The 2008 waterfowl season is almost here! Opening day will be next Saturday, Oct. 18 in most of California, including Napa County and the Sacramento Valley area.

The northeast region opens Oct. 11, and the southern San Joaquin zone is open already.

The overall outlook this year for duck populations in California is similar to last year. Waterfowl that breed in Canada and migrate south during the season continue to have strong populations, thanks to late spring rains this year.

The number of mallards breeding in California is down, however. Our drought conditions in 2008 left fewer wetlands available for the ducks to nest. The experts are predicting a 20 percent decrease in local birds.

The Napa-Sonoma marshes, on the other hand, appear to have very healthy duck numbers. I’ve recently watched large rafts of waterfowl filling the skies at dusk over the wetlands just south of town. The marshes in the Carneros region are also holding good populations this year.

Look for a good opener if you’re hunting in the Napa-Sonoma marsh area.

After that, I expect something of a lull in the season until the northern birds start their migration into the area.

Among changes to the regulations this year is a limit of only one hen mallard per day. Also, canvasbacks cannot be taken at all this year. The overall bag limit for ducks remains at seven per day.

The goose bag limit for 2008 has been increased to eight birds per day.

Within that total there is a separate limit for each sub-species. Certain areas of the state also have special limits on the different types of geese. Make sure you are familiar with these regulations before going hunting.

Bass Pro Shops coming to Northern California

A new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World will open in Manteca on Thursday, Oct. 16.

In addition to the wide selection of outdoor gear, Bass Pro Shops stores are also part museum, art gallery, antique store, aquarium, and a center for education, conservation and entertainment.

A special “Evening for Conservation” to help benefit area conservation groups will be held on Wednesday night, Oct. 15, beginning at 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

The entire store will be a tribute to the majestic grandeur of Yosemite National Park, and the history and culture of California’s Central Valley and its people.

Like other Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World stores, the new Manteca store will take on the flavor and atmosphere of the region in which it is located.

Using more than 3,500 area artifacts, antiques, pictures, mounts and memorabilia, the store will become a living museum of California’s hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor legacies.

Hand-painted murals from renowned artists will depict scenes of California’s picturesque countryside from Emerald Bay to Muir Wood, to Gray Lodge State Wildlife Refuge and Sutter Buttes, to the California coast and Sierra Nevada Mountain range.

Spectacular waterfalls, lush forests, pristine mountain lakes and beautiful beaches will all be beautifully replicated by artists’ brushes. State and record wildlife mounts will be displayed alongside local period prints depicting early Californians enjoying sporting adventures.

A 24,000-gallon fresh-water aquarium will be stocked with more than 120 fish found in California, including largemouth bass, striped bass, sturgeon, brook trout, rainbow trout, blue catfish, white crappie and bluegill.

A trout pond will feature 20 rainbow, brook, cutthroat, golden and brown trout. Two elevators will rise up behind the trout pond, offering riders a bird’s-eye view of the store and all the wildlife dioramas.

Massive rockwork soaring 28 to 30 feet high above the aquarium will replicate Yosemite’s Half Dome and allow visitors to walk under a waterfall as it cascades into the fresh water aquarium.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the laser arcade themed as a remembrance to one of California’s most significant events — the Gold Rush. Remnants of an old gold mining community have been taken over by a bevy of wild ‘critters.’

The arcade features 56 animated laser targets and each laser rifle costs 50 cents for 20 shots.

Forget roller coasters, this store is my kind of amusement park!

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in

St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.