Special hunt drawing results available

The much-anticipated news for hunters who submitted applications for 2012 special-hunt permits is at hand. The results of this year's hunt permit drawing is now available on the Fish and Wildlife website.

The results of the random, computerized drawing were verified June 8 and are now available for viewing at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wa/specialhuntlookup.

Fish and Wildlife is notifying applicants about the results of the drawing by email and has posted the results on its website. Successful applicants will receive their special hunt permits by mail by mid-July.

From Wanda Holloway:

The Grant County Horse Association has been around for a long, long time, holding horse shows big and little. This year at our No Pressure Horse Show and Trail Competition we wanted to honor our members who have been and are fighting cancer. The event will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow, June 16.

This past year we lost Nancy Bailey to cancer. Nancy and Bill own and operate Basin Property Mgt. and bnb Quarters horses. Nancy was an advocate for youth. Carolyn Ohnstad is still battling this dread disease. She served in GCHA for years in various positions from Horse Show Secretary to President and is now moving to Montana to live near one of her daughters. Other members have families in the battle.

How to honor these people and support a local organization was the question. We found Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation right here in Moses Lake.

In the No Pressure Show, Class 20 is titled Pride in Pink English/Western Pleasure.

All entry fees will be donated to CBCF. The exhibitors are encouraged to wear pink as appropriate to their discipline. We of GCHA want to make this day something special for both exhibitors and honorees.

There is no charge for attending the show. Arena classes will be in the new Pavilion, right next to the Kenny Ardell pavilion at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Outside the trail course is set up to challenge competitors.

Contact Wanda at 760-5964.

Sisters on the Fly

Their mission statement is: "Offering empowerment and sisterhood through exceptional outdoor adventures."

Information about the group continues on their website: As a group of women we challenge ourselves in all that we set our mind to. There is no age, color, religion or political group. All women who want to share in the adventures of sisterhood are welcome. This sisterhood has grown to more than 2,400 women since inception in 1999. This is a national organization and state their current membership range in age from 21 to 93, with most being in between.

This group of women are known for their love of vintage travel trailers, which are restored into a mixture of individualized treasures.

This is of particular interest to Columbia Basin readers because the local chapter is planning a July 6 and 7 event at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

The public will have a chance to tour the trailers during the event. Stay tuned for details.

From Donna Caraway:

I am affiliated with Sun Basin Pony Club, which is a part of the United States Pony Club. This is an English riding club that does cross country jumping, dressage, show jumping, games and other English riding activities.

This last weekend five of the kids from Sun Basin attended a Dressage/Show Jumping Rally. This is the equivalent to a horse show in the 4-H world. It was at Spokane Sport Horse Farm.

On Sunday, at the show jumping part of the rally, the Sun Basin kids won first place in Horse Management and second place in the jumping part. This is really a big thing for them since there were seven teams.

Great to hear and congrats to the Pony Club. Yes, this column is interested in such competition with Basin youth and adult participants. Next time send names and photos

Rock doves

I have yet to receive a contact concerning this subject. There must be landowners who want to get rid of a few of these pests. Read on.

The rock dove, rock pigeon or just pigeon is common in the Columbia Basin. These birds hang around farms and grow in numbers to be a nuisance.

I have a friend who considers these pesky pests to be a culinary delight. The two of us would like to help landowners, who have too many of these birds, get rid of a few.

Contact me at dclay@atnet.net or 762-5158.

Raffle permit hunts

Besides the special hunt permits, hunters may apply for raffle permit hunts. These hunts are a way to raise money for the species which the hunter applies.

Fish and Wildlife states: "Proceeds from the sale of single-species raffle tickets will be used for the management and benefit of that species. Proceeds from the sale of multiple-species raffle tickets will be used for general game management."

This is a great way to raise money. There is no limit on the number of tickets a person may purchase. The person buying one ticket may win or the person buying 100 tickets may win. As with any raffle, the more tickets a person purchases, the better her chances to win.

An example of a hunt includes a three-deer raffle where the winner may harvest one additional buck black-tailed deer, an additional mule and an additional white-tailed deer. The season is Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. A ticket costs $6.

Another example is a mule deer hunt in any Game management unit open to mule deer hunting, entitling the hunter to one additional buck mule deer. The hunt dates and ticket cost are the same.

There are raffle hunts for black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, elk sheep and goat. An interesting raffle-hunt species is moose. The hunt dates are the same, the hunt is open in any open moose unit, two permits are available and the tag allows the hunter one moose of either sex.

Deadline to purchase raffle tickets is July 13.

Keep invasive species out of Washington waters

Boaters can help protect Columbia Basin and Washington State waters by following a few simple precautions. All watercraft should be cleaned, drained and dried before launch and after leaving the water for a new destination. Transporting aquatic invasive species is illegal in Washington, with a potential fine of $500 plus decontamination costs for violations.

These precautions are critical in preventing the spread of invasive species, according to Fish and Wildlife. Many invasive species are easily seen, such as attached mussels and aquatic plants, but many others are not, such as juvenile mussels, plant spores, along with fish and shellfish diseases.

Specifically, boaters are asked to take the following steps before launching or moving their boat to another destination: Remove any visible plants, dirt or animal life from boats, motors, trailers, boots and other personal gear and equipment; Pull the plug to release lake or stream water at the source from fish wells, wakeboard ballast tanks and bait buckets.

Rinse equipment in fresh potable water and dry, or allow to dry, before the next use.

Cleaning and draining watercraft immediately after leaving a water body will prevent accidental spread of invasive species on the ride home as well as avoiding potential fines.

Anyone bringing a boat or other aquatic equipment into Washington State must follow special certification procedures if the craft has been in a water known to be infested with zebra or quagga mussels. Certification of inspection, and certification of decontamination if zebra or quagga mussels are found, is required before entering Washington.

Most states with zebra or quagga mussel infestations provide information on approved vendors that offer inspection and decontamination services. Decontamination requirements for Washington State require that all zebra or quagga mussels, including empty shells, be removed from exterior and interior surfaces.

Anglers should also take precautions. Clean and dry waders, floats, bait buckets, nets and anything else that touches the water which could offer a place for aquatic invasive species to hitchhike.