Small Game Clinic and Public Lands Clean Up

Event Start Date: 11/14/2026 11:00 AM

Event End Date: 11/14/2026 5:00 PM

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is hosting a small game hunting clinic and public lands cleanup at the Feather River Wildlife Area. The day starts with a short orientation, followed by time in the field in small groups, and ends with a raffle.

The event is geared toward beginner and intermediate hunters, but anyone is welcome. If you're curious about hunting, want to meet other people who hunt public land, or just want to help with a cleanup, you're welcome to join.

What to expect

• Orientation. Our volunteers will discuss the basics of firearm safety, small game hunting strategies, and hunting ethics. Topics include safe firearm handling, muzzle control, identifying your target and what's beyond it, and proper storage and transportation.
• unter Education instructors who will cover firearm safety, small game hunting strategies, and hunting ethics. Topics include safe firearm handling, muzzle control, identifying your target and what's beyond it, and proper storage and transportation.
• Small game hunting in the field. After the morning session, you'll head out around 11:30 a.m. to noon in groups of two or three. Newer hunters will be paired with more experienced ones, including BHA volunteers. Participants may hunt small game such as rabbits, squirrels, and quail, following all applicable regulations.
• A public lands cleanup. As you move through the wildlife area, we encourage you to pick up any trash you find, as long as you can do it safely. We'll provide heavy-duty contractor bags and gloves and haul everything out at the end. Anyone who brings back litter is eligible for a raffle prize.
• CDFW staff, if available. We're hoping to have a wildlife biologist or game warden join us in the morning to talk about regulations, public land use, and safety. Their attendance depends on availability.
• Processing and butchering. If you'd like, our volunteers will demonstrate how to process and butcher any animals harvested during the day. Using what we harvest is a core part of ethical hunting, and it's a useful skill to learn from people who've done it before.

What to bring

• Your own hunting gear and firearm
• Your valid California hunting license and any required tags or validations
• Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy boots
• Your own lunch (we'll have light snacks on hand)

What we'll provide

• First aid kits on site
• Blaze orange hats and vests to borrow
• Water and hydration packets
• Light snacks
• Trash bags and gloves for the cleanup
• Raffle prizes for participants who bring back litter

Good to know

• Licenses and hunter education. Anyone who plans to hunt must have a valid California hunting license and any required validations. First-time hunters typically need to complete hunter education before purchasing a license, so please check the current requirements with CDFW well before the event. If you're not hunting, you can still join the education session and the cleanup, and no license is needed.
• This is not a formal hunter education course and is not affiliated with CDFW.
• Everyone is responsible for knowing and following the regulations that apply to the area and the species they pursue. Our volunteers and any CDFW guests can help point you in the right direction.
• Non-hunters are welcome to join the education session and the cleanup.
• Check-in and check-out. You'll sign in at the staging area when you arrive and check out with a BHA volunteer when you leave, so we can keep an accurate headcount. At least one event leader will stay at the staging area all day.
• Space is limited. We're keeping the group small so everyone gets individual attention.

Schedule

Space is limited, so reserve your spot early. Bring a friend if you like.

Questions? Contact us at california@backcountryhunters.org.