§ 550. General Regulations for Public Use on All Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands.
14 CA ADC § 550Barclays Official California Code of Regulations
14 CCR § 550
§ 550. General Regulations for Public Use on All Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands.
(a) All department land, except for fishing access and public access lands, is closed to visitor access and use until and unless the land is opened for a use or uses through regulations adopted by the commission in sections 550, 550.5, 551, 552, 630, and 702 of these regulations. The commission determines whether proposed designations and uses are consistent with the authorizing and reference statutes listed at the end of this section and the purposes for which the lands were acquired. Each proposed designation or use is subject to review pursuant to state and federal regulatory requirements prior to being authorized.
(9) “Special use” is defined as an activity, use, event or gathering on department land that is not authorized in sections 550, 551 or 630 of these regulations but which may be allowed with written authorization from the department; typically in the form of a Special Use Permit. When allowed, special uses occur on a limited basis as defined in the Special Use Permit or other authorizing document. An authorized special use on department land shall not conflict with the normal uses, purposes or management of the department land.
(13) “Hunting” for the purposes of department land is defined as the legal take (as take is defined in Fish and Game Code Section 86) of wildlife species pursuant to sections 550, 550.5, 551, 552, and 630 of these regulations, in addition to the general hunting regulations for seasons and method of take. The provisions of sections 550, 550.5, 551, 552, and 630 shall have precedence over general hunting regulations on department land where there may be differences between them.
(1) Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to fishing, hunting, and use of department land. These regulations are incorporated by reference into and become a condition of all visitor entry, passes, entry permits, and special use permits. Failure to comply with any such regulations is a violation of this section.
(2) Visitor entry onto department land is at the discretion of the department, which may limit entry as it deems appropriate, to manage and protect fish, wildlife, native plants, habitats and other natural resources. Entry may require payment of a fee, a pass and/or an entry permit as provided in subsection 550.5(c).
(B) All visitors shall present and show valid entry permits; day, season or annual passes; licenses; and all fish and game taken on department land at the checking station or upon the request of any department employee. Visitors shall return all entry permits to the checking station or point of entry upon leaving department land.
(D) The department may close all or portions of department land to visitors entirely, seasonally, or to specific activities or uses, and may limit the number of visitors entering an area for safety reasons, to reduce crowding, to avoid or reduce environmental disturbance, to limit the take of species, or to protect natural or cultural resources. Designated closures and use restrictions for specific properties are provided in sections 551(for wildlife areas) and 630 (for ecological reserves) of these regulations.
2. No visitor(s), other than those possessing written authorization from the department, shall enter or access any department land or portion thereof which is closed to visitors, including areas posted with closed signs and seasonally closed areas. This restriction does not apply to department employees or designees in the performance of official duties.
2. Where an entry permit is required for hunting, a hunting pass must be presented with photo identification at the time of entry for issuance of an entry permit. Entry permits are available and issued by the department only at the area checking station, point of entry, or by mail for successful special drawing applicants.
(3) Daily Entry Permit Revocations, Refusals, and Ejections. Employees of the department are authorized to refuse entry or issuance of entry permits, revoke permits and/or eject any visitor from department land for violation of any regulations, drug or alcohol intoxication, disorderly conduct, or for any reason when it appears that the general safety or welfare of the property or persons thereon is threatened. The decision and duration of revocation, in such respect, of any department employee assigned management or enforcement responsibilities for the area shall be final.
(d) Special Use Permits. Any person, group, organization, agency or company wishing to request approval of a special use, as defined in subsection 550(b)(9), on any department land shall submit a Permit Application for Special Use of Department Lands and the permit fee as specified in Section 702 of these regulations to the department. Additional regulations that apply to Special Use Permits are located in Section 550.5 of these regulations. Department review and issuance is dependent upon staffing availability. If the department determines that the requested special use can be conducted in a manner that is not in conflict with current uses, management, or purposes of the department land on which the special use is proposed, the department may issue a special use permit.
(f) Research. Environmental research on department land shall be conducted only under written authorization from the regional manager or designee. Authorization may be given if the department determines that the environmental research and associated activities are compatible with current uses, management and purposes of the property. Conditions of approval may include, but are not limited to:
(h) Fishing. Fishing (as defined in subsection 550(b)(12)) on department land shall be allowed except as otherwise stated in subsections 551(o), 551(y) or 630(e) of these regulations, or when the area is closed according to these regulations or posted by the department with signs that prohibit entry or fishing.
(1) Fishing shall be conducted in accordance with general fishing regulations, except that it shall be limited to fishing from the shore unless boating facilities and/or areas for boats or other floating devices are designated or as allowed in subsections 551(o), 551(y) or 630(e) of these regulations.
(1) The regional manager or his designee shall have the authority to place temporary restrictions on visitor use of department land for the purposes of protecting public health and safety or natural resources when circumstances warrant additional restrictions, and where such restrictions are not provided in sections 550, 550.5, 551, 552, and 630 of these regulations.
(1) Photography, videography, or filming of any type for commercial (profit or sale) purposes on or of department land requires a Special Use Permit from the department and a permit from the California Film Commission, pursuant to Government Code section 14998.8, et seq. The department shall not authorize or issue a Special Use Permit for any commercial photography, videography, or filming of any type without a valid permit from the California Film Commission.
(k) Introduction of Species. Visitors are prohibited from releasing, introducing, or transplanting animal or plant species, including domestic or domesticated species, onto or within department land or waters without a valid permit issued by the department or except as authorized for dog training in a designated area.
(m) Pets. Visitors are prohibited from bringing pets, including but not limited to dogs and cats, onto department land except on a leash of less than ten feet or inside a motor vehicle, unless otherwise prohibited or restricted in subsections 551(o) or 630(h) of these regulations, or by prohibitions posted on the department land. Visitors may use dogs for hunting during an open season for an authorized species pursuant to subsection (n) of this section, unless otherwise prohibited.
(n) Use of Dogs for Hunting, Training and Dog Trials. The department may prohibit or restrict dog training, dog trials, or the use of dogs for any purpose on any department land. While in parking lots or checking stations, dogs must be leashed. While engaged in authorized hunting, training or dog trials, dogs may be off leash. On wildlife areas, while in transit between parking lots or check stations and the areas where authorized hunting, training or dog trials take place, dogs may be off leash but must be kept within ten feet of their owner or handler. On ecological reserves, when not engaged in authorized hunting, training or dog trials, dogs must be controlled per subsection (m) of this section.
(o) Horses, Pack Stock, and Horseback Riding. Recreational use of horses is allowed on department lands designated as wildlife areas except when the area is specifically closed or as specified in subsection 551(l) of these regulations. The recreational use of horses is prohibited on all other department lands except lands with department-designated horse trails or areas identified in subsection 630(g) of these regulations.
(1) No visitor shall camp, including on a boat, on any department land except on those wildlife areas where the department has designated campsites or camping areas, as provided in subsection 551(m) and Section 552 of these regulations. Within these wildlife areas, camping shall occur only in the department-designated campsites or areas. Camping, where authorized, may be conducted for up to seven consecutive nights and for a total of no more than fourteen nights per calendar year.
(A) Visitors who wish to camp must register their camper, camp trailer or motorhome at the checking station or appropriate office and are limited to one camper, camp trailer or motorhome per registrant in the parking area. Utility trailers and cargo trailers are prohibited in designated camper, camp trailer and motorhome accessible camping and parking areas unless specifically authorized under a Special Use Permit.
(B) Parking areas are for visitor use only. The visitor responsible for the registered camper, camp trailer or motorhome shall show proof of use of the area within the previous seven days upon request. Failure to do so may result in citation and removal of the truck and camper, camp trailer or motorhome at the owner's expense.
(1) Except as further restricted in subsection 551(n) of these regulations, fires are restricted to portable gas stoves, charcoal briquette barbeques, or fireplaces or pits developed by the department for visitor use, within department-designated campsites or camping areas on those lands designated as wildlife areas.
(u) Signs and Markers. No visitor shall tamper with, deface, damage, destroy or remove any barrier, sign, signpost, trail marker, or signboard on any department land. No visitor shall place any sign, flagging, or marking of any kind on any department land without prior written authorization from the department.
(v) Litter. It shall be unlawful to leave, deposit, drop, dump, bury, or scatter any bottles, cans, glass (including broken glass), feathers, hides, carcasses, targets, shells, casings, vegetation, earth, rock, waste, sewage, cigarettes, cigars, or other debris or trash (“refuse”) on any department land except in a receptacle or area designated for that purpose. Where no designated receptacles are provided, visitors must remove all refuse from the area.
(1) No visitor shall possess, use, or be under the influence of alcohol while in the field hunting. For the purpose of this section, “in the field” is defined as all areas of department land except designated parking and camping areas. Visitors under the influence of alcohol to a level determined to be unsafe may be cited and ejected per section 550(c)(3).
(2) No visitor shall possess, use, or be under the influence of marijuana on any department land. Visitors in possession of medical marijuana cards and/or other legal authorization to possess marijuana for medical purposes (per Health and Safety Code sections 11362.7 through 11362.83) may only possess marijuana in that visitor's transport vehicle. Visitors with authorization to possess marijuana may not use it or be under its influence on department land. Visitors using or determined to be under the influence of marijuana on department land, or in possession of marijuana in violation of this section, may be cited and ejected per section 550(c)(3).
(3) No visitor shall possess, use, or be under the influence of any illicit controlled substance on any department land. Visitors possessing, using or under the influence of any illicit controlled substance on any department land may be cited and ejected per section 550(c)(3). Illicit controlled substances for purposes of this regulation are those substances where no medical authorization exists and no legal authorization allows possession for legitimate use of the substance.
(4) Designated parking areas are for visitor use only. Parking motor vehicles and trailers outside of designated parking areas is prohibited except for special use or research permittees who may be authorized otherwise. Utility, flatbed, cargo, or similar trailers are prohibited on department lands except as authorized under a Special Use Permit.
(1) The department may restrict the use and operation of boats, boat motors, and floating devices (“boating”) on department lands to protect natural resources or provide for the orderly operation of compatible uses on these areas. Boating restrictions may include but are not limited to, prohibitions on use and operation or, if boating is allowed, limiting boat speeds and/or motor size and type. During the times waterfowl are present, the provisions of Section 251 of these regulations, which prohibits pursuit or shooting of birds or mammals from a motor driven vehicle (including but not limited to motorboats, airboats, or sailboats) also apply.
(2) Boats and floating devices are generally allowed on wildlife areas, except as restricted or prohibited in subsection 551(l) and Section 552 of these regulations. Boats are generally prohibited on ecological reserves except as provided in subsection 630(f) of these regulations. Where boats and/or floating devices are allowed on department land, they shall be used subject to the following regulations:
(D) all visitors shall remove their boats or floating devices from the water or beach when instructed to do so by an employee of the department. Any peace officer may remove the boat or floating device of any visitor who has been instructed to remove it from the water or beach and fails to comply with that instruction;
(1) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the lawful possession of a concealed firearm by an active peace officer listed in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code or a retired peace officer in lawful possession of an identification certificate issued pursuant to Penal Code Section 25455 authorizing the retired officer to carry a concealed firearm. Nor shall this section prohibit the lawful possession of a concealed firearm pursuant to a concealed carry permit issued pursuant to Penal Code Section 26150 or 26155.
(2) Possession, discharge, and use of firearms or archery equipment is prohibited on department lands except within department-designated hunting areas or shooting sites, or with a permit issued by the department, or as authorized for dog training in a designated area, or when fishing with bow and arrow tackle as defined in subsection 550(b)(12) and allowed in subsection 550(h). This prohibition includes air or gas operated devices or guns and all other propulsive devices.
(C) Except as otherwise provided, an adult supervised youth may possess and discharge a BB gun on any wildlife area. A BB gun is not an authorized method of take and may not be used to take wildlife on any wildlife area. A BB gun is defined as an air and/or spring-actuated rifle similar to Daisy BB gun models 96 (Timberwolf), 105 (Buck), or 1938 (Red Ryder), firing a spherical BB no larger than 0.177 inches in diameter (4.5 mm) at a muzzle velocity no greater than 350 feet per second. For the purpose of this section a youth is defined as a visitor under the age of 16.
(B) Except for bow and arrow tackle as defined subsection 550(b)(12) and allowed in subsection 550(h), or as otherwise provided, no rifles, pellet or BB guns, combination rifle-shotguns, pistols, archery equipment, or revolvers shall be possessed in the field or discharged on any Type A or Type B wildlife areas. All legal firearms and archery equipment may be used on Type C wildlife areas unless prohibited in subsection 551(r) of these regulations. Firearms and archery equipment may be used on ecological reserves where hunting is authorized in subsection 630(d) of these regulations, subject to any restrictions therein.
(D) A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field on Type A wildlife areas during the waterfowl season unless otherwise provided for in subsection 551(o) of these regulations. Subsection 551(o) also specifies additional wildlife areas where a hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells in the field during the waterfowl season. Only those visitors possessing a valid hunting permit for that day may possess ammunition in the field.
Credits
Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 203, 265, 710, 710.5, 710.7, 1050, 1530, 1583, 1745, 1764, 1765, 3003.1, 3004.5, 3039, 4001, 4004, 4150 and 10504, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 355, 711, 713, 1050, 1055.3, 1301,1526, 1528, 1530, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1745, 1761, 1764, 1765, 1907, 2006 and 10504, Fish and Game Code; and Sections 25455, 26150 and 26155, Penal Code.
History
1. Repealer and new section filed 10-8-93; operative 10-8-93 pursuant to section 202 and 215, Fish and Game Code (Register 93, No. 41). For prior history, see Register 93, No. 28.
2. New subsections (a)(8), (24), (60), (70), (83), (94) and (98) and subsection renumbering filed 9-20-94; operative 10-24-94 (Register 94, No. 38).
3. Editorial correction of subsections (b)(10), (13), (14) and (16) (Register 94, No. 38).
4. Amendment filed 10-5-94; operative 11-4-94 (Register 94, No. 40).
5. New subsection (a)(99), amendment of subsections (b)(8)-(10) and (b)(15), new subsection (b)(18), and amendment of Note filed 9-12-95; operative 9-12-95 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 95, No. 37).
6. Amendment of section and Note filed 10-1-96; operative 10-1-96 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 96, No. 40).
7. New subsections (a)(63) and (a)(73), subsection renumbering and amendment of subsection (b)(12) filed 10-3-97; operative 10-3-97 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 97, No. 40).
8. New subsections (a)(52) and (a)(77), subsection renumbering and amendment of subsection (b)(2) filed 10-16-98; operative 10-16-98 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 98, No. 42).
9. New subsection (a)(81), subsection renumbering, repealer of former subsection (a)(106) and amendment of subsections (b)(2), (b)(6)(A), (b)(7), (b)(7)(B) and (b)(19) filed 10-6-99; operative 10-6-99 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 99, No. 41).
10. Repealer of subsection (a)(9), subsection renumbering and amendment of newly designated subsection (a)(96) and subsection (b)(13) filed 9-28-2000; operative 9-28-2000 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 215 (Register 2000, No. 39).
11. Amendment of subsections (a)(29), (a)(32), (a)(49), (a)(67), (a)(103), (b)(17) and (b)(19) filed 10-23-2001; operative 10-23-2001 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 2001, No. 43).
12. Amendment of subsection (a)(37), new subsections (a)(41), (a)(79) and (b)(20) and subsection renumbering filed 9-9-2002; operative 9-9-2002 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 2002, No. 37).
13. Amendment of subsections (a)(10)-(11), new subsections (a)(15) and (a)(35), subsection renumbering, amendment of newly designated subsection (a)(85) and subsections (b)(4) and (b)(14) and amendment of Note filed 11-4-2004; operative 11-4-2004 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 215 (Register 2004, No. 45).
14. New subsections (a)(13), (a)(34), (a)(36), (a)(96) and (a)(107), repealer of subsections (a)(30), (a)(35), (a)(48) and (a)(96), subsection renumbering, amendment of subsections (a)(70), (a)(74), (b)(6)(A), (b)(8)(B)2., new subsection (b)(2)(8)(B)5., amendment of subsection (b)(12), (b)(14) and (b)(19), new subsection (b)(20), subsection renumbering and amendment of newly designated subsection (b)(21) filed 11-7-2007; operative 12-7-2007 (Register 2007, No. 45).
15. Amendment of section heading, repealer and new section and amendment of Note filed 8-11-2014; operative 8-11-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(A) (Register 2014, No. 33).
16. Amendment of subsection (a), new subsections (b)(7)-(8), subsection renumbering, amendment of newly designated subsections (a)(11)-(12) and subsections (c)(1)-(c)(2)(A) and (c)(2)(D)2.-(c)(2)(F)3., new subsection (c)(2)(F)4., amendment of subsections (c)(4)(A)2., (c)(4)(A)4., (d), (g) and (h), amendment of subsection hierarchy within subsection (p), amendment of subsections (t), (v), (y)(5), (z)(1), (z)(2)(D), (z)(2)(G), (cc)(2) and (cc)(4)(B)-(C), repealer and new subsection (cc)(4)(E), amendment of subsection (cc)(4)(F) and amendment of Note filed 3-17-2017; operative 3-17-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 11).
17. Amendment of subsection (b)(2) and (b)(7)-(8), new subsection (b)(11), subsection renumbering, amendment of subsections (c)(2)(B), (h), (cc)(2), (cc)(4)(B), (cc)(4)(F), repealer of subsection (ee) and amendment of Note filed 7-10-2020; operative 7-10-2020 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2020, No. 28). (Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-66-20.)
This database is current through 4/19/24 Register 2024, No. 16.
Cal. Admin. Code tit. 14, § 550, 14 CA ADC § 550
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