Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Central Wa 09-25-2008 13:32
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Cooler temps have caused a lot more bird activity through the Basin and Yakima Valley. Birds are taking to wing early and late in the day over the past few days. Dove are still fairly active in spots and I hear the res. is still very good in spots.
Quail numbers look to be very strong in most of E. Wa. and that season opens Oct. 4th except on the Yak. Res.
If you’re looking for last min. materials for the opener check out craigslist. Decoys, clothes and boats are starting to show up regularly.
-Hugh
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Central wa 09-12-2008 11:10
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Well, I didn’t think I was gonna do this again but I’ll give it a try and see how it goes. Hard to believe that one of the top water fowling states has dwindled so much from what it once was on this website. I realize it isn’t the people that post here that are the problem, but the management of WFC that the problem lies with.
Anyway, here we are on the brink of another season and just like any new season hopes are high for some fine times and memories ready to be made. As I read on other states boards there are some folks that like to go on and on, while other are pretty tight lipped. Needles to say Washington hunters trend toward the tight lipped end of that spectrum. You always have to take the things written on line with a grain of salt, but those that have been around a while, or those that you know aside from WFC, you can judge more fairly. Hopefully those that would like to add to the discussion of hunting and the aspects that surround it will be willing to truthfully share this season on this page. It’s a fine line between bragging and informing sometimes. Nothing wrong with showing photos and sharing stories, but I’d like to see an increase of information in order to see trends. I don’t give, and wouldn’t expect, detail to a spot where a guy is doing well or has the potential of doing well. Just the general region, like “Moses Lake” or “Columbia River between point A and point B” or something like that. Or an observation of bird activity like “no AM flights” or “lots of birds an hour before dark” These kinds of reports can be helpful without giving up any detail. So my attempt will be good, general info. as well as weather forecasts for the region I am in a lot, change of bird activities and any other topics of interest that may be useful. Hope you can join in.
The biggest change this year looks like the elimination of the Can season. To a guy like me it’s disappointing. I usually get between 10 and 15 a year. I’m sure now that it is closed I will have hundreds in my red head line.
The bird numbers in Central Wa. looks very strong. Geese are taking wing in the early morning at a dramatic increase over the last week or so and with a lot of irrigation still running the ducks are easily seen all over. The youth weekend should be pretty good with a little effort put in before hand. Blue wings and even some Cinnamon teal are around and if the temps stay warm a guy may luck out even in mid to late Oct. Overnight temps are getting very cool with possible record lows in the tri cities this coming week. Daytime temps are still in the upper 80’s and low 90’s Gas prices are dropping just in time for all the driving we have to do. Now is a good time to clean up and get things ready to roll. Less than a month to put it all in order. Good luck.
-Hugh
Posted By:
John-Kruse
Field Editor
Washington State 08-11-2008 20:33
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WDFW Establishes 2008-2009 Waterfowl Seasons.
Portions of the WDFW News Release issued moments ago!
JK
http://pacificnorthwestoutdoors.com
________________________________
LYNNWOOD – Waterfowl hunting opportunities will be similar to last year under seasons adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission at a meeting here Aug. 8-9.
Under the 2008 waterfowl seasons, the statewide duck hunting season will be open from Oct. 11-15 and Oct. 18-Jan. 25. A special youth hunting weekend also is scheduled for Sept. 20-21.
As part of the hunting package, the commission closed the canvasback season this year and delayed the start of the scaup season until Nov. 1 to address population declines for those species. Special limits for hen mallard, pintail, redhead, harlequin, scoter and long-tailed duck will remain the same.
Goose hunting seasons vary by management areas across the state, but most open Oct. 11 and run into January 2009.
The goose and duck hunting seasons approved by the commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), are based on state and federal waterfowl population estimates and guidelines.
Posted By:
westsidequackwacker
Guest
01-26-2008 00:08
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
temps in the teens and low 20’s perfect!!!
last days of the season.big fat greenheads and big bull sprig good luck all
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Columbia Basin 01-25-2008 15:28
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Last kick at the cat looks like cold temps will be slightly moderating through the weekend but snow may well be on the backside of the weekend. Most water, except the rivers, are locked up tight. Birds are concentated in groups so it seems to be feast or famine.
Bundle up and stay dry.
-Hugh
Posted By:
birdk9
Web Member
Umatilla-Plymouth-Columbia River 01-21-2008 00:30
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted Washington side Saturday and Sunday. Lots and lots of birds in the area. Ducks and all kinds of geese, light and dark, all up and down the river. Birds were moving all day Saturday and slowed down in the snow and aftermath on Sunday. The river and side channels were open. All the small water away from the river was pretty much solid.
River back to Portland still holding large numbers of birds on Sunday afternoon. Big rafts of divers up and down the river. Goose numbers were best way out east.
Good luck the rest of the season.
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
columbia Basin 01-18-2008 10:09
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Temps are cold and getting colder. Ice is not only on ponds but roads and boat launches too.
The birds that are around are big and fat. Doesn’t seem to be too much flight right now. High pressure and little wind. Seems that Gadwalls have shown up in parts of the basin in good numbers.
This weekend, Jan. 18-20 sportsman show at TRAC in tri cities. The one in Yakima at the Sundome in Feb. 15-17.
Stay warm and dry.
Posted By:
westsidequackwacker
Guest
north sound to ridgefield 01-17-2008 19:27
– – 35-40 Degrees
hey all only a week or so left to go lots of birds here on the westside have been killing limits all season long lots of sprig and wigeon around and mallards are pleantyful..lots of bluebills golden eyes and scoters out in the nisqually..good luck all in the last closing days!!!! shoot em in the beaks!!!!
Posted By:
John-Kruse
Field Editor
WESTERN WASHINGTON 01-09-2008 21:24
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WDFW NEWS RELEASE
WDFW seeks nominations to fill positions
on waterfowl policy group
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking nominations to fill four open positions representing western Washington on its Waterfowl Advisory Group.
Established in 2003, the 20-member volunteer group represents a diversity of waterfowl recreation and conservation interests throughout the state and provides recommendations on duck stamp habitat project proposals, season recommendations and other waterfowl management issues. The policy group also serves as an important communication link between WDFW and its constituents.
The group, which is structured to represent both sides of the state, is currently seeking members to fill four recent vacancies representing western Washington. Each term, which is renewable, lasts two years.
To be qualified, advisers should have a broad interest in waterfowl and be able to communicate effectively with the public. While the advisory group meets twice a year, members are also asked to periodically provide comments on written materials. Due to WDFW budget constraints, advisers are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Any group or individual may submit a nomination, including self-nominations. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with an organized group. Nominations must include:
The nominee’s name, address, telephone number, and email address.
The nominee’s affiliations, if any.
Experience, including years and type of experience.
The name, address, and telephone number of the individual or organization submitting the nomination.
Nominations must be mailed by Feb. 15, 2008 to Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager, WDFW, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, Wash., 98501-1091.
For more information, call Don Kraege at (360) 902-2522.
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Columbia Basin 01-09-2008 12:47
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
The past few weeks in the basin has been good and poor depending on which day you are out. It seems apparent that the ducks are spread out over a large area mostly concentrated in the North PH reserve and farther north along the Columbia and south toward he Tri-cities. The weather has been fairly consistent with the exception of a few windy days. The past few days has seen a lot of snow in central Wa. and if it covers up enough crops the birds may move and concentrate.
Birds have moved in and out of many areas fairly quickly over the past six weeks. Even the “legal” baited corn complexes have seen numbers fluxuate.
The forecast with snow on the ground is for snow through Thursday then cooling temps with clearing skies. Possible snow again on Sat. Highs in the low 40’s and lows in the low to mid 20’s. Roads are crappy, be careful. Any hopes of frozen water opening up may be limited now with a blanket of snow on top. Birds are still around, just being cagey.
Here is an easy one worth while trying. Get a packet (about $1.10 @ Safeway)of McCormick’s pulled pork seasoning. Follow the directions for pulled pork on the back of the packet. All you need is catsup, brown sugar and vinigar. I used red wine vinigar. Substitute goose or duck for the pork. After you have let it cook in the slow cooker over night and pull it apart with forks, be sure to put it back in the slow cooker for another hour or longer. Very good and very simple.
If you didn’t see the news on the kid that got shot hunting geese in Toppenish on Sun. it was a little frustrating. One kid (17 or 18) shot another while the shooter saw something move in the bushes. Shot his partner in the face at about 30 yards. Happened about 5 PM. According to news reports no charges will be filed…..Why? Shooting after shooting hours, reckless endangerment? and a few other options. If the news reports are correct I don’t understand the lack of charges. It will continue to happen if there isn’t a penalty for dangerous behavior. Maybe I’m too black and white.
Any how, hope you have some success the last 3 weeks.
-Hugh
