Shrub planting party to take place this weekend

The second of two weekend work parties to plant trees and shrubs is scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday. Read on.

From Dick Price:

We will be planting shrubs and laying out plastic mulch fabric for weed control along Homestead Creek. This will be a very labor intensive project requiring lots of helping hands. The meeting time is 9 a.m. on both Nov. 17 and 18. Lunch will be furnished by the Moses Lake chapter of Washington Waterfowl Association.

To get to the work site from Moses Lake: Go north on Stratford Rd. to Road 16 N.E. Turn Left on 16 and continue west on the gravel road until you cross Homestead Creek. Take the second dirt road on the left headed south. This is a very rough road and if you have a low clearance vehicle I wouldn't recommend you continue on to the work site. Hitch a ride with someone that has a high clearance vehicle. From Soap Lake area: Take Road 20 N.E. going east until you reach Willow Lake Road. Turn right on Willow Lake Road and go south. Just before you reach Homestead Creek you'll see a dirt road to the right leading back to the site.

Work will include possibly finishing up planting shrubs and laying down roles of plastic mulch and cutting holes for the shrubs to come through, plus putting in the staples to hold the mulch in place. This is a labor intensive project so the more helping hand the faster it will go.

If you would like to get in a little hunt before the work parties there are upland and waterfowl available in the immediate area, including the work site.

For more info contact Dick Price at dickprice@nctv.com or Rich Finger at Fingersf@dfw.wa.gov

From Rich Finger:

I'll be throwing something on the smoker for after the event on Saturday. Probably a pork shoulder or brisket and we'll make up a pot of beans as well. So if you can sneak away after the planting come relax and have a bite to eat. If you can bring a side dish, better yet. See you there.

Contact Rich at 509-750-0618.

Turkey hunting

The late fall turkey season is about to begin. The hunt will begin on Nov. 20 and continue through Dec. 15 in Game Management Units 105 through 142, 149 through 154 and 162 through 186. The limit is one turkey of either sex.

Other hunting seasons

Various deer, bear, cougar, elk and other critter hunting seasons are ongoing throughout the state. The bear season ended yesterday.

Master Hunter Permit Program interest grows

Several more hunters have called or e-mailed an interest in the Master Hunter Permit Program.

The goal at this time is to let prospective applicants know about the program and ask them to get a hold of me at: dclay@atnet.net or 762-5158. When we get a feel for the number of people interested, a meeting place will be secured and a time set.

The meeting will be an orientation about what to expect when completing the requirements and what to expect after becoming a master hunter. Here is a little about the program to stimulate interest.

First, the next master hunter application period will be Jan. 1 through Feb. 15, 2013. The application fee is $50.

To attain the goal of a certified master hunter, an applicant is required to: Demonstrate proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, shotgun shooting shot, shotgun shooting slugs, or crossbow.

Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on a project benefiting state wildlife resources.

Attend Crime Observation and Reporting Training (C.O.R.T.). Receive a score of at least 80 percent on a written examination, based on provided independent-study materials. Sign an agreement to abide by the Master Hunter Code of Ethics. Submit to and pass a law enforcement background check.