Success rates high for Winchester Ponds

A note from Fish and Wildlife indicated how the Washington State Duck Stamp is helping duck and goose hunting in the Columbia Basin.

Here’s what Jason Wettstein had to say: The Winchester Regulated Access Area once again has flowing water and Fish and Wildlife staff are working diligently to maximize flooding of the most popular ponds, which are Ponds A and E, before Winchester Wasteway flows drop for the season. When functional, this regulated access area provides the highest success rates for waterfowl hunting in Region 2.

The Migratory Waterfowl hunting pamphlet says the Winchester Ponds is located on the Desert Wildlife Area west of Moses Lake. Access is allowed on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, along with the Management Area 4 goose hunting days during the youth hunt and regular waterfowl season.

All visitors using the area must register and park in the designated parking lot located on the eastern boundary of the property.

Parking is limited to five vehicles. Vehicles are not allowed in the parking lot before 4 a.m. Additional restrictions are posted at the parking lot.

Master Hunter Advisory Group

Fish and Wildlife is accepting letters of interest through Dec. 31 for membership to the Master Hunter Advisory Group.

This board represents master hunters statewide and advises Fish and Wildlife on issues affecting master hunters and the Master Hunter Program.

Five volunteer positions will be opening on the 15-member group in April. Members serve three-year terms. All appointees must retain their Master Hunter certification status throughout their entire term. The new appointees will start on April 1, 2019.

The group’s bylaws state that at least two advisory group members should reside within each of the six WDFW administrative regions.

Letters of interest will be accepted from applicants residing in: Region 3 (Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima counties), one vacancy; Region 4 (Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties), one vacancy; Region 6 (Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, and Thurston counties), one vacancy; Any county in the state, two vacancies.

Letters of interest must include contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address, county of residence) and permission for WDFW to conduct a criminal background check. The background check comes at no cost to applicants. Letters should be sent to Kris Thorson at Kristopher.thorson@dfw.wa.gov or to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Master Hunter Section, Attn: Kris Thorson, PO Box 43141, Olympia, WA 98504.