Hunting word of day: Canada geese the target

Interesting point about reading the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet; a hunter has to wonder if all of the wording is correct. Take for example the dates of the first September Canada goose hunt since 2008.

For Goose Management Areas 4 and 5, which comprises all of Eastern Washington, the dates listed are Sept. 14 and 15. These dates happen to be a Friday and Saturday. Why would Fish and Wildlife offer a September goose hunt on a Friday and Saturday instead of a Saturday and Sunday?

At this point, we have contacted the Fish and Wildlife Region Two office in Ephrata to verify the dates. At this writing, 8:53 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, the Fish and Wildlife contact person is, in turn, trying to verify the dates. The goal is to have an answer before this column goes to press.

OK, at this point, 9:08 a.m. the word from a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement in Ephrata is, "If the pamphlet says the season is Sept. 14 and 15, the season is Sept. 14 and 15."

Even the enforcement officer was perplexed about a September goose season with a Friday date. Now our concern is with hunters thinking the season is Saturday and Sunday, instead of Friday and Saturday; strange, for sure.

We figure there was, perhaps, a mistake in the dates, but the pamphlet says the season is Sept. 14 and 15, a Friday and Saturday, so our advice is to hunt these two dates and skip hunting Canada geese on Sunday.

Upcoming senior pheasant season

Now here is another interesting item concerning the upcoming senior pheasant season, for hunters 65 years old and older. When I am hunting pheasants during the Sept. 24 through 28 season, my sights will be on pheasants and dove. However, my hunting buddy, younger than 65, can tag along with me and hunt dove.

If a dove happens by we can both shoot. However if a pheasant flies up, I can shoot, but he can't. Hey, I'm beginning to like this hunt even more and even before I've set foot in the field.

Youth hunts

The youth hunts are set for Sept. 22 and 23. Hunters under 16 years old are allowed to hunt for pheasant, ducks, coot, Canada geese, California quail and partridge.

This is a superb time for quality time in the field for a mentor to hone the finer points of hunting with a youth hunter. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Other hunting seasons

The mourning dove season is ongoing and will continue through Sept. 30. The bag limit is 10 per day and 20 in possession. Remember, the European collared dove does not count as part of the mourning dove limit. This means if a hunter shoots five mourning doves and then a European collared dove, the hunter is able to shoot five more mourning doves.

Forest grouse hunting is also ongoing and will continue through Dec. 31.

The early cougar hunting season is also open and scheduled to continue through Dec. 31. The late cougar season will begin on Jan. 1 and continue through March 31. Any legal weapon may be used in both seasons.

Fishing

Selective chinook fishery now open in the Wenatchee River

Anglers will be able to fish for and retain adipose fin clipped adult and jack summer chinook salmon in the lower Wenatchee River. The seasons are as follows: Aug. 4 through Oct. 15 in the Wenatchee River from the mouth, the confluence with the Columbia River, to 400 feet below Dryden Dam.

And Sept. 1 through Oct. 15 in the Wenatchee River from the confluence of Peshastin Creek to a line perpendicular to the river at a marker on the opposite shore, approximately 1,000 feet above Dryden Dam, to the Icicle Creek Road bridge on the west end of Leavenworth.