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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 — The Weekender
Journey
Morro Bay State Park, a cool summer getaway BY MATTHEW MARTZ TEHACHAPI NEWS
Looking out over the water to windsculpted sand dunes, Morro Bay State Park offers a cool retreat from the summertime heat. The park’s lagoon and natural bay habitat provides a multitude of opportunities for sailing, fishing, hiking and bird watching, and makes a great day or weekend journey for the entire family. Surrounded by eucalyptus and cypress trees the 2,700-acre park also boasts one of the state park’s best campgrounds, with nearly 100 sites for tents and RVs up to 30-feet long, for those that are interested in an extended stay. It is one of the most affordable spots along the California coast, with campsites starting at around $35 per night. Besides an extensive trail system that meanders throughout the park and a nearby pristine saltwater marsh estuary that supports a thriving bird population, there is also a vibrant marina with boat and kayak rentals, a horse camping site, an 18-hole public golf course, a restaurant and a museum. Within minutes of the nearby Heron Rookery, the Museum of Natural History houses a variety of exhibits that illustrate Morro Bay’s geology and oceanography, as well as its cultural
history and early Native American life. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and entry fees are $3 for adults and free to children 16 and under. Inside the museum guests are invited to experience the past and the present through lectures, puppet shows, videos and docent led tours. While just outside visitors can stroll through the Chumash garden to get a view of how the region’s indigenous Indian tribe used the area’s natural resources in their daily lives, including nearby Morro Rock. Sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” the Chumash tribe considered Morro Rock to be a sacred site, which in ancient times was used in their annual solstice ceremony. Today, the massive 50-acre volcanic plug is the last in a chain of extinct volcanoes formed about 23 million years ago, and in 1968 became State Landmark #801. Since then, the area around it has been designated a bird sanctuary for the flocks of Peregrine falcons, egrets and blue herons. Besides bird watching, the estuary is also a popular spot for water sports of all types, and perhaps the best way to see the wonders of Morro Bay is by kayak or canoe, getting a up close and personal view of the bay’s seals, sea
PHOTO BY MICHAEL L. BAIRD
A veiw of Morro Rock from nearby 2,700-acre Morro Bay State Park, one of California’s premier state parks situated on a pristine saltwater marsh estuary. lions and sea otters. A favorite local tradition is to paddle from Morro Bay State Park to the massive four-mile sand spit that protects the bay from the open ocean for a picnic. So, if you’re thinking about an affordable and fun day trip or even an overnight experience, what better way to enjoy southern California, than play-
ing and staying on the water at Morro Bay State Park. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the park is a perfect summer destination just threehours drive from downtown Tehachapi. However, before packing up the family and heading out, it is advised to call the park for hours of operation and reservations at 805-772-2560.
Fish & Wildlife
Can I practice my archery by shooting down a dirt road? Q&As from the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife BY CARRIE WILSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Question: My neighbor who lives a few houses down from me has a 15year-old son who shoots his BB gun in his backyard. I used to shoot my bow in my backyard until my dad found out it’s illegal. I am 13 and live in the mountains of Southern California (close to San Bernardino) and am hoping it might be legal to practice my archery by shooting down a dirt road? Can you please let me know ASAP? Thanks. (Ashmanger) Answer: Generally, Fish and Game Code laws only regulate the use of archery equipment or firearms while hunting. However, the same rules for firearms apply to archery equipment in this situation – you may not shoot over or across a road or within 150 yards
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN DNR
Is it legal to shoot your bow in your backyard. of a neighbor’s home, barns or outbuildings, even if just archery target shooting (Fish and Game Code, section 3004). If you are on a private road on private property (off the public roadway), no Fish and Game Code law prohibits target practice with your bow and arrow. Beyond this, different counties and communities may have more restrictive ordinances that they enforce so you should check with your local law enforcement office for this information. The most important factor to always keep in mind is public safety.
Well-traveled roads and highways, or even those occasionally traveled, are not appropriate places to shoot. If you were to injure another person or livestock, or damage property, you could be subject to civil and possibly criminal prosecution. While shooting even just off a road may be legal, it may not be safe.
Hooks for salmon in San Francisco Bay Question: When fishing for salmon from the bank in the San Francisco Bay with spinning lures, is a single barbless hook ok or does it have to be a bar-
bless circle hook attached to the spinning lure? (Terry D.) Answer: Barbless circle hooks are only required when fishing with bait and angling by any means other than trolling. Since you're not using bait, no circle hooks are required, even though you are not trolling. You must be doing both things - using bait, and fishing in a manner that is not trolling - to be required to use barbless circle hooks. In addition, you should be using no more than two singlepoint, single-shank barbless hooks with your spinning lure (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 27.80.)
water is hazardous to marine life. (Ray I.) Answer: It is not legal to spray WD-40 on your fishing lures as an attractant. The same goes for any substance that may be harmful to fish (e.g. sunscreen).WD-40 contains petroleum and is specifically prohibited by law to be deposited or introduced into the waters of the state (Fish and Game Code, section 5650). When it comes to sunscreen, I would just try to use discretion as any foreign substance, even sunscreen, may carry chemicals that may be harmful to fish and other aquatic life if introduced in large enough quantities.
Fishing attractant or pollutant?
How to determine private vs public property?
Question: I have heard that using WD-40 as a fish attractant works well. Is it legal to use? There seems to be much confusion as to what is actually in WD-40. I would also like to know if the sunscreen I put on before entering the
Question: How do I find if a body of water is legal to fish out of? I am wondering about a local lake with a public road that leads up to it. There are no private property signs
posted anywhere. However, from a boat you can see signs are posted in some of the yards. (Anonymous) Answer: Even though private property perimeters are required to be either fenced, under cultivation, or posted with no trespassing signs at 1/3 of a mile intervals (Penal Code Section 602.8) so the public knows or can determine correctly if the property is private, it’s best to stay on the safe side. If you can’t find signs specifically prohibiting access, trespassing and fishing, you may want to contact your local sheriff’s office, which should be able to define which waters and properties are public, which are private and where the boundaries are. CARRIE WILSON is a marine environmental scientist 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 in this column. Please contact her at Cal.Outdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.