Forest closures starting early this year!


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Wow, that can really screw up your plans. I have a direct contact within the Forest Service. I'm going to ask how far they go to enforce the access on roads that pass through there land.
 
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Yeah, I typically hunt exclusively on SPI property when I have an A1 tag but I guess not this year. Last year SPI didn’t close their land until early September, so at least the beginning of the season was open. I’m sure with fire season kicking up, most the other private timberland companies will follow suit and start shutting everything down also. I just hope Lassen National Forest doesn’t shut the forest down again like last year. I really feel bad for the people that drew elk tags this year, it could be awfully crowded if they choose to keep their tags.
 
I'm betting I will have to return my CA pronghorn tag due to forest closures.
That sucks, you wait nearly 20 years for a tag only to have the dilemma on whether to return it or to not. Sure not the best experience for what is most likely a once in a lifetime tag.
 
They did away with point return for closures this year...only offer refunds of funds..they decided its not fair to other hunters(deer)that have closures in zones..there was a very large out cry for example b zone and d zones closures and no refunds.
Just saying..
Hunt or eat..
Jester
 
They did away with point return for closures this year...only offer refunds of funds..they decided its not fair to other hunters(deer)that have closures in zones..there was a very large out cry for example b zone and d zones closures and no refunds.
Just saying..
Hunt or eat..
Jester
Do you have a link or something for this? This is 180 degrees off from what I was told just a few days ago.
 
They did away with point return for closures this year...only offer refunds of funds..they decided its not fair to other hunters(deer)that have closures in zones..there was a very large out cry for example b zone and d zones closures and no refunds.
Just saying..
Hunt or eat..
Jester

I just spoke with Lai at CDFW. I asked about returning my pronghorn tag if there is a fire closure. She said no problem, but the tag has to be mailed and postmarked with a date prior to opening day in order to get your points back. I assume it's the same for elk and DBHS. Not sure about deer. Also not sure about a refund on returned tags. I just care about points.
 
Let's be sure the correct information is posted/shared--

Premium deer tags (and elk/pronhorn/sheep) CAN be turned in for any reason (others, eg. B or D cannot) and get points back, plus point for this year. They must be postmarked prior to season. Detailed on the CDFW website, and on page 15 of the Hunting Digest. No Refunds for any deer tags (page 11 of Hunting Digest).

Spoke with Lia at License and Revenue as well, as I was wondering about the "if approved" portion of the return policy, and this was the response:


"Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 708.14(j), for any reason a hunter is unable to hunt their tag may surrender the tag, via mail to the CDFW License and Revenue Branch prior to the season start date along with a written request. The tag must be postmarked prior to the earliest date that the tag is valid for hunting. If the request is approved, preference points will be reinstated and one preference point will be awarded for the species for the hunt year.

The “if” is because the tag could potentially not sent before the season started, the tag could potentially not arrive, and even if it was “mailed” before the season started, but the postmark is not before the season started, it would not meet the requirement. The postmark is used as the standard measuring guide because it can be used as confirmation that the tag could not have been in your hands and you could not have “used” the tag when the season opened. It is very important to make sure it is postmarked. I have received several that were postmarked on the day of the opener, even when the hunter said they put it in the mail box before the opener. These factors or any combination of factors could affect the outcome of the appeal request."



Hope this helps. I don't want to return my tag.....but I wanted to know options due the private timber closures in my X zone, hence my reaching out to the source at CDFW.
 
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Let's be sure the correct information is posted/shared--

Premium deer tags (and elk/pronhorn/sheep) CAN be turned in for any reason (others, eg. B or D cannot) and get points back, plus point for this year. They must be postmarked prior to season. Detailed on the CDFW website, and on page 15 of the Hunting Digest. No Refunds for any deer tags (page 11 of Hunting Digest).

Spoke with Lia at License and Revenue as well, as I was wondering about the "if approved" portion of the return policy, and this was the response:


"Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 708.14(j), for any reason a hunter is unable to hunt their tag may surrender the tag, via mail to the CDFW License and Revenue Branch prior to the season start date along with a written request. The tag must be postmarked prior to the earliest date that the tag is valid for hunting. If the request is approved, preference points will be reinstated and one preference point will be awarded for the species for the hunt year.

The “if” is because the tag could potentially not sent before the season started, the tag could potentially not arrive, and even if it was “mailed” before the season started, but the postmark is not before the season started, it would not meet the requirement. The postmark is used as the standard measuring guide because it can be used as confirmation that the tag could not have been in your hands and you could not have “used” the tag when the season opened. It is very important to make sure it is postmarked. I have received several that were postmarked on the day of the opener, even when the hunter said they put it in the mail box before the opener. These factors or any combination of factors could affect the outcome of the appeal request."



Hope this helps. I don't want to return my tag.....but I wanted to know options due the private timber closures in my X zone, hence my reaching out to the source at CDFW.
This is the info I was given as well. In short...points + 1 reinstated, but no refunds.
 
I'm betting I will have to return my CA pronghorn tag due to forest closures.
What pronghorn tag do you have? If it's Lassen, surprise valley or Likely couldn't you hunt BLM , or would they close BLM too along with the forests?
 
I wonder how this works out in areas of checkerboard private/forest service in areas with roads without gates passing through both and land that is not well marked as private. Such as a lot of the fruit growers is?
 
Has anyone who sent back their tag received points back ? I sent mine back two weeks prior to season opening and still no points back for an X zone tag.
 
Has anyone who sent back their tag received points back ? I sent mine back two weeks prior to season opening and still no points back for an X zone tag.

I returned my pronghorn tag in Aug and received my points back not long after I returned my tag. That was early in the hunting seasons and I think they've received a deluge of tag return requests since then and are likely still processing them.
 
Hi Joe,

I turned my x tag in 1st week of Sept. I emailed on the 8th and received confirmation my tag was recievwd and they stated :

“Once the point appeal is approved and points restored, it will show in your profile online. The points restored will be the points you had in the drawing plus one for this year. Once it’s completed, you will receive an email stating that. We are processing them daily, but we have received an overwhelming amount this year, so it will take a little longer than usual”


I do keep checking weekly, just in case I miss the email—as I’ll feel better when I see the correct number restored.
 
Premium deer tags (and elk/pronhorn/sheep) CAN be turned in for any reason (others, eg. B or D cannot) and get points back, plus point for this year. They must be postmarked prior to season. Detailed on the CDFW website, and on page 15 of the Hunting Digest. No Refunds for any deer tags (page 11 of Hunting Digest).

Typical CA. Any time they can steal or keep your money, they will do it in a heartbeat.
RELH
 
So....I made plans to go hunt my secret spot later this week. It's cooling off inland. Out of curiosity I checked with Shasta Trinity NF for closures and sure enough my spot is closed due to the McFarland fire. There's no fire even close to where I was going.
 
For those that care. SPI has reopened there land to recreation minus the areas affected by the fires.
That's great news, but I cannot find any published info distinguishing open from closed lands. Any idea where I might learn the details?
 

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