Word on the street is the long-awaited flight of northern ducks

passed us by this year. An avid duck hunter was feeling sorry for

himself with lots of moping and sulking going on during our

conversation.

“The ducks apparently were headed our way, but with this cold

snap, they flew right on by to warmer temperatures,” he said. “All

we can hope for is warmer temperatures and maybe they will fly back

up our way.”

Word on the street is the long-awaited flight of northern ducks passed us by this year. An avid duck hunter was feeling sorry for himself with lots of moping and sulking going on during our conversation.

“The ducks apparently were headed our way, but with this cold snap, they flew right on by to warmer temperatures,” he said. “All we can hope for is warmer temperatures and maybe they will fly back up our way.”

This apparently is possible and, in fact, there seems to be a bunch more mallards visible when we cross The Fill. Last week there were few ducks and gobs of geese. Now there are still gobs of geese, but also more mallards than have been seen this season.

Potholes Ducks Unlimited Banquet a success

We attended the Potholes Ducks Unlimited Banquet on Nov. 28. It is always scheduled for the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving. All of the wildlife-related banquets we attend are a fun time for us and this was no exception. We played the penny raffle, the duck board, the raffle and several other games. The meal was excellent, giving a little money for the ducks was uplifting and visiting with friends was priceless.

We didn’t receive a final gross amount of money raised, but we can safely say the ducks are satisfied.

Friend’s goose hunt a bust

A friend of ours traveled to Moses Lake this week to experience a goose hunt. The hunt on Wednesday was a no-show for the geese. The foggy conditions held them on the lake with no or a low incentive to fly elsewhere. The friend wasn’t upset, restating the old adage, that’s why they call it hunting and not killing. He will be back later this month or in January. Hey, sometimes those birds just won’t corporate.

Jan. 8 deadline for wolf comments

Fish and Wildlife will continue to accept public comments on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a state wolf conservation and management plan.

[caption id="attachment_93" align="alignleft" width="360" caption="Board game: One of the games frequently played at a Ducks Unlimited Banquet is the Duck Board, similar to a football board. Letters across the top and numbers down the right side identify the various squares. A square can be purchased for, well some board games are $20 a square and some are $10 a square. The prizes are oftentimes firearms, mainly shotguns and rifles. Banquet organizer Kirk Wilson is holding the bucket as the young lady is pulling the numbers and letters. Dennis L. Clay photo"][/caption]

The draft plan is the preferred alternative among four presented. The DEIS was prepared under requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act, and is available here.

Desk copies also are available at WDFW regional offices and public libraries. Those unable to view or download the DEIS from Fish and Wildlife’s Web site can request paper or compact-disc copies by calling 360-902-2515.

Comments can be submitted through 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8, electronically here, by fax to 360-902-2946 or by mail to: WDFW SEPA Desk, 600 Capitol Way N. Olympia, WA 98501-1091. Twelve public review meetings were held in October and November, and were attended by a total of 1,157 people.

The draft plan has been under development by WDFW staff since early 2007, with the help of a 17-member citizen advisory group. The draft plan has been reviewed by wolf experts and other scientists and is currently undergoing a blind academic peer review. Following the public and scientific review process, a final wolf conservation and management plan will be prepared for presentation to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for consideration late next year. There are no federal or state plans to reintroduce wolves into Washington.

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was removed from the state by the 1930s through hunting and trapping programs, and remains federally protected under the federal Endangered Species Act in the western two-thirds of Washington, and throughout Washington under state law. Washington’s first breeding wolf pack in at least 70 years was found in western Okanogan County in July 2008 and a second breeding pack was confirmed in Pend Oreille County last July.

OK, this is all fine and good, but when these animals begin to eat, literally, eat their way into a rancher’s pocketbook, the plan should contain a provision where the rancher is able to dispose of the problem. Simply paying the rancher for the damage a wolf does to a herd may not be the proper compensation due.