Archery deer and elk seasons about to begin

A week from tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 1, is a banner day for hunting in Washington State. Several hunting seasons begin on the date.

Deer

The archery season for black-tailed, mule and white-tailed deer is set to begin on Sept. 1. There are various Game Management Units opening and the dates differ in many of the units, so a thorough and detailed study of the big game pamphlet is necessary. Also the legal deer to be taken may be different in the open units.

Muzzleloader deer seasons begin on Sept. 29.

Elk

Archers will be able to pursue elk beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 4, in many GMUs in Eastern Washington. Again, the definition of a legal elk may be different in the various units, so study the pamphlet carefully.

Cougar

The early cougar hunting season is scheduled to also begin on Sept. 1 and continue through Dec. 31. The late cougar season will begin on Jan. 1 and continue through March 31. Any legal weapon may be used in both seasons.

So why two seasons with the second beginning the day after the first ends? Starting Jan. 1, hunt areas may meet or exceed the harvest guideline and may close. When hunting cougar after Jan. 1, confirm the cougar season is open in the area you want to hunt by calling 866-364-4868.

Mourning dove

The mourning dove season opens Sept. 1 and continues through Sept. 30 with a bag limit of 10 per day and 20 in possession. Remember, the European collared dove does not count as part of the mourning dove limit. This means if a hunter shoots five mourning doves and then a European collared dove, the hunter is able to shoot five more mourning doves.

This person will have 11 doves, but only 10, the limit, mourning doves. The collared doves are larger than the mourning doves and they have a black line or collar, around their neck.

Forest grouse

The season for forest grouse opens on Sept. 1 and continues through Dec. 31. Four birds of any species is the daily limit. This is a great time to participate in hunting in the morning and evening, plus fishing during the day. Many lakes close on Sept. 30, so hunting and fishing is possible. Be sure and check the regulations to determine which waters are still open.

Sockeye fishing on Lake Wenatchee now allowed

Lake Wenatchee is now open for sockeye salmon fishing. This season began last Saturday, Aug. 4 and is expected to continue through Aug. 31.

The daily limit per angler is three sockeye, 12 inches in length or greater.

This season is in effect because more than 30,000 fish are expected to migrate past Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River. At least 7,000 fish are estimated to be available for harvest above the natural spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish.

Waterfowl seasons set

The Fish and Wildlife commission has set the 2012 waterfowl hunting seasons during a public meeting on Aug. 3 and 4 in Olympia.

Most hunting opportunities will be similar to last year, including a statewide duck season open for 107 days, starting Oct. 13 through 17 and continuing from Oct. 20 through Jan. 27. A special youth hunting weekend also is scheduled for Sept. 22-23.

Special limits for hen mallard, pintail, redhead, canvasback, goldeneye, harlequin, scoter and long-tailed duck will remain the same as last season. The commission, however, removed bag limits and an early season closure for scaup, which have significantly increased in numbers throughout North America, including Washington.

Goose hunting seasons will vary by management areas across the state, but most open Oct. 13 and run through Jan. 27, 2013.

The goose and duck hunting seasons approved by the commission are based on state and federal waterfowl population estimates and guidelines. According to those estimates, a record number of ducks, approximately 48.6 million, were on the breeding grounds in Canada and the United States this spring.

Waterfowl and upland game seasons pamphlet available online

The youth hunt of Sept. 22 and 23 for waterfowl also allows youth to hunt for pheasant, quail and partridge on the same days.

Dennis note: There is a special pheasant hunt for those 65 years old and older, such as me. The season is five days long; Sept. 24 through 28. I recently asked a buddy if his yellow lab, sage, was available to "come out and play" on those days. The answer was affirmative.

Game Department seeks applicants for Game Management Advisory Council

Fish and Wildlife is looking for nominations for its Game Management Advisory Council, which advises the department on issues including hunter-access opportunities, resource allocation, funding options and research projects.

Director Phil Anderson will appoint eight new members to the 26-member council that also makes recommendations regarding implementation of the department's Game Management Plan.

Nominees do not have to be affiliated with an organized group. Nominations must be submitted in writing with the following information: Nominee's name, address, telephone number and email address; Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group; Nominee's effectiveness in communication; Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination.

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m., Aug. 31. Nominations must be submitted to Dave Ware, Game Division Manager by mail: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091; or email at David.Ware@dfw.wa.gov.

New advisory council members will serve through June 2013. The council holds at least three one-day meetings each year. Special meetings may be called when special issues or topics arise. Council members are eligible to be reimbursed by Fish and Wildlife for travel expenses to attend meetings.

Selective chinook fishery opens in the Wenatchee River

Anglers will be able to fish for and retain adipose fin clipped adult and jack summer chinook salmon in the lower Wenatchee River. The seasons are as follows: Aug. 4 through Oct. 15 in the Wenatchee River from the mouth, the confluence with the Columbia River, to 400 feet below Dryden Dam.

And Sept. 1 through Oct. 15 in the Wenatchee River from the confluence of Peshastin Creek to a line perpendicular to the river at a marker on the opposite shore, approximately 1,000 feet above Dryden Dam, to the Icicle Creek Road bridge on the west end of Leavenworth.

The daily limit is two adipose fin clipped summer chinook, adult or jack. All other fish must be released. Selective gear rules apply, single barbless lures or flies, no bait allowed. In addition, no boats with motors are allowed, knotless nets, and night closure is in effect.

This fishery is offered because hatchery summer chinook returns to the Wenatchee River are predicted to be in excess of spawning escapement needs. The population is not listed under the Endangered Species Act. The majority of spring chinook and bull trout will have migrated to the upper Wenatchee River, and few steelhead will remain in the mainstem.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license as well as a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement.

All chinook with a floy tag attached and/or one or more round ? inch in diameter holes punched in the tail fin must be released. These fish are essential to ongoing studies being conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

These chinook salmon are running in the 10 to 12 pound range.