Sports

  The Graeagle-Plumas Alliance added the California state snowshoe championship to its series of events last weekend. The races took place Saturday morning at the Plumas-Eureka Ski Bowl above Johnsville.

  The event was a qualifying race for the U.S. Snowshoe Association national championships, so competitors from the entire state showed up to race.

Rattlesnake meat

  Question: I have a business where I sell different types of exotic meats for human consumption. If legal to do, I would like to offer the meat of the following species of rattlesnakes: eastern, western and prairie rattlesnakes. I know I cannot bring western diamondbacks into the state, but are there any restrictions to selling eastern diamondbacks and prairie rattlesnakes from Montana in California? What about selling rattlesnake sausages and rattlesnake cakes made in Colorado? Can I sell processed food in California or is there a restriction?

—Anshu P.

  By water birds I mean those that are attracted to marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers and coastal areas. Winter is a good time to see water birds in Plumas County and nearby areas.

  When attempting to identify water birds on Lake Almanor, Sierra Valley, the Quincy water treatment ponds or the ponds east of the La Porte Road it is useful to have a spotting scope with 20 to 60 times magnification. Some places provide a closer view of water birds such that they can be identified with birding binoculars that have only eight times magnification. One such place is Hansen’s pond located at the north end of Quincy Junction Road just before the junction with Chandler Road. This winter I have seen hooded mergansers, ring-necked ducks, American wigeons, mallards, American white pelicans, tundra swans, great blue herons, great egrets, Canada geese and a greater white-fronted goose on or near this pond.

Chester High School ski team member Bailey Smith hightails it down the mountain at Boreal on Feb. 1. Smith placed first in the girls’ category the first three races of the season. Photos submitted

James Wilson

  The Chester High School ski and snowboard team is well into its season, and is doing exceptionally well.

  The team is mainly racing at Boreal, but made its way to Alpine once this year with another race scheduled to take place there.

  The team, coached by Terry Hernandez, placed first in both the boys and girls skiing races the first three races in a row. The team raced at Boreal on Jan. 18, at Alpine on Jan. 25 and back at Boreal on Feb. 1.