Lack of Rainfall Threatens Dove Season in Southland

It’s the time of year that many Southland bird hunters look forward to--dove season opens Sept. 1--but with the lack of recent rain, the season could turn out to be one of the slowest in years.

“It definitely doesn’t look promising,” said Gerald Mulcahy, associate wildlife biologist for the Upper Colorado River region. After checking the area between Barstow and Blythe, Mulcahy said the dove population was low.

In fact, he said, “This is the worst I’ve seen it my seven years here.”

An area that usually produces good hunting, the Imperial Valley, is also low on birds.

Avid hunter Keith Earle, manager at Lakeview Golf Course in El Centro, spent his early Wednesday and Thursday mornings scouting the eastern valley area to get a feel for the season.

“I went cruising around the valley and the Highline Channel and there were still a lot corn fields unchopped,” he said. “I didn’t find a whole lot [of birds], so it’s hard to tell what kind of year we are going to have.”

Observed San Bernardino County biologist Andy Pauli, “It’s been a dry year--a dry couple of years--and with the lack of water, birds are unable to feed. So basically, they flock elsewhere.”

But die-hard dove hunters may find birds to the north, in the San Joaquin Valley.

“I expect a relatively good opener,” said Ed Smith, a San Joaquin Valley biologist.

Smith said that a mild winter, combined with an early spring, left excellent conditions for the survival of dove nests. When heavy rains stopped in late January, grass produced seed, supplying food for the nesting doves.

S.O.S.?

It has been 29 days now, and still no word from Steve Fisher, the man who was trying to become the first to windsurf from California to Hawaii.

“It’s to the point now where he probably won’t report until he gets there,” said Fisher’s friend Jaiom Berger.

Fisher has not called in once since he began his voyage at Marina del Rey on July 24 and the reason for the silence, Berger believes, is a damaged radio.

Fisher was scheduled to reach Maui sometime in late August but could be delayed by lack of wind in the Pacific.

TUBE FISHING

“HomeTown Fishing Show,” a new half-hour television program produced by Chuck Myers, will make its debut Aug. 30 with an albacore trip 12 miles east of San Clemente Island. The idea, said Myers, is to introduce viewers to saltwater sportfishing in Southern California. “HomeTown” will be shown on Paragon-Time Warner cable systems once a week.

SHOOTING THE NET

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has opened a web site on the Internet, to help shooters locate more than 1,380 public shooting ranges, sportsman’s clubs and hunting preserves nationwide, at www.wheretoshoot.org

CATCH OF THE WEEK

David Ramocinski and Allan Sheridan of Yorba Linda spent the last five hours of their Sunday afternoon at war with a 212-pound broadbill swordfish before reeling it aboard the Comanche, 12 miles off Dana Point.

AROUND THE SOUTHLAND

Boating and hiking: Anyone craving an opportunity to view marine animals and birds can do so through Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s “Channel Island Adventure to San Miguel,” on Sunday, Sept. 6. After a ride through the Santa Barbara Channel, passengers will go ashore at San Miguel Island for a reenactment of the landing of explorer Juan Cabrillo, followed by a nature hike to the Caliche Forest. Details: (310) 548-7562, ext. 7017.

Sailing: A six-day getaway aboard a 130-foot tall ship among the Channel Islands is being offered Sept. 7-12. Highlights of the trip will include the exploring of sea caves by kayak, fishing, diving and surfing. Details: (800) 430-2544.

Camping: Silverwood State Recreation Area is looking for volunteer camp hosts who, in exchange for a free campsite with electricity, water and telephone hookup, will disseminate information to the public, sell firewood and maps, and keep restrooms stocked. Details: Kim Baker, (760) 389-2303.