First deer report suggests below average harvest
Debbie McKernan downed this 3- by 3-point mule deer buck on Oct. 17 in Lincoln County, north of Odessa.
The first report from the opening weekend of modern firearm
deer, goose and duck hunting indicates a below average harvest.
This comes from a verbal statement from Fish and Wildlife
personnel, as no formal stats were accumulated.
The first report from the opening weekend of modern firearm deer, goose and duck hunting indicates a below average harvest. This comes from a verbal statement from Fish and Wildlife personnel, as no formal stats were accumulated.
With budget cuts and Fish and Wildlife personnel required to take unpaid days off during the year, the lack of such reports doesn't bother us. They are nice to have, but we would rather have the personnel maintaining a job rather than providing us an opening-day report.
Of course the report would be great to publish, but under the circumstances, we all can do without. In place of a report from Fish and Wildlife, we would enjoy a report from you, the readers. Send photos and hunting and fishing reports to us at: dclay@atnet.net.
Pheasant season opens tomorrow
The pheasant season opens tomorrow and will continue through Jan. 17. The limit is three roosters per day and the possession limit is 15 roosters. Enjoy the hunt, but be careful out there.
Dennis' hunting report
Out of four hunting companions, we have three deer hanging. One a 3 by 4, another, this one a 3-by-3, and the largest a 4 by 5. The story of this hunting season appeared last evening in last evenings outdoors column. The rest of the story will be published next Thursday.
During a walk after deer this afternoon, Wednesday, Oct. 20, I stepped to the edge of a wheat field and had a rooster pheasant jump up three feet from me, surprising me.
It was the first pheasant to jump up in range in years, perhaps 10 years. Trouble was, the pheasant season doesn't open until tomorrow and I had a rifle in my hands and not a shotgun. Still it was fun to see the beautiful bird.
Private lands hunting bolstered by federal grant
Private landowners in Washington will have a greater incentive to open their land to hunters, thanks to a new federal grant announced last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Under the new federal grant program, Fish and Wildlife will receive $837,000 to support development of land-use agreements with landowners who voluntarily make their land available to hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation.
The additional funding is a major boost for current state efforts to open the gates to private lands previously closed to hunting. The grant will support new landowner agreements in 12 counties.
Washington was one of 17 states to receive competitive grants under the USDA's new Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, created by the 2008 federal Farm Bill to expand public access to private agricultural and forest lands.
Fish and Wildlife expects to open more than 200,000 acres of additional private land to hunting by the start of next year's hunting season.
To support that effort, Fish and Wildlife has raised $400,000 to expand hunter access through additional fees paid by hunters who apply for new permit-only hunts.
Fish and Wildlife has bolstered its Private Lands Access program to reverse the steady decline of land open to hunting due to population growth, suburban sprawl and crowding on public lands. The department currently has access agreements with over 600 landowners, providing access to just over one million acres of private land around the state.
Besides opening their lands to hunters, landowners may qualify for compensation by planting crops and vegetation that attract game or agreeing to allow duck blinds on their property.
Rural communities that provide services to hunters who visit their area also benefit from the program. According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hunters spend approximately $313 million in Washington each year, mostly in rural areas.
Fish and Wildlife plans to use the USDA grant to support projects that provide incentives to:
Private landowners who allow waterfowl hunting, big game hunting and wildlife viewing in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.
Private forest landowners who allow hunting in Lewis, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.
Private landowners who allow hunting for pheasant and other wildlife found in fields in Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, and Walla Walla counties.
Farmers who leave corn stubble untilled through the winter for waterfowl food and allow hunting in Grant and Franklin counties.
From Garnet and Dennis: This is great news, of course. We have heard the additional fees paid by hunters to apply for permit-only hunts this year added up to over half a million dollars. This money is designed for this very purpose. So let's all hope Fish and Wildlife follows through and we have thousands more acres to hunt next season.
We are troubled by the leaving of corn stubble in Grant and Franklin counties and the federal regulations about baiting of waterfowl. Perhaps Fish and Wildlife will work out the details before next season.
Steelhead and cutthroat advisory group seeks members
Fish and Wildlife is seeking nominations through Dec. 1 for membership on the Steelhead/Cutthroat Policy Advisory Group.
Up to 20 qualified individuals will be chosen to serve on the advisory group for 2011 and 2012. Those selected will provide guidance to Fish and Wildlife on statewide issues related to management of steelhead and cutthroat. They also serve as an important communication link between the department and its constituents.
Advisors should have a broad interest in steelhead and/or cutthroat management and the ability to communicate effectively with large segments of the public.
The advisory group meets approximately four times each year. Advisors are asked to comment on written material throughout the year. Advisors serve for a term of two years and can be reappointed. Appointments become effective January 2011. Current members are encouraged to reapply. Advisors do not receive direct compensation for their work.
Any group or individual can submit a nomination, and self-nominations are also accepted. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with an organized group. Nominations must include the following information: The nominee's name, address and telephone number. The nominee's affiliations, if any.
The name, address and telephone number of any organization submitting a nomination. Experience, including the type of experience, and any species or areas of interest, as well as references.
Nominations must be received by Dec. 1. Nominations may be submitted to Bob Leland, Fish and Wildlife steelhead program manager, by mail: 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501; or e-mail at robert.leland@dfw.wa.gov.
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