DENNIS. L. CLAY
Herald Columnist
Recent Stories
Finishing year 23 and beginning year 24
Time flies by, as the saying goes. This anniversary each year amazes me, as they seem to come faster each year. Today marks the end of 23 years of writing this column for the Columbia Basin Herald. It also means the beginning of year 24.
Robin makes appearance, then disappears
Our neighbor, Bill McKinney, called last weekend.
1950 primary vote has 52 percent turnout
Grant County had a 52 percent voter turnout for the 1950 September primary. Ready On.
Sweet win means disappointment for friend
The weeks before the 2014 Super Bowl provided enthusiasm and excitement unparalleled in the Pacific Northwest, since, well, perhaps, the end of World War II. Seahawk pennants were flying from Bellingham to Clarkston, from Vancouver to Colville. Seahawk tee-shirts were seen in otherwise formal workplaces, walking the streets, in medical clinics as well as in the showrooms and repair areas of vehicle dealerships.
A friend's transition; Connie and Tom tie the knot
Connie Craft is a friend to many in the Columbia Basin, although few have actually visited with her face to face. Connie is a once-a-month guest on my radio show, Columbia Basin Lifestyles, on KBSN-AM 1470, which airs Saturday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m.
SHOT Show chance to see new products; meet new friends
Last week of hunting seasons and to submit hunter reports
The hunting seasons are at an end this Sunday with the duck, snipe, coot and goose season ending on Jan. 26.
Vegas trip has interesting beginning
This is the first of a two-part series about attending the 2014 SHOT Show.
Winter weather conditions strange
OK, what's with the weather these days? Strange is a good word. In the low to mid-40s during the day and just below freezing at night is not encouraging for ice anglers. At least we had a taste of ice fishing for a few days, but this was not long enough for those who would enjoy a few more days on the ice.
Mrs. Knapp's father was in the bootlegging business
Facts about the sports of fishing and hunting
Sometimes it is interesting and, yes, fun to just absorb facts, but facts are educational as well. Proving my point is easy by simply checking with the National Hunting and Fishing Day people and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation people. Read on.
Hunting seasons winding down
Lindblad tells of early life in "Settling Down"
We are headed into the quiet time of year
The hunting seasons are coming to an end and the ice isn't thick enough to safely support anglers, or at least it is iffy. What's an outdoor-minded person supposed to do?
Mrs. Knapp traveled Washington State to attend high school
Hunter reports due
Reminder: Hunters who purchased tags for black bear, deer, elk or turkey are reminded that reports on their hunting activities are due by Jan. 31 for each 2013 license, permit or tag purchased.
Constant theme identifies first column of year
The headlines identify a constant theme for my first column of the year: Jan. 1, 2009, "Payback time in the Great Outdoors;" Jan. 7, 2010, "Setting the stage now for the coming year;" Jan. 6, 2011, "Giving is the theme of the year;" Jan. 5, 2012, "Beginning a new year means opportunity to give back to the outdoors;" Jan. 3, 2013, "Giving back a motto for all."
Lindblad family arrives in Wilson Creek
The Lindblad family arrives in Wilson Creek, after traveling half a week, to pungent smell of sages. Read on.
Cougar season to close Dec. 31 in some areas of the state
Cougar hunting remains open through March 31 in some areas of the state. Now, through a new cougar hunting plan, Game Management Units will close, depending upon how many cougars have been killed in some areas. A hunter heading into the Great Outdoors in search of cougar or those who may encounter a cougar while hunting other animals, should check with Fish and Wildlife before stepping out the front door. Read on.
Results of duck rape cause for study
OK, at the University of Washington Burke Museum the term used is forced copulation, but in reality the act is duck rape. Read on.
Washington off to Olympia in 1949
The last week for Christmas shopping
This is the last of a three-part series about outdoor-related Christmas shopping.
Master Hunter open enrollment begins Jan. 1
Fish and Wildlife will accept applications for its Master Hunter Permit Program from Jan. 1 through Feb. 15, 2014. The program is designed to promote safe, lawful and ethical hunting and to strengthen Washington's hunting heritage and conservation ethic.
Lindblad's book begins with 'Go West' poem
The acknowledgment page of Frank Lindblad's book, "A Pioneer's Ballad," is full of names which have appeared in this column before. Do you recognize some of them?
Two weeks from Christmas
This is the second of a three-part series about Christmas gifts for outdoor-minded people.
Hunting seasons continue
Various deer and elk hunts continue. Also the duck, coot and snipe seasons continue, along with the goose season.
Coincidences mark strange happenings
Sometimes there is a happening so strange it belongs in the realm of a coincidence, but even more, such as in the realm of a fluke or a twist of fate.
Three weeks from Christmas
This is the first of a three-part series about gifts for outdoor-minded people.
Ralph Osborne homesteaded nine miles Southwest of Wilson Creek
Master Hunter applicants should begin study now
The next open enrollment period for the Master Hunter Permit Program will begin Jan. 1, 2014 and remain open until Feb. 15, 2014.
Hunting seasons continue
If the number of shotgun blasts heard around the Columbia Basin is any indication, hunters are getting opportunities to bag birds. Opportunities is the correct word, because just because a hunter pulls the trigger doesn't mean a bird hits the ground.
Mrs. Knapp's mother started the first Soap Lake School
Grant County history
Rich and I learn about turkeys
Late fall turkey season begins next Wednesday
This hunt is another great chance for mentors to take less experienced hunters into the field. Inexperienced hunters include youth, but also older hunters who are also beginners. They could be 25, 37, 52 or older, but haven't spent much time in the field. Read on.
Paul Klasen tells of Indians visiting Soap Lake
Why I hunt part two
This is the last of a two-part series about my reasons for hunting.
Is the new dock producing?
We have a new fishing dock at Blue Heron Park, what many of us know as The State Park. We have seen a few people on the dock, some even fishing, but have not received a report of anyone catching fish.
Dr. Oliver wrestled with robber at Wilson Creek Tavern
Why I like to hunt
This is the first of a two-part series about my reasons for hunting.
Fish and Wildlife expects good elk harvest
OK, so the elk hunters are in the field trying to find the large critters. Fish and wildlife was predicting a great year for elk hunters, but as of this writing, no word has reached this desk about success rate.
Klasen hauled coal to fire generators in 1919
There was no general electricity when Paul Klasen Sr. arrived in Soap Lake in 1919. Read on.
Deer camp success
A pleasurable hunt
Pheasant season begins tomorrow
There are two opening seasons this weekend. First the duck, coot and snipe seasons reopen on Saturday, Oct. 19, after being closed for two days. Second, the pheasant season opens tomorrow and will remain open until Jan.12.
Thoughts from 2013 Hunting Camp
This is the first of a multi-series about deer hunting at The Hut.
Big hunting weekend is here
Deer, goose, duck, coot, snipe seasons open
This is it, the big weekend for deer hunters, as the modern firearm general season opens for most of Washington. Also the duck, goose, coot and snipe seasons open.
Weber made money collecting beer bottles; catching gophers
Last of the hunting prospects
The Fish and Wildlife hunting prospects will continue in this column, as we did last week, first with the rest of District 7 and then on to District 1. Read on and good luck to all during the season. Send me photos.
No elk yet, more general seasons set to open
My vehicle is just inside a gate on private land, but my view includes state Fish and Wildlife land. The goal is to notch an elk tag. However, after three and a half hours, no four-legged creatures have come into view, much less an elk. The first two hours were spent in a ground blind open to the elements, but the elements were fair and there wasn't any suffering by this human body.
