Duck hunters enjoy hunting the local ducks, all right, but they excitedly await the arrival of the northern ducks. They may be here this weekend or are expected to arrive shortly.

Ducks and geese

Region Two wildlife Biologist, Ephrata District Rich Finger reports he has been in the field on five hunts for ducks and he considers two to be good hunts.

Rich keeps an eye on weather forecasts and with Alberta getting pounded with snow, he expects the ducks to be headed our way.

"If I could hunt but one weekend this year, I would pick this weekend, Finger said. "If not this weekend, they won't be long in arriving."

Of course, what he is saying is only his best guess, as it all depends on the weather.

We predict the rest of the year to be good duck hunting. However, if you go out for a day in the field after ducks and don't limit out, remember how we respond, "Well, you should have been here yesterday."

Geese

A bunch of geese have been in the area for a while and there are reports of hunters doing well.

From Ben Holten of North Flight Waterfowl:

Our hunts have been good. There just doesn't seem to be as many birds coming down as there used to be. Still we have enjoyed many limits this year, see photo.

Contact Ben at 509-431-3873.

Deer

For the most part, they are on their Grant County wintering grounds, according to fish and wildlife.

Pheasants

There are seven pheasant release sites in the nearby area. They are Banks Lake, just below the dam on the south end of the lake; Steamboat Rock, just south of Steamboat Rock State Park; Gloyd Seeps, generally from Road 20 south and east on both sides of Crab Creek until just below Road 10; Quincy Wildlife Area, a large area between the Columbia River and nearly to Highway 281; The Warden release sites, a group of small parcels of land surrounded by private farm ground; Buckshot release site, an area along the Columbia River west of Mattawa; Lower Crab Creek release site, an area boarding the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge along Lower Crab Creek.

Note: These sites have specific boundaries. It is highly recommended hunters copy the maps contained in the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program booklet available online at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00884/wdfw00884.pdf.

Also, as of Jan 1 pheasant release sites steel and/or no-toxic shot required will be required when hunting these pheasant release sites. This restriction makes it all the more important to carry the map when hunting these areas or near these areas.

From Rod Hammons of R&R Guide Service in Brewster:

The walleye fishing is starting to wind down with the colder water temps as steelhead fishing picks up. Last week was pretty good fishing in the Pateros pool from above Wells Dam to Pateros.

Bobber and jig fishing is the method of choice, but not the only way to take these fish.

The Triploids are starting to bite, but has been slow and the good old days are gone, anglers have to work for the fish these days.

Contact Rod at 509-689-2849.

Swan watch

We watched as three swans approached and landed on Moses Lake recently. Then we noticed the following from Fish and Wildlife:

In a continuing effort to monitor trumpeter swans that have succumbed to lead poisoning, Fish and Wildlife has re-established a hotline to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.

People can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, to report dead or sick swans. Callers should be prepared to leave a message including their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hotline is available 24 hours a day through the end of March.

Why are we adding this information for Grant County residents? All dead or sick swans and other birds should be reported. Instead of calling the number listed above, call the Ephrata office at 754-4624.

Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting in Washington and British Columbia for more than a decade, but biologists believe swans are likely reaching shallow underwater areas in fields and roosts where spent lead shot is still present.

People who see sick or dead swans are advised not to handle or attempt to move the birds.

One more turkey season

The late fall general turkey season begins tomorrow and continues through Dec. 15. Hunters are allowed to take one turkey of either sex in GMUs 105 through 124. This is a great hunt and there should be plenty of turks in the northeastern part of the state.

The trick is to secure permission from landowners. If a flock is spotted, begin knocking on doors. There are people in the season area who are tired of having so many of the birds around.

Corn stubble access

Contracts for access to harvested corn stubble fields in the Columbia Basin are in the works, but they won't be finalized until after the field-corn harvest, in approximately mid-November. A map of walk-in hunting fields enrolled in the Corn Stubble Retention Program will be posted on Fish and Wildlife's Northcentral Region webpage, once the contracts are complete. Look to this column to also post the map.

OK, we are patiently/anxiously awaiting the map. Get the corn cut. Latest updates puts the map out by just before Thanksgiving or just after.

News from the Ephrata Sportsmen's Association

This organization was established in 1952, so it is 58 years old this year.

They have a fine group who organize various events. Those in the greater community have an opportunity to participate in such events as..., well there are a bunch of them. Read on.

Junior shooters begin fall and winter indoor shoots next week

Youth ages 10 through 17, but check about other ages, are invited to participate in indoor shoots this fall and winter at the Ephrata Sportsmen's Association indoor range at the Boyd Mordhorst Shooting Range near Ephrata.

There is no cost as the Ephrata Sportsmen's Association provides the rifles and ammunition. The shooters need to secure eye and ear protection. Boy Scouts should be interested in this opportunity to secure their merit badges. Other youth should also not let this chance to learn about proper shooting techniques get away.

The shoots are scheduled for every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Please contact Tom McIntosh, a certified instructor, at 246-8009. William Merrill, Jr., also a certified instructor.

Also at the Boyd Mordhorst Range

The Ephrata Sportsmen's Association also provides a chance to participate in trap shooting, open to the public on Sundays beginning at 1p.m. Ask for Penn.

Also they offer skeet shooting, which is open to the public on Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m . The cost is only $3 per round of 25. 

For Bullseye shooting, Fred Wright is at the indoor range on Thursdays at 6:30 pm. This group shoots .22 through .45 pistols. Contact Wright at 750-6567

Five stand to continue at range

The Ephrata Sportsmen's Association is bringing the competition of five stand to their Boyd Mordhorst Shooting Range near Ephrata.

This competition is similar to shooting sporting clays, as a variety of targets are thrown while a competitor is at one of five stands or shooting stations. Usually there are between six and eight traps that throw targets.

Participants shoot in turn at each of the five stands and various combinations of targets are thrown from the traps. Five Stand allows a shooting club to get a Sporting Clays like experience in a small amount of space, with very little walking.

Five stand is scheduled on Sunday mornings beginning at 10 a.m. The cost is $5 a round and this event is open to the public.

Membership to the association is $60 a year and memberships can be purchases at Old World Trading in Moses Lake and Ephrata.

Survey about enforcement program online

Fish and Wildlife is conducting a public survey to help assess the agency's enforcement program.

The survey, is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/surveys/customer_survey.html

The survey consists of 20 questions concerning the program's priorities and performance in the field. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, longer if the person wants to make comments.

Those who would like the survey mailed or faxed to them should contact Jonathan Neville, at 360-902-8358. Respondents have through the end of the

The information received will help Fish and Wildlife improve their resource protection and business practices and ensure that they are meeting the needs of the public.

WDFW officers enforce all state laws, including those related to the taking of fish, shellfish and wildlife, boating safety, licensing, and habitat requirements. Officers also provide first response to incidents involving potentially dangerous wildlife, including bear and cougar, and other public safety issues.

In addition to enforcement officers, the program includes hunter education managers, dispatch/communications officers and other support staff.

Razor-clam dig begins two-day season tomorrow

We know there are several outdoor-minded people who enjoy heading to the coast when it is legal to dig clams. For the latest clam digging info, read on.

Clam diggers got the go-ahead to proceed with a two-day razor-clam dig the weekend of Nov. 20-21 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors on the Washington coast.

Fish and Wildlife approved the dig after marine toxin tests confirmed the clams on those two beaches are safe to eat.

No digging will be allowed before noon on either beach.  All other coastal beaches will remain closed to razor-clam digging that weekend.

This dig is scheduled only at Long Beach and Twin Harbors, because they have the largest number of clams available for harvest, according to Fish and Wildlife. They have tentatively scheduled another dig in early December at all five ocean beaches.

We will keep you informed on the dates.

For the biggest clams, it is recommended diggers arrive at the beach about an hour before low tides. Evening low tide will be -0.4 feet at 5:39 p.m. Nov. 20 and -0.7 feet at 6:17 p.m. Nov. 21.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2010-11 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.

Late archery deer season

There are several late archery deer seasons in Eastern Washington, such as Nov. 10 through Dec. 15 in GMU 101 for any white-tailed deer. Plus there are four other late archery seasons for various GMUs, varying dates and various requirements for legal deer. Plus there are four late archery mule deer hunts, such as Dec. 2 through Dec. 8 in GMUs 133 and 136, antlerless only. Study the hunting pamphlet for specific dates and other rules.

Late muzzleloader deer seasons

There are four white-tailed deer muzzleloader hunts and three mule deer hunts scheduled later this month and into December. Study the hunting pamphlet for specific dates and other rules.

Permit elk hunts

There are several permit hunts still in progress, some about to begin and several continuing into 2011.

Elk seasons continue

One master hunter hunt will continue through Dec. 31 and another goes through Jan. 20 for antlerless animals.

Late archery elk seasons

There are seven late archery elk seasons with various dates and GMUs. Study the hunting pamphlet for specific dates and other rules.

Late muzzleloader elk seasons

Four late muzzleloader seasons exist for elk hunters in various GMUs and with varying dates. Study the hunting pamphlet for specific dates and other rules.

Notice the repeated sentence about studying the pamphlet. There are so many GMUs involved and different dates for specific hunts, listing them here would fill the page. Instead we trust each hunter will do the ethical and smart practice of checking the pamphlet for the rules.

Good luck to all.

General cougar season

The general cougar season for any weapon will continue through March 31, 2011 in several GMUs, through Dec. 31 in others and through Nov. 30 in still others. Again it is imperative hunters study the pamphlet.