Outdoor notes

Bears in Canada/Alaska: In a story carried around the world this month, a black bear in Alaska mauled a teen trail runner. Black bear attacks in the Canadian Rockies and wilds of Alaska are as common, or even more so, as those by grizzly bears/Alaskan browns. Yet in California, black bears are relatively docile and will usually choose to run, not fight. When making a food raid at night at a camp, they will often try to approach quietly to avoid waking you. Highway openings: Highway 108 over Sonora Pass opened last week and the opening of Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass is imminent, reports Caltrans. In Yosemite, Tioga Road/Highway 120, in Lassen, the Lassen Park Highway/Highway 89, are unlikely to be cleared and open until well into July. Kayak Antioch: A new launch for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes is a highlight at the city of Antioch Marina, reports James Pflueger, manager of the marina. This is part of a grant program to improve non-motorized boating facilities along the San Francisco Bay Water Trail. Q&A: Q: “I live by Lake Merced (in San Francisco) and was wondering if this nesting box would work there?” Julie Ortiz. A: If wood ducks are in the area and find the box, it could work great. Strap a nesting box for wood ducks to a tree that is near water and it can produce new crops of baby ducks. www.calwaterfowl.org/woodduck-program. Big Fish Club: A 15-pound largemouth bass was caught, weighed, photographed and released at Camanche Lake. The lucky angler was Chris Ouchida, who was fishing from the bank.