OUTPOST.

Sail away: The Pacific Aquatics Division of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department will hold a two-part sailing course on eight consecutive Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Aug. 9.

The first class meets at Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles, with the remaining classes held in Marina del Rey using department sailboats. Cost is $60 for each of the two parts, or $100 for both sections. Preregistration is required. Information: [phone].

Sunday spirits: Storyteller Allan Salazar weaves tales of bear, coyote and other animal spirits from the Chumash culture Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Center in Newbury Park. Information and directions: [phone], ext. 201.

Attention quail fans: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited is seeking volunteers Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 to help install a new guzzler, or game-bird watering device, on Coyote Flats located on the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains.

Information: [phone].

Prize perch: The annual Sacramento Perch Derby - with a $10,000 purse - starts Friday at Crowley Lake Fish Camp. If recent catches are any indication, the 1979 record of 3 pounds, 10 ounces, could fall during the event, even with the summer ``baitless'' regulation - barbless hooks on lures or flies - starting Friday. Information: [phone].

Bear of a process: Bear tags are selling at a rate of about 2,000 per week, meaning all 15,000 tags of the statewide quota will be gone before Sept. 1. Bear tags are being issued on a first-come, first-served basis until the 15,000 statewide quota is sold. Last year was the first time this quota sold out, so bear hunters should apply early. About half of the tags remain.

Grouse applications: The first of two sage grouse seasons will open in early September. But before stepping into the field, hunters must have a special permit to hunt these prairie fowl, and the permit is available only by special drawing from the Department of Fish and Game.

Each hunter must include his or her name, residence address, 1997-98 California hunting license number and choice of sage grouse hunting areas.

Applications must be sent to: DFG, Sage Grouse Permit Drawing, 3211 S St., Sacramento, Calif. 95816. All hunters awarded a sage grouse permit will be notified by mail.

Best camping: Here are REI's recent top picks for family camping in Southern California (based on setting, privacy, safety and maintenance), followed by numbers to call for information:

Coastal camping: Lions Canyon Campground, Los Padres National Forest, [phone]; Malibu Creek State Park, [phone].

Desert Camping: Mesquite Springs Campground, Death Valley National Park, [phone]; White Tank Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, [phone].

Island Camping: Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, [phone].

Mountain Camping: Located in San Bernardino National Forest - Dark Canyon Campground, [phone]; Hanna Flat Campground, [phone]; Heart Bar Campground, [phone].

Adventure passes: The U.S. Forest Service charges a $5 per vehicle day-use fee at Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles and Los Padres national forests to help offset budget decreases. The pass is not required for driving on main roads, and visitors using campgrounds and ski areas are not required to pay. But all cars parked at picnic areas, trailheads, fishing sites or other recreation areas must display a pass.

National Forest Adventure Passes, as they are called, are available at Forest Service offices, ranger stations and many sporting goods stores. Passes may be purchased in advance and validated the day you use them. A $30 annual use pass, which is valid in all four forests is also available, and includes a pass for a second vehicle. Information: [phone].