Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Columboa Basin 10-08-2007 12:54
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Went out to scout the western half of the Columbia Basin and the Yakima Valley yesterday and I was very impressed with the number of birds. In 25 + years in the region I have never seen this many birds in Oct. Not just good numbers but good color too. I suspect an early movement of birds which may translate into a slower late Nov. and Dec. but since every season has it’s original aspects, I’ll take what comes and enjoy a good opener.
I am hearing reports of strong phesant numbers and wild phesants in abundance. This fall has been much cooler than normal. Maybe that has something to do with all this good bird news.
Take some time before Fri. afternoon to be sure you have fresh batteries in all your equipment and you’re ready for the opener. The weather for the weekend is expected to be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and highs in the low 60’s, lows in the 40’s.
-Hugh
Posted By:
Ralph-Engle
Guest
Eastern WA 10-05-2007 14:20
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Well first report of the year. I didn’t do the early geese, hadn’t seen many and the doves were calling my name. Get to shoot your gun alot even though sometimes not much dies.
Today in Spokane was the first good frost of the year, yard and rooftops all white and the thermometer say 32 degrees, the trees are changing and I am ready to go.
Got the decoys all cleaned and the boat loaded and can hardly wait until next weekend. I will give a report after the weekend.
GOOD HUNTING and have fun!!
Call em in close and shoot the BOY DUCKS
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
10-03-2007 09:22
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Weather’s very fall like in E. Wa. and it seems that birds are more on the wing lately. This coming weekend will likely be the last walk through for the opener.
For those of you that may be more focused on the eating of the birds, there was a good episode on Good Eates last night on the Food Network dealing with preparing and eating duck. The prep. was simple. It called for an easy brine solution, steaming of the bird, then pan searing it for a short while. I’m sure you can get the full story and recipie by going to the Food Network web site. It’s worth a try.
-Hugh
Posted By:
westsidequackwacker
Guest
puget sound 09-26-2007 18:44
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 50-60 Degrees
hey all well the weather is changing cooler nights and a few cold rainy days..the ducks are starting to show have seen some wigeon and surf scotors out on the sound-that are starting to show up–early goose was a really good 3 guys we all limited out in the south sound before it got to warm out–looks to be a good season a few more weeks to go!!!!!shoot”em in the beaks!!!!
[Edited By westsidequackwacker on 2007-09-26 18:45]
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
09-20-2007 10:48
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Unseasonably cool tems continue in the Yakima and Columbia Basins. Be prepared on the normally warm youth weekend. It may well be very cool in the AM but warmng to the mid 70’s by mid day.
This would be a great scout time too. Take that kid and look for spots for the coming weeks. Irrigation will continue to flow at least until mid Oct the the ditches will slowly empty over the following weeks. Seepage and run off may create early opprotunities for puddlers in some areas.
Harvest is in full swing now too, so watch for lots of farm trucks on the road and take some time to stop at a road side stand to gather some bounty.
Hope to see some field reports from this coming weekend. Also need to see some good hunting slaes reports. I haven’t been to Wal Mart lately but shells should be coming on sale if they aren’t already. Cabella’s online store has some good opprotunities now too.
-Hugh
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
odds N ends 09-13-2007 13:55
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September’s slow transition to fall is shaping up as normal for E. Wa. Record lows in the Yakima valley this week with highs increasing 50 degrees or more by mid day. Those hot temps will slowly decrease in the coming weeks as the season approaches.
Recent news in the Yakima valley is that Cabella’s has purchased the soon to be vacant Costco store in Union Gap. Neither Cabella’s or Costco will comment, but other sources confirm the purchase. This will mean I will have to get an additional job.
I have recently watched a few new hunting videos. I try to limit the number I buy but I often borrow from others. There is a site I recently found called callingducks.com that has a section for reviewing videos and other hunting related stuff. Not all videos are on there but some of the more popular ones are. It’s interesting to glance at
If you are interesting in increasing your chances of bagging a banded duck this season you may want to head to the lower Yakima valley. There have been a record number of birds banded this summer and they will stay around for some time before they move on.
-Hugh
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
CORRECTION 09-10-2007 15:12
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The huntings days is put on by Sportsman’s Warehouse on Oct. 6, but will be at Mid Valley Chystler/Dodge in Grandview.
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
09-10-2007 09:49
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You can almost set your watch by the calander. Sept. shows up and the temps drop. East of Yakima this morning was 37 degrees and on my way to work there were many flocks of geese on the wing and for the first time I saw groups of ducks where ther haven’t been before.
The E. Wa. early season goose sounds like it was reasonable while the dove shooting remains very good from what I am hearing from personal reports.
Check for ticks if you’ve been out, too.
Lastly, it looks as if Sportsman’s Warehouse in Kennewick will have a “hunting days” special on Oct. 6th from 11am to 3pm. Locals may want to scout the basin in the morning, get to SW late am then scout the evening for the next weekends opener.
-Hugh
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
General Info 09-04-2007 10:59
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This is my first time checking in for the upcomming season. Looks to be the good ol days are still here. Bag limits are strong. Habitat looks strong. Bird numbers are good to very good in many parts of the state.
Cool morning temps and constant barage of Cabella’s and Mac’s magazines are a sure sign that the shooting soon begins.
Dove opener sounds like it was good in some areas but it took a long day to do it. Quail should be excellent state wide as should early goose if you scout it out. Some traditional goose areas are a litle slow right now but othere are very strong.
Hope to start seeing some reports coming in soon.
-Hugh
Posted By:
westsidequackwacker
Guest
08-26-2007 13:06
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was out fishen for salmon in the manchester area this mornin seen a few flights of birds looked like wigeon….gettin closer!!!!!
