easy to find your own adventure with just a good pair of hiking shoes and some water. However, for those that prefer planned activities, the park offers plenty of guided outings including a one-hour Lone Ranger hike, a healthy hike — an adult oriented tour through the park —animal presentations during the cooler months and quarterly stargazing parties. There is also a Nature and Interpretive Center, equestrian programs, a junior ranger program ands seasonal special events. Picnic areas are available. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center is located at 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road in Agua Dulce. The drive will take you about an hour and a half from downtown Tehachapi. The Park is open May 1 through September 30, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, and October 1 through April 30 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The area is a desert climate, and park hours will be affected by extreme heat, so call ahead before making the journey.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MORGUE FILE.COM
Above: The Vasquez Rocks are formations sculpted by 8 to 15 million years of earthquake activity along the San Andreas Fault. Left: The Vasquez Rocks are formations sculpted by 8 to 15 million years of earthquake activity along the San Andreas Fault.
Fish & Wildlife
Catching lobsters with a noose Q&As from the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife BY CARRIE WILSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Question: Is it legal to catch lobster with a noose? I want to make a sort of noose of PVC pipe and an elastic band (from the sling of a sling spear). This would not at all harm the lobster if caught in the noose. (Anonymous) Answer: No, this is not legal. The only approved methods for sport take of lobster are by hand or with hoop nets (California Code Regulations Title 14, section 29.80).
Capturing largemouth bass for aquarium Question: One of my friends has a large aquarium and is interested in putting some largemouth bass in it. I would like to know what the regulations are for catching a largemouth bass in a local lake and then transporting it live to his tank. It would never be released into a different body of water,
and it would be taken legally. (Azure C.) Answer: Transporting fish alive from the water where they are taken is prohibited (California Code of Regulations, section 1.63). Laws allowing certain species of live fish to be maintained alive in closed-systems do not authorize possession in home aquariums. Your friend can legally buy bass for his or her aquarium from a licensed aquaculturalist, as long as he or she does not release it into the wild.
Selling an old mounted bear head Question: I live in Washington State and need some help with a question that pertains to California rules. I have a friend who lives in California that wants my old mounted bear head for his cabin. It is about 60 years old, been in the family for years and passed around from one member to the other. I tried reading the rules on the Internet about taxi-
dermy things and got confused. I don't want to get in trouble if I send it to him, and I don't want him to get in trouble for having it. It's not for resell, just for his personal use. Would we be breaking any laws if I send it to him? (Sue N.) Answer: It is legal under California law for you to give the bear mount to your friend, and for your friend to possess it for personal use. However, sale within California is prohibited. According to retired California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Capt. Phil Nelms, you will need to check with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to make sure it is legal under their laws. Please provide your friend with as many details as possible regarding the description of the mount, your name and contact information, your friend's name/contact info, etc. A declaration of entry form for any wildlife entering the state is required (Fish and Game Code, section 2353). This form is available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/docs/declaration_for m.pdf. It would be best for
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Lobster, like this California Spiny Lobster can only be caught by hand or with hoop nets. The use of a noose is illegal. your friend to come pick it up or for you to take it to him. If you ship the item from Washington to California, the packaging must contain the following information as required by federal laws pertaining to wildlife movement from state to state. Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, § 14.82 Alternatives and exceptions to the marking requirement. (a) The requirements of §14.81 (requires all the information on the outside of the shipping container) may be met by complying with one of the following
alternatives to the marking requirement: (1)(i) Conspicuously marking the outside of each container or package containing fish or wildlife with the word “fish” or “wildlife” as appropriate for its contents, or with the common name of its contents by species, and (ii) Including an invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or similar document to accompany the shipment which accurately states the name and address of the shipper and consignee, states the total number of packages or containers in
the shipment, and for each species in the shipment specifies: (A) The common name that identifies the species (examples include: Chinook (or king) salmon; bluefin tuna; and whitetail deer) and whether or not the listed species is venomous; and (B) The number of that species (or other appropriate measure of quantity such as gross or net weight). The invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or equivalent document must be securely attached to the outside of one container or package in the shipment or otherwise physically accompany the shipment in a manner which makes it readily accessible for inspection. The complete Code of Federal Regulations Title 50 is available online at: www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement. CARRIE WILSON is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at Cal.Outdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.