MOSES LAKE - The modern firearm deer hunting season begins this Saturday in most of Washington State. Hunters may use a modern firearm, archery equipment or a muzzleloader during this hunt.

This means a Remington .270 rifle is legal, as is a .50 caliber muzzleloader.

The legal hunting hours for Eastern Washington begin at 6:40 a.m. until 6:45 p.m. on opening weekend of Oct. 15 and 16. The following week, Monday, Oct. 27 through Oct. 23, the hours are 6:55 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

If you can't tell, I'm excited about the hunt this year. Of course, I am excited about the modern firearm deer season each year.

As in recent years, I will spend a few nights at a magical place, a cinder block structure measuring 14 by 16 feet. The view to the east is of a large winter-wheat field, showing the green of next year's crop. The distance is 700 yards, but several mule deer are visible. Through the spotting scope, around 75 are counted, with others drifting in and out of the field at any time of the day. Of course seeing deer doesn't mean I will find one in range during the season.

We don't have permission to hunt the land I am viewing. Besides it is in production and the farmer's crop would be damaged if a deer was downed in the wheat and the carcass pulled out of the field.

Consider this situation: The largest buck you have ever seen is standing 100 yards in a field eating the tender green shoots of winter wheat. Do you shoot or not? What if you have permission to hunt this landowner's property?

A suggestion: Let the buck continue eating no matter how big. Don't damage the farmer's crop.

There are several hunting situations which are black and white as far as being legal or illegal. Here is one such situation presented to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Captain Richard Mann: Question: The ideal shot will put a big game animal down in its tracks. However there are times when what should have been a good shot does not put the animal down and it scoots out of sight wounded. No hunter wants to see a wounded animal in the wild. So if a wounded mule deer doe or cow elk passes a hunter who does not have a tag to harvest such an animal, is it legal to put the animal out of its misery in Washington?

Captain Mann's answer: Washington State law prohibits taking wildlife when a hunter does not have a valid license or tag to take it. Prior to dispatching any injured wildlife, the hunter should contact a Fish and Wildlife Officer or Fish and Wildlife office and obtain permission. Contact can normally be made through a local Washington State Patrol dispatch center, a regional office or through Enforcement Headquarters in Olympia. Contact numbers can be found on page 11, 64 and 65 of the 2011 Big Game Regulations. While we do not like to see any animal suffer, killing injured wildlife without prior authorization may subject the hunter to investigation and possibly a citation for hunting without a valid tag or even wastage.

Assessment: If a hunter does not have a valid license and tag, a wounded animal cannot be dispatched without prior authorization. It is a black and white answer to a troubling situation.

I know people who say they wouldn't hesitate to down the animal, even if it would be considered illegal. They say killing the animal would be the right thing to do, no matter the regulations.

Me? If contact with a proper authority wasn't possible, letting the animal go would be my only option. As a result, I would have nightmares for years. Yes, this is a situation, which could cause heated debate on both sides.

Feeding deer

Another situation isn't black or white, but completely legal. It is illegal to bait bears, but not deer. But the question is, "What is the definition of feeding deer?"

If a hunter establishes a stand at the edge of a winter wheat field, planning to ambush the buck as it travels out of the field, is this feeding deer? If a hunter places a ground blind within 20 yards of an apple tree where deer have obviously been feed, is this feeding deer? If a hunter dumps 25 gallons of corn and wheat in a field and places the ground blind nearby, is this feeding deer?

I have participated in all of these situations and don't feel a bit disturbed or bothered. Last year a commercial feeder was set up in my hunt area. The battery-operated feeder came alive and began slinging wheat out of its bin six times a day. The interesting side to this experiment is not one deer visited the feeding site. Just because a feeder is providing food doesn't mean the deer show up.

A garden plot, with a high fence around it, is established near a farmhouse. Most of the vegetables are grown and harvested, but 10 percent is left for the animals. The fence is dismantled two days before the beginning of the deer season.

On opening day, the farmer shoots a large buck eating a pumpkin in the garden. Is this considered feeding deer?

Providing feed for deer in all of these methods is completely legal. Doing so is up to the individual hunter. Remember, dumping a bucket of wheat in a field doesn't mean a deer will show up for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Yes, I get excited about the deer season. My feelings remind me of the night before Christmas when I was a youngster. Adding to my excitement this year is the fact I have a chance to be with a youth hunter who has never shot a deer. Being able to pass along part of our hunting heritage to a young hunter is a special privilege indeed. Providing the atmosphere to create memories lasting a lifetime is a powerful incentive to be in the Great Outdoors.

But above all, remember the three most important words when hunting or handling firearms: Safety, safety, safety.

Have fun when you are in the Great Outdoors during this hunting season, but be careful out there.