My vehicle is just inside a gate on private land, but my view includes state Fish and Wildlife land. The goal is to notch an elk tag. However, after three and a half hours, no four-legged creatures have come into view, much less an elk. The first two hours were spent in a ground blind open to the elements, but the elements were fair and there wasn't any suffering by this human body.

The location is east of Ellensburg and even east of Kittitas and even east of the first ridgeline visible. I am on the west edge of the ridgeline, covered with small sagebrush and taller bush, too. This slope empties into a broad valley, perhaps to and three miles wide at some points. Then it again climbs to a healthy altitude, but this time the sage ends and the ground is covered with first sparse and then thicker stands of evergreens.

The elk herds cross this valley and climb the slopes with ease, in search of food and water not available in the timber, at least this is my suspicion and the result of what others, such as landowners, tell me.

The elk may travel this route every day during some parts of the year, but only occasionally during others.

My plans to participate in the early goose hunt didn't work out. The plans to hunt pheasant during the over-65-years-old hunt didn't develop, so it is great to finally be in the Great Outdoors again, with rifle nearby.

The Winchester Model 70 is next to me with the bolt open and the cartridges are in my coat pocket. Both are ready to do their job if an elk is spotted. But, alas, no coyote, deer, mouse or elk have made an appearance. Still, the combination of the smell of sage and the feeling of a brisk fall breeze hitting me in the face is invigorating.

There are several more days left on this elk hunt, so the fun is just beginning. Stay tuned for more elk-hunting reports.

Fall turkey season

The early fall turkey season will continue through Oct. 11 in Game Management Units 105 through 142. The limit is two beardless turkeys in addition to other fall turkey harvest.

The season, with the same dates, is also in GMUs 101 and 124 through 154 and 162 through 186. The limit is one turkey of either sex, in addition to other fall turkey harvest.

This means in overlapping GMUs, three turkeys can be tagged. An example is GMU 124, Mount Spokane, where a hunter may take two beardless turkeys and one of either sex or three beardless birds.

Continuing seasons

The big hunting seasons of pheasant, duck, deer and elk are upcoming in a week or so. The forest grouse season continues through Dec. 31. More reports forthcoming.

Hydraulic Code comments wanted

Fish and Wildlife will accept public comments through Nov. 15 on proposed updates to the Hydraulic Code, which governs construction work in and around state waters.

As part of that effort, WDFW has scheduled seven public meetings in October and early November to discuss with the public the proposed rule changes.

Hydraulic Code rules were last updated in 1994, with the exception of those for mineral prospecting, which were updated in 2008.

The proposed rule changes would update the requirements to stay current with fish science and design technology, streamline the review process for Hydraulic Permit Applications (HPA), and remain consistent with state law.