Hunting seasons continue

If the number of shotgun blasts heard around the Columbia Basin is any indication, hunters are getting opportunities to bag birds. Opportunities is the correct word, because just because a hunter pulls the trigger doesn't mean a bird hits the ground.

Duck, goose, snipe, turkey, pheasant, quail, deer, elk, moose, cougar and other seasons continue. The bear season his closed for the year.

Fall turkey

The Late Fall Turkey Season started last Wednesday, Nov. 20, and continues through Dec. 15. This season will take place in Game Management Units 105 through 154 and 162 through 186. The limit is one turkey of either sex.

Hunting hours for turkeys: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. It is illegal to hunt turkeys with anything other than a shotgun (modern or muzzleloader), bow and arrow, or falconry.

Turkey hunters are required to report their hunting activity for each tag purchased and for their special permit if drawn for one. It is unlawful to use dogs, electronic calls, or electronic decoys to hunt turkey. Baiting game birds is illegal.

Hunters must use number 4 shot or smaller, e.g., number 6 shot is legal, to hunt turkey.

Hunting Activity Reporting

Beginning on the first day of the hunting season through January 31, 2014, hunters must report their hunting activity for each special permit acquired and each deer, elk, bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and turkey tag purchased in 2013. For each transport tag you will owe one general season hunting activity report and you will also owe one hunting activity report for each special permit awarded. You must complete all reports to avoid the $10 penalty. Hunters who do not meet the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can buy a license the following year.

If your special-permit hunting season extends beyond January 31, your hunter report is due within 10 days of the close of that season. One hunter report is required for each transport tag and permit acquired and should be completed when you are done hunting the general season for that species. The special hunt permit reports should be completed at the end of the special hunt season. You will receive a confirmation number for each successfully submitted hunter report. Be sure to keep all of your confirmation numbers. You are not required to report cougar transport tags unless you harvest a cougar.

Incentive Permit Drawing for Early Reporting

Hunters who report harvest by January 10 will be entered into a drawing for a special incentive permit. The nine special permits include two any elk permits for western Washington, two any elk permits for eastern Washington, and five statewide any deer permits. If your special permit hunting season extends beyond

January 31, you will be included in the incentive drawing if you make a report within 10 days of the close of that season. The incentive drawing

is usually held in April. Winners will be notified by mail.

You must report your hunting activity even if you did not hunt.

Two Ways to Report: Call (24/7): 1-877-945-3492 or you can go online at: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting

Reports are not accepted by mail or email.

Big Game Hunting Pamphlet Cover Photo Contest

Fish and Wildlife is excited to announce its 3rd annual 2014 Big Game Regulations Pamphlet Contest. This year's theme is "hunting camps." Along with agreeing to the required Terms and Conditions, please also observe the following:

Photos should be at least 1 MB in size, preferably larger, to ensure a quality print job. Photos should not include items that could appear to endorse specific companies or products. Examples include logos or labels on sporting goods, foods, alcoholic and non?alcoholic beverages, etc.

Contest participants may enter multiple photos, but must enter each individually.

All submissions must be received by March 1, 2014. The winner's photo will be featured on the cover of next year's Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations Pamphlet.

Please Note: By submitting your photo(s) to Fish and Wildlife, you grant Fish and Wildlife a royalty-free license to publicly display, reproduce, and use the photographs in any form or media for any and all editorial and related promotional purposes in perpetuity. However, you will retain the copyright to your photo(s).