The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announces the closure of the statewide black bear hunting season. Under regulations adopted by the Fish and Game Commission, the black bear season is closed when DFG verifies 1,700 bears have been taken by hunters.

DFG mailed notices to all bear tag holders reporting that the season is now closed. DFG wardens and biologists will also inform hunters they encounter in the field that the season is closed.

All bear tags must be returned to the DFG Wildlife Branch, 812 9th St., Sacramento, California, 95811, by February 1, 2009.

Hunters must submit the bear they harvested to DFG for validation within 10 days of taking a bear. Teeth are extracted from half the harvested bears to help Fish and Game determine the age and health of the state's bear population.

Tags yet to be received by DFG will put the total harvest slightly above 1,700 bears. This will not have an adverse impact on the state's bear population which is estimated to be more than 30,000.

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Missouri (Cow Pie!) Turkey Hunt
I have never had to work so hard for a turkey. While walking out of a small patch of open woods and into the field, I watched a turkey head running across the field away from me; I reminded myself I needed to get my head in the game. About two steps later is when I saw the turkeys, one gobbler in full strut and two others on the other side of the fence I was walking beside, about 100 yards essentially directly in front of me.