Grouse, crow seasons end Monday

The last day of the grouse and crow seasons is Monday. I realize there aren't many forest grouse around here, but some of our hunters pursue them.

Don't know many people who hunt crow, but would like to give it a go sometime. But, well...was just wondering if crow is considered a game bird? If not, why is there a season? If it is considered a game bird and there is not limit on the number of crows a hunter can take, is it considered wasting game if the crow is not eaten? You know, eating crow...OK it was a bad joke after all.

Other hunting seasons

Various big game hunting seasons have ended or are winding down. A few continue into 2013. Also, duck, goose, pheasant and other seasons are also ongoing.

The Elk Area 3912 and Game Management Unit 371 elk hunt for Master Hunters will continue through Jan. 20, 2013.

Don't forget

A hunter report is required for each deer, elk, bear, turkey tag, and each special hunt permit awarded. The reports are required whether or not you harvested an animal or hunted at all.

The reports are due by midnight, Jan. 10, 2013 to be entered to win a deer or elk license and permit that would allow you to hunt for that species from September to December of 2013.

The report deadline is January 31st 2013 in order to avoid a $10 administrative fee when you purchase your 2013 license.

If your special permit allows you to hunt beyond January 31st 2013, your hunter report is due within 10 days of the close of that season.

To report, please visit https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wa/Hunterreport or call toll free at 1-877-945-3492.

You will need your WILD ID number, the Game Management Units you hunted, number of days hunted, and if/when/what you harvested.

You should record and file your confirmation number for each report filed, this is the only way we can verify that you submitted a report for each tag and permit.

Reports are not accepted by mail or email; please do not send in your transport tags.

Colockum elk research to be discussed at Jan. 7 meeting

Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public meeting in Ellensburg Jan. 7 to discuss preliminary results of Colockum elk research, winter road closures and development of a joint recreation plan on public lands between Ellensburg and Wenatchee.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. in rooms 137 A & B of the Student Union & Recreation Center in the center of the Central Washington University campus at 400 E. University Way. Parking on campus is free.

For the past four years, WDFW has closed about 44,000 acres of the Whiskey Dick and Quilomene wildlife areas to motor vehicles from February through April to protect wintering elk from disturbances. The May 1 reopening date for the wildlife areas is consistent with those on the Oak Creek, Wenas and L.T. Murray wildlife areas.

Recreational use of the area in late winter and early spring may sometimes prompt elk to move to private lands. This causes the elk to wind up in adjacent private agricultural areas, where they compete with cattle for forage and damage crops and stock fences.

Since 2008, WDFW has equipped 109 elk with Global Positioning System devices and recorded more than 400,000 elk locations. The last collars were collected in May 2012 and much of the data have been analyzed.

Nominations open for Inland Fish Policy Advisory Group

Fish and Wildlife is seeking nominations through Jan. 25 for membership on the Inland Fish Policy Advisory Group.

Up to 15 qualified individuals will be chosen to serve on the advisory group for 2013 and 2014. Those selected will provide guidance to Fish and Wildlife on statewide issues related to management of inland fish species, such as trout, bass, panfish and kokanee. They also serve as an important communication link between Fish and Wildlife and its constituents.

Advisors should have a broad interest in inland fish management and the ability to communicate effectively with large segments of the public.

The advisory group meets approximately three times each year. Advisors are asked periodically to comment on written materials throughout the year. Advisors serve for a term of two years and can be reappointed. Appointments become effective Feb. 1, 2013. Current members are encouraged to reapply. Advisors do not receive direct compensation for their work.

Any group or individual can submit a nomination. 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 Jan. 25. Nominations may be submitted to Bruce Bolding, WDFW Fish Management Division, by mail: 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501; or email: Bruce.Bolding@dfw.wa.gov.

Public comment extended on proposed sportfishing rules

The public will have more time to review proposed changes to state sportfishing rules under an extended comment period announced today by Fish and Wildlife.

Now Fish and Wildlife will accept written comments through Jan. 29 on the proposed regulations, more than a month longer than previously announced.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission, which sets policy for Fish and Wildlife, also has postponed a public hearing on the proposals until its February meeting in Olympia. Written testimony also can be submitted during that meeting.

The commission is now scheduled to take action on the proposed rule changes during its March meeting in Moses Lake.

Craig Burley, Fish and Wildlife fish division manager said the public hearing was postponed to allow for additional time to draft the rule language that the commission will consider.

To review and comment on the proposed rules visit the Fish and Wildlife website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/.