We are blessed to have a series of National Forests across our great nation, seven to eight in Washington alone. Mostly there are no fees associated with a visit to the forests, but this is not always true.

For example, in the Colville National Forest several campsites have a fee and so do some developed day-use sites, which allow picnicking, launching a boat, etc. These fees are usually collected to support forest maintenance and amenities.

The U.S. Forest Service is offering several fee waiver days throughout 2012. The first is this weekend, Jan. 14 through 16 in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. However at this time of the year many, if not most, of the Forest Service campgrounds are closed.

Other fee-waiver days include: June 9, Get Outdoors Day; Sept. 29, National Public Lands Day and Nov. 10 through 12, Veterans Day weekend. The fee-waiver days do not include SnoPark Passes, which are active this time of year.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on these lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

For the birders

After the excitement of the Ross's gull in the Okanogan area of last month, we decided to report any other interesting bird sightings we come across.

Our desk has received word of a Northern Hawk Owl spotted in Spokane County in the West Plains area. Also two Snowy Owls was sighted in Lincoln County along Morrison Road.

Also in Lincoln County and along Rocklyn Road and in Hawk Creek Canyon a Great Horned Owl and Saw-Whet Owl was sighted or heard. This area around Davenport is rich with birds. We have seen them while hunting turkey and deer, plus a bunch of other owl and bird species.

Another report had four Great Horned Owls along the Old Vantage Highway on the Ellensburg side of the Columbia River. Also several swans, trumpeter and tundra have been seen on Moses Lake and around the Columbia Basin.

This reinforces our idea of taking daytrips around the Greater Columbia Basin just for the fun of getting out for the day, but also to view a bunch of wildlife. Places we have seen mentioned recently is Wanapum State Park, Steamboat Rock State Park, Vantage and the old road to Ellensburg, the general area from Davenport to Grand Coulee Dam.

This, in total, would be too large of an area to visit in one day. Instead break the areas down into a reasonable daytrip size. For example, head for Steamboat Rock one day, Davenport another and Vantage yet another.

What fun it is to explore the Great Outdoors.

Master Hunter application period now open

The Master Hunter Permit Program application period is now open and will continue through Feb. 15. All requirements of the program must be completed by Nov. 15 of this year.

Enough brant for a hunt

With all of the geese around the Columbia Basin it is wonder anyone would go after brant on the coast. Yet there are some who are anxious to hunt the birds, as a birder is to spot a rare bird.

Fish and Wildlife has established the fact there are enough brant goose numbers in Skagit County to allow an eight-day hunt later this month.

Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28 and 29 with a bag limit of two geese per day.

The hunting season was adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in August, contingent on a count of at least 6,000 brant in Skagit County. A total of 6,704 brant were counted last Friday morning during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays.

Although the number of brant in Skagit County are down from last year's count, there are enough geese to provide hunting opportunities while sustaining the wintering population in the area.

This year's count in Skagit County is about 2,000 birds below the 10-year average. Last year Fish and Wildlife biologists counted about 8,500 brant in the county.

To participate in the Skagit County brant season, hunters must have a small game license, a migratory bird validation and a special migratory bird-hunting authorization with a brant harvest record card, which are available at Fish and Wildlife license dealers. In addition, hunters also must have a federal migratory bird stamp.

After taking a brant, hunters are required to record their harvest information on the card immediately, and report their harvest to WDFW by Feb. 15.

Last weekend for upland game bird hunting

The last day for hunting upland game birds is Monday, Jan. 16. Pheasant, quail and chukar numbers are fairly good in the Columbia Basin, according to Fish and Wildlife. Be sure to secure permission first to hunt private lands, or check out public lands such as Fish and Wildlife's Desert Unit of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Complex between Potholes Reservoir and the town of George.

Hunters who purchased tags for black bear, deer, elk or turkey are reminded that reports on their hunting activities are due by Jan. 31 for each 2011 license, permit or tag purchased. Those who miss the Jan. 31 deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2012 hunting license.

Ducks and geese

The duck and goose hunting seasons will continue through Jan. 29.

Discover Pass

The Discover Pass 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.

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.