Fall hunts weighs heavy on my mind

The first hunt on my agenda is the master hunter elk hunt in Elk Area 3911 and 3912, plus Game Management Unit 371,

Only antler less animals are allowed to be taken on these hunts and they are designed to reduce elk damage to agricultural lands within the hunt boundaries.

One downside to these hunts is the heat of summer. These hunts begin on Aug. 1. The 3911 hunt continues until Oct. 26, then reopens on Nov. 10 and continues until Dec. 16. The 3912 and GMU 371 hunt continues through Jan. 20, 2013.

The idea of hunting elk or any other big game animal in the heat of August has been the reason for not applying for special hunt permits for hunts taking place during this summer month. However, I have heard of other hunters who have participated in such hunts, with success.

My worry has to do with getting an animal to a cooler in such a time so the meat won't spoil. Having thought about the situation for some time, years in fact, the secret seems to be to have enough people to help with the animal and having coolers with ice inside to help cool the meat.

This all seems reasonable and doable, so this may be the year I head out on an elk hunt on Wednesday, Aug. 1. There are enough coolers in my shed to hold an elk, so this obstacle isn't a problem. There is also the thought of being able to shoot the animal relatively close to a road, gut it, skin it, get it into the truck and to a walk-in cooler before it spoils.

A side thought is to have ice in a few coolers, but to place bags of ice on the larger pieces of a quartered elk instead of reducing the pieces so they will fit in the coolers. Perhaps a bit of both ideas will work. Plus the idea of hunting only in the early morning has merit. It makes sense to only hunt just during the first four or five hours of daylight, instead of in the afternoon, during the highest temperatures of the day.

September hunts

Grouse hunting will begin on Sept. 1 and continues through Dec. 31. Four grouse, straight or mixed bag, are allowed per day. This type of hunting in September is of great interest to me.

Imagine camping at Alta Lake State Park, near Pateros and using this spot as a base camp. Grouse could be hunted in the hills surrounding the park in the early mornings and evenings. The lake or the Columbia River could be fish for trout and other species. The idea of hunting and fishing in the same day is of special interest.

The fall turkey seasons also begin in September. The early fall season begins on Sept. 22 and continues through Oct. 12 in Game Management Units 101, 145 through 154 and 162 through 186. The bag limit is one turkey of either sex.

The fall northeast beardless turkey hunt dates are Sept. 26 through Oct. 9 in GMUs 105 through 142. The bag limit is two beardless turkeys.

These hunts have changed a bit from past years. When my wife, Garnet, became the first Washington hunter to shoot three turkeys in one day, she shot her first one in GMU 133 and then we traveled to the Colville are where she shot two beardless turkeys. This year the beardless hunt includes GMU 133.

The late fall turkey hunt season runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 15. The bag limit is one turkey of either sex. The GMUs include 105 through 142, 149 through 154 and 162 through 186. This is also a change from past years. This hunt was only in the northeastern part of the state before, but now includes GMU 133 and most of the other GMUs along the entire eastern most part of the state.

Wow, sounds as if Fish and Wildlife intends on thinning the beardless turkey ranks. This is a great hunt for those who are new to hunting, no matter their age. Remember, both a 36 year old as well as a 12 year old who has limited hunting experience will benefit greatly from a mentor who has years of experience.

October hunts

My modern firearm deer season begins on Oct. 13 and continues through Oct. 21. My hunting buddies and I were drawn for a second deer tag. This means we will be able to shoot an antlerless deer in addition to a buck of 3-points or better.

Last year the legal bucks were seemingly nonexistent. Not one was sighted in our hunt area. Perhaps this year some of last year's 2-points will be sporting headgear of at least 3-points on one side.

Last year my hunting group was void of any deer, so this second deer will be a bonus. Of course, this all depends upon the availability of legal bucks.

Yes, I'm excited already about the upcoming hunts. The excitement may build to the point my rifle will accompany me to the hunt area on Aug. 1.