Spring turkey season opens today, runs through May
Our spring turkey adventures usually begin by establishing a
base camp near a friend's shop in the Davenport area. From here we
can hunt their property or head northeast to the Colville area.
Fish and Wildlife's forecast for spring turkey hunting is below.
Read on.
Our spring turkey adventures usually begin by establishing a base camp near a friend's shop in the Davenport area. From here we can hunt their property or head northeast to the Colville area. Fish and Wildlife's forecast for spring turkey hunting is below. Read on.
Healthy flocks of wild turkeys are spread across the northeast region, promising good spring hunting opportunities. By mid-April, flocks may be more scattered and some at higher elevations, depending on weather.
Dana Base, Fish and Wildlife northeast district wildlife biologist, said that although overall turkey numbers are still somewhat down from four years ago, prior to the severe winters of 2007-08 and 2008-09, flocks are rebuilding and relatively healthy. Winter surveys indicate the highest number of turkeys are in GMU 117 (Chewelah) and GMU 108 (Douglas).
The latest harvest compilations, 2009, show that all northeast units (101-136) combined provided 62 percent of the statewide spring turkey harvest.
In the south end of the region, where the second highest turkey harvest usually occurs, Fish and Wildlife Wooten Wildlife Area Manager Kari Dingman said turkeys have been strutting and gobbling since mid-March.
Specific regulation for the spring turkey season
The general spring turkey season, the one for the rest of us, is scheduled from April 15 through May 31. Turkey hunters in both seasons should be prepared for limited access due to lingering low elevation snowpack.
Hunting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset during spring seasons. Legal birds are gobblers and turkeys with visible beards only.
Bag and possession limit
A total of three turkeys may be taken in the spring season with following restrictions: Only two turkeys may be taken in eastern Washington and only one of those may be taken in Chelan, Kittitas, and Yakima counties combined; only one turkey may be taken in western Washington per year. Two turkeys may be taken in Klickitat County.
Additional turkey tags may be purchased at any time. In appropriate areas, two turkeys can be harvested in one day.
In addition, the following regulations apply: Spring turkey season is open for shotgun (10 gauge or under capable of holding 3 or fewer shells or muzzleloader with shot) and bow-and-arrow hunting only. Crossbows are allowed in firearm restricted areas.
A valid hunting license and an unaltered, unnotched turkey transport tag are required for hunting turkey. Immediately after killing a turkey, hunters must validate their own tag by completely removing notches for month and day of kill and securely attach tag to carcass. It is unlawful to use dogs, electronic calls or electronic decoys to hunt turkeys.
Baiting game birds is illegal. Turkey hunters must use Number 4 shot or smaller. It is illegal to possess in the field or transport game birds unless a feathered head is left attached to each carcass, except falconry-caught birds.
Turkey hunters must report their hunting activity whether or not they harvest an animal. Hunters not reporting by January 31 will be subject to a $10 penalty, which must be paid before they can purchase a license for the following year. One hunter report is required for each tag acquired.
Hunters who harvest an animal should file a report within 10 days of taking the animal. Unsuccessful hunters must also report their hunting activity, including location and days hunted. The information will be used by
Fish and Wildlife to better monitor hunter effort, distribution, harvest, and trends.
MLIRD fishing derby Saturday
The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District's fishing derby is scheduled for Connelly Park this Saturday. Youth ages 5 through 14 are invited to participate. Call 765-8716 for more information.
Although youth anglers must bring their own fishing rods and gear, bait, hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided.
This will be an education event with volunteers assisting the young anglers learn about the sport of angling.
Fort Flagler State Park sport clam and oyster season opens early
The sport clam and oyster fishing season at Fort Flagler State Park will open today, April 15.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a clam and oyster season at this beach from April 15 through July 31, but, as always, there is a "or until further notice" clause always attached. Surveys indicate that clam populations have increased, and will support a fishery that is one month longer than in 2010.
Fort Flagler State Park is located in Jefferson County near Port Townsend.
More halibut this year for sport anglers
This year's recreational halibut seasons will be similar to 2010 in Puget Sound, but may allow for more days of fishing off the coast under new catch quotas adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
This year's quota for Washington, Oregon and California is 910,000 pounds, up 12 percent from 2010. In Washington, sport anglers will be allowed to catch 216,489 pounds of the big flatfish compared to 192,699 pounds last year.
In Puget Sound, where the sport catch has exceeded area harvest guidelines for the past two years, this year's higher sub-quota also helped to avert further cutbacks in fishing opportunities.
This year's catch quota for Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca is 58,155 pounds, up from 50,542 pounds in 2010. Like last year, most areas of the Sound will be open for halibut fishing three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with exceptions. See the fishing regulations for specifics.
This year's coastal quotas are up by more than 17,000 pounds. Depending on catch rates during the course of the season, that could translate to extra time on the water in some areas.
All areas open to fishing have a one-fish daily catch limit, with no minimum size, a possession limit of one fish while on the vessel and a possession limit of two fish in any form once the angler is on the shore.