The story last week, about Dave Helms finding a sit of shooting sticks at the Boyd Mordhorst Shooting Range, was productive. Payne or Paine called me. He did tell me several of his friends have contacted him about the story in this column last week and he was, indeed, the person in question.

Because of a family emergency, the visit was short. Plus the telephone number he passed along has been lost. Please forgive.

Now I must ask the friends to again contact this man and ask him to call me again. My numbers are 762-5158 and 750-0541.

From Fish and Wildlife

Calling all birders, wildlife viewers; Ross's gull spotted in Okanogan County

A Ross's gull has been spotted on Palmer Lake in Okanogan County by Fish and Wildlife Biologist Jeff Heinlen.

The Ross's gull is an East Siberian arctic species which normally winters at sea. It has only been documented one previous time in the state, in late November and early December of 1994, near McNary Dam on the Columbia River.

"This is like a holiday present for bird watchers," said Heinlen of Omak. "This is arguably the rarest bird currently in the state, and definitely worth a trip to the area to catch a sighting."

Heinlen observed and photographed the Ross's gull, a 13.5-inch-long adult in gray, white and pink plumage, resting on and flying over the lake Dec. 15 and 16. His sighting was confirmed by other wildlife biologists recently. Based on other non-arctic sightings of Ross's gulls, biologists speculate the bird may remain in the area for a few weeks.

The first Ross's gull to be seen in temperate North America was at Clover Point in Victoria, B.C., in October and November 1966, the sole British Columbia sighting to date. Another adult Ross's gull was seen at Newburyport, Mass., in early 1975. Since then, an average of about one gull annually has been found in the United States south of the Canadian border.

In the Pacific Northwest states, the bird previously has only been seen on Yaquina Bay, Ore., in February and March of 1987 and in the 1994 McNary Dam sighting.

For those wishing to catch a glimpse of the gull, Palmer Lake is about 15 miles northwest of Tonasket, six miles south of the Canada border. There are two developed areas for public parking along the lake, the Bureau of Land Management's Split Rock day-use site at the south end of the lake and a Washington Department of Natural Resources campground on the eastern shore. There are restroom facilities at each of these areas.

Heinlen reminds anyone visiting the area to be respectful of private property and residents around the lake. Birders are also asked to refrain from blocking roads or driveways or trespassing.

Heinlen's photograph of the Ross's gull will be posted on WDFW's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonFishWildlife. Others who see the bird are encouraged to share their sightings in the comments section of the post.

Dennis note: Wishing all outdoor-minded people and their families a wonderful and Merry Christmas.

Garnet and Dennis note: While some readers might not think a gull is worth so much ink, this is a significant sighting for a birder. Those who do not have a Ross's gull on their lifetime list will want to try and find this bird. Suggest they call their birding friends and arrange a carpool or two for a trip north.

Discover Pass

Don't forget a Discover Pass as a Christmas gift. It must be displayed on a vehicle when visiting state recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fine for not displaying the pass is $99.

The Discover Pass allows you to enjoy nearly 7 million acres of Washington state-managed recreation lands - including state parks, water-access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads.

A one-day pass to these areas is $10 plus transaction and dealer fees.

The Discover Pass may be purchased online; in person from any of nearly 600 recreational license vendors where state fishing and hunting licenses are sold; by phone at 866-320-9933; when you renew your vehicle license or at State Parks headquarters and region offices, and at state parks when staff is available.

Calling all northern pike anglers

Fish and Wildlife is concerned about the spread of northern pike in Washington waters and is preparing for a spring assault to halt the advance of the voracious, non-native fish toward the Columbia River.

In the coming months, state fishery managers plan to enlist anglers to remove as many northern pike as possible from the Pend Oreille River, a conduit for pike moving downstream from Idaho and Montana.

Anglers are expected to play a major role in the effort next spring. The proliferation of northern pike has increased at a rapid rate in the Pend Oreille River since 2004 and the concern is their threat posed to native fish species.

Biological surveys conducted in conjunction with the Kalispel Tribe and Eastern Washington University reveal a dramatic decline in native minnows, largemouth bass, yellow perch and other fish species that inhabit the 55-mile Box Canyon Reservoir.

Fish managers have traced the movement of northern pike into the Pend Oreille River from rivers in Montana, where they were stocked illegally. Last spring, Canadian anglers reported catching them in the Columbia River near its confluence with the Pend Oreille, just north of the border between Washington state and British Columbia.

Earlier this year, Fish and Wildlife held public meetings in Spokane and Newport to discuss possible options for controlling northern pike. Regardless of what other methods are used, anglers represent a major line of defense.

Fish and Wildlife says the fish they are targeting average 2 to 3 pounds, but can run up to 30 pounds. There are no daily catch limits or size limits on northern pike in Washington State, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Proposed changes to state fishing regulations include allowing anglers to fish with two poles in the Pend Oreille River and taking away the northern pike's designation as a game fish.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will hear public testimony on the northern pike proposals and other proposed fishing rule changes during a public meeting scheduled Jan. 6-7 in Olympia. Written comments on those proposals will also be accepted through Dec. 30.

Christmas Bird Count

At the end of December the annual Christmas Bird Count is conducted. This will be the 112th annual Audubon Society's count near the Christmas holiday.

This year the count will take place between Dec.14 and Jan. 5, 2012, when tens of thousands of volunteers throughout North America will brave winter weather to add a new layer of data to the survey.

Every bird volunteers see on specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle will be counted. The numbers collected by observers allow biologists to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across the continent.

Counts are being coordinated in several communities in the region. If observers live within a CBC circle, they may arrange in advance to count the birds at their feeders and submit those data to their local compiler.

Counts within North Central Washington will take placed at: Moses Lake, Tues., Dec. 27, Contact Doug Schonewald at 509-766-0056, dschone8@donobi.net; Omak/Okanogan, Mon., Jan. 2, 2012 contact Heather Findlay at 509-429-8167, heather@eaglesun.net or Gordon Kent at 509-422-6116; Wenatchee, Sun., Jan. 1, 2012 contact Dan Stephens at dstephens@wvc.edu.

All of the contacts in this greater area are included because some counters may want to participate in more than one count.

This is a family-oriented outdoor activity. Along with the bird count, consider a wildlife viewing trip to Steamboat Rock State Park.

For the next three months plenty of bald eagles should be in the state park area. However, keep an eye out for them anywhere on the drove north. We have also seen a golden eagle, plus lots of other birds. Mule deer are the most seen big game animal.

Candidates for disabilities advisory committee sought

The Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking an applicant to fill a vacancy on its advisory committee for persons with disabilities.

The seven-member committee advises the commission on issues of concern for hunters and fishers with disabilities, including special hunts, modified sporting equipment, access to public land and recreational opportunities.

Committee members are appointed by the commission, which sets policy for Fish and Wildlife.

Qualified applicants must have a permanent physical disability and reside in Washington State. The vacant position represents WDFW Region 3, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties.

Members serve four-year terms and are required to attend advisory committee meetings, held at least twice each year. Members serve without compensation, but receive reimbursement for travel expenses.

For an application form or additional information, prospective candidates can contact Dolores Noyes at Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2349.

To receive consideration, applications must be submitted by January 15, 2012 to Dolores Noyes, Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

WDFW will accept applications for ALEA volunteer grants

Fish and Wildlife is now accepting grant applications for projects that benefit the state's fish and wildlife.

The grants, funded through the state's Aquatic Land Enhancement Account, provide reimbursement for organizations and individuals who conduct volunteer projects that conserve fish and wildlife or promote public appreciation of species ranging from steelhead to sage-grouse.

Fish and Wildlife currently expects to award about $180,000 in ALEA grants this year.

Five major types of projects are funded through the program: habitat restoration, research, education and outreach, facility development and artificial production. Other projects consistent with Fish and Wildlife goals and objectives also may be considered. Grants may not be used for salaries, wages or stipends.

Eligible applicants include individual citizens, non-profit organizations, tribes and political subdivisions of the state, such as public utility districts, schools and universities. State and federal agencies are not eligible.

Applications must be received or postmarked by Feb. 29, 2012. Application materials will be available for download from WDFW's website by Dec. 1, at http://wdfw.wa.gov/grants/alea/index.html. Those without adequate internet access can request a compact disc containing the application materials by contacting Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2700.

Master Hunter Program

As stated by Fish and Wildlife, "The Master Hunter Permit Program is designed to promote responsible hunting. In addition to training, the program emphasizes safe, lawful and ethical hunting priorities while upholding the highest standards. The program offers an opportunity for conscientious, committed hunters who care about the future of hunting to assume a leadership role among their peers. Through their knowledge and conduct in the field, Master Hunters play a key role in improving relationships with landowners, thus ensuring continued hunter access to private lands."

During the five years between certifications, master hunters must provide 40 hours of volunteer work. Most master hunters are true to the program and realize the idea is to give more than they receive.

It is true the program offers master hunters special hunts. These are aimed at reducing property damage and/or public safety problems posed by wildlife and generally have replaced the damage-control hunts. Special hunt opportunities vary from year to year, and may include elk, deer, bear, turkey and goose hunts in designated areas throughout Washington.

Program requirements

Those enrolling in the Master Hunter Permit Program should be motivated by a genuine desire to learn and model a high level of hunting knowledge and skill. Training is offered through independent study, offering maximum flexibility for candidates.

To become a certified Master Hunter, each applicant is required to: Demonstrate proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, shotgun shooting shot, shotgun shooting slugs, or crossbow; Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on a project benefiting state wildlife resources; Attend Crime Observation and Reporting Training, known as C.O.R.T.; Receive a score of at least 80 percent on a written examination, based on provided independent-study materials; Sign an agreement to abide by the Master Hunter Code of Ethics; Submit to and pass a law enforcement background check.

The next application period will begin on Jan. 1 and continue through Feb. 15 of next year. All of the program requirements must be completed by Nov. 15.