When is it legal to beagle?

The following questions were asked on the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) website:

Question: I am new to the sport of beagling and I was thinking about taking my dogs out rabbit hunting. I don't carry a gun yet because I haven't had the chance to practice shooting at low, moving targets. Therefore, I was wondering whether I really need a hunting license if I don't actually shoot a rabbit? One of the legal methods listed in the regulations for the take of rabbits is with dogs, so are they the same as having a gun?

Answer: Dogs are a legal method of take and are considered an extension of the hunter. Since "take" is defined as "hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill" you would be required to have a hunting license to use your dogs to pursue game.

Question: While fishing on Hot Creek (Mono County), I came to a fenced-off section of the creek, posted with no trespassing signs. I have always been under the impression that once you legally access (don't cross private property) a river, you may continue fishing the length of it. Am I wrong?

Answer: According to California law, most water in above-ground, free-flowing waterways is state water and not considered private property. The land underneath the water, however, may or may not be held by the state. On small or ephemeral streams, for example, the land in the bed of the stream could be privately owned.

If you have legally gained access to the state's water, such as at a boat ramp or on your own property, or another person who has granted you permission, you can most likely continue up or down the waterway in a boat without trespassing. But anytime you "touch" the bed or bank of the stream that is not owned by you, you may be trespassing.

If there is a fence across the stream, which is common on smaller streams in areas where livestock are common, you can not assume that it is legal to cross over it even if you can do so without touching the bank or bed of the stream. You should not attempt to do so until you have either gained the permission of the person who owns the property or received a determination that the land underneath the stream is owned by the state.

Question: I plan on hunting a lot this year with a recently acquired muzzleloader and need to know the official regulations for a "loaded and unloaded" gun. I've been told that as long as no cap is in place, the gun is considered unloaded since the cap is needed to charge/fire the gun.

Answer: You are correct. As long as the cap is removed so the gun will not fire, it is considered unloaded.