Outdoor California Magazine

Selected Article Archives

in Portable Document Format (PDF)

• July-August 2009 (Special Issue: Salmon Crisis)
  • A Thousand Tiny Wounds
    The crisis of California's salmon population came not by a single event but by a series of interlocking trials.
    By Harry Morse and Neil Manji
  • A World Under The Surface: Life of the Pacific Salmon
    The adult salmon's instinctive return to its natal rearing area depends upon its migration downstream through a predatory-rich river system.
    By Robert Titus
  • The San Joaquin: A River on the Rise
    An ambitious endeavor along the state's second longest river will lead the way for the return of Chinook salmon to the Central Valley.
    By Jana Leiran
  • Telling 4 Stories In Their Own Words
    The collapse of the salmon industry has affected many lives on the West Coast. A commercial fisherman, a native tribal leader, a farmer and a sporting goods owner share their observations.
    By Kyle Orr
• September-October 2005
  • California birds sound alarm for West Nile virus
    Bird banders gather data and blood samples which helps researchers keep track of West Nile virus.
    By Joe Ferreira
• July-August 2005
  • BRAC: Protecting fish and wildlife from chemical contamination at military bases
    Military bases have long been a haven for wildlife in California. As they close and convert to other uses, specialists from Fish and Game work to make sure that the wildlife is not injured by what is left behind.
    By Frank Gray
• May-June 2005
  • Fisheries 101
    Get the basics on California's ocean fisheries and their management.
    By Ed Roberts
• March-April 2005
  • Decker Island Wildlife Area: Enhancing Delta wetlands one phase at a time
    From island covered with star thistle emerges a riparian paradise for wildlife.
    By Mark Phillip
• January-February 2005
  • Releasing giant (black) sea bass - Don't give them the "point"
    Ocean anglers sometimes get a surprise catch, reeling in on the these giants. here's how to release them safely.
    By Ed Roberts
• November-December 2004
  • Wildlife Conservation Board-Collaboration leads to millions in projects
    WCB has been busy! Check out the 2004 record.
    By Alexia Retallack
• September-October 2004
  • BT Cruisers - A run for recovery
    California Fish and Game wardens take on the Baker2Vegas in support of one of their own.
    By John Dawson
• July-August 2004
  • Mobile Fish Exhibit brings big splash to everyone
    Get up close and personal with underwater life with DFG's Mobile Fish Exhibit.
    By Ethan Rotman
• May-June 2004
  • Banking on wildlife generates interest
    Conservation banking is a great way to invest in wildlife.
    By Tina Bartlett
• March-April 2004
  • Kid's Opportunity: The amazing amphibian
    Learn about amphibious creatures with fun activities.
    By Bobbie Winn 
• January-February 2004
  • Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Report
    The latest information, population statistics, and technology contribute to an extensive look at the status of this endangered subspecies.  
• November-December 2003
  • Column: Walking the thin green line
    Call to CalTip leads to state fish poacher.
    By Lt. Liz Schwall 
• September-October 2003
  • Southern sea otter - Sentinel of the sea
    Sea otter study provides information on the species and the health of the marine environment.
    By Dr. David Jessup
• July-August 2003
  • Ghost of the SS Jacob Lukenbach: The hunt for clues to a killer
    When oiled birds continued to wash up on the beaches, DFG teams knew it was no ordinary oil spill.
    By Kim McCleneghan
• May-June 2003
  • Freshwater Fish Identification
    Beautiful renditions of popular California sport fish that accompanied the issue's inland sportfishing guide.
• March-April 2003
  • DFG steps up to help recover endangered species
    Working with other government agencies, DFG looks to help coho recover on the Russian River.
    By Brett A Wilson
• January-February 2003
  • New Recruits: Wardens in the making
    For aspiring wardens the roads lead to Napa and a seven-month training program.
    By Louisa Hufstader
• November-December 2002
  • Bays and estuaries: A vital link in California's marine ecosystems
    Full of life and activity, these areas are critical to many marine species.
    By Eric Larson and John Mello
• July-August 2002 (Special Issue: California Black Bears)
  • The bear facts on black bear biology and ecology
    Get the scoop on bears, their habits and their lives.
    By Doug Updike
  • Reproduction and survival of black bears in northern California
    This fascinating species has a unique method of conceiving and bearing young. But the way biologists check in on them is even more intriguing.
  • Managing black bears in California
    Monitoring, counting, evaluating, studying…it’s all part of keeping California’s black bear population strong and healthy.
    By Tim Burton and Doug Updike
  • Use of bear age data – A matter of pulling teeth
    One tooth can tell quite a bit. Here how.
    By Doug Updike
  • How many bears?
    We can’t herd them. Can’t walk through the forest and count ‘em. So just how do we know how many bears there are?
    By Doug Updike
  • Nuisance black bears: A human creation
    When bears go bad, there’s usually a human behind it.
    By Amy Brinkhaus
  • Taking the wildness out of California’s black bears
    Black bear problems are really a people problem. There are ways to coexist.
    By Chamois Andersen
  • Black bears and public safety
    No doubt bears can be dangerous, but when are they truly a threat?
    By Doug Updike
  • What happens where bears do damage?
    They can peel a car door like a banana, rip the front door off of a house or kill sheep as they graze. These bears become candidates for depredation permits.
    By Doug Updike
  • What to do with orphaned bears
    Don’t assume the cub is an orphan. It’s mother won’t like it. But if it is, here’s what happens next.
    By Alexia Retallack