A look at the upcoming waterfowl and upland seasons

At least four pamphlets are published each year for the benefit of outdoor-minded people. The spring turkey hunting pamphlet is comprised of the least amount of pages.

The Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet is next with over 140 pages, followed by the Big Game Hunting Season and Regulation pamphlet with around 124 pages. The last pamphlet published each year is the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet. This booklet contains 56 pages and provides information about the ongoing or upcoming bird seasons. It should be studied from front to back.

The first point is the pamphlets are only a summary of the exact Washington State laws addressing these published regulations. They contain the necessary information required for an angler or hunter to participate in the sport.

This column has addressed parts of the first three pamphlets, so it is appropriate to go through the bird brochure. The Fish and Wildlife Director and the Chair of the Fish and Wildlife Commission introduce the pamphlet, this year with the excitement of having a record duck count, which means hunters can expect a good hunting season.

The excitement begins with the first September Canada goose season in four years, which will take place this weekend, Sept. 14 and 15. The daily bag limit will be three with a possession limit of six. This is possible because goose populations in this side of the state are high enough for this two-day season.

When the bird, fish and big game populations support an extra season or the taking or more critters in the bag limit, such should be allowed. This seems to be the direction Fish and Game has taken in the past few years and they deserve a pat on the back.

Seasons

The duck season statewide includes the youth only season of Sept. 22 and 23, where youth under 16 years of age are allowed to hunt. They must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting. The emphasis is on the adult mentoring the youth; a great program which should be continued. The youth season includes goose, pheasant and partridge.

The regular duck season is Oct. 13 through 17 and Oct. 20 through Jan. 27. The coot and snipe seasons are the same as the duck season.

The early goose season has been mentioned, but the regular season in our area is Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from Oct. 13 through Jan. 20, plus Nov. 22 and 23, Dec. 27, 27, 28, 31, Jan. 1, and then every day from Jan. 21 through 27.

The mourning dove season is currently underway and will continue through Sept. 30. The forest grouse is also underway and will continue through Dec. 31.

The Eastern Washington general pheasant season begins on Oct. 20 and last through Jan. 13.

However there are two early seasons; the youth season mentioned and a 65 and older season, which begins on Sept. 24 and lasts for five days, closing on Sept. 28.

I plan to take advantage of this season. This means the legal birds will be pheasants and doves in the area I will be hunting. Don't remember a time when this was possible.

Remember: "Anyone hunting upland birds, rabbits or hares with a modern firearm during any upland game bird season is required to wear hunter orange clothing." I own a muzzleloader 12 gauge, which means I could hunt without the orange, but won't go into the field without being bright.

The fall northeast beardless turkey season begins Sept. 26 and will continue through Oct. 9 in Game management Units 105 through 142.

The Early Fall turkey season begins Sept. 22 and will last through Oct. 12 in GMUs 101, 145 through 154 and 162 through 186.

Also as a reminder: It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge, game birds with a rifle or pistol, except forest grouse.

In addition, it is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, turkey or deer with the aid of electronic calls.

You cannot allow game animals or game birds you have taken to be wasted, possess in the field or transport game birds unless a feathered head is left attached to each carcass and avoid or fail to stop and report at a Fish and Wildlife established check station.

We have brushed lightly over the regulations today. Each hunter needs to obtain the pamphlet or pamphlets and study them with vigor.

Many of the regulations are in place for safety reasons; the hunter orange requirement is an example.

Other regulations are intended to limit the number of animals or birds a hunter is allowed.

This hopefully prevents waste and allows the rest of us to enjoy a hunt also.

And after all of the regulations are read and studied, I wish you good hunting.