Columbia Basin hunters are focusing on the upcoming hunting seasons. The general modern firearm deer season opens on Oct. 11 in many areas across the state.

Also opening on Oct. 11 are the seasons for duck, coot, goose and snipe. The pheasant season opens Oct. 18. California quail opens on Oct. 4, along with chukar and Huns.

The mourning dove season closes Sept. 30 and the senior, over 65, pheasant season closes today.

Many Columbia Basin waters will close to fishing on Sept. 30.

Tomorrow, Sept. 27, is National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Public Lands Day.

From Fish and Wildlife

Proposed sport fishing rules to be discussed

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will receive briefings on proposed changes to sport fishing rules in the Columbia River Basin and the development of the 2015-2021 statewide Game Management Plan during its meeting Sept. 26 and 27 in Pasco.

The commission will convene at the Pasco Red Lion, 2525 N. 20th Ave. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days.

Fish and Wildlife is recommending 32 proposed sport fishing rules move forward for public comment. The rules are specific to the mainstem Columbia River, its tributaries or lakes within the basin. The changes, which cover fishing seasons, daily limits and other rules, include proposals that would:

Close all rivers, streams and beaver ponds in the Columbia River Basin to fishing unless otherwise stated in the rules pamphlet, and implement additional conservation measures to provide greater protection for anadromous fish. The proposal also calls for mandatory retention of hatchery steelhead in some rivers.

Eliminate the retention of sturgeon on the Snake River and its tributaries. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing would be maintained.

Adjust size and daily catch limits for kokanee in Cle Elum Lake, while removing daily limits for eastern brook, brown and lake trout.

To review and comment on the proposed rules, visit WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/. Comments will be accepted through Oct. 16.