DENNIS. L. CLAY

U.S. Highway 10 in Cle Elum paved in 1949

While this column doesn't usually wander too far from the Columbia Basin, there are times when it is interesting to do so. Imagine a time when smaller Washington State towns had only dirt streets. Now imagine as these towns, one by one, paved the downtown streets or at least one street, which was usually the street through the main part of town.

Still plenty of time to shop for outdoor-minded people

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

Use caution when on the ice

Ice fishing can be fun. Erect a shelter of some sort and spend the day fishing for trout, walleye, bass, perch, burbot and any other finned creature available in Columbia Basin waters.

Howard Robert Hirschel recalls growing up with Grandpa Adam

Wilson Creek History

Christmas shopping deadline 17 days away

This is the second of a four-part series about Christmas gifts for outdoors-minded people.

Ed Harvill's home in Ephrata grew as he did

Columbia Basin history

Plan now for wildlife viewing, Christmas Bird Count

A favorite family-oriented outdoor activity is wildlife watching. A favorite annual trip for my wife, Garnet, and me is a trip to Steamboat Rock State Park for this very reason.

Christmas 25 days away: enjoy the shopping

This is the first of a four-part series about Christmas gifts for outdoors-minded people.

Thankful, yes

Simply put, I'm thankful to be alive.

Master Hunter Program

What is the Master Hunter Permit Program? As stated by Fish and Wildlife: "The Master Hunter Permit Program is designed to promote responsible hunting. In addition to training, the program emphasizes safe, lawful and ethical hunting priorities while upholding the highest standards. The program offers an opportunity for conscientious, committed hunters who care about the future of hunting to assume a leadership role among their peers. Through their knowledge and conduct in the field, Master Hunters play a key role in improving relationships with landowners, thus ensuring continued hunter access to private lands."

Master Hunter Advisory Group seeks members

Fish and Wildlife is accepting letters of interest through Dec. 18 for membership on the department's Master Hunter Advisory Group.

Discover Pass volunteer projects continue to be elusive

The rules state: Volunteers who work 24 hours or more on approved projects are eligible for a complimentary Discover Pass.

Outdoor lovers share similar interests

This is the second of a two-part series about a 2006 wildlife-related survey.

Northern birds still absent in the Columbia Basin

Latest waterfowl news to reach this desk indicates waterfowl hunters are still waiting for the northern birds to reach the Columbia Basin. This means the ducks are on the way, but the bulk have not arrived.

Upcoming hunting seasons

Hunters on the decline

This is a two-part series about the future of hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Youth Outdoors Auction pays off big dividends

All of us want to assist our youth learn about the Great Outdoors. Sometimes several people combine efforts with the results benefiting several youth. Such an effort is explained below. Read on.

Cooking in the Great Outdoors

It has been said many times, "Food tastes better in the outdoors." The assessment is easy to agree with, of course, but the reason the statement may be true includes several possible details.

Success great, depending upon location

From local biologists about the opening weekend, Oct. 15 and 16

John Dills recounts stories about bachelor homesteaders

Wilson Creek History

Death was only a heartbeat away from my kill

This is the last of a two-part series about deer hunting 2011.

Comments requested about upcoming sportfishing season

Fish and Wildlife is requesting written public comments through Dec. 30 on rule proposals for the 2012-13 sportfishing season in Washington. Besides written comments, public meetings have been scheduled to discuss the rule proposals and accept comments.

John Dills recounts stories about bachelor homesteaders

Columbia Basin history

Coho salmon fishery continues

The coho salmon fisheries, which opened Oct. 5, continue on the Wenatchee, Methow and Icicle rivers through a scheduled closure of Oct. 31.

Annual deer camp as beautiful, magical as ever

This is the first of a two-part series about deer hunting in 2011.

Several hunting seasons open on Saturday

This is it, the opening of several hunting seasons, such as:

Lunch with the Troops; second to the last event

The next Lunch with the Troops event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. The luncheon will take place at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake.

The excitement of preparing for the hunt

MOSES LAKE - The modern firearm deer hunting season begins this Saturday in most of Washington State. Hunters may use a modern firearm, archery equipment or a muzzleloader during this hunt.

Checking on essential items for a hunting backpack

A hunter needs to have certain items along on a hunt. A knife is the most important, but some type of rope or twine is also necessary. Besides these two items, there are a bunch of other equipment, which may be deemed nice-to-have items, but are less than essential.

Memories of the reverand reveal the first local motorhome

Quincy Valley Pikeminnow Derby is a success

MOSES LAKE - The volunteers for the First Quincy Valley Pikeminnow Derby say the effort was a success. There were 135 anglers registered. No tagged fish were caught for the big money. However $5,000 was awarded for other reasons.

Fourth of July celebrated with gusto in early 1900s

New immigrants to the United States and to the Big Bend Country of Eastern Washington celebrated the Fourth of July in style. Read on.

Wolf meeting set in Ellensburg Aug. 29

The number of wolf packs in Washington State is increasing, we know this as reported by Fish and Wildlife. So what are we going to do about it? The wolf plan continues to be formulated and we trust a wolf hunting season will eventually be established. Read on.

Hunting season close at hand, time to prepare

MOSES LAKE - Today and the next four days have a forecast high of 90 degrees or higher. This is followed by three days of highs in the 80s. The September forecast shows several days with highs of 80 degrees, but more in the high 70s, moving to the low 70s by the end of the month.

Annual Ducks Unlimited banquet set for Sept. 8

The Ducks Unlimited mission: "Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people."

Results of fair is part of Grant County history

The 2011 Grant County Fair has one more day and then it will be history, recounted in the pages of the Columbia Basin Herald and other Columbia Basin newspapers. The winners of the various competitions will be listed, with others vowing to do better next year.

Next week is 'Fair and rodeo time!'

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Fair and Rodeo is a magical time for young and old alike. But the rodeo wasn't always under lights. Nope. The first time was in 1949. Read on.

Buy now save big; license fees increase Sept. 1

MOSES LAKE - Like it or not, it will cost more for some of the license fees will increase. Yes we can all gripe a bit, but this is the first increase in more than 10 years. Still we consider the cost of the license fees to be a good deal for what they offer. The trick this year is to purchase your appropriate licenses and tags before the first of next month. Read on.

Sniper training may help in hunting situations

MOSES LAKE - The buck was standing on the top edge of a knoll, land the hunter did not have permission to hunt. The hunter also overestimated the distance from his position to the deer. I know, because the bullets were whizzing over my head.

The Hirschels sent their children to Timm District School

Triploid escapees potential hazard to steelhead

The Fish and Wildlife press release sounded a bit desperate. "A 17-mile stretch of the Columbia River between Bridgeport and Brewster, Washington, is about to become a hotspot for triploid trout fishing."

Thoughts about long-range shooting

MOSES LAKE - The thought of hitting a target at 500 yards intrigues me. Hitting the target consistently amazes me. Yet the situation to try both was offered last week and I took advantage of it.

Typical July: hot fishing expected; shooting enjoyed

MOSES LAKE - Our normal Columbia Basin summer warmwater fishery is heating up. But don't forget salmon fishing on the Columbia River, which is a fairly new event. Read on.

The Colonels Guemmer are resilient anglers

MOSES LAKE - This is the first of a two-part series about fishing with the Colonels Guemmer.

Col. Guemmer expected to attend Lunch with the Troops

This month's Lunch with the Troops event has all of the elements to produce a best-of-the-year luncheon. While each of the monthly gatherings has been special simply because a bunch of us civilian folk has been able to visit with and buy an airman a lunch, this month is extra special.

Raffle Permit Hunt deadline a week away

Yes, we hammered this last week, but this is the last week, as we want to make sure readers don't miss out on this opportunity.

So you want to be a wildlife photographer...

MOSES LAKE - The notion sounds interesting, fun and, yes, even romantic: Become a wildlife photographer. A person can carry the idea a step further and become a wildlife filmmaker as well.

The weed program emphasized by Jeff Janke

Last week, on Thursday, June 30, we featured the last gardening column for 2011. Space limitations did not allow us to run the last bit of information from Jeff Janke. We feature his last bit of advice on weed control today. Read on.

Deadline for Raffle Permit Hunts is in two weeks

Yes, we hammered this last week and we will again next week, but we want to make sure readers don't miss out on this opportunity.

Wolves, other wild critters abound

MOSES LAKE - The series of sounds were haunting and certainly unforgettable. The pitch went up, then down. It sounded again and I knew it was not a coyote, which can be heard frequently around the Columbia Basin. My coyote experiences have the animal voicing a series of barks along with a high-pitched howl.