First fall general turkey season begins tomorrow

The first two of three fall turkey seasons begins tomorrow and

continues through Oct. 8. In Game management Units 105 through 124,

hunters are allowed two beardless turkeys. In GMUs 101, 127 through

133, 145 through 154 and 162 through186, hunters are allowed to

shoot one turkey of either sex.

The first two of three fall turkey seasons begins tomorrow and continues through Oct. 8. In Game management Units 105 through 124, hunters are allowed two beardless turkeys. In GMUs 101, 127 through 133, 145 through 154 and 162 through186, hunters are allowed to shoot one turkey of either sex.

This makes it possible for a hunter to shoot two beardless in the northeast part of the state and drop down to the Davenport area to harvest one more of either sex, or three turks in one day.

The late fall general season begins Nov. 20 and continues through Dec. 15. Hunters will be allowed to shoot one turkey of either sex during this hunt. These hunts are wonderful for hunters needing more time in the field. Take a youth along to provide more mentoring, or an older first-time hunter for the same reason.

Youth hunts this

weekend

Several youth hunts will take place this weekend. Open to youth hunters under 16 years of age and accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting is a two-day duck season tomorrow and Sunday, Sept. 25 and 26. Also open are coots, Canada geese, pheasant, California and Bobwhite quail, Chukar and Huns.

These hunts provide a great opportunity for mentors to help the youth hunters further develop their hunting skills. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Deer hunting

The early muzzleloader general deer season begins tomorrow and continues through Oct. 3 throughout much of the state.

Daily limits removed from several Grant County lakes

Fish and Wildlife has temporarily removed the daily limits and size restrictions for game fish species and adjust seasons on Grant County lakes scheduled for rehabilitation this fall beginning Sept. 14.

Here are the details:

Heart, June, North-North Windmill, North Windmill, Windmill, Canal, and Pit Lakes: No daily limit, no size restriction on all game fish from Sept. 14 through Oct. 3. Closed to fishing from Oct. 4 until Jan. 31, 2011.

North and South Teal Lakes: No daily limit, no size restriction for all game fish from Sept. 14 through Oct. 3. Closed to fishing from Oct. 4 until April 1, 2011.

Martha, Upper Caliche, Lower Caliche, and West Caliche Lakes: No daily limit, no size restriction on all game fish from Sept. 14 through Oct. 10. Closed to fishing from Oct. 11 until March 1, 2011.

Reason for action: These lakes are scheduled for rehabilitation using rotenone to eradicate undesirable fish species. Licensed anglers may harvest remaining game fish prior to rehabilitation.

Rehabilitations start the day after these lakes close to fishing. Anglers may not gather fish from these lakes during or after rehabilitations.

Wife prevents more serious injury for bear attack victim

We have discussed the possibility of encountering dangerous wild animals before. This account brings the situation close to home and renews the fact everyone in the outdoors should be prepared. Read on.

The wife of a man seriously injured Friday evening in a black bear attack near Lake Wenatchee probably saved her husband from worse injury by shouting and keeping the animal at bay.

Black bear attacks on humans are rare, and this bear appears to have been exceptionally aggressive, according to Fish and Wildlife.

The victim's wife appears to have done everything right, she shouted, stood her ground and attempted to drive off the bear. Those actions likely prevented even worse injury.

The victim, John Chelminiak of Bellevue, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following the attack.

A Fish and Wildlife biologist and three enforcement officers killed a bear, a 148-pound, mature, adult female without cubs, a few hours later about 100 yards from the attack site. A specially trained Karelian bear dog was used to locate the bear.

Fish and Wildlife's policy is to kill dangerous wildlife that attacks a human.

The following advice is passed along to minimize the risk of injury if a bear is encountered in the wild:

Don't run. Pick up small children, stand tall, wave your arms above your head and shout. Do not approach the animal and be sure to leave it an escape route. Try to get upwind of the bear, so it can identify you as a human and leave the area. Don't look the bear directly in the eye, as the animal may interpret this as a sign of aggression. If the animal does attack, fight back aggressively.

This year black bears may be more visible or show up in unusual settings because late-summer wild berries, part of a bear's natural diet, are in short supply. The bear involved in Friday's attack was thin for this time of year, but did not appear to be starving.

Typically, black bears avoid people but can pose a safety risk if they become habituated to human food sources. Bears become overly familiar with humans if they are fed or find unsecured garbage, birdseed, pet food, windfall fruit or compost piles.

Black bear attacks on humans are rare. There have been four other bear attacks on humans and one reported fatality in Washington, according to historical records.

WDFW conducted a complete necropsy on the bear and sent tissue samples to a wildlife laboratory for disease testing. Results of disease tests are expected soon. DNA samples were collected from the bear to confirm it was the animal involved in the attack.

Based on the proximity to the attack site and the bear's aggressive behavior, Fish and Wildlife is confident the animal that was euthanized is the one involved in the attack.

Washington's black bear population is estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 animals. Black bear are classified as a game species and may be harvested during prescribed hunting seasons by licensed hunters who have purchased a bear tag.

Fish and Wildlife receives an average of about 417 black bear complaints annually, ranging from glimpses of bears to encounters.

Members sought for Master Hunter Advisory Group

Fish and Wildlife is accepting letters of interest through Oct. 15 for membership on the department's Master Hunter Advisory Group.

The group, which represents master hunters statewide, advises Fish and Wildlife on issues and opportunities affecting master hunters and the Master Hunter program. Five volunteer positions are currently open on the 15-member group.

MHAG members, who serve three-year terms, must be certified master hunters. At least two members are selected from each of Fish and Wilflife's six administrative regions.

Letters of interest will be accepted from applicants residing in: Region One (Pend Oreille, Spokane, Lincoln, Stevens, Whitman, Ferry, Garfield, Columbia, Walla Walla and Asotin counties).

Region Two (Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Adams counties).

Region Five (Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, and Wahkiakum counties).

Region Six (Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pierce, Pacific, and Kitsap counties).

At large (any county in the state).

The director of Fish and Wildlife will make formal appointments by March 2011.

Master hunters interested in filling a position should send a letter of interest to Eric.Anderson@dfw.wa.gov or to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program, Attn: Eric Anderson Hunter Education Division; 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

Letters should address why a person wants to be a member of the advisory group and what qualifies them to be a member. Also, applicants should explain how they can help achieve the advisory group's vision.

The advisory group meets at least four times a year. Members serve as volunteers and do not receive direct compensation for their work, but travel reimbursement is available. MHAG members can expect to donate up to 200 hours of their time each year and will participate in master hunter orientation, information and outreach, and special hunt management meetings held near their area of residence.