DENNIS. L. CLAY
Herald Columnist
Recent Stories
Applicants for non-hunted species and waterfowl groups wanted
Fish and wildlife is responsible for more wildlife species than most of us realize. If the common grasshopper became endangered, they would most likely become involved in their wellbeing and habitat. Suppose this will never happen. Now the department is looking for applicants to, well, read on.
First camping trip of the year invigorating
Garnet and I are off to a slow start this camping season. We had made reservations in January for a four-night stay in March and again in April, but our best plans needed to be adjusted due to family matters. We finally made it to Site 23 in Potholes State Park on Sunday, May 15.
Raffle permit deadline July 15
The special hunt permit deadline has passed. However, we have another drawing deadline coming up in about 10 weeks. We will mention this deadline from time to time in the future, but we want to give some more details today.
Homeschooler hike always exciting
Homeschooler hike
The call from Lisa Porter was similar to the ones of the past three years. She wanted to coordinate a spring hike for the local homeschoolers.
Big catfish hit hooks
Last week we featured a photo of 75-year-old Damien Martinez with a 22 pound catfish caught in the Potholes Canal. We now have word of a 31 pound catfish caught in Soda Lake, which is part of the Potholes Canal.
Attending the 2016 NOWA conference
This is the second of a two-part series about attending the 2016 Northwest Outdoor Writers’ Conference.
May 18 deadline for special hunt permits
This is an important for big game hunters. The new big game pamphlet needs to be studied front cover to back cover. Just 13 days left to apply. Read on
Vista Cup demonstration of location history
Confession Where now?
This is the continuation of a multi-part series about the past and present location of various businesses in Moses Lake, encouraged by a recent CBH article about visiting all of the local restaurants. Plus a letter to the editor, questioning some of the locations.
NOWA conference informative
This is a two-part series about attending the annual Northwest Outdoor Writers’ Conference.
Bits and Pieces
History can be an interesting subject Bits and Pieces
This is a multi-part series about the past and present location of various businesses in Moses Lake, encouraged by a recent CBH article about visiting all of the local restaurants. Plus a letter to the editor, questioning some of the locations. Readers will find all parties may be correct at times and have some misconceptions at other times. Read on.
Results of the opening day of lowland lake fishing
Fish and Wildlife has reported the results of last Saturday’s opening day of the fishing. The results were disappointing to some, but others were well satisfied.
Processing walleye wings, cheeks, ribs and eggs
This is the second part of a two-part series about processing walleye.
Opening day of lowland lake fishing tomorrow
This is it…the big weekend, with many Columbia Basin lakes opening tomorrow morning at 12:01 a.m. Although many Basin lakes are open year round and some open on March1 and still more on April 1, this is what most anglers call the opener.
Processing a limit of walleye
This is the first of a two-part series about cleaning walleye.
Spring turkey season opens today
The spring turkey season is now open as of this morning, Friday, April 15, at 5:48 a.m. The season will continue through May 31.
Spring turkey season opens one week from today
The spring turkey season will open next Friday, April 15, at 5:48 a.m. The season will continue through May 31.
Fresh News From MarDon
The final two nights at Cottage 4
This is the last of a two-part series about a four-night stay at Cottage 4.
Anonymous reader has suggestion for Terry Toland
Bits and Pieces
Purchase new license before wetting a line
This is a big weekend in the outdoor world. Read on.
Potholes remains refreshing
This is the first of a two-part series about a four-night stay at Cottage 4.
Child abduction mystery in 1967: man asks for help finding clues to his origins
Child abduction
Youth turkey season next weekend
The youth turkey hunting season will begin next weekend, April 2 and 3. This season is open statewide. Each youth hunter must be accompanied by an adult who is not hunting.
Walleye wings worth salvaging
The subject of cooking walleye wings was discussed in this column during the December CBH Sunday edition. The wings are found on the breast or chest of the fish. Place the fish on its back after removing the two fillets from the sides. There are four fins near the head; the area between these fins is the wings.
Mae enjoys life with family and friends
Grant County history
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.
Several springtime thoughts running through my mind
This is a great time of the year. The Columbia Basin is awakening to a fresh and new springtime. The lawns are turning green and some landowners are mowing on a regular basis.
Turkey hunting clinics offered
Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education Division will host free turkey hunting clinics around the state before the April 15 spring turkey season opener. Fish and Wildlife staff will teach these hunting clinics with assistance from Hunter Education Instructors, Master Hunters, and members of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Volunteering warms my heart
Recently several of my family members were communicating on the internet, when the subject of different animal parts was discussed. We talked about waddle, wattle, dewlap and snood.
Upper Caliche and Martha lakes report near limits on opener
Hunters have until March 31 to apply for multiple-season tags
Mae Higashiyama marks 30 years in Quincy
Wild game meals prove educational
There are times when a simple act, sharing a lunch for example, can lead to days of educational information for several people. Such a situation appeared recently when participating in a damage control hunt.
Feral pig study underway
Fish and Wildlife has a special study underway to eradicate feral pigs in a portion of the Desert Wildlife Unit. We are told there may be just one or two pigs causing the worry.Be sure, we do not want to have feral (wild) pigs become established in the Columbia Basin or Washington State.This is not a hunting opportunity REPEAT This is not a hunting opportunity
I'm blaming Papa Joe Wiggs and Ted Nugent
The mission involved hazing pesky elk from certain orchards in an area south of Wenatchee. These critters can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage if not trained to stay away.
First fishing opener only 11 days away
Many Columbia Basin waters are open all year long. However, others have a structured season. The first fishing opener is March 1, just 11 days away.
Nugent assists local Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet
Tim Stiens, a member of the local Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet committee, contacted me in early January. A guitar signed by Ted Nugent had been auctioned at the local National Rifle Association Banquet. Nugent has signed many of these guitars to be auctioned and raise money at the many nationwide NRA banquets.
Big Game Hunting Pamphlet contest
Fish and Wildlife is accepting photos for the 2016 Big Game Hunting Pamphlet Cover Photo Contest. This year’s theme is “Finding Inner Strength,” a tribute to hunters with disabilities, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
Relocation camp life not all bad for Mae Higashiyama
Bits and Pieces
It began 25 years ago, but who's counting
Feb. 13, 1991 was a special day for me. The first weekly outdoors column began on this day with my name on it. Forgive me, as I puff my chest a bit, but 52 columns a year for 25 years comes out to an even 1,300.
Spring hunting in sights
Just when hunters were ready to put the rifles and shotguns away, more hunting seasons are on the horizon.
World War II changed life for Mae Higashiyama
Bits and Pieces
SHOT Show full of information
The facts as told by the National Shooting Sports Foundation: “The SHOT Show is the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show and Conference for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting accessories industry.
Waterfowl seasons ending; hunter reports due
Waterfowl seasons will close on Jan. 31
SHOT Show again produces excitement
School day memories of Mae Higashiyama
Bits and Pieces
Hunter reports due; waterfowl seasons ending
The deadline is January 31.
Interesting outdoor facts
Facts are facts. Sometimes a listing of facts about the outdoors can be interesting and educational. Check out these facts, collected from various sources.
Quail population in good shape
Three of us headed to the Davenport and chased quail on Wednesday. Bill Green and Bill Witt, both of Ephrata, and I arrived in the hunt area around 10:30 and spotted birds right away.
Soap Lake Food Bank meeting next week
Bits and Pieces
Grant County history
Quail hunts exhilarating
This has been a fine and productive hunting season. Time spent with new and old hunting buddies is always precious. Notching a tag or dropping a bird is not necessary for a successful hunt, but taking game animals and birds is a valuable addition to any hunting season.
Hunting seasons winding down
The hunting seasons are winding down, but a few seasons continue. They include: Goose, which is open Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only, except on Jan. 18 and every day Jan. 25 through 31.