MOSES LAKE - Impact on wild steelhead is given as the reason for the closures of hatchery steelhead and whitefish fishing on the upper Columbia River and several tributaries. The last day for these fisheries will be Jan. 2 from Rock Island Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, as well as steelhead fisheries on the Wenatchee, Icicle, Entiat and Methow rivers.

Whitefish angling will close Jan. 2 on the Wenatchee, Methow and Entiat rivers. However, steelhead and whitefish seasons will remain open until further notice on the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers, under previously published rules.

Jeff Korth, the regional fish manager for Fish and Wildlife said, "This year's run is smaller than in recent years and contains a relatively high proportion of wild steelhead. "Those factors, combined with steady angler effort, increased the rate of encounters with natural-origin fish this year."

The federal permit authorizing the steelhead fisheries sets a maximum allowable mortality of natural-origin steelhead to accommodate variation in run strength and angling effort on specific waters. Fish and Wildlife closely monitors the fisheries and enforces fishing rules to protect wild steelhead.

Although anglers must release any wild, unmarked steelhead they intercept in area fisheries, some of those fish do not survive and are counted toward impact limits.

The primary reason the upper Columbia steelhead fisheries are permitted is to remove excess hatchery fish from spawning grounds. In addition, those fisheries provide recreational opportunities and economic benefits for rural communities throughout the region.

A portion of the hatchery steelhead which have not been harvested will over-winter in the Columbia River and return to tributaries in the spring, when they may again be targeted for harvest.

Fish and Wildlife fisheries managers are analyzing fishery impacts to date, and will produce a steelhead run update next month. Some areas could be reopened at a later date for additional fishing opportunities.

Details on waters that will close to fishing for steelhead Jan. 2 until further notice include: Mainstem Columbia River: From Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam; Wenatchee River: From the mouth to the Wenatchee River at the Icicle Road Bridge, including the Icicle River from the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam; Entiat River: Upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge, near the mouth of the Entiat River to 800 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery; Methow River: From the mouth to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop.

Areas that will close for whitefish angling Jan. 2, until further notice include: Wenatchee River: From the mouth to the Highway 2 bridge at Leavenworth; Entiat River: Upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge, near the mouth of the Entiat River to Entiat Falls; Methow River: From Gold Creek to the falls above Brush Creek.

Areas that remain open to fishing for hatchery steelhead include: Okanogan River: From the mouth upstream to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville and Similkameen River: From the mouth upstream to 400 feet below Enloe Dam.

When these fisheries are open, anglers must retain any legal hatchery steelhead, those with a clipped adipose fin, that they catch until they reach their daily limit of two fish. Once they have retained two fish, they must stop fishing for steelhead. Night closure and selective gear rules remain in effect for all areas where steelhead seasons remain open.

All anglers must possess a valid Washington fishing license and a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement to participate in these fisheries. Revenue from the endorsement supports salmon or steelhead seasons in the Columbia River system, including fishery enforcement and monitoring. The endorsement has generated more than $1 million annually to maintain and increase fishing opportunities throughout the Columbia River basin.

Ross's Gull sightings

The recent Ross's Gull sighting of mid-December has stirred quite a bit of interest and lots of visits from birders from throughout the state. The last sighting was at 8:30 a.m. last Tuesday, according to Jerry Ogle of the Loomis Kwik Stop.

Jerry is a good contact for the latest sighting of the bird. Because it hasn't been seen in two days, no one knows if it has left the area or simply relocated to another area around Loomis.

Contact Jerry at 509-223-3126.

Other bird sightings

The interest in the gull has prompted us to investigate other interesting bird sightings in Eastern Washington. These include three snowy owls on the Waterville Plateau on Road H, between roads 15 and 17 and another near Road J and Road 14.

Also, 35 sage grouse were found along Division Road west of Mansfield. We saw at least seven American Kestrels during a day trip on Wednesday.

We have never seen a sage grouse, so may plan a day trip to the Mansfield/Waterville area in the near future. Also we haven't headed to the Steamboat Rock area to view wildlife this year, so may include this site in the trip.

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.

Two area Christmas Bird Counts remain

Two more Christmas Bird Counts remain this year within North Central Washington. They are scheduled for: Omak/Okanogan, Mon., Jan. 2, 2012 contact Heather Findlay at 509-429-8167, heather@eaglesun.net or Gordon Kent at 509-422-6116 and Wenatchee, Sun., Jan. 1, 2012 contact Dan Stephens at dstephens@wvc.edu.

This will be the 112th annual Audubon Society's count near the Christmas holiday.

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. This is a family-oriented outdoor activity.

Along with the bird count, consider a wildlife viewing trip to Steamboat Rock State Park.

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.