Director's webinar scheduled for Nov. 28

By DENNIS L. CLAY

Herald Columnist

Here is a refreshing new idea: Schedule a webinar featuring the director and invite the public to participate.

What is a webinar? This is an online meeting or presentation held over the Internet in real time. The webinar features the new director, Kelly Susewind, who became the Fish and Wildlife director on Aug. 1.

“The department’s work is fundamental to people’s quality of life and livelihoods in Washington,” Kelly Susewind said. “The webinar will allow me to introduce you to my values and approach and also hear what’s important to you.”

The webinar is scheduled for next Wednesday, Nov. 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Those wanting to participate should go to the Fish and Wildlife website at: wdfw.wa.gov. I’m told at this site there will be a banner of some sort directing participants to another site for the webinar, starting at 6:15 p.m.

This is a great idea. All outdoor-minded people should participate. This will be a chance to watch, listen and talk to the new director. Fish and Wildlife calls it a digital open house, designed to meet public interest in a convenient virtual forum that will supplement live and in-person open houses throughout Washington.

Fish and Wildlife has one more in-person forums, scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Dec. 12, at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery Watershed Science Center, 125 W Sunset Way, Issaquah.

I’m sure few from the Columbia Basin will make the trip to Issaquah to participate. This is how and why a webinar is important.

Susewind, who grew up in Aberdeen, describes himself as a lifelong fishing, hunting and outdoors enthusiast.

The webinar will be recorded and available at the department’s website starting Nov. 29 for those who miss the digital open house and in-person meetings.

Turkey season continues

The fall general turkey season will run through Dec. 31 in Game Management Units 101 through 154, along with 162 through 186. The limit is four turkeys, two beardless and two of either sex.

This means a hunter could tag four beardless (hens), or three beardless and one with a beard (tom) or two beardless and two with a beard.

This opportunity continues to be pounded in my writings. There are a bunch of turkeys out there. This is a chance to allow inexperienced hunters to take four birds, getting more experience with each bird.

Inexperienced hunters might be a 10-year-old or a 50-year-old. Both age groups, and all ages in between, could benefit from additional hunting opportunities.

It is obvious Fish and Wildlife is wanting to reduce the number of turkeys by allowing hunters to take four hens, which should reduce the overall numbers. This is also the way to deal with a game bird/animal overpopulation; issue more tags and provide more opportunities.

This is your opportunity to take advantage of more fishing and hunting chances. If you have an inexperienced hunter in your circle of family/friends, take them on some turkey hunts this year and help Fish and Wildlife control the turkey population.

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.