 |
— The
latest in fish and wildlife recreational opportunities across Washington
State |
|
Contact: (Fish) 360-902-2700
(Wildlife) 360-902-2515
Put turkey on your table -
or duck, venison, or razor clams
There’s more than one way to put a turkey on your table for Thanksgiving. As the holiday draws near, plenty of hunters are looking forward to the turkey-hunting season that gets under way Nov. 20 in northeastern Washington.
But who says turkey has to be the center of attention? This is also prime time to hunt ducks and geese in designated areas throughout the state.
"Cold winds are pushing birds down from the north, and many are moving into flooded fields from the coast," said Don Kraege, waterfowl manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "That’s good news for waterfowl hunters from Garfield County to the Skagit Valley."
Then again, hunters carrying modern firearms can bag an elk in western Washington through Nov. 17, while those on the east side of the state have until Nov. 19 to stalk deer. Additional hunting seasons for both game animals start soon thereafter on both sides of the Cascades.
Seafood may be less traditional Thanksgiving fare, but it certainly is in season. Returns of chum salmon are nearing their peak in many westside rivers and streams as winter steelhead continue to move in from the ocean. Across the state, summer-run steelhead are still providing lots of action on the Snake River, particularly in the stretch above the bridge between Washington and Idaho.
Rather serve shellfish? Crab fisheries are open seven days a week in several areas of Puget Sound, and an evening razor-clam dig gets under way Nov. 14 at several coastal beaches.
For more information on these and other hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching opportunities around the state, see the regional reports below:
Fishing: There have been a few reports of some late-season coho in the region’s rivers, but freshwater anglers are mostly reeling in chum salmon. Out on Puget Sound, salmon fisheries are under way in several marine areas, where anglers have hooked some nice blackmouth.
"While it’s not as hot as the first few days of November, blackmouth fishing is still pretty good in Puget Sound," said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "My advice to anglers is get out on the water while the fishing is good."
Four marine areas in the region are open for blackmouth - resident chinook. Anglers fishing marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) have a two-salmon daily limit, but must release wild chinook.
Thiesfeld reminds anglers fishing for blackmouth that crabbing also is a possibility. Marine Area 10 and most of Marine Area 9 are open for crabbing seven days a week through Jan. 2, 2010. The portion of Marine Area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point is closed for the season. Crab fishing also is open seven days a week through Jan. 2 in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south Puget Sound).
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. Fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. For more information about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound, see WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab .
In the rivers, reports indicate anglers are mostly hooking chum salmon , although a few coho continue to be caught in some streams. One hot spot for salmon fishing in the region is the Skykomish River, where anglers have a daily limit of two salmon, plus two additional pink salmon, but must release chinook.
For trout anglers, Beaver Lake near Issaquah could be the best place to cast for rainbows over the next couple of weeks. About 2,000 hatchery rainbows - averaging about 3 pounds each - have been released in the lake. Beaver Lake, which is one of several westside lowland lakes open to fishing year-round, is best fished by small boat, although anglers also can be successful fishing from shore, said Chad Jackson, fishery biologist for WDFW. The daily bag limit is five fish, and bait anglers must keep the first five trout they catch.
Before heading out, anglers should check the regulations for all freshwater and saltwater fisheries in the Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Hunting: The modern firearm season for elk is open through Nov. 17 in select game management units. Modern firearm hunters will have an opportunity to go afield again beginning Nov. 19, when the late deer season opens.
Archers and muzzleloaders also have late-season opportunities in select game management units. Archery hunts for deer and elk get started Nov. 25, when muzzleloader hunts for elk also get under way. Muzzleloader hunts for deer open the following day, Nov. 26.
Waterfowlers have through Jan. 31 to hunt for ducks and geese in the region, while upland bird hunters have until the end of November to bag pheasant . For information about WDFW's pheasant release sites, see the Western Washington Pheasant Release pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/wwapheas.htm ).
Hunters who want to participate in the Snow Goose Quality Hunt program on Fir Island and in the northern Port Susan Bay area are reminded that they must have written authorization to hunt for snow geese in Goose Management Area 1 and written authorization to hunt the quality hunt units. Hunters also must possess a Washington small game hunting license and a state migratory bird validation, as well as a federal migratory bird stamp.
For more information on how to participate in the quality hunt program, which is a cooperative project with several local landowners and residents, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/snow_goose .
Other hunts open in the region include, cougar, grouse, California quail and bobwhite seasons. Bear hunts are also open, but the season closes Nov. 15
Before going afield, hunters should check WDFW’s Big Game Hunting pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) and the Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm ) for details.
Wildlife viewing: Snow geese continue to grab the headlines in the region. About 80,000 snow geese winter in western Washington each year. Most of the birds congregate in the Skagit Valley, and can be found in the area from mid-October through early May. Fir Island and Port Susan Bay are good places to see the large white birds, but some birders have also reported sightings of snow geese near Sikes Lake in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Meanwhile, there have been a few reports of sightings of American tree sparrows in the region. The rare visitor to Puget Sound was seen at Marymoor Park and at several sites in Skagit County, including Wiley Slough. American tree sparrows are mostly found in eastern Washington during the winter, but there have been previous reports of the small gray-headed birds visiting Skagit, Whatcom and King counties.
Birders throughout the nation are beginning to make preparations for the annual Christmas Bird Count , scheduled Dec. 14, 2009 through Jan. 5, 2010. Specific counting dates have already been announced in several areas of western Washington, where birders turn out by the hundreds to count and categorize the birds they see to benefit avian science. Those interested should watch the Audubon website at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/ for details.
Fishing: As the chum salmon season nears its peak, anglers fishing the shores of Hood Canal and Puget Sound streams are finding success landing the big fish. On the coast, early winter-run steelhead are moving into area rivers while a razor-clam dig is planned for mid-November.
An evening razor-clam dig has been approved Nov. 14-17 at Twin Harbors, while Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled for evening digs Nov. 14-16. Kalaloch Beach will be open Nov. 16 for one day of digging. No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.
Evening low tides during the dig are at 4:34 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 (-0.3 ft.), 5:21 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 (-0.7 ft.), 6:05 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16 (-0.9 ft.), 6:47 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 (-0.8 ft.).
The best time to start digging is an hour or two before low tide. Clam diggers should also take lights or lanterns and check weather and surf conditions before heading out.
Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2009 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various options are available on the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov .
More digs are tentatively scheduled Dec. 2-5 and Dec. 31 - Jan. 3, subject to the results of marine toxin tests.
Meanwhile, as the season nears its peak, chum salmon can be found in virtually every small stream in the area. Popular fishing spots include the mouth of Kennedy Creek on Totten Inlet (where a recent creel check showed 66 anglers with 70 fish) and the Hoodsport Hatchery (where 81 shore anglers recently landed 67 chum). Anglers are reminded that the daily limit in the Hoodsport "hatchery zone" is four salmon, with a maximum of two chinook. Other areas now open to chum salmon fishing include the Dosewallips and Duckabush rivers in Jefferson County and Minter Creek in Pierce/Kitsap Counties.
Salmon fishing on coastal rivers has been hampered by recent rains, but catch rates should improve once the weather gets better, said David Low, WDFW fish biologist. "Virtually every river is out of shape right now, but the rain is also bringing in more fish," he said.
By the time conditions improve, anglers can start thinking about the winter steelhead season, Low said. "December is the big month for hatchery steelhead on the north Olympic Peninsula - including rivers in the Quillayute system and Hoh River," Low said. "We’re already seeing some early winter-run fish, so hopefully that’s a good sign."
Starting Dec. 1, wild steelhead retention rules go into effect on rivers in the Quillayute system. Low advises anglers to review retention rules in WDFW’s 2009-2010 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm before heading out.
Recreational crab fishing is under way in five marine areas of Puget Sound, including marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 13 (south Puget Sound), and a portion of Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet). Crab fishing in those areas is open seven days a week through Jan. 2, 2010. The portion of Marine Area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point is closed for the season.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. Fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across.
Recreational crabbers are required to send in a winter catch card or report their catch online by Jan. 15. People failing to submit their winter reports will receive a $10 fine when they apply for a 2010 Puget Sound crab endorsement. For more information about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound, see WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab .
In the South Sound, anglers fishing in marine areas 11 and 13 (Vashon Island to South Puget Sound) may retain wild chinook as part of their two-fish daily limit, but only one chinook - hatchery or wild - may be retained.
Anglers are advised to check the 2009-2010 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm before heading out.
Hunting: The modern firearm elk season runs through Nov. 17 in select game management units, followed closely by the black-tailed deer season with modern firearms Nov. 19-22 in western Washington. Following that four-day hunt, archers and muzzleloaders will take to the field Nov. 25 for the late deer and elk season, (Nov. 26 for late-muzzleloader deer season).
Hunters planning to participate in any hunting season should check WDFW’s 2009 Big Game Hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm before heading out.
The statewide season for ducks, coots and snipe is under way while goose-hunting resumed Nov. 7 in Management Area 3. Goose management area 2B (Pacific County) is open Saturdays and Wednesdays only.
Hunters may also pursue pheasant, quail and bobwhite through Nov. 30. An extended pheasant-hunting season runs Dec. 1-15 at Skookumchuck, Fort Lewis, Kosmos, Scatter Creek, Belfair, Whidbey Island (except Bayview) and Lincoln Creek release sites. The statewide forest grouse hunting season continues through Dec. 31.
Additional information about bird-hunting seasons is available in the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm .
The general black bear season closes Nov. 15, while cougar hunting in the region is open through March 31, 2010. Hunters are allowed one cougar and two bear during the season, but only one bear may be taken in eastern Washington.
Hunters should be aware that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has suspended garbage service at eight DNR campgrounds on state trust lands in Clallam and Jefferson counties. DNR asks the public to pack out what they pack in. Campgrounds include Bear Creek in Clallam County and Hoh Oxbow, Coppermine Bottom, Cottonwood, South Fork Hoh, Willoughby, Minnie Peterson and Upper Clearwater in Jefferson County.
Wildlife viewing: Each weekend throughout November, visitors can walk the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail for an up-close look at thousands of chum salmon returning to local streams. Located just above the Kennedy Creek estuary on Totten Inlet, the trail is off U.S. Hwy 101 between Olympian and Shelton. The stream is one of the most productive chum salmon streams in Washington. While there visitors can find numerous species of migrating shorebirds or hike around the estuary. More information on the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail is located at http://www.spsseg.org/ .
Just 25 miles north on Hwy 3, birders have been enjoying the fall weather along the Theler Wetlands Trail in Belfair. Four miles of easy trails wind throughout the 135-acre estuary that borders Hood Canal. Recent bird sightings include bald eagle, belted kingfisher, great blue heron, surf scoter, common merganser, redwing blackbird and a variety of gulls . More information is available at www.thelercenter.org/ .
With winter coming on, outdoor buffs will have a chance to view seldom-seen birds and animals such as white-tailed ptarmigan, saw-whet owl, goshawk, Cooper’s hawk, mountain chickadee, evening and pine grosbeak, mountain goats, sheep, porcupine, red fox, mink, weasels and skunk . Hikers and bird watchers are reminded to be sensitive to the needs of animals. Avoid close contact by stopping and going around them or wait for them to move. Help animals conserve their food supply by avoiding damaging brush, trees and grass. Stay on established routes or trails and view birds and animals from a distance. For more information, visit the Washington State Parks’ website at http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/wildlife.asp .
Fishing: The late coho run has peaked in the lower Columbia River Basin, but another major fishery is taking shape as the first winter steelhead move into the area. Since the winter steelhead season usually doesn’t rev up until Thanksgiving, anglers might want to consider a few other options between now and then:
- Klickitat coho: Catch rates for coho have been tapering off below Bonneville Dam, but the Klickitat River has remained a hotspot for boat and bank anglers alike. Creel checks through the first week of November showed an average catch of 1.5 fish per rod. "But don’t wait too long," said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. "It’s hard to tell how long those fish will be on the bite."
- Sturgeon: Columbia River bank anglers have been averaging one legal-size white sturgeon for every 10 to 15 rods just downstream from Bonneville Dam. "And with blustery weather in the forecast, anglers’ odds could improve since sturgeon seem to get energized by increased river flows and turbidity," Hymer said. Anglers fishing from the Wauna powerlines upstream to the dam can keep one white sturgeon measuring between 38 and 54 inches fork length per day on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only. The statewide annual limit is five fish per license year (April through March).
- Cowlitz cutthroats: The fishery for sea-run cutthroat trout is in full swing on the Cowlitz River, where 1,100 cutts had returned to the hatcheries through November 4. "Sea-run cutthroat are aggressive, hard-fighting fish," Hymer said. "They'll take flies, bait, lures - practically anything you throw at them." Fishing should be good from Blue Creek near the trout hatchery on downriver, he said. Up to five cutthroats per day may be retained as part of the daily trout limit on the lower Cowlitz River, where the fish generally range from 12 to 20 inches.
- Swift Reservoir: Anglers fishing the reservoir have continued to reel in some nice rainbows averaging 12-13 inches, with some up to 20 inches. Fishing was recently extended through Nov. 30 for game fish and salmon.
Bright, late-stock coho are still moving up a number of tributaries to the lower Columbia River, including the Elochoman, Cowlitz, Lewis, Kalama, and Washougal rivers. "There are still a lot of coho throughout the system," Hymer said. "The question is how long they’ll keep biting." Through the first week of November over 64,000 fish had returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery and close to 90,000 had crossed Bonneville Dam since Oct. 1.
Anglers fishing the mainstem Columbia near the mouth of the Lewis River should also be aware that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began blasting and dredging the shipping channel around Warrior Rock on the north end of Sauvie Island on Nov. 1. All watercraft will be prohibited from entering a 1,500-yard safety zone around the site without permission. Boaters who wish to enter the safety zone can contact the Coast Guard at VHF 13 or VHF 16 for specific instructions. For additional information, see http://ww.crci-project.info .
Meanwhile, winter steelhead will soon start hitting baits and lures in tributaries such as the Kalama, Lewis, Washougal, Elochoman and Grays rivers, along with Salmon Creek in Clark County, he said. As of the first week of November, 18 adipose-clipped steelhead had returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery and two other facilities, with plenty more to follow.
Weekly escapement reports for winter steelhead are posted on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hat/escape/escape.htm . In mid-November, WDFW will post a summary of last year’s steelhead smolt plants at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/harvest/harvest.htm , providing anglers an indication of this year’s fishing prospects. "We don’t produce a pre-season forecast for steelhead, but the run should be decent," Hymer said. "The winter-run fish were planted during the same time as some of the upper Columbia summer-run fish, which came in strong this year."
As in past years, only hatchery steelhead with a clipped adipose fin and a healed scar may be retained. Anglers are advised to check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for daily catch limits and other regulations applicable in specific waters.
Grays River anglers should note the fishery for winter-run steelhead on the mainstem from the Hwy. 4 Bridge upstream and the West Fork will open two weeks early this year (Dec. 1 instead of Dec. 15). The mainstem Grays below the Hwy. 4 Bridge will open as usual on Nov. 15.
Hunting: The general elk-hunting season for hunters using modern firearms runs through Nov. 17, followed by the start of the late-buck hunt Nov. 19. Waterfowl seasons are currently open in most parts of the region, although goose hunting in Area 2A will not get under way until Nov. 14.
David Anderson, WDFW wildlife biologist, said conditions have been good for this year’s elk hunt , noting that hunters in southwest Washington generally have one of the highest success rates for elk in the state.
However, elk hunters should be aware that modern firearms are prohibited in game management unit 504 (Stella). "We’ve heard from area residents that some hunters scouting the area were unaware of the restriction," said Sandra Jonker, WDFW regional wildlife manager. The restriction is noted on page 67 of the 2009-10 Big Game pamphlet.
The restriction in that area also applies during the late-buck season that runs Nov. 19-22 for hunters using modern firearms. Archers and muzzleloaders will then take the field for deer and elk Nov. 25.
Although the late-buck season is only four days long, it usually accounts for about a third of all the deer taken each year by hunters in the region. One reason is that is that bucks are more active - both because temperatures have dropped and because the late season takes place near the end of the rut, said WDFW biologist Eric Holman.
The general cougar hunting season ends Nov. 30 in Klickitat County, but remains open in other parts of the region. The fall black bear season ends Nov. 15 throughout the region.
For information about hunting rules in specific game management units, hunters are advised to check the Big Game Hunting pamphlet, posted on WDFW’s website ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ).
Wildlife viewing: Migrating waterfowl are now reaching peak levels in southwest Washington, providing prime viewing opportunities for birders throughout the region. Swans, geese, ducks and other waterfowl of all descriptions are on display throughout the Vancouver Lowlands, including seven subspecies of Canada geese ranging from cackling geese to less-common Aleutian geese .
One contributor to the Tweeters birding website http ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ) counted 50 dusky Canada geese on Rest Lake at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. "Although this is not an unusual count for the entire refuge, it is a bit unusual to have this many (duskys) on Rest Lake observable from the auto-tour route," he wrote. He noted that Rest Lake is unusually low right now, providing great habitat for geese.
Other birds sighted on that trip included a greater white-fronted goose , three great egrets and at least 50 Wilson’s snipe on Long Lake.
Fishing: Snake River steelhead fishing is hot, particularly in the mid-river stretch above the bridge between Washington and Idaho. Joe Bumgarner, WDFW fish biologist, said the latest creel checks in that river section (650) show anglers are averaging less than four hours of effort per fish caught, and just over five hours per hatchery fish kept. The stretch between Lower Monumental and Little Goose dams was running about 13 hours per fish caught, and the Lower Grand Ronde River from the mouth at Bogans to the Oregon state line was running just under 14 hours per fish caught.
Other Snake River stretches recently checked included Little Goose to Lower Granite Dam with an average of a little less than 16 hours per fish caught, Lower Granite Dam to Clarkston with an average of slightly more than 17 hours per fish caught, and Ice Harbor to Lower Monumental dams with an average of over 26 hours per fish caught.
Bumgarner also notes that on Nov. 19 Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery staff plan to sort steelhead that have returned to the hatchery and release those not needed for production. He estimates at least 1,000 steelhead could go back into the Snake River that day, and since almost all will be hatchery-marked fish, they will be available for harvest by anglers upstream.
Southwest Spokane County’s Amber Lake remains open through the end of November for catch-and-release, selective-gear fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout .
Anglers continue to reel in rainbow trout at year-round Sprague Lake on the Lincoln-Adams county line and at Lake Roosevelt, the reservoir off Grand Coulee Dam northwest of Spokane.
Anglers should be aware that from Nov. 16-21 crews will be making repairs to the boat launch at Newman Lake, east of Spokane. The launch will remain open during the work, but anglers planning to fish for tiger muskies, bass, bluegill, crappie, perch or rainbow and eastern brook trout at the year-round lake should expect delays.
Hunting: Gunning for a Thanksgiving turkey? A late fall, either-sex wild turkey hunt runs Nov. 20-Dec. 15 in northeast district units 105 (Kelly Hill) through 124 (Mount Spokane). To promote safer hunting, there is a new requirement that turkey hunters use number four shot or smaller.
Meanwhile, the late modern firearm general hunting season for white-tailed buck deer runs through Nov. 19 in northeast district game management units 105 (Kelly Hill) through 124 (Mount Spokane). Kevin Robinette, WDFW regional wildlife program manager, said more older-age bucks are usually harvested during this season because it is near the peak of the rut. Forecasted snow and rain should aid hunters during this traditionally popular season. Whether successful or not, all hunters are asked to stop at the WDFW check station off Hwy. 395 just north of Deer Park on Sunday, Nov. 15.
WDFW Enforcement Sgt. Dan Rahn said white-tailed deer numbers are still up in the Mount Spokane unit and the late buck season there should be productive. "The majority of the deer seem to be in the lower areas, however, and not in the mountains," he said. "Hunters need to be sure they have permission to hunt private land."
Based on harvest observed during the earlier general modern firearm deer season, Rahn also predicts special permit deer hunters will have good success in the central and southeast district units currently open. "Deer hunters had good success in southwest Whitman County and along the Snake River breaks," he said. "I checked several large mule deer bucks, and numerous mule deer does were observed." Mule deer, however, are not legal game in some of the permit units. The 750 permit holders in the Palouse hunt (units 127-142) are restricted to three-antler-point minimum white-tailed bucks.
Black bear hunting throughout the region wraps up Nov. 15. Whether successful or not, bear hunters are required to file hunting activity reports, either online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or by phone at 1-877-945-3493.
Upland game bird hunting continues and is expected to be more productive when snow cover holds birds better. WDFW Enforcement Sgt. Rahn reports fair numbers of wild pheasants throughout the Palouse in areas with traditionally good habitat.
Game-farmed-raised rooster pheasants continue to be periodically released on several sites throughout the region. For details on all sites, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/ewapheas.htm .
Waterfowl and upland game bird hunters are reminded to avoid harvesting or handling any birds that are obviously sick or found dead, follow good hygiene when cleaning game birds, and report birds found dead to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline at 800-606-8768.
Wildlife viewing: With the peak of both white-tailed and mule deer breeding season in mid-November, this is the time to view antlered bucks vying for dominance over other bucks or seeking does. "The bucks are less wary during the rut, which improves roadside viewing opportunities," said Woody Myers, a WDFW research biologist. "But people still need to be very cautious around these animals."
Howard Ferguson, WDFW district biologist, reports tundra swans are on Philleo Lake near the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Spokane County. Ferguson said birdwatchers throughout the region are reporting everything from snow buntings at backyard feeders to sandhill cranes near the Snake River. "There’s a lot of movement with changing weather and shortened daylight," Ferguson said. "New winter resident birds are arriving and migrants are making stopovers, so you never know what you might see this time of year."
The Blue Mountains Audubon Society chapter’s annual day-long "Turkey Trot" field trip is Sat., Nov. 14, starting at 9 a.m. Chapter president Tom Scribner said participants will "scour the foothills of Walla Walla and Columbia counties in search of wild turkeys , and since their numbers continue to increase, it should not be hard to find them, especially south of Dayton." Scribner said they’ll also be on the lookout for rough-legged hawks, northern shrike, pileated woodpeckers, pygmy owls and great horned owls . Call Scribner at 509-529-8628 if you plan to attend.
Fishing: WDFW District Fish Biologist Bob Jateff said steelhead fishing in the mainstem Columbia River and the Methow and Okanogan rivers continues to be good. "Despite increasing numbers of anglers, the average catch rate continues to be about one fish for every eight to 10 hours of fishing," Jateff said.
Jateff reminds steelheaders that new regulations this season require that anglers retain every adipose-fin-clipped steelhead caught up to the maximum limit of four fish per day. Selective gear rules are in effect for all areas, except that bait is allowed on the mainstem Columbia River only.
Hunting: As usual, waterfowl hunting continues to improve as late fall weather pushes more ducks and geese into the Columbia Basin. November is usually the best time for waterfowlers to pick up on early season migrant Canada geese. Rich Finger, WDFW Columbia Basin district wildlife biologist, reminds hunters of lands enrolled in the Corn Stubble Retention Program for public hunting. Fields are typically identified and enrolled during November and locations will vary by year. Call (509-754-4624) or visit the Ephrata regional office for details.
Upland game bird hunting continues and could be more productive when snow cover holds birds better. Game-farmed-raised rooster pheasants continue to be periodically released on several sites throughout the region. See http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/ewapheas.htm for details on all sites.
Waterfowl and upland game bird hunters are reminded to avoid harvesting or handling any birds that are obviously sick or found dead, follow good hygiene when cleaning game birds, and report birds found dead to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline at 800-606-8768.
Although some special permit holders may still be out after deer in select units and late archery and muzzleloader seasons in a few units are still ahead, most deer hunting opportunities ended when the general modern firearm season closed. Deer hunters, whether successful or not, are required to file hunting activity reports, either online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or by phone at 1-877-945-3493.
Black bear hunting throughout the region wraps up Nov. 15 and all bear hunters are also required to file hunting activity reports.
Wildlife viewing: Birdwatchers recently reported seeing all three species of scoters - black, white-winged , and surf - on waters in the Soap Lake area of Grant County. All are rare inland migrants, wintering on the coast.
Concentrations of a variety of ducks, geese and other water birds are also in the Columbia Basin now and relatively easy to watch from roadsides near water or grainfields.
With the peak of both white-tailed and mule deer breeding seasons in mid-November, this is the time to view antlered bucks vying for dominance over other bucks or seeking does. "The bucks are less wary during the rut, which improves roadside viewing opportunities," said Woody Myers, a WDFW research biologist. "But people still need to be very cautious around these animals."
Fishing: The coho salmon daily catch limit was recently increased on the portion of the Columbia River downstream of the Hwy. 395 bridge at Pasco. Now up to three (instead of two) of the six fish allowed per day may be adult fish (20 inches or more). The change was made because the overall returning run of coho was at or above expectations. All salmon other than chinook and coho must be released.
Columbia River steelhead fishing in the Tri-Cities area, below the powerline towers, continues to be productive. Paul Hoffarth, WDFW district fish biologist, reminds steelheaders the daily catch limit is two hatchery-marked steelhead.
Sturgeon anglers may want to attend a public meeting Nov. 12, from 6-8 p.m., at the McNary Dam visitor center conference room to discuss proposed fishing rule changes to protect sturgeon populations in the McNary Reservoir (Lake Wallula) and the John Day Reservoir (Lake Umatilla). The McNary changes include reducing the number of months that sturgeon can be harvested, and establishing new sanctuary zones below Ice Harbor and Priest Rapids dams. The John Day changes include options for lengthening the sturgeon sportfishing season to spread out pressure.
Hunting: Waterfowl hunting should be productive in the south Columbia Basin near the Tri-Cities (Franklin and Benton counties) with late fall weather pushing ducks and geese in from the north.
Upland game bird hunting continues and could be more productive when snow cover holds birds better. Game-farmed-raised rooster pheasants continue to be periodically released on several sites throughout the region. For details on all sites, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/ewapheas.htm .
Waterfowl and upland game bird hunters are reminded to avoid harvesting or handling any birds that are obviously sick or found dead, follow good hygiene when cleaning game birds, and report birds found dead to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline at 800-606-8768.
Although some special permit holders may still be out after deer or elk in select units and late archery and muzzleloader seasons in a few units are still ahead, most deer and elk hunting opportunities ended with the close of general modern firearm seasons. Deer and elk hunters, whether successful or not, are required to file hunting activity reports, either online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or by phone at 1-877-945-3493.
Black bear hunting throughout the region wraps up Nov. 15 and all bear hunters are also required to file hunting activity reports.
Wildlife viewing: With the peak of both white-tailed and mule deer breeding seasons in mid-November, this is the time to view antlered bucks vying for dominance over other bucks or seeking does. "The bucks are less wary during the rut, which improves roadside viewing opportunities," said Woody Myers, a WDFW research biologist. "But people still need to be very cautious around these animals." |
PAST ISSUES
