Waterfowl seasons will close on Jan. 31

This is the last weekend of waterfowl hunting for this season. Goose, duck, cook and snipe seasons end at closing time on Sunday, Jan. 31.

Reports reaching this desk say there are thousands of ducks in the Columbia Basin. Reports of limits for all hunters were common last weekend according to my main source. This hunter is heading out Friday, Saturday and Sunday for three days of an end-of-the-season hunting. He expects limits of ducks each day.

There is another January 31 deadline.

A hunter report is required for each deer, elk, bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and turkey tag, as well as for each special hunt permit awarded. The reports are required whether or not you harvested an animal or hunted at all.

By January 31, hunters must report their hunting activity for each special permit acquired and each deer, elk, bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and turkey tag purchased in 2015 even if you did not hunt.

For each transport tag you will owe one general season hunting activity report and you will also owe one hunting activity report for each big game special permit awarded. The special hunt permit reports should be completed at the end of the special permit season.

You must complete all reports to avoid the $10 penalty. Hunters who do not meet the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can buy a license the following year. If your special permit hunting season extends beyond January 31, your hunter report is due within 10 days of the close of that season.

You will receive a confirmation number for each successfully submitted hunter report. Be sure to keep all of your confirmation numbers. You are not required to report cougar transport tags unless you harvest a cougar. Incentive Permit Drawing for Early Reporting Hunters who report harvest by January 10 will be entered into a drawing for a special incentive permit.