DENNIS. L. CLAY

Entering the stagnant time of year

These pages have been pounded with information about outdoor-minded women and men will venturing into the Great Outdoors no matter the weather. The topics are aimed at the fact the stagnant time of year for the outdoorsman is approaching.

Grouse, crow seasons end Monday

The last day of the grouse and crow seasons is Monday. I realize there aren't many forest grouse around here, but some of our hunters pursue them.

Reflections of a year gone by

It's time for the last column for the year. This is a chance to reflect on the happenings of the past 52 weeks.

Gloyd Seeps provides hunting opportunities

Another productive hunting spot near Moses Lake is near the pioneer town of Gloyd. Take Stratford Road north out of Moses Lake to Road 12. Take a left on Road 12 and you should be headed west. Drive past the Block 40 Clubhouse and other houses. Eventually the paved road will turn to gravel, but continue due west. Road 12 makes a turn to the right or north, but before turning park in one of the two parking lots near this spot. There are some trees to the southwest of these parking lots. I have shot a fair share of pheasants around those trees and in the brush of the area. Drive northwest on Road 12 when back in the vehicle. At the end of the road is a barrier and parking lot. From here walk north and west to Magpie Lake, a long and narrow lake which is capable of hiding ducks along the shoreline.

Wilson Creek flood of 1957 proved especially bad

Spring flooding is a part of Wilson Creek history. The flood of 1957 was an especially bad one. Read on.

Last-minute Christmas gifts for outdoor minded people

OK everyone, there are only four more days until Christmas; Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It seems strange to be discussing last-minute gift ideas with so much time. Usually this column is published on the 22 or 23 of December.

First 4-H club in Ephrata focused on sewing

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

Hunting sand dunes can be productive

A favorite spot to hunt from high school until the present is the sand dune area south of I-90 across from the old Moses Lake State Park. Cross over the overpass and park in a safe spot alongside the road.

Knives make an all-encompassing gift

This is the third of a four-part series about Christmas shopping for outdoor-minded people.

Steelhead, whitefish closed on select rivers

Steelhead fisheries on the upper Columbia River closed one hour after sunset on Dec. 1 from Wells Dam to the Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster and on the Wenatchee, Icicle, Entiat, and Methow rivers.

Bread flop floated down Wilson Creek, stuck on bridge

Wilson Creek area history

Camping, fishing items make first-class Christmas gifts

Turkey hunting continues

Hey folks, this is a super hunt for beginning hunters. The hunt area is expanded this year from years past. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Rattlesnakes cause fright at rock ledge near Ephrata

Rattlesnakes have long been a part of Columbia Basin history. Thelma Billngsley Nicks found a cave full one day. Read on.

Christmas gifts for outdoor-minded people

Consider a Discover Pass as a holiday gift

The Discover Pass was a controversial idea in the beginning, to say the least. Prospective buyers stayed away in droves. After the pass was allowed to be used on two vehicles, the idea was more readily accepted.

Hardships for family include fire and auto accidents

House and barn fires are experienced hardships, besides the rigors of everyday life in the early part of the last century. Read on.

Thoughts for the time of year

It's proper to pause a few times each year to contemplate the moment, the time of year. Perhaps it's my nature to reflect more than most.

Sheep herds walked to mountains for summer pasture

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

Shrub planting party to take place this weekend

Lani and I notch tags

This is the last of a three-part series about the 2012 deer-hunting season.

The Shivaree: noisy serenade a lost wedding tradition

It is spelled Charivari, Chivaree or Shivaree, depending upon which part of the world it becomes an event. Usually it is a gathering of town's people outside of the house of a newly married couple.

Thomas called to duty; Lani and I continue hunt

Tree planting this weekend; volunteers needed

Submission deadline for photo book nears; don't miss it

There were some complaints when the last CBH picture book was published. No, these complaints didn't have anything to do with what appeared in the book, but rather the fact some people didn't take the time to submit photos in their possession. Their families were left out.

Notes from deer camp 2012

Methow steelheading good, according to Redwine

The Redwines, Tera and Virgil, enjoy fishing the Methow River. They fished the river last weekend with good success, catching at least one fish. Virgil was fishing about six miles from the mouth of the Columbia River, using a six-weight fly fishing rod. He was using a strike indicator with a pink and purple jig and a pink egg underneath.

Thelma Billingsley Nicks remembers Western Flyer sleds

Many a youth remembers sledding down the hills of the Columbia Basin and hot chocolate being served to warm everyone after time on the snow. Well, so does Thelma Billingsley Nicks in her story about Ephrata. Read on.

Advancing technology wiped out blacksmith shop, ice shed

Oh technology...It is great, yes, but takes away items familiar with us, such as the Wilson Creek blacksmith shop and ice shed. Some of us remember rotary phones, some don't. Try to explain a rotary telephone to your grandkids. Read on.

Advancing technology wiped out blacksmith shop, ice shed

Oh technology...It is great, yes, but takes away items familiar with us, such as the Wilson Creek blacksmith shop and ice shed. Some of us remember rotary phones, some don't. Try to explain a rotary telephone to your grandkids. Read on.

Opening weekend reported to be good

Sometimes it is difficult to retrieve information from Fish and Wildlife. Sometimes it is not their fault.

Preventing elk from damaging orchards

This is the last of a three-part series about controlling problem elk on orchard lands near Wenatchee.

Your photos needed for CBH historical book due by Christmas

This is your chance, don't miss out. The first CBH picture book was a great success and has become a treasured keepsake for those who own the book. The CBH is now in the process of assembling the second edition, known as Volume Two, which will make the perfect companion for the first book.

Tomorrow: big day for area hunters

Three most important words are safety, safety and safety

Oct. 13, 2012 is a big day for Columbia Basin hunters. The modern firearm general deer season opens in most of the state. Also the duck, coot, snipe and Canada goose seasons open.

Damage-causing elk caught inside fence

This is the second of a three-part series about controlling problem elk on orchard lands.

Emma arrives from Sweden, meets Ben in Coulee Country

After the wedding, a shivaree began the life of Emma and Ben Lane. Say, any interesting shivaree stories out there? Read on.

Hunting season will not close for fires

A check of the weather website shows no rain is forecast for the next week or so. This is good news for hay farmers with alfalfa on the ground, but hunters want rain.

Master hunters assist orchardists in controlling elk

This is the first of a two-part series about controlling problem game animals on agricultural lands.

Fish and Wildlife kills offending wolves

Fish and Wildlife said they would take action when necessary. Action has been taken, but was it timely? Read on.

Next CBH historical picture book due out before Christmas

Tera Redwine needs your help. She is working to gather photos for another historical picture book. Remember the Herald published one in... Well has it been 14 years ago already? Contact Tera Redwine at the Herald at 765-4561 to have your photos included.

Hunting a valuable tool in wildlife management

Youth hunts on tap this weekend

The time is nigh. The youth hunts, for several species of birds, takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Read on.

Donna liked sewing and Marilyn enjoyed cooking

4-H was educating youngsters when Donna and Marilyn were growing up. Marilyn liked to bake and Donna was fond of sewing. If Emma was away when the girls arrived home from school, she could expect ...Well, read on.

A message to future outdoor-minded people

Wolf faces execution, but is saved by President Lincoln

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

Hunting word of day: Canada geese the target

Interesting point about reading the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet; a hunter has to wonder if all of the wording is correct. Take for example the dates of the first September Canada goose hunt since 2008.

A look at the upcoming waterfowl and upland seasons

At least four pamphlets are published each year for the benefit of outdoor-minded people. The spring turkey hunting pamphlet is comprised of the least amount of pages.

Mary Ellen Smith offers English advice, full of humor

The mini bus pulled up in front of my neighbor's house. Bill and Margaret McKinney were curbside in short order as the door opened and the driver brought the wheelchair down to ground level.

Plenty of hunting seasons underway

George passes and leaves big boots and a deep hole

My friend, George Wilson, passed away a week and two days ago. My wife, Garnet, and I met George and his wife, Mabel, during their volunteer efforts at the Potholes Ducks Unlimited banquets.