Spring turkey hunting season opens next Thursday

By Dennis L Clay

The spring turkey-hunting season opens next Thursday, April 15. The season is scheduled to continue through May 31. The hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Only gobblers and turkeys with visible beards are allowed. The bag limit is two turkeys in eastern Washington and only one of those may be taken in Chelan, Kittitas and Yakima counties combined.

So in the appropriate area, such as near Colville, two turkeys could be shot in one day. Or, if a hunter is lucky enough, two birds could be taken in one shot.

Good luck, have fun, be safe and watch out for ticks.

Money available for shooting ranges

Shooting clubs and range operators have until June 30 to apply for federal grants to construct, maintain or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington State.

The grants are coordinated by Fish and Wildlife and are awarded each year through the department's Shooting Range Program. Approximately $50,000 in competitive grants are expected to be awarded this year, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Prospective applicants must attend a grant-writing workshop. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Washington Cattlemen's Association building, 1301 North Dolarway Rd., in Ellensburg.

Fish and Wildlife's Shooting Range Program was established in 2002 and supports development of not-for-profit shooting ranges with proceeds from a federal excise tax on archery equipment and firearms. The grants reimburse eligible shooting ranges for a significant portion of their construction, materials and other building expenses.

Successful applicants must pay for construction and materials up front and are then reimbursed for up to 75 percent of the cost. The remaining 25 percent must be raised locally. Administration of the grant program helps Fish and Wildlife meet its goal of promoting firearm safety.

Hunting and recreational shooting are important elements of our Northwest heritage and this federally-funded program effectively promotes both at absolutely no expense to Washington taxpayers. More than 165 shooting ranges in Washington offer hunters and recreational shooters a safe environment to hone their skills.

Applicants must complete a detailed application packet, including information on public range use, an environmental review, program narrative, user fees and charges. Applicants will be notified in August on grant awards.

The Boyd Mordhorst Shooting Range near Ephrata is a great place to shoot. They use grants, such as this, to improve and expand the range.

We wonder if they plan on applying for this grant?

Word has reached this desk about Kade Pruett notching his turkey tag during the youth season last weekend. Let's see a photo, Kade.

Lowland lake opener is April 24

We still call it the general opener, but, no matter the name, it is a big deal in the Columbia Basin. Recreational vehicles and tents will line the edge of Highway 17 along Blue Lake and campgrounds will be full.

If the weather goes along with the plan, anglers will be happy pulling in limits of fish.

Look for more information in the Spring Hook & Bullet section coming out soon in the Columbia Basin Herald.

Spring turkey hunting

The hunting season runs from April 15 to May 31.

Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise and sunset.

Only gobblers and turkeys with visible beards are allowed.

Bag limit is two turkeys with only one from Chelan, Kittitas or Yakima counties.