Limited-entry deer hunt applications due Aug. 13

The 6,000- acre Charles and Mary Eder unit of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area in northeastern Okanogan County will provide a quality hunt for 18 hunters this fall.

Hunters can submit an application for the limited-entry deer hunt on Fish and Wildlife's website at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/scotchcreek or by contacting the WDFW northcentral region office at (509) 754-4624. The deadline to apply is next Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The 18 applicants will be chosen during a random drawing scheduled Aug. 13. Winners of the drawing will receive access permits to the Charles and Mary Eder Unit of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area near Oroville.

This drawing is open to the general public without any additional fees beyond the cost of a hunting license and the standard tags.

Of the 18 access permits available this year, six will be reserved for bowhunters, six for muzzleloaders and six for hunters using modern firearms.

Hunters are allowed to take only one deer, as authorized by their general hunting license.

Deer-hunting seasons for the area are Sept. 1-26 for bowhunters, Sept. 27-Oct. 5 for muzzleloaders and Oct. 11-19 for hunters using modern firearms.

The results of the drawing will be available on WDFW's website the last week of August. Hunters who are drawn will receive an access permit and a boundary map in the mail.

More Game Management Units open for fall black bear hunting

Other GMUs opening to fall black bear hunting include: Okanogan Aug. 15-Nov. 15, GMUs 203, 209-243 and Northeastern B Aug. 15-Nov. 15 GMUs 124-130.

Three other hunt zones will also open on Sept. 1. Consult the hunting pamphlet for more details.

Salmon derby

Word has reached this desk about Corey Maynard winning the Brewster Salmon Derby with a Chinook salmon weighing 21.85 pounds, in second place was Forrest Tennant with a 21.48 king and a 20.65-pound fish put Rob Snyder in third place. There was no info about the home towns of the winners. Would also be great to know the number of fish caught. Couldn't reach the proper people as this info was being compiled.

There were 273entries with a maximum total of entries of 275. Wiley Flohr place first in the youth, 14 and under, division with a 24.97 fish.

Congrats to the winners and all anglers as well.

Shoreline restrictions extends through Oct. 31

Fish and Wildlife has extended the closure of four water access sites along the Columbia River behind Wanapum Dam through Oct. 31, while work continues to repair a fractured spillway.

The extended closure is necessary to protect public safety, fish habitat, and archeological and cultural resources, according to Fish and Wildlife.

The closures affect the Yo Yo, Old Vantage Highway, Sunland Estates and Frenchman Coulee water access sites.

Fish and Wildlife also has closed the lower ends of roads that lead into the reservoir at the Colockum and L.T. Murray wildlife areas in Kittitas and Chelan counties, and at the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in Grant County.

The upland portions of the wildlife areas above the ordinary high-water level remain open to the public. Closures will be enforced by Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officers in cooperation with local sheriff's offices.

Comments wanted on updates to rules for projects in and around state waters

Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comments on proposed updates to state Hydraulic Code rules, which regulate construction and other work in or near state waters to protect fish life.

Common projects requiring approval under the state's hydraulic rules include work on bulkheads, culverts, piers and docks.

Fish and Wildlife will accept written comments through Aug.15 on the proposed rules, a related draft environmental impact statement and a small business economic impact statement.

All documents related to this rulemaking activity are available on Fish and Wildlife's website at wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/hpa/rulemaking/, along with an email address for submitting comments. Written comments also can be addressed to Randi Thurston, WDFW Habitat Program, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

Officials at the habitat program said the changes proposed in the Hydraulic Code rules will provide more protection for fish, streamline the permit process and ensure the code is consistent with other state laws.

Some rules proposed by Fish and Wildlife would set new standards for projects ranging from the construction of culverts to the design of waterfront bulkheads and docks. Others would clarify existing policies, including those restricting the use of creosote in aquatic areas and promoting the preservation of marine vegetation.

The proposed updates to the rules that guide that process are the result of six years of discussions with local and tribal governments, environmental organizations, the forest industry, the agricultural community and other state agencies.