Can I hunt from a boat?

The following questions were asked on the state Department of Fish & Game website.

QUESTION: I was recently told that I can hunt anywhere along the San Joaquin Delta for waterfowl as long as the boat is not moving and I don't use a motor to retrieve the ducks and geese. I am wondering if this is true or are there only specific areas where waterfowl hunting is allowed?

ANSWER: Many areas of the San Joaquin Delta are open to waterfowl hunting from a boat, but general laws do apply so you could not hunt or shoot a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling, cannot hunt on private property or within prohibited areas such as municipalities. It is important to research your specific hunting area and know legal access points. No person shall pursue, drive, herd or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat or snowmobile (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 251). Exceptions are also listed, including 1) When the motor of such motorboat, airboat, or sailboat has been shut off and/or the sails furled and its progress therefrom has ceased, and it is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oar or pole. Although you cannot shoot a bird while your boat is under power, you can use your motor to retrieve dead waterfowl.

QUESTION: What is the limit on numbers of crab traps/rings that can be used by one person on a pier or dock?

ANSWER: On public piers, no person shall use more than two rods and lines, two hand lines or two nets, traps or other appliances used to take crabs (CCR Title 14, section 28.65(b).

QUESTION: I live on a 50-acre ranch and want to hunt bears this year. I have been using a single bale of alfalfa as an arrow stop to practice shooting my bow on the ranch. Would this alfalfa bale be considered feed, bait or a material capable of attracting a bear (as per section 365 of the regulations)? If so, how many days must I wait before hunting bear?

ANSWER: Bears are more likely to be attracted to fruits and vegetables and meat products rather than alfalfa. As long as the bears aren't attracted to the alfalfa then it would not be considered bait. However, if the alfalfa does prove to be an attractant, you will need to completely remove it and not hunt within 400 yards of the area for 10 days.

Baiting for bears is prohibited and this means placing or using any feed, bait or other materials capable of acting as an attractant for the purpose of taking or pursuing bears (CCR Title 14, section 365(e)). A baited area is defined as any area where shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grains, salt, or other feed whatsoever capable of luring, attracting or enticing such birds or mammals is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered, and such area shall remain a baited area for ten days following complete removal of all such corn, wheat or other grains, salt or other feed (CCR Title 14, section 257.5).

QUESTION: I am a person who does everything by the book and I have a question regarding sidearms while hunting. Is it legal to carry a sidearm for protection while upland game bird and/or small game hunting or is it considered a method of take and illegal? If it is legal, does the lead-free ammunition restriction apply when in the condor range?

ANSWER: Yes, it is legal to carry a sidearm for protection while upland game bird and/or small game hunting as long as you don't use it to take the game. If hunting in condor country, the ammunition for your sidearm must be lead-free.

QUESTION: I am in the US Navy stationed at Camp Pendleton and want to hunt and fish while I am here. Do you have special licenses for active duty military?

ANSWER: Active duty military may purchase resident fishing and hunting licenses while stationed in California. We do not currently offer special military licenses