Free Hunter Clinics in Spokane, Longview feature permit application help, hunting tips, prizes

OLYMPIA - Free hunter clinics in Spokane on June 8 and in Longview on June 15 will feature Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) help on special hunting permit applications, tips on hunting, survival, and other topics and prizes.

Both events are pilot projects of WDFW's "Go Play Outside" Outdoor Recreation Partnerships Program and are co-sponsored by local hunting license dealers and non-profit outdoor organizations.

The Spokane clinic will be conducted on Saturday, June 8, at the Sportsman's Warehouse, just west of the Spokane Valley Mall off Interstate 90, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WDFW wildlife biologists will be available to answer questions about local hunting seasons, help hunters apply for permits and file mandatory hunter reports, if necessary, over the phone.

The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council (INWC) is coordinating seminars for the Spokane clinic, including day-long bird dog demonstrations by the Spokane Bird Dog Club and archery instruction by the Evergreen Archery Club. Scheduled seminars are:

• 11:00 a.m. - Outdoor photography with Lon Lauber, nationally-published wildlife photographer;
• 1:00 p.m. - Survival ("Staying alive and getting found") with Russ Fletcher, retired U.S. Air Force survival instructor;
• 2:30 p.m. - Elk calling with Rocky Jacobsen, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) world champion elk caller; and
• 4:00 p.m. - Wilderness hunting with Lon Lauber, harvester of 38 Pope and Young record book big game animals.

The Spokane clinic will feature prize drawings and giveaways, including a youth hunting adventure and rifle, and a "Sportsman's Chili Cook-Off" in which everyone can taste-test to help decide who makes the best game chili. Other organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, and RMEF, will also be on hand with information.

The Longview clinic on Saturday, June 15, will be at Bob's Sporting Goods, 1111 Hudson St. in downtown Longview, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Download PDF of the clinic agenda and the "No Fee Application for Special Youth Hunting Adventure and Rifle (PDF) (PDF 1.09MB.) WDFW wildlife biologists will conduct a "hunter's help booth" throughout the day to assist special hunting permit applicants and others who have questions about regulations or want information about fall season prospects. Cell phones and internet access will be available to submit applications.

The Washington Wildlife Federation (WWF) is coordinating hunting "how to" seminars, with help from Eyes in the Woods, Lewis and Clark Bowman, National Wild Turkey Federation - Women in the Outdoors, Washington Hunter Education instructors and other organizations. Scheduled sessions are:

• 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon - Firearm Restriction Blacktail Deer Hunting with Steve Pozzanghera, WDFW;
• 10:00 a.m. - Beginning Youth Archery;
• 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - Introduction to Hunter Safety (using pellet guns);
• 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - Blacktail and Mule Deer Hunting Techniques with Ray Croswell, WDFW;
• 11:00 a.m. - Antler Scoring with John Gurst, Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett Certified Scorer (bring antlers to have scored);
• 1:00 p.m. - Intermediate Youth Archery;
• 1:00 p.m. - Caping and Field Care of Your Trophy with local taxidermist Randy Jennings;
• 3:00 p.m. - Elk Calling with Ralph "Abe" Meline, owner of Abe & Son Calls;
• 4:00 p.m. - Turkey Hunting and Calling Tactics with Nancy Uusitalo from Women in the Outdoors; and
• 5:00 p.m. - Crime Observation and Reporting Training.

The Longview clinic will also feature an elk bugling contest at 4:30 p.m., and a free drawing for a special youth hunting adventure, including a rifle and guided deer hunt.