OUTPOST.

Tag applications: California hunting licenses, deer-tag applications and first-come, first-served deer and bear tags are available in person from all license agents, Department of Fish and Game offices, or by mail from the DFG's License and Revenue Branch in Sacramento.

The deadline is June 2 to apply for 1997 big-game tag drawings, including antelope, elk, bighorn sheep and premium deer tags. Anyone applying must first purchase a hunting license; the cost is $27.05 for residents and $94.75 for nonresidents. A resident one-deer tag application is $17.85 and resident second-deer application costs $22.60. Nonresident one-deer and second-deer tag applications cost $162.50 each.

Information: [phone] or the Internet at: www.dfg.ca.gov.

PCT update: Dozens of Pacific Crest Trail through-hikers hoofed over the San Gabriel Mountains during Memorial Day weekend on their 2,638-mile trek from Mexico to Canada.

``We're about two days ahead of schedule,'' said Eric Shinkle, 26, of Bremerton, Wash., as he and partner Chad Loberger, 29, of Appleton, Wis., paused Sunday at Three Points trailhead along the Angeles Crest Highway.

The duo has encountered about 15 rattlesnakes so far. ``You have to pelt them with rocks of successively larger sizes in order to get them to move,'' Shinkle said.

Joe Fennelly, 49, of Cheshire, Conn., completed the Appalachian Trail, twice, but has had difficulties with the desert sections of the PCT. ``It's the first time I've really had to resist the urge to quit a hike,'' he said.

Life cycle: From June 1-7, 2,600 cyclists will pedal the 525 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in California AIDS Ride 4 in hopes of raising $8 million to benefit the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

To ride, pledge or volunteer, call [phone] or [phone].

Right angles: The third annual Team MacPherson Newport Bay Bass Tournament will be held June 7. The catch-and-release contest for halibut, spotted bay bass, calico bass and sand bass has raised more than $10,000.

Participants fish in two-person teams and proceeds go to the United Anglers of Southern California's white seabass restoration project. Author and inshore fishing guide Mike Gardner conducts a free seminar at Anglers Center in Newport Beach on June 5.

Information: [phone], after 5 p.m.

Fly-fishing class: If you are interested in getting started in fly-angling, the Fishermen's Spot, 14423 Burbank Blvd. in Van Nuys, is offering classes beginning Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Topics in the three-week course include tackle and usage, knots, technique, basic entomology and fly selection. The fee is $85. Information: [phone].

Radio hour(s): Starting Saturday, ``Ronnie Kovach's Fishing Expeditions'' radio talk show will move to XTRA Sports 1150-AM and be broadcast in a new two-hour format from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Running event: The Santa Cruz Island 12K Run and Hike kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. at Scorpion Ranch.

Participants board a boat at Ventura Harbor at 7:30 a.m. and arrive at the Channel Islands port at 9:15 a.m. The boat returns to the mainland at 3:30 p.m. and arrives at 5:15 p.m. Cost is $89. Information: [phone].

Now that's shootin': The June Jam 10K Summer Biathlon takes place at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Lake Hughes Community Club in Lake Hughes.

A shooting clinic begins at 8 a.m. Registration is $10. Information: [phone].

Dogs and snakes: The fourth annual Snake Avoidance Clinic for Dogs takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7 and 8 at Valencia Glen Park in Santa Clarita.

Norco dog trainer Patrick Callaghan teaches dogs to steer clear of rattlesnakes. Registration is $50 and by appointment only. Proceeds benefit the host group, the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of Quail Unlimited. Information: [phone].

Boating news: Yacht clubs and boating groups interested in protecting and preserving local waters are encouraged to participate in an outreach program established by the Southern California Marine Institute.

Each participating group receives five hours of in-depth training in water-quality testing and then is assigned a ``station'' to monitor in a latitudinal/longitudinal grid of water. The collected data is compiled by SCMI in such a way that volunteers can see the fruits of their research.

Coordinators hope to promote ``a sense of stewardship for the ocean.'' Information: [phone].

Minimizing risks: With warmer temperatures allowing more outdoor activities, the chances of encountering a mountain lion - although rare - do increase.

The Department of Fish and Game makes these recommendations to lessen the risks of an attack:

Don't hike alone.

Keep children close to you.

Do not approach a lion. Most will avoid a confrontation, so provide them an escape route.

Do not run; it may stimulate the cat's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. Appear as large as you can - raise and wave your arms; open your jacket.

Try not to crouch or bend over, which makes a person appear to the cat like a four-legged prey animal.

Fight back if attacked, with any object you have available. Since mountain lions usually attempt to bite the head or neck, remain standing and face the attacking animal.

Information: DFG Wildlife Management Division, [phone].

IT'S CATCHING

NATIONAL FISHING WEEK JUNE 2-8, 1997

More than 500,000 people are expected to take part in the 18th annual National Fishing Week's activities, slated for Monday through June 8.

Some 3,000 events, including several in the Los Angeles area, are planned to celebrate sport-fishing and aquatic resources. Participants are encouraged to fish, learn about natural resources stewardship and appreciate the work of the country's resource-management professionals and volunteers.

On June 7, the state's summer Free Fishing Day angling programsare scheduled at Lincoln Park Lake in Los Angeles (8 a.m. to noon), El Dorado Park Lake in Long Beach (8 a.m. to noon) and the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in Newport Beach (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Free Fishing Day is when anyone can fish without a license. Information: [phone].

For details on events in other states, call [phone].