The Ducks Unlimited mission: "Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people."

The Ducks Unlimited vision: "The vision of Ducks Unlimited is wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever."

DU holds several fundraising banquets in the greater Columbia Basin each year. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Grant County Fairgrounds, in the ...well last year it was in the 4-H building, so I'm thinking it will be in the same place.

Troy Wiley sent along the following question and answers: Why should I go to the Moses Lake Banquet?

Answers: Most guns ever, more hunting and fishing trips than ever before, largest youth drawing in the state, thousands of dollars in prizes, hosted Bar, large selection of fun games and huge raffles, great family event, exciting live auction, large venue so there is no crowding, awesome food catered by Michael's on the Lake, great way to support the ducks and have a fun night out.

The last day to buy tickets is September 3. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Contact Dick at 762-9027 and Troy at 989-3536

Meetings to shape 2012 through 2014 hunting scheduled

Hunters and other members of the public have an opportunity to help shape the 2012-14 hunting seasons at a series of public meetings hosted by Fish and Wildlife. They want to hear what people think about issues currently under consideration. The format of these meetings will allow participants to speak directly with wildlife managers about the issues important to them.

The following meetings will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at the following locations: Aug. 22 at Federal Way Community Center, 876 South 333rd St, Federal Way; Aug. 23 at Edison Place Event Center, 201 North Rock St, Centralia; Aug. 24 at The Lincoln Center, 1316 North Lincoln St, Spokane; Aug. 25 at Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 1507 North First St, Yakima

In order to minimize impacts to small businesses and address funding and staffing reductions Governor Gregoire issued a moratorium on developing rules. In keeping with the moratorium, we will only be looking at hunting issues that reflect important conservation and management concerns. We want to hear what people are concerned about, but with a focus on strategies already identified in our Game Management Plan.

Comments are due by September 20.

License fees increase Sept. 1, buy now save

By now all, or at least most of us, have heard about the license fee increase taking place on Sept. 1.

Fish and Wildlife says this is the first increase in more than 10 years, so we shouldn't gripe too much, as it wouldn't do any good anyway.

The trick this year is to purchase your appropriate licenses and tags before the first of next month.

Annual Ducks Unlimited banquet set for Sept. 8

Starting Sept. 1, the base cost of most Washington hunting and fishing licenses will increase. This is the first general recreational license fee increase in more than a decade.

The 2011 Legislature approved the new fees to help meet rising costs and a shortfall in revenue for managing hunting, fishing and the fish and wildlife populations which are the focus of those activities.

Not all license fees will increase, and some will decline, including those for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities.

The list of new fees is lengthy, but here is a sampling of the new and old costs for resident of Washington State: Fee now for deer, elk, bear and cougar tag: $81.20, after Sept. 1: $93.50; small game license now: $38, after Sept. 1: $38.50; First turkey tag now: $17.50, after Sept. 1: $15.40. Fee now for freshwater license: $24, after Sept. 1: $27.50; combination fishing license now: $48.20, after Sept. 1: $52.25; two-pole endorsement now: $24.50, after Sept. 1: $14.30.

Fish and Wildlife maintains the current status of maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity and makes it possible for the department to fulfill its dual mission of conserving species while providing sustainable fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation across the state.

The new fees are expected to generate about $8 million annually for activities that support hunting and recreational fishing, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Recreational license and permit revenue is used to manage fisheries and hunting seasons, produce trout and steelhead for recreational fisheries, enforce regulations, monitor fish and game populations and help maintain wildlife lands.

Revenues from the license fee increase will replace a temporary 10 percent license sale surcharge that expired in June and will fill a projected deficit in the account that funds fishing and hunting activities.

With everything going up in price at this time in history, a license fee increase is to be expected. We have found out without the license fee increase, major cuts in hunting and fishing seasons and opportunities would need to take place.

Fishing and hunting contribute more than $1.4 billion a year to the state's economy, benefitting local communities, small business owners and the people they employ, says Fish and Wildlife. Maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity is vital to Washington's economy and quality of life.

Waterfowl seasons set

Fish and Wildlife has approved the 2011-12 waterfowl hunting seasons that are similar to those adopted last year during a meeting Aug. 5-6.

Under the waterfowl hunting package, the statewide duck hunting season will be open from Oct. 15-19 and from Oct. 22-Jan. 29. A special youth hunting weekend also is scheduled for Sept. 24-25.

Special limits for hen mallard, pintail, redhead, scaup, canvasback, goldeneye, harlequin, scoter and long-tailed duck will remain the same.

Goose hunting seasons vary by management areas across the state, but most open Oct. 15 and run through January 2012.

The goose and duck hunting seasons approved by the commission, which sets policy for the Fish and Wildlife, are based on state and federal waterfowl population estimates and guidelines. According to those estimates, most waterfowl populations throughout North America are at or above historically high levels.

Triploid escapees

Word has reached this desk about triploid escapees continuing to come to net below Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River near Bridgeport and Brewster.

Fish and Wildlife Fish Biologist Jeff Korth wants as many of those fish caught because triploids are gluttonous eaters and could pose a threat to juvenile steelhead, some of which are listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Pacific Seafoods, the owner of the net-pen facility on Rufus Woods Reservoir, estimates 117,500 triploids escaped in June through a breach in a net-pen.

The fish have made it past the dam because of the large amount of water going over and through the dam this year. These triploids are in the 4- to 5-pound range, some are larger.

Under the new rule, the daily limit in the Wells Pool will be four triploid rainbow trout, with a minimum size 12 inches. All steelhead must be released, and must not be completely removed from the water.

This is a great angling opportunity. Take advantage of the situation. What bait to use? As one angler said, "These fish are hitting anything," so begin by using anything for trout and some steelhead rigs.

This special season will close on Aug. 31.

Sockeye retention allowed above Priest Rapids on Columbia River, two tributaries, Lake Osoyoos

Anglers will be able to retain adult sockeye salmon in the mainstem Columbia River above Priest Rapids Dam, including the Okanogan and Similkameen Rivers, and Lake Osoyoos.

The daily limit is four sockeye, with a minimum size 12 inches. All coho and steelhead must be released.

Effective dates and locations include: Now through Oct 15, Columbia River from Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco to Wells Dam. Anti-snagging and night closure in effect for Rocky Reach Dam to Turtle Rock; Now through Aug 31, Columbia River from Wells Dam to Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster; Now through Oct 15, Columbia River from Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster to Hwy 17 Bridge in Bridgeport; Now through Oct 15, Okanogan River from the mouth to Hwy 97 Bridge immediately upstream of mouth. Anti-snagging and night closure in effect.

Other rules are in effect for the Okanogan River, Similkameen River and Lake Osoyoos. Check the fishing regulations.

This action is being enacted because sockeye salmon returns above Priest Rapids Dam are predicted to be well in excess of needs for wild fish escapement to the spawning grounds.

All sockeye and chinook with a floy tag attached must be released. These fish are essential to ongoing studies being conducted by the Yakama Indian Tribe and by Fish and Wildlife.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for all sockeye fisheries.