The time is nigh. The youth hunts, for several species of birds, takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Read on.

The youth hunts are set for Sept. 22 and 23. Hunters under 16 years old are allowed to hunt for pheasant, ducks, coot, Canada geese, California quail and partridge.

This is a superb time for quality time in the field for a mentor to hone the finer points of hunting with a youth hunter. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Smoke reminder of fires

Smoke anyone? We are hard pressed to remember a time when there were so many fires in the region.

Dennis note: On Tuesday night, I was on duty with fellow master hunter Craig B on the east side of Kittitas. Our job was to scare elk. These critters were wanting to enter the lush green grass and alfalfa fields and partake of the groceries the ranchers were growing. Trouble is, these animals also damage fences, irrigation pipes and other farming items.

We were successful, but the animals were not our only focus during the night. A long white column of smoke, imitating a large tall white curtain, could be seen to the north, toward Wenatchee, before darkness enveloped the area.

After dark the white curtain was more difficult to see, but from time to time, every 30 seconds or so, an orange glow would appear. The Wenatchee Complex Fire was burning strong.

The sky was full of thousands of stars and teetering on becoming a glorious and beautiful night. However, the white curtain and intermittent orange glow carried a message of destruction.

The otherwise pleasant night possessed bitterness in the eyes of outdoor-minded people.

Will hunting seasons be shortened or eliminated? Too soon to tell. Will other restrictions be enacted? Some are already being enforced. Read on.

From Fish and Wildlife:

With unusually dry conditions and wildfires burning in parts of the state, Fish and Wildlife is prohibiting campfires and other activities on all agency-managed lands.

The emergency order, which is effective immediately, prohibits:

Fires or campfires: However, personal camp stoves or lanterns fueled by liquid petroleum, liquid petroleum gas or propane are allowed.

Smoking: Unless in an enclosed vehicle.

Target shooting: Except at shooting ranges developed by Fish and Wildlife.

Welding and the use of chainsaws and other equipment: Operating a torch with an open flame and equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited.

Operating a motor vehicle off developed roads: Except when parking in areas without vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway and parking in developed campgrounds and at trailheads.

These restrictions are part of a larger effort by state and federal agencies to reduce the risk of further wildfires in Washington. That effort includes a burn ban issued for all forestlands protected by the state Department of Natural Resources in Eastern Washington.

The restrictions on Fish and Wildlife-managed lands will remain in effect until conditions improve and the risk of wildfires decreases.

Before recreating on public or private lands, hunters and others should check with the appropriate landowner for any restrictions.

Upcoming senior pheasant season

Now here is another interesting item concerning the upcoming senior pheasant season, for hunters 65 years old and older. When I am hunting pheasants during the Sept. 24 through 28 season, my sights will be on pheasants and dove. As I mentioned last week, my hunting buddy, younger than 65, can tag along with me and hunt dove.

Hunting is a fun sport to me, but what will make this hunt especially fun is the fact what we can each shoot. If a dove happens by we can both shoot. However if a pheasant flies up, I can shoot, but it will be illegal for him to do so. Sounds like fun to me.

Other hunting seasons

The mourning dove season is ongoing and will continue through Sept. 30. The bag limit is 10 per day and 20 in possession. Remember, the European collared dove does not count as part of the mourning dove limit. This means if a hunter shoots five mourning doves and then a European collared dove, the hunter is able to shoot five more mourning doves.

Forest grouse hunting is also ongoing and will continue through Dec. 31.

The early cougar hunting season is also open and scheduled to continue through Dec. 31. The late cougar season will begin on Jan. 1 and continue through March 31. Any legal weapon may be used in both seasons.

Fishing

Selective chinook fishery now open in the Wenatchee River

Anglers will be able to fish for and retain adipose fin clipped adult and jack summer chinook salmon in the lower Wenatchee River. The seasons are as follows: Aug. 4 through Oct. 15 in the Wenatchee River from the mouth, the confluence with the Columbia River, to 400 feet below Dryden Dam.

And Sept. 1 through Oct. 15 in the Wenatchee River from the confluence of Peshastin Creek to a line perpendicular to the river at a marker on the opposite shore, approximately 1,000 feet above Dryden Dam, to the Icicle Creek Road bridge on the west end of Leavenworth.

The daily limit is two adipose fin clipped summer chinook, adult or jack. All other fish must be released. Selective gear rules apply, single barbless lures or flies, no bait allowed. In addition, no boats with motors are allowed, knotless nets, and night closure is in effect.

This fishery is offered because hatchery summer chinook returns to the Wenatchee River are predicted to be in excess of spawning escapement needs. The population is not listed under the Endangered Species Act. The majority of spring chinook and bull trout will have migrated to the upper Wenatchee River, and few steelhead will remain in the mainstem.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license as well as a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement.

All chinook with a floy tag attached and/or one or more round ? inch in diameter holes punched in the tail fin must be released. These fish are essential to ongoing studies being conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

These chinook salmon are running in the 10 to 12 pound range.

Rock dove removal offered

Have too many pigeons on your property? Want to thin them out a bit?

The pigeon is also known as a rock dove or rock pigeon. These birds are common in the Columbia Basin. They hang around farms and grow in numbers to be a nuisance.

I have a friend who considers these pesky pests to be a culinary delight. The two of us would like to help landowners, who have too many of these birds, get rid of a few.

Contact me at dclay@atnet.net or 762-5158.

Dennis note: Finally a contact. My buddy and I will be helping a farmer reduce the number of rock doves visiting his property. Anyone else want to get rid of a few?

Release of some salmon required on upper Columbia

The release of all chinook and sockeye with external floy tags and/or with one or more holes, round, approximately ? inch diameter, punched in the caudal (tail) fin is mandatory from July 1 through Oct. 15.

This requirement is for the mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam, including the Similkameen and Okanogan rivers.

Reason for action

Several fish-marking programs are currently being conducted by Fish and Wildlife, the Yakama Nation and the Colville Confederated Tribes to study survival and migration patterns within the Columbia River system. Radio and/or acoustic tags will be placed inside chinook and sockeye salmon and will be identified by a colored external floy or anchor tag below the dorsal fin.

In addition, fish will also be identified with one or more round holes punched in the tail. The success of these studies will be dependent upon anglers' ability to recognize these tags and to release the fish as quickly as possible. These fish are part of a study and have been anesthetized; the FDA requires a 21 day ban on consumption of these fish.

Anglers can still retain adipose-clipped salmon that are not identified with a floy tag and/or a tail punch.

New wolf pack confirmed

Fish and Wildlife has confirmed another wolf pack near Fruitland. Using remote video cameras, biologists documented at least five gray wolf pups this week in southern Stevens County, east of the town of Fruitland and north of the Spokane Indian Reservation. The pack has been named the Huckleberry pack.

The new pack is Washington's seventh confirmed wolf pack, including the recently documented Nc'icn pack on the Colville Confederated Tribes reservation. An additional five packs are also suspected in the state.

Pozzanghera urges ranchers who believe they have lost livestock to predation by any kind of wild animal to contact WDFW immediately at 1-877-933-9847

Keep invasive species out of Washington waters

Boaters can help protect Columbia Basin and Washington State waters by following a few simple precautions. All watercraft should be cleaned, drained and dried before launch and after leaving the water for a new destination. Transporting aquatic invasive species is illegal in Washington, with a potential fine of $500 plus decontamination costs for violations.

These precautions are critical in preventing the spread of invasive species, according to Fish and Wildlife. Many invasive species are easily seen, such as attached mussels and aquatic plants, but many others are not, such as juvenile mussels, plant spores, along with fish and shellfish diseases.

Specifically, boaters are asked to take the following steps before launching or moving their boat to another destination: Remove any visible plants, dirt or animal life from boats, motors, trailers, boots and other personal gear and equipment; Pull the plug to release lake or stream water at the source from fish wells, wakeboard ballast tanks and bait buckets.

Rinse equipment in fresh potable water and dry, or allow to dry, before the next use.

Cleaning and draining watercraft immediately after leaving a water body will prevent accidental spread of invasive species on the ride home as well as avoiding potential fines.

Anyone bringing a boat or other aquatic equipment into Washington State must follow special certification procedures if the craft has been in a water known to be infested with zebra or quagga mussels. Certification of inspection, and certification of decontamination if zebra or quagga mussels are found, is required before entering Washington.

Most states with zebra or quagga mussel infestations provide information on approved vendors that offer inspection and decontamination services. Decontamination requirements for Washington State require that all zebra or quagga mussels, including empty shells, be removed from exterior and interior surfaces.

Anglers should also take precautions. Clean and dry waders, floats, bait buckets, nets and anything else that touches the water which could offer a place for aquatic invasive species to hitchhike.