California's public lands offer low or no cost recreation for hunters and anglers (continued)

The trend we've seen is an increase in Type C areas, but a stable level of Type A areas. Type B areas also have stayed at about the same number since that designation was announced.

Typically speaking, the best hunting for waterfowl is at the Type A areas, and the visitor will find that the high demand areas are all Type A; that makes sense, since they have hunter quotas.

Most upland game areas are Type C. They tend to be foothill, riparian and mountain habitat. Parking areas are usually provided, but there isn't much else done to these areas to enhance them for wildlife or game. They are left in their natural state, which isn't always such a bad thing.

Exceptions to this rule have been made at some areas like Spenceville SWA, where the area manager has used alliances with non-profit organizations to plant food plots that attract dove, turkey and quail.

In addition to hunting, many public areas also have fishing opportunities. One such area is the Sutter Bypass SWA, not to be confused with Sutter NWA. The Bypass is a huge Type C area that offers miles of fishing and hunting along the waterways that drain agricultural fields. These incredibly rich channels feature more bass cover than one can imagine. The waters are also loaded with sunfish and catfish. The fisherman can stop anywhere along much of this area's waterways and fish.

Other areas, like Spenceville, also have warmwater ponds. Oroville SWA is another example of a mixed resource, with the area providing access to the Feather River salmon, striper and steelhead runs. The area has several "dredger" ponds with warmwater species, and you can jump shoot ducks, or hunt upland game.

1, 2, (next page) 4

California DFG publication, "Hunting on state and federal areas, waterfowl and upland game booklet 07"