Special hunt drawing results now available online

Hunters who are waiting for the results of the special hunt drawing need wait no more. The 2011 special-hunt permits drawing results are available on line at the Fish and Wildlife website.

The results of the random, computerized drawing were verified June 14. Holders of the special permits can hunt at times and locations beyond those authorized by a general hunting license.

This year's application forms included a range of hunting options for deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep. Like last year, hunters were allowed to submit applications in multiple categories, boosting the total number of applications received and the amount of money raised by Fish and Wildlife.

Applicants will also be notified by email and by posting the results on the website. Successful applicants will receive their special hunt permits by mail by mid-July.

Dennis note: My hunting buddies and I will not be anxiously awaiting a special permit in the mail, because I already checked and we didn't get drawn for anything.

Washington goose banding project

From Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl Specialist Mikal Moore:

Goose Banders,

Day one of eastern Washington goose banding went off without a hitch in Yakima. We had plenty of volunteers this year and we got our hands on 90-plus geese.

The only remaining banding sites are Moses Lake on Monday, June 20, meet at 7a.m. at the Broadway Bar and Grill Parking Lot.

On Tuesday, June 21, we will be banding in Wenatchee/Rock Island. Meet at the Rock Island Golf Course at 5 a.m.

Readers, this is a fantastic volunteer project for volunteers of most ages. Not sure what the youngest was last year, but it seemed the geese were as large as they were.

XY94 where are you?

I asked Mikal about a goose I held last year while it received a neck bank with the designation of XY94. Here is her reply:

"Hi Dennis, I just had a chance to look it up, but I don't have any reports of XY94. However, XY96 and XY97 were harvested on Moses Lake in November and December, respectively. Mikal"

So old XY94, where are you? Anyone spotting geese with neck bands, should record the location, time and date and call the Fish and Wildlife office in Ephrata at 754-4624. The neck bands are used to track live geese.

Discover Pass

Yes, we know Washington State Parks, Fish and Wildlife and other state entities are hurting for money, but the Discover Pass is going to be a problem in some ways.

Take for example a recent visit by relatives while camping at Potholes State Park last month. Two vehicles brought an aunt, uncle, Mom and cousins to our campsite for two hours during lunch. All of the people, except Mom, were from out of the area.

After the Discover Pass goes into effect on July 1, but it might be delayed until after the July Fourth weekend, each vehicle will need to pay $10. The idea is to get people to purchase a Discover Pass for $30, which entitles them to visit the state parks as much as they want.

When my sister, Denise, visits us with her grandkids for an overnight camping trip, we pay $10 for an extra vehicle. I don't mind paying this as she needs the parking space for the night, but if she stopped by for lunch and then continued on her way to visit Mom for the weekend, she would still need to pay the $10.

We are a bit torn about the pass at this time. Will it keep people from the state parks? Better believe it, as my relatives would not have come to visit us for lunch.

A solution would be for the relatives to call from a nearby boat launch and for me to drive to them and take one batch in. Then repeat the process for the second batch. Of course, I would need to shuttle them out the same way. I will most likely purchase a Discover Pass as a Christmas present for my sister and encourage her to use it as much as possible.

The fine for not displaying the pass is $99.

Stay tuned, more information.

Raffle permit hunts

Although the odds are slim, Dennis still purchases a few raffle permits for Washington State hunts. There is still plenty of time to research the raffles and apply, as the raffle permit hunt deadline is July 22. Stay tuned for more information about these hunts.

This is his way of putting a little more money into the Fish and Wildlife coffers, while hoping he will win one of the special hunts.