Results of special permit drawings available

The message was four sentences long, but powerful: "The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife special permit drawings for 2013 have been conducted. To view your drawing results, visit the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wa/specialhuntlookup.

"Thank you for your participation. We hope your 2013 hunting season is an enjoyable one!"

Yes indeed and I scrambled to view the results myself.

My hunt group was drawn for a second deer permit. This means we will be able to hunt and tag a 3-point or better buck along with an antlerless animal during the Oct. 12 through 20 season.

The rest of my draw results go as follows: Antlerless elk, antlerless moose, any moose, master hunter moose, moose 65 and over, quality deer, quality elk and sheep any ram, not selected.

However, second deer, master hunter elk and deer master hunter, selected. This means if I don't bag an antlerless deer during the deer season of Oct. 12 through 20, I can try for one during the Dec. 9 through 31 in Deer Area 2011, which is known by the hunt name of Lakeview. This area is generally between Ephrata and Soap Lake. The hunt, as I understand the reasoning, is to protect the orchards in the area from deer damage.

The master hunter elk hunt is a seldom used hunt. It is initiated only if there are elk problems in the Region 2 area. Last year there were 50 permits available, but only 24 hunters applied for a permit. All were drawn, of course. There were elk problems and three elk were harvested.

So the stage is set for the upcoming hunting seasons. The master hunter Region 2 hunt begins on Aug. 1 and continues through March 31, 2014. But it will not be initiated unless there are problems in Region 2.

The master hunter 3911 and 3912 elk hunt begins on Aug. 1. This hunt is generally around the Ellensburg area and will help Fish and Wildlife control elk coming into the farm and ranch areas causing damage.

Fish and Wildlife looking for applicants for wildlife advisory councils

Fish and Wildlife is seeking nominations to citizen advisory groups that advise the department on wildlife management issues affecting game and non-game species.

Fish and Wildlife Director Phil Anderson will appoint 25 members to its Game Management Advisory Council, which advises the department on issues such as hunter access, resource allocation and research projects.

Anderson will also appoint 17 members to its Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council, which makes management recommendations on non-game species ranging from frogs to killer whales.

Members of both advisory groups will be appointed to three-year terms beginning July 1. Current appointments to the WDAC have expired and current appointments to the GMAC will expire June 30.

Anderson encourages current advisory group members to reapply, but said the department is also looking for new candidates with varied backgrounds who can effectively present their views on wildlife management to Fish and Wildlife and the public.

Fish and Wildlife will consider all nominations received by July 15 at 5 p.m. Nominations must be submitted in writing and include the following information: The name of the advisory group. Nominee's name, address, telephone number and email address. Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group. Nominee's effectiveness in communication. Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination.

Nominations can be submitted to: GMAC: Send nomination to Dave Ware, WDFW Game Division Manager, at David.Ware@dfw.wa.gov or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091. For more information, contact Dave Ware at (360) 902-2509.

WDAC: Send nomination to Eric Gardner, Wildlife Diversity Division Manager, at Eric.Gardner@dfw.wa.gov or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091. For more information, contact Eric Gardner at (360) 902-2509.

The GMAC holds at least three one-day meetings each year, and the WDAC holds at least two meetings per year. Special meetings may be called when special issues/topics arise. Council members are eligible to be reimbursed by WDFW for travel expenses to attend meetings.