Dropping Dungeness crab traps before the opener?

Question: Is it legal to drop Dungeness crab gear prior to opening day?

I’ve heard it’s legal to drop gear the day or night before opening day to let it soak overnight.

I looked in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet but couldn’t find anything indicating whether this is legal or not.

If it is legal, how long before opening day can it be dropped? And how early can it be retrieved? (Fred S.)

Answer: Dungeness crab gear may not be set prior to the recreational fishing season opening date, which this year is Saturday, Nov. 1 at 12:01 a.m. (See California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 29.85(a) and the definition of take in Fish and Game Code section 86.)

Anyone setting gear prior to this date and time may be cited for attempting to take crab out of season.

Electronic spinning decoys for doves?

Question: I have contacted you before and you have always been very helpful on hunting and fishing questions.

This time I have one regarding dove hunting as a friend of mine wants to purchase a battery-powered spinning decoy for dove hunting for the next dove opener.

Is it legal to use that type of a powered decoy for doves? They don't seem to be the smartest of birds and may be too easily attracted to that decoy. Thanks for your help. (Joe A., Antioch)

Answer: There are NO prohibitions on electronic spinning decoys for dove hunting. The prohibitions for electronic vs wind-driven decoys are only for waterfowl from the beginning of the waterfowl season through Nov. 30.

So, tell your buddy he has the thumbs-up to go out and buy a battery-powered spinning decoy to use for dove hunting. Eurasian collared-doves are now open all year with no limits.

The season for mourning, white-winged, spotted and ringed turtle doves reopens Nov. 8 and runs through Dec. 22.

Kite fishing?

Question: I live in the San Francisco Bay/Delta region and was wondering if there are any Fish and Game restrictions regarding “kite fishing.”

We would like to use these specially modified kites to help us get our lines out farther than the distance we could normally cast them.

Outside of local ordinances regarding powerlines and second rod licensing, is there anything that would prevent me from using a kite to get my line further away from the shore into deeper water? (Neil N.)

Answer: There are no specific regulations prohibiting the use of a kite or other windborne device (a helium-filled balloon, for example) to help you to get your line out to where the fish are.

Littering is a concern, however. Anglers have been cited for using a balloon and then releasing the balloon when a fish is hooked, or when the line reaches the desired distance from shore.

As long as you are not releasing (or losing) your kite in the process, there is nothing in Fish and Game regulations that would prevent you from using a kite in this manner. There may be local (city or county) ordinances that pertain to this, however, so please check with local authorities.”

Shotgun hunting for upland game during archery-only deer season?

Question: I have located a number of good band-tailed pigeon roosts in a remote area where I hunt with my A31 late season archery tag. It's so remote that this year I plan to backpack in and camp in the area.

If a friend wants to come with me who does not bow hunt but wants to take their shotgun to take a band-tailed pigeon, would I be allowed to use their shotgun to take band-tail if I left my A31 tag and bow back at camp for a morning?

I feel confident this would be legal if we were “car camping” but I am not sure how this would be viewed legally as I will still technically be "in the field" on an archery hunt. (Stephen M.)

Answer: This would be fine once the season for band-tailed pigeons reopens unless you in an area of Los Angeles County where firearms might be prohibited.

Collecting sea palm that’s washed up on the beach?

Question: If I find some sea palm washed up on shore, can I keep it?

I know you can't pick sea palm recreationally, but since this was already dead, I see no harm in gathering.

But is it legal? I know you can keep bull kelp when it washes up, so I was wondering if this was similar. (Hank S.)

Answer: The law prohibits cutting or disturbing sea palm (CCR Title 14 section 30.10).

While possession of dead sea palm is technically not prohibited, removing live sea palm from the water would likely result in a citation.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .