Master Hunter applications

Fish and Wildlife is currently accepting enrollment applications through Feb. 15 for the Master Hunter program.

Master hunters are enlisted to participate in controlled hunts to remove problem animals that damage property or threaten public safety. To qualify for the program, applicants must demonstrate a high level of skill and be committed to lawful and ethical hunting practices.

"This program was designed to create a pool of highly qualified hunters who can help the department manage wildlife in sensitive situations," Lt. Eric Anderson manager of the Hunter Education Division said. "This is a great opportunity for conscientious, committed hunters to assume a leadership role among their peers."

Hunters enrolling in the program must to pay a non-refundable $50 application fee, pass a criminal background check, sign a Master Hunter Code of Ethics form and provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on projects that benefit the state's wildlife resources. They must also pass an extensive written exam based upon the program's curriculum.

Anderson encourages hunters who enroll in the program to study the materials thoroughly to prepare for the test, because applicants are allowed only one chance to re-take the exam.

Applicants must also demonstrate shooting proficiency, witnessed and notarized, with one of the following hunting implements: Archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, shotgun shooting shot, shotgun shooting slugs, rifle or handgun.

Those who successfully complete the enrollment process will receive a certificate, master hunter patch and identification card, and will be eligible to participate in depredation hunts.

From Fish and Wildlife:

Fishing

Steelhead fishing in the upper Columbia River is usually slow at this time of the year, but there are exceptions. There have been reports of fish being caught within the mainstem Columbia, as well as the Okanogan and Methow rivers. Jateff said.

Anglers should keep a close eye on air temperatures, because anything over 32 degrees keeps the rivers fishable and free of ice.

Reminder to anglers: There is a mandatory retention of adipose-clipped hatchery steelhead from Priest Rapids Dam upstream including the Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow, Okanogan, and Similkameen rivers.

As a change of pace from steelheading, Fish and Wildlife suggests anglers try fishing the Methow River for its sizeable population of mountain whitefish . These fish can be caught readily on flies. The daily limit is 15 whitefish, no minimum size, with selective gear rules in effect for whitefish in all areas that are currently open for steelhead.

Hunting

The Columbia Basin, in January, can provide some of the best waterfowl hunting opportunities in the state, depending on winter weather conditions. Both resident and migrant ducks and geese from the north concentrate on the Basin's big open water, including Banks Lake, Rufus Woods Lake, Wanapum pool and other Columbia River reservoirs, plus the Stratford Wildlife Area's Billy Clapp Lake, Moses Lake and Potholes Reservoir.

Duck hunting continues through Jan. 30. Goose hunting is open Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays only through Jan. 23, plus Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, Jan. 17, and every day from Jan. 24-30.

Pheasant, quail and partridge hunting continues through Jan. 17. If snow cover stays in the usual haunts for these birds, January can be very productive for upland game bird hunters who are willing to brave the elements and have dogs.

Hunter Reports due by Jan. 31

We have been reporting in this column about the deadline for hunters to submit their reports was Jan. 10, but they really have until Jan. 31. The Jan. 10 deadline was for, well...read on.

All hunters are required to submit a hunter report for each big game or turkey transport tag acquired for the previous hunting season by January 31. Hunters not reporting by January 31 may be subject to a $10 penalty, which must be paid before a license for the next season can be purchased. If you have a special hunt permit that has a season that extends past January 31, report your hunting activity after you have completed the hunt and no penalty will be assessed to you. Deer, elk, bear, and turkey all have general hunting seasons. The report covers your activity during the general hunting season.

The Jan. 10 deadline has passed, but read what it was all about:

Jan. 10 is the deadline for hunters to file reports about this year's hunting activities for black bear, deer, elk, or turkey to Fish and Wildlife. If a hunter meets the deadline, they have a chance to win one of nine 2011 special hunting permits.

If you were awarded a special hunt, you must complete a hunter report for each special hunt awarded. To submit your hunter report, you will need your WILD ID and birth date. The questions will ask you for the game management units in which you hunted. If you harvested an animal, you will also be asked specific information about the animal and where and when it was taken.

Exception: The Washington Wildlife program only requires successful cougar hunters to report their harvest. A Cougar Hunter Report must be done in person at one of the WDFW offices. Please call the WDFW Wildlife Program at 360-902-2515 or e-mail them at wildthing@dfw.wa.gov for more information on cougar reporting.

From Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service in Manson:

What's hot is Steelhead fishing in the Pateros area. Upper Columbia Steelhead fishing is in mid-season form. A Worden's Maxi jig in that Calypso pattern under a bobber baited with Pautzke Fire Cured shrimp was very productive during the reporting period in the Pateros area. Mack's Glo Getters are also a good choice in red, pink or orange. 

We caught fish at Rufus, but it was tough and there were not a lot of fish caught. Slip sinker rigs baited with dough baits caught our fish. 

Your fishing tip of the week is to remember that if you know you are on fish, change presentation rather than location. It's a sucker's bet to leave fish to find fish. 

An example is one of our anglers had a couple of tough hours pounding away with a previously successful presentation at fish he could see on the sonar.  He changed to Silver Horde's Kingfisher Lite's and began catching fish.

At Rufus we were committed to our location and style of fishing, so we continued to change bait colors and brands until we found something that would catch fish. 

The safety tip of the week is to remember cold multiplies the effect of wind.  Snow and ice increase the difficulty of trailering a boat.

Contact Anton at 509-687-0709 or toll-free 866-360-1523

What's happening with the Youth Outdoors Unlimited program?

From Cindy Carpenter:

Look for a special story about the program next week, but for now, here is a recap of our purpose and other info:

"Our Purpose: To provide a free dream hunt or fishing trip to children who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses and also handicapped children. 

"To give those with a passion for hunting and fishing an opportunity to give to others and also share the common joy and experience of hunting and fishing with these special children and their families.

"To foster faith, fun and fellowship among hunters and fishermen in Washington and all of America.

"To protect and provide the rights of all Americans, so they can enjoy our wonderful outdoors.

"To use this opportunity of giving to build the interest and awareness about hunting in the great state of Washington."

"As we move forward into this next hunting season, 2011, we are looking for volunteers to help become involved and help in a variety of ways. We are currently in need of a logo, we are working on a Web site and we are looking for an accountant who would be willing to do some charity work for us.        

"Of course, one of our largest hurtles will be securing property for the youth to hunt. Let us know if you have time or property to volunteer to this cause.

"We have lots to do but together we will be able to spread the joy and excitement of hunting and fishing."

Contact Cindy at 509-431-1604.

Brant goose hunt scheduled on coast

We know there are goose hunters who would like to go after brant. Well here is your chance. Read on.

Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are high enough to allow an eight-day hunt later this month, according to Fish and Wildlife. Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30 with a bag limit of two geese per day.

The hunting season was adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in August, contingent on a count of at least 6,000 brant in Skagit County. A total of 8,519 brant were counted Monday morning during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays.

"Numbers of brant wintering in Skagit County are up from last year," said Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager. "We are also seeing significant numbers elsewhere in northern Puget Sound, including nearby Whatcom County, where we counted an additional 6,877 birds during the aerial survey."

This year's count in Skagit County is about 860 more birds than the 10-year average. Last year, Fish and Wildlife biologists counted slightly more than 6,000 brant in Skagit County. About 16,200 brant, the largest number in 14 years, were counted during aerial surveys in 2009.

To participate in the Skagit County brant season, hunters must have written authorization and a harvest record card from Fish and Wildlife. After taking a brant, hunters are required to record their harvest information immediately, and report their harvest to Fish and Wildlife by Feb. 15. Hunters who fail to report by Feb. 15 will be ineligible to hunt brant in the 2011-2012 season.

Info about the brant goose:

The brant goose is similar to the Canada Goose, but is smaller with a shorter neck and is darker, lacking the white cheek patches. The color is dark brown above with a black head and neck; the neck has a white collar. The west coast birds have a darker belly than those of the east and were once considered a separate species.

This species breeds in coastal Alaska and the Canadian Arctic and winters along the Pacific coasts south to California and the Carolinas. While breeding, they prefer tundra and coastal islands; winters are spent in salt marshes and estuaries.

The Brant Goose feeds mainly on eelgrass and other marine plants, so they rarely stray from salt water. They spend the winters in large flocks, feeding on mudflats. Migration takes place in irregular bunches rather than in lines like other geese. 3-5 eggs lay in nests made of moss and down. Although a great number are shot by hunters, the biggest danger is the steady loss of winter habitats to encroaching civilizations.

Barbed hooks allowed on lower Columbia River

The use of barbed hooks for salmon and steelhead recreational fishing is now allowed. The area will be on the lower Columbia River, from the mouth to McNary Dam

The reason for the change is Washington's sport fishing rules in this area of the Columbia River are not similar to Oregon's. To avoid confusion for sport anglers, the implementation of the barbless rule will be delayed.

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.