Wildlife Incidents: What California Law Requires
Wildlife encounters in California carry legal weight that many outdoor visitors are completely unprepared for when the moment actually arrives.
Wildlife
CDFW Expands Wolf Monitoring Efforts Across Northern California
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is beginning a new round of winter wildlife research in Northern California, with a notable focus on the region’s growing gray wolf population. Throughout January 2026, CDFW biologists will conduct helicopter-based capture and GPS collaring operations targeting deer, elk, and wolves across a wide swath of the … Read more
The Ultimate Ecosystem Engineers
(StatePoint) As the sun sets over a forest stream, a beaver family gets to work. For millions of years, these large rodents with bright orange teeth and a flat paddle-shaped tail have been reshaping landscapes by craftily constructing dams that slow flowing water, creating ponds where they build their lodge homes. Chomping through the night, … Read more
Discover Tahoe’s Wild Side This Saturday
South Lake Tahoe, CA – If you love birds, nature walks, and hands-on outdoor fun, don’t miss the Wild Tahoe Festival, happening Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Taylor Creek Visitor Center, just off Highway 89 north of South Lake Tahoe. This free, one-day event brings together two beloved gatherings—the … Read more
Guardians of the Winter Skies
Eagles of the Sierra Nevada Each winter, as the Sierra Nevada mountains don their snow-covered blanket of fun, a magnificent phenomenon occurs in the valleys and foothills of the Eastern Sierra. Bald and Golden eagles descend from their high-altitude habitats to the lowlands of the eastern Sierra, including the beautiful wide-open Carson Valley, drawn by … Read more
Wolf or Coyote in Hope Valley?
Recent Reports near South Lake Tahoe of a Wolf are still to be confirmed HOPE VALLEY — Picture this: you’re wandering through the Sierra, thinking your biggest worry is whether you packed enough snacks. But wait. Something’s moving out there, just on the edge of your vision. A coyote? Maybe. But what if it’s bigger, … Read more
A Tragedy in Mammoth Lakes: Balancing Respect for Wildlife and Public Safety
The recent euthanization of a well-known bear named Victor in Mammoth Lakes has sparked a wave of outrage across the community and social media. Victor, a beloved and familiar figure often seen in the area, met a tragic end this past week after an unfortunate encounter with campers. The incident has ignited a broader discussion … Read more
Tahoe Bears Are Active
Late spring is an active time for Tahoe bear cubs and yearlings LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev., June 5, 2024 – As temperatures rise, bear cubs and yearling bears are emerging from winter dens. Some remain with their mothers, others are independent, and a few may show signs of illness. The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) urges the public … Read more
The Dos and Don’ts of Wildlife Observation
Seeing animals in their natural habitats is thrilling, but it can be dangerous for the unprepared. Learn the dos and don’ts of wildlife observation.
Capturing the Elusive Eagle Photo in the Carson Valley
Carson Valley, Dec 20, 2023 – Capturing that perfect photograph of a Bald Eagle in the Carson Valley has long been a bucket list item for me. This is a funny bucket list item because I do not have excellent camera equipment or time to just sit and wait for the perfect image.Over the years … Read more
Wildlife Encounters: Eastern Sierra’s Wild Wonders with Sarah Bell
The Eastern Sierra has a special place in my heart, not just for its breathtaking landscapes but also for the incredible wildlife that calls this region home. While most people associate wildlife encounters with the warmer months, the Eastern Sierra has something truly enchanting to offer during the winter season. Join me as I share … Read more
Beavers Saving the Sierra Watershed
A Signs of Hope in the Sierra Nevada – The Impact of a Natural Architect Sierra Nevada – The American or North American Beaver is such a fascinating creature. Its long history in American culture has been complex as well as tragic. As a passionate outdoor explorer in the Sierra Nevada, I can think of … Read more
Hassle Free
The Fish Springs Wild Horse Herd Now Has Sanctuary of Hassle Free Living An inside look at a local conservation effort to give wild horses and wildlife a hassle free zone in the mountain Carson Valley NV, – While I spend a reasonable amount of time traveling the Sierra Nevada and exploring new places and … Read more
Living and Camping in Wolf Country
A New Reality in the Sierra Nevada. Living and Camping in Wolf Country In February of 2021 the second gray wolf on record was tracked passing the Lake Tahoe basin into Wilderness areas between Hwy 4 and 108 in the Central Sierra mountain region before stopping near Mono county. The Gray wolf is not new … Read more
Dispersing Gray Wolf Travels from Oregon to the Central Sierra Nevada
Are Gray Wolf here to Stay Between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite? Press Release Update – California Department of Wildlife , March 23 2021 – OR-93 has traversed a significant distance since the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced he was in Modoc County in early February. Over the past few weeks, he moved … Read more
