DENNIS. L. CLAY

Archery deer and elk seasons begin

Tomorrow, Sept. 1, is a big day in the hunting world, as several hunting seasons are set to open. Dennis note: I want to go after doves close to home, but a grouse hunt or two during September is warranted. As I have mentioned before, would be great to combine a fishing and hunting trip during September, as the fishing season on many waters stay open through Sept. 30.

Outdoor adventures are a part of John Michael Montgomery's life

Part two of a two-part series

Archery deer and elk seasons about to begin

A week from tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 1, is a banner day for hunting in Washington State. Several hunting seasons begin on the date.

A few minutes with John Michael Montgomery

Part one of a two-part Q and A series

Samuel Billingsley raised a family of 17 children

The joy of large families

Large families were common in the old days. Samuel Billingsley raised a family of 17 children, having 10 with his first wife, Ruth, and seven with his second wife, Elizabeth. You see Ruth and Elizabeth were good friends, so before Ruth died, she asked her husband to marry Elizabeth and ...Well, read on.

Mourning dove and forest grouse season to open in two weeks

Helping prevent fires in the Great Outdoors

The recent Cle Elum wildfire has brought my focus this week back to preventing wildfires. The word recent is misused in this instance.

Fish and Wildlife uses lethal force on cattle-killing wolves

The question was, will they really kill a wolf if necessary? Indeed they will and now they have. Fish and Wildlife officers have killed a wolf from a pack in northeast Washington.

Covered wagon still mode of transportation in early 1900s

Although we think of a covered wagon as a mode of transportation during the mid to late 1800s, such as wagon was used to move the Knopps to the Palouse country in 1916. Read on.

Waterfowl seasons set for 2012

The Fish and Wildlife commission has set the 2012 waterfowl hunting seasons during a public meeting on Aug. 3 and 4 in Olympia.

Aunt Kate traveled to France to visit son's grave

Although a difficult journey to undertake, Aunt Kate traveled to France to visit World War I battlefields and cemeteries, including the one where her son is buried. Read on.

Salmon fishing and bear hunting season begins

We have a couple salmon fishing seasons opening tomorrow and the bear hunting season started Wednesday, Aug. 1, in several Game Management Units. Read on.

Solving a big problem in orchard country

Solving a problem takes time. It may take a few seconds or years to resolve, depending upon the situation.

Double decker became bribe for pinochle game

Playing pinochle was a favorite pastime of Zach Finney, but when the table was a player short, a bribe was in order. Read on.

Public input sought about proposed lake treatment

Fish and Wildlife is set to rehabilitate three lakes in eastern Washington with rotenone. The lakes are Fish Lake in Spokane County, Little Beaver Lake in Okanogan County and Burke Lake in Grant County. The treatments are proposed for this fall to remove species ranging from brown bullhead to northern pike.

Surplus fish and wildlife offered to anglers and hunters

A press release arrived in my inbox on Tuesday announcing boat limits are now allowed during the Baker Lake sockeye season. This is a change to the way most fishing is allowed in Washington State.

Sisters live up to their billing

Aunt Kate assisted others during flu epidemic

The flu epidemic of 1918 and 1919 killed millions, so say 130 million, of people around the world. Aunt Kate assisted many of the people of the greater Big Bend Country. Read on.

Pygmy rabbit recovery efforts continue

The rabbit scampered under the boardwalk near the front door of the Grant County Historical Society Museum.

Kirchners worked wheat harvest in Eastern Washington

Many hands were once needed for the wheat harvest in Eastern Washington. Besides working the threshing rigs, meals needed to be prepared on the spot and all of the workers needed to be fed. The Kirchners were a part of several harvests while working for various thrashing outfits. Read on.

Campfire cautions are prudent

Campfires are an important part of the outdoor scene. Time spent around the fire will be remembered for a lifetime. However, besides the three essential components of fire; heat, fuel and oxygen, common sense is necessary to produce a safe campfire.

Sisters on the Fly tour tomorrow

Aunt Kate tells of the Cleveland Panic of 1893

We are experiencing an economic crisis these days, but this is nothing similar to the Cleveland Panic of 1893. Settlers used parched wheat, rye or barley for coffee, vegetables were scarce, fruit was obtained by a trip of several days to a fruit ranch; times were tough as Aunt Kate tells the story. Read on.

Fall hunts weighs heavy on my mind

The first hunt on my agenda is the master hunter elk hunt in Elk Area 3911 and 3912, plus Game Management Unit 371,

Food preservation classes of interest in 1950 and today too

Release of some salmon required on upper Columbia

The release of all chinook and sockeye with external floy tags and/or with one or more holes, round, approximately 1/4 inch diameter, punched in the caudal (tail) fin is mandatory from July 1 through Oct. 15.

The fall hunt is close at hand, time make preparations

The special hunt permit drawings have been held and the results have been published. Joe and Sam know they will be hunting branched-antlered elk,

Sisters on the Fly coming to fairgrounds

We had the privilege of touring a few of these trailers when they were camping at Steamboat Rock State Park a few weeks ago. We will also stop by to see the trailers at this event. We can't imagine anyone would be disappointed. See you there.

Variations on camp cooking convenient

Camp cooking is an art. Not only is the cook required to prepare edible meals three times a day, the cook must contend with using a different type of heat source than used at home.

Special hunt drawing results available

The much-anticipated news for hunters who submitted applications for 2012 special-hunt permits is at hand. The results of this year's hunt permit drawing is now available on the Fish and Wildlife website.

Jonathan Burdick awarded $1,000 Daedalian scholarship

A couple of months ago, this column featured a scholarship offered by the Spokane Chapter of the Order of Daedalians, which is designated as Flight 41.

Gardening is part of my outdoor experience

My friend Bill Witt is to blame for my thoughts about gardening at this time of year. The garden is planted. Tomatoes are already flowering, sweet onions are growing and so are other vegetables.

Historical Society Museum open house tomorrow

MOSES LAKE - Go back in history.

Fishing Kids day is tomorrow

This is the perfect weekend for family fun. First attend the Fishing Kids event at Cascade Park. The cost is $5, but this is a minimal amount for the benefits received by the participants ages 5 through 14. Each angler will be entitled to a two-fish limit, a photo with their catch and they will be allowed to keep their rod and reel, which is donated by Zebco.

Outdoor survival an important skill

MOSES LAKE - Those who venture into the Great Outdoors should realize the chance of becoming lost is certainly real. Once or twice a year it is my responsibility to discuss this possibility and what to do when it happens. Entire books have been published about outdoor survival. There is no way to cover the entire spectrum of survival in this one column, but consider these random survival thoughts about staying alive when lost.

Tentative goose banding project scheduled

Keller family part of German migration west by train

Many of the German families came west by train in the early 1900s. Many of these were part of the Russian-German, or was it German-Russian immigrants. The story of the Keller family was typical of the hard work used to establish farms and ranches in the Greater Columbia Basin. Read on.

Day on refuge provides wildlife viewing opportunities

This is the second to a two-part series about a volunteer project to measure the water level of 11 lakes on the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

Aunt Kate receives teaching certificate, pursues career

Aunt Kate needed to take the teachers' examination in order to pursue the job of teacher in the Big Bend Country of Eastern Washington. The trip required two days travel each way and ...well, read on.

Alfalfa needed for pygmy rabbit project

The following was received from James A Chandler, Wildlife Volunteer Program Manager for Fish and Wildlife:

Monthly volunteer effort requires trip through refuge

This is the first of a two-part series about a volunteer project to measure the water level of 11 lakes on the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

Ray Kelby tells of special care for Granddaughter Judy

Ray Kelby tells of angling to get what he needed to support his family during his life. But he didn't need to angle for assistance from the community for support of his special needs Granddaughter Judy and he was grateful. Read on.

Special hunt permit applications deadline is midnight

The deadline is midnight tonight and the options are plenty. Special hunt permit applications are pursued as a chance to take a special animal or take part in a special hunt.

Camping with Witt family always memorable

Bill Witt proposed the event several months ago.

Atomic bombs of big concern in the Cold War era

Today we try to construct buildings to withstand the effects of earthquakes and tidal waves, but in the 1950s the concern was the Cold War and the possibility of atomic bombs hitting American cities. Read on.

Lowland Lakes Fishing Season opener results continued

Last week we didn't have room to finish the summary of the opening day results, presented by Biologist Chad Jackson. Read on for the rest of the information.

New fishing and hunting pamphlets require study

Two new pamphlets require angler and hunter study. The new Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet became effective May 1, and will continue to be the angling guide through April 30, 2013.

Aunt Kate's letter related life on homestead

During the Grant County Centennial I came to know Aunt Kate through photos and some of her writings. Today Aunt Kate's granddaughter, Kay Evans, shares a letter Aunt Kate wrote about her experiences. Read on.

Lowland fishing season opener shows promise

Each year Fish and Wildlife published a forecast of what anglers should find in area lakes. After the opening day, they also publish a summary of the opening day results.

Experiencing days of education and friendship

Last week my wife, Garnet, and I traveled to Bend, OR to attend the 2012 Annual Northwest Outdoor Writers' Association Conference. We are both members. The drive was between six and seven hours in length, a long time on the road for us.