Illness hampers last week of hunting

Herald Columnists | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 4 months AGO

This deer was shot 12 miles north of Moses Lake on opening day of general deer season by Tina Steinmetz. We had seen this buck in the dark, but we decided to hit the farm since we had seen a few nice legal bucks out there as well. We didn't find anything at the farm so I decided to drive home a different route in hopes of finding the buck we had seen in the dark. Guess what? We found him bedded in some brush and Tina made a great shot with her .300WSM at about 150 yards. Every time I take her deer hunting we seem to find the big ones and she gets them. She's a great hunter. It seems to have b…

The plan for this week in January was to hunt geese every day and shoot a few ducks if they were located, but, alas, the plan was not even commenced. Last Sunday a cold seemed to be hammering away at my body. Tuesday was my worst day. The cough improved on Wednesday, but an achy feeling, along with an upset stomach, fatigue and a lack of appetite settled in. I have the flu. I don't want to hunt anything or go out the front door for any reason.

On a positive note: My sore throat is gone. Plus, although I am drinking plenty of fluids, a few pounds are falling off this body. Darn, missing an entire week of hunting season, especially the last week, is a bummer.

Last reminder: Hunter reports due by next Thursday

Hunter reports due by Jan. 31.A hunter report is required for each deer, elk, bear, turkey tag, and each special hunt permit awarded. The reports are required whether or not you harvested an animal or hunted at all.

The report deadline is January 31 in order to avoid a $10 administrative fee when you purchase your 2013 license.

If your special permit allows you to hunt beyond January 31st 2013, your hunter report is due within 10 days of the close of that season. To report, please visit https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wa/Hunterreport or call toll free at 1-877-945-3492.You will need your WILD ID number, the Game Management Units you hunted, number of days hunted, and if/when/what you harvested.

You should record and file your confirmation number for each report filed, this is the only way we can verify that you submitted a report for each tag and permit.

Reports are not accepted by mail or email; please do not send in your transport tags.

Goose, duck, coot and snipe seasons closing on Sunday

Various hunting seasons are winding to a close. The duck, coot and snipe seasons will close on Jan. 27. The goose will close the same day, but with a little variation.

Normally open on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays only, plus some holidays, the season will be open every day this week, from Jan. 21 through Jan. 27.

The Eastern Washington pheasant, quail and partridge seasons are now closed.