Opening weekend reported to be good

Sometimes it is difficult to retrieve information from Fish and Wildlife. Sometimes it is not their fault.

Waiting as long as possible, such as until yesterday, the regional wildlife biologist was contacted about a report of the opening weekend of goose, duck, and deer hunting season. This biologist had just returned from a three-day national wildlife conference.

"Rather bad timing, don't ya think?" I Said. "Who would schedule a national wildlife conference during the first weekend of hunting season?"

He agreed, but thought it must be difficult to schedule around the hunting seasons of all the states.

"Then schedule the conference for March," I said.

"Yes, February or March would be better," he said.

Thus his opening weekend report was rather sketchy, because he was out of the office the first three days of this week and had been back in the office only a couple of hours. Now, the biologist is not to blame for not having a report. Not only has he been out of the office, but Region Two is short at least one biologist.

He provided the best report he could: There were duck hunters who limited, plus shot a goose as a bonus. Over all the opening weekend seemed a success.

There is no report for deer, although there seem to be more legal bucks around than noticed last year, plus plenty of does to accompany them.

More hunting reports will be reported as they arrive at this desk.

More from Fish and Wildlife

Hunting:

Fish and Wildlife reports a robust deer population in Chelan County with a high buck to doe ratio and a high percentage of mature bucks. Prospects for mule deer are better than last year throughout the district.

The Okanogan district has the highest buck to doe ratios observed in more than10 years. The high ratio, in conjunction with a mild winter and good summer forage conditions, should allow for an excellent season.