Sunday is the big day
Sunday, March 1, is the fishing opener for several Columbia Basin waters. They include: Burke, Upper Caliche, Cascade, Crystal, Cup, Dry Falls, Dusty, Lenice, Lenore, Martha, Merry, Nunnally and Quincy lakes.
Some 2019 hunting seasons closing
Seasons continue
Some 2019 hunting seasons closing
The year’s end is four days away, not counting today. Next Tuesday, Dec. 31, will be the last day of the hunting season for several species including forest grouse. Through Tuesday, the legal limit is four of any species, to include not more than three of each species.
Still no local circle
A reminder: Continuing seasons
Still no local circle
Still can’t find a count circle closer than Wenatchee and near Coulee Dam. Still figure some birders will want to participate.
2019 Okanogan County bear and cougar hunting prospects
This is another in a series of columns containing 2019 hunting prospects. Columbia Basin hunters pursuing black bear and cougar might want to travel north. Today we offer a condensed version of this year’s bear hunting prospects for Okanogan County, also known as District 6 by Fish and Wildlife.
2019 Elk hunting prospects
This is another in a series of columns containing 2019 hunting prospects. Today we offer a condensed version of this year’s elk hunting prospects for Grant and Adams counties, also known as District 5 by Fish and Wildlife.
2019 deer hunting prospects in the Columbia Basin
This is the fourth of several columns containing 2019 hunting prospects.
2019 hunting prospects continued
This is the third of several columns containing 2019 hunting prospects.
2019 hunting prospects continued
This is the second of several columns containing 2019 hunting prospects.
2019 hunting prospects
This is the first of several columns containing 2019 hunting prospects.
Hunter education required, time remains
Yes, we have pounded this drum time and again in recent weeks. Fish and Wildlife sent another press release, so there is still time to attend the classes or go the deferral route.
Black bear season now open in most of Washington
The black bear season opened on Aug. 1 in most areas of the state. The limit is two black bears, but only one may be taken in Eastern Washington. The season will end on Nov. 15.
Hunter education classes required for some
Yes, we are going to discuss this again, although the topic has been featured in the last few columns.
Fishing season opens tomorrow
The general lowland lakes fishing season opens tomorrow, Saturday, April 27. We have mentioned this before, but a day trip is worth the effort.
Hunting seasons established this weekend
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will be busy this weekend. This body will set the 2019 hunting seasons and review the annual wolf report. Note the ending of the antlerless white-tail deer hunts in some areas.
Current hunting and fishing licenses expire March 31
Pull out the current hunting and fishing license located in your wallet. Note the “valid to” date. The “to” date will be 03/31/2019 on all licenses and tags, as they all expire at midnight on March 31.
March 1 opener is upon us
Today, Friday, March 1, is the March 1 opener for fishing on several waters in Washington. This is the first of several fishing opening seasons in the Columbia Basin.
March 1 opener a week from today
A week from today, Friday, March 1 at midnight, the March 1 opener will begin. This is the first of several fishing opening seasons in the Columbia Basin.
Stay inside and cool it during these latest days of winter
Difficult to fish, hunting seasons have closed... What’s an outdoors-minded person to do? Just relax and get your indoor chores completed. This weather will disappear in a few weeks, at least this is the plan.
March first opener three weeks away
The March First opener can be a big deal in the Columbia Basin. The weather is the biggest factor, as with all spring fishing openers. One of the more popular waters is Martha Lake.
Dryside Fly Fishers meeting next week
The Dryside Fly Fishers is the local fly-fishing club. They have been in existence for…, well, for a long time. The history of the club needs to be researched. For now, just know they are alive and well these days.
Most hunting seasons close Sunday
Hunting seasons in final days
Turkeys win
Turkeys 4, Dennis 0
Commission meeting includes pronghorn report
The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet tomorrow and Saturday in Olympia. The meeting will take place in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday and at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Chinook fry found to replace lost fish
Remember this from last week’s Hunting and Fishing report?
Chinook fry found to replace lost fish
Remember this from last week’s Hunting and Fishing report?
Turkey hunt a bust so far
Turkey season continues
First hunting trip results
My first day in the field was last Thursday. Bill Green and I were hunting in the Davenport area.
First hunting trip results next week
Firsthand report next week
DOS opens season at fairgrounds this weekend
This is the opening Weekend of Columbia Basin Dutch Oven Society. The group is having their opening weekend of Dutch oven season at the North Campground, behind the fair office, of the Grant County Fairgrounds. The public is welcome, there is no charge.
Walleye on the hook
Walleye anglers have been fishing along the Alder Street Fill this past week to week and a half. Many have been successful. Anglers heading for their vehicles have been seen carrying stringers of two to five fish. Good luck.
Commission meeting March 15, 16 and 17
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will invite public comments on hunting season proposals during meetings in Wenatchee March 15, 16 and 17, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
First fishing season underway
The March 1 fishing opener is upon us. Lakes opening yesterday included Martha, Nunnally, Lenice, Lenore, Merry, Quincy. There are bait and daily limits on some of these lakes, so study the regulations. Where bait is allowed, PowerBait will be the most common used, but, certainly, worms and eggs will catch fish.
Fishing fever hits Basin anglers
Great weather has hit the Columbia Basin, causing anglers to grab rods, lures and bait, then head to their favorite spring fishing hole. We are lucky to have several lakes and a few streams open to fishing all year long. Pick up a Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations pamphlet and study it to determine which waters are open now. The first fishing season opener will be on March 1.
Master Hunter application deadline Feb. 15
The Fish and Wildlife will accept applications for its Master Hunter Permit Program through Feb. 15. The program is designed to promote safe, lawful and ethical hunting and to strengthen Washington’s hunting heritage and conservation ethic.
End of seasons are news of the week
The last day of the pheasant season is Monday Jan. 15. The limit is three roosters a day. The quail season also ends on Monday, with a bag limit of 10 birds a day. The chukar and Hun season closes on Monday also. The limit is six chukar and six Huns a day.
Hunting seasons winding down for the year
Grouse
New Fish and Wildlife licensing system easy to use
The new licensing system for purchasing hunting and fishing licenses is easy to use. This website is also used to buy special hunting permits applications and submit hunter reports.
Elk season is big news of the week
The general elk season started last Saturday and will continue through Sunday. Driving Colockum Pass during the hunt is an interesting drive. Go to Kittitas and head toward Wenatchee or go to Wenatchee and head toward Kittitas.
Dove and forest grouse seasons open one week from today
Hunting season is nearing, with some early seasons open already. The mourning dove season opening on Sept. 1 and continuing through Oct. 30. The limit is 15 birds per day and a possession limit of 45. It wasn’t long ago when we had a 15-day season and a limit of 10 birds.
National Park passes increase $70 next Monday
OK, so I hammered this into the ground last week, but this is too good to let it go without hammering it into the ground again this week.
Best money deal of the year at hand
The best deal of the year is at hand if you are 62 years old or older. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass is currently $10 and has been so since 1994. However, this fee will increase to $80 on Aug. 28.
Big Game special tag drawing results available
The drawing for special big game permits has been completed. Extra early, as I remember.
Last two Washington snakes
This is the sixth in a series about dangerous and irritating Eastern Washington Critters.
Special big game permit deadline approaches
The special big game permit application deadline is approaching. It is less than two weeks away, May 24. This deadline surprised me this year. The beginning of the submission period for Deer, Elk, Mountain Goat, Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Turkey began on April 20 and will continue through midnight on May 24.
Opening day a success
The opening weekend of the lowland lake fishing season is two weeks passed. Studying the results shows Grant County lakes above the two fish per angler mark, except for Vic Meyers Lake which was at 1.86.
Two days left in the current duck and goose hunting seasons
Two days remain in the current duck and goose hunting seasons. The duck season will continue through Sunday, Jan. 29.
License system up, but not completely workable
The new Fish and Wildlife hunting and fishing license system is up and we’ve logged on to test it. Problems were apparent immediately.
Deer, elk seasons continue; bad weather needed for ducks
Lots of hunting still available in Eastern Washington. Read on.