Hunting and fishing: General elk season ends Sunday

Although several elk seasons will continue or begin again throughout the state, what is known as the general elk season will end on Sunday. Last Friday we were having lunch in Kittitas and witnessed a constant line of vehicles pulling into the convenience store and gas station across the street.

There were trucks with trailers loaded with propane bottles, wood for campfires, tents and everything else needed for a week at elk camp. Some trucks were pulling camping trailers, new ones and old ones.

One old trailer had the rack of a rag-horn elk attached to the back. We can imagine the trailer participating in 20 or 30 elk camps over the years.

There are still two days of the season left in the Colockum Pass area. Taking a drive over the pass can be an interesting experience, especially if visiting the various camps is on your agenda.

Comments on new draft Game Management Plan welcomed

A new version of the draft 2015-21 Game Management Plan for Washington state will be available for public comment for one month, as of last Friday.

Fish and Wildlife will consider comments on the revised plan received through Nov. 17, before recommending a final plan for adoption by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The revised final draft, available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/game/2015/, is designed to guide the state's game-management policy over the next six years.

Dave Ware, WDFW game manager, said the revised plan includes a number of changes proposed by the public during the initial 30-day comment period and during a public hearing held Aug. 8 by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. Key issues addressed by those changes include predator/prey relationships, deer and elk predation, and wolf, cougar and bear management, he said.

"These changes were significant enough that we wanted to give the public another chance to comment on the plan before we recommend it to the commission," Ware said.

The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW, is scheduled to consider adoption of the plan during a public meeting in December.

The following is presented because we know we have steelhead lovers in the Columbia Basin.

Fish and Wildlife seeks nominations for steelhead and cutthroat policy advisory group

Fish and Wildlife is seeking nominations to a citizen advisory group that advises the department on steelhead and anadromous cutthroat management issues.

The department will select as many as 15 individuals to serve two-year terms on the Steelhead/Cutthroat Policy Advisory Group, with new terms beginning in January 2015. Advisors provide guidance to WDFW on a range of issues related to management of steelhead and cutthroat. Advisors also serve as an important communication link between the department and its constituents.

Advisors should have a broad statewide interest in steelhead and cutthroat. They must effectively communicate with large segments of the public and clearly articulate their ideas and guidance to fishery managers within the department. The advisory group will meet approximately four times each year and advisors are asked to provide comment on written material throughout the year.

Current members of the advisory group are encouraged to reapply. Fish and Wildlife is also looking for new candidates with varied backgrounds who can effectively present their views on steelhead and anadromous cutthroat management to Fish and Wildlife and the public.

Any group or individual can submit a nomination. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with an organized group. Nominations must include the following information: The nominee's name, address, email address and telephone number. Relevant experience. Brief description of interest in serving as a member of the advisory group.

Also, nominee's affiliations, if any. Nominee's effectiveness in communication. Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m., Nov. 30.

Nominations may be submitted to Bob Leland, WDFW steelhead program manager, by mail: 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501-1091; or by email robert.leland@dfw.wa.gov. More information is available by contacting Bob Leland at (360) 902-2817.

Washington and Oregon seek nominations for Columbia River fishery advisory groups

Fishery managers in Washington and Oregon are seeking candidates to fill positions on advisory committees that provide guidance on sport and commercial fishing issues on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

The two states' fish and wildlife departments will accept nominations to their joint advisory groups on Columbia River sport and commercial fisheries through Friday, Nov. 14. The two groups meet three to four times per year to develop recommendations for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and smelt fisheries.

Members are also expected to provide comments on issues addressed by the North of Falcon season-setting process for salmon fisheries, Columbia River Compact commercial fishing hearings and joint state hearings on sportfishing policies.

"Advisory group members provide an important voice for the fishing public," said Ron Roler, Columbia River policy coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "We're looking for candidates who can fill that essential role."

Up to 16 candidates will be chosen for each advisory group, which together represent all aspects of the Northwest fishing industry, Roler said.

Any group or individual may submit a nomination. Nominations should include the following information: A resume with contact information and a statement that describes the nominee's fishing experience, interest in serving on the committee and ability to communicate with regional constituents.

Nominations can be submitted to WDFW by mail at 2108 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661, by FAX at (360) 906-6776, or by email to TeamVancouver@dfw.wa.gov.

For more information on nominations to the sportfishing advisory group, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/nominations/columbia_river_rec.pdf. For more information on nominations to the commercial fishing advisory group, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/nominations/columbia_river_comm.pdf.

Deadline extended on proposed Columbia River Basin fishing rules

The public will have more time to review proposed changes to fishing rules for the Columbia River Basin under an extended comment period announced by Fish and Wildlife.

Under the new timeline, Fish and Wildlife will accept written comments through Nov. 13 on the proposed rules, about a month longer than previously announced.

After checking the proposed rules, this is one which will affect Columbia Basin anglers: Recommended for Public Comment: Number 14. Implement year-round season and statewide general rules for selected lakes to manage for mixed species populations. Rules Category: Region 2

Type of Rule Change Proposal: Recreational. County or Location Information: Adams and Grant counties.

Short Description: Convert regulations to statewide general rules (year-round) to increase fishing opportunity on mixed species.

Explanation: These lakes are no longer managed intensively for trout and are managed as mixed species fisheries. Seasonal to Year-round Regulation: Brookies Lakes (Grant Co.); Dot Lake (Grant Co.); George Lake (Grant Co.); Herman Lake (Adams Co.); Lower Caliche Lake (Grant Co.); Lyle Lake (Adams Co.); Mirror Lake (Grant Co.); Thread Lake (Adams Co.); and West Caliche Lake (Grant Co.). Special Rules to Statewide General Rules: Alkali Lake (Grant Co.).