WDFW Managers Propose New Morning Razor Clam Digs

OLYMPIA - Fishery managers are planning a series of morning razor-clam digs in March and April on Washington’s ocean beaches so long as marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.

As usual, the final word on beach openings will be announced about a week before each dig is scheduled to start.

"We’re announcing tentative dates now so people can get them on their calendars," said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "We’ll confirm the dates once the test results are available."

WDFW may announce additional digs in late April and early May at some beaches if enough clams are still available for harvest, Ayres said.

Unlike previous openings this season, all digs planned in the months ahead are timed to coincide with morning low tides. No digging will be allowed on any beach after noon.

Proposed beach openings, along with morning low tides, for upcoming digs are:

• March 10, Saturday (7:39 am -0.3.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• March 11, Sunday (9:28 am -0.4.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
  
• March 24, Saturday (8:25 am +0.3.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• March 25, Sunday (8:59 a.m., +0.3 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  
• April 7, Saturday (7:36 a.m., -1.2 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• April 8, Sunday (8:23 a.m., -1.5 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• April 9, Monday (9:11 a.m., -1.5 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Kalaloch

Ayres noted that the dig planned at Copalis on March 24 will coincide with the sixth annual Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival, which includes a chowder cookoff and other events. Information on the festival is available at http://www.oceanshores.org/ .

Kalaloch Beach, tentatively scheduled to open April 7-9, has been closed to digging all season due to a low abundance of clams. Located inside Olympic National Park, the beach is managed by the National Park Service in cooperation with WDFW.

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have a valid fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW's website ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov ) and from license vendors around the state.

Updated information on razor clam seasons is available on WDFW’s toll-free Shellfish Hotline at (888) 562-5632.

Bend, Or.,Adult Salmon, Stlhd to be Released above Round Butte Dam

Feb. 23, 2012

BEND, Ore. -- This fall adult salmon and steelhead could migrate and spawn in the upper Deschutes, Metolius, and Crooked river basins for the first time in more than 50 years under a one-year strategy recently developed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and others.

The return of adult summer steelhead and sockeye and chinook salmon to these basins would be a major milestone in the ambitious fish reintroduction effort aimed at re-establishing anadromous fish populations that were cut off by the construction of the Pelton Round Butte Dam complex on the Deschutes River in the early 1960s.

Biologists anticipate the first significant number of adult fish to return to the dam complex this summer and fall. According to Mike Gauvin, ODFW Pelton Round Butte mitigation coordinator, approximately half of the expected returning adults will be released into Lake Billy Chinook to continue their upstream migration. Many of these fish will be fitted with radio tags so biologists can study their migration behavior and spawning locations.

The other half of the fish will be taken to the Round Butte Hatchery and used as brood stock to produce young fish for release into upstream habitats in 2013.

“While we have developed a strategy for 2012, it’s been difficult to come up with a long-term approach because there are still so many unknowns,” Gauvin said. “Having this interim strategy will give us an additional year to better understand the behavior and migration of returning fish before we develop a multi-year proposal.”

The fish passage strategy was developed in conjunction with the Pelton Round Butte Fish Committee, which includes representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland General Electric, and non-governmental organizations.

The adult salmon and steelhead returning to the dam this year were released as young fish into upstream habitats beginning in 2007. Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, co-owners of the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project, constructed and began operating a fish collection facility at Round Butte Dam in 2009 to capture the outmigrating smolts and release them below the dam so they could continue their migration to the ocean.

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Oregon DFW Recreation Report

Hunting, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing

February 21, 2012

Learn to Take a Child Fishing workshop
Catch up on your own fishing skills and learn the best way to share them with classes, youth groups or your own kids. March 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Salem. Cost is $25 and includes gear, instruction and lunch. Learn more and register here.
Newport class targets inshore marine fishing
Learn both jetty and beach fishing strategies for rock fish and other nearshore species. April 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Newport. Cost is $40 and includes gear, instruction and lunch. Fishing license required. Learn more and register here.
Trout Stocking
Is underway in several water bodies in the NW, SW and Willamette zones. Check out the trout stocking schedule for more information.
Spring bear draw results online
Click here and enter ODFW ID#, Last Name, DOB and click My Hunter Information. SW Oregon tags are sold out.
Late season goose: South Coast Zone, Malheur and Klamath Counties
Hunting season open Feb. 18-March 10, see the regulations for details.
Apply early for a 2012 controlled hunt
You could win a 2013 Sports Pac. Fifty hunters already have.
Youth spring turkey season is April 7-9, 2012
The season dates are wrong in the 2011-12 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Hunters 17 and under can hunt Saturday, Sunday and Monday this year.

Airbag Backpack Saves Life of Skier during Stevens Pass Avalanche

by Katie Utehs & KREM.com

KREM.com

Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:15 PM

Updated yesterday at 5:28 PM

Related:

• Three skiers killed in Stevens Pass avalancheadd to reading list

SANDPOINT, Idaho—The Airbag System backpack is a tool used like a life preserver during an avalanche. The airbag can help keep a skier or snowboarder at the surface of an avalanche, but it must be deployed at the beginning of the avalanche slide.
Four people were swept up in an avalanche at Steven’s Pass on Sunday. The lone survivor, Elyse Saugstad, credits an Airbag System backpack with saving her life.
Experts at the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center say the backpack shows the principles of physics at work. The larger you are the more likely you’ll stay at the surface, while smaller particles are pushed to the bottom of the avalanche debris.
When an avalanche occurs, suffocation becomes a huge concern. Chances of survival increase drastically if a person is found near the top of the debris.
In addition to the bag, skiers and snowboarders should also have a shovel, avalanche beacon and probe.
Airbag Backpacks cost around $400.
For more avalanche information for the Idaho Panhandle click here or you can call the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Advisory hotline at 208-765-7323.

Commission approves Okanogan land purchase

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the purchase of 165 acres of key fish and wildlife habitat in Okanogan County today during a conference call meeting.

Purchasing the land, located along the Okanogan River about 20 miles north of Omak, will allow the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to protect spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead, and grassland and shrub steppe beneficial to wildlife.

The property will become part of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, managed by WDFW to provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species as well as public access for outdoor recreation, such as fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing.

The commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW, originally was scheduled to take action on the department's proposal to acquire the land during its regular meeting earlier in the month.

However, the commission re-scheduled final consideration of the purchase for additional review of the appraised value of the land, staff discussions with local officials, operation and maintenance costs, and weed control.

The $795,000 purchase price will be funded with grants from the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The commission approved the purchase by a unanimous vote, with Commissioner Jay Kehne, of Omak, abstaining.

Oregon DFW Recreation Report

Hunting, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing

February 14, 2012

Winter steelhead fishing continues to be good
Check out the zone reports for an update on your favorite river. Not sure where to go? Check out the Winter Steelhead Guide.
Trout Stocking
Is underway in several water bodies in the NW, SW and Willamette zones. Check out the trout stocking schedule for more information.
SW Oregon spring bear tags are sold out
The deadline to apply for a controlled hunt passed Feb. 10.
Snipe hunting open thru Feb. 19 in Zone 1
Snipe is a challenging bird to hunt for they are small, fast and erratic low-flying birds that can be hard to identify. Be sure to know how to differentiate it from killdeer and other shorebirds before you hunt. Snipe may be spooked in areas where there are high numbers of hunters but other times a person can walk up on them. Snipe almost always emit a call when they take off in flight.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 17-20
Participants count birds at any location they wish for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their tallies at www.birdcount.org. Anyone can participate in the free event, and no registration is required. The annual count is coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.
Apply early for a 2012 controlled hunt
You could win a 2013 Sports Pac. Fifty hunters already have.
Youth spring turkey season is April 7-9, 2012
The season dates are wrong in the 2011-12 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Hunters 17 and under can hunt Saturday, Sunday and Monday this year.

German Designed Minox ZA3 and ZA5 Riflescopes

 

Deciding which Riflescopes to own can be daunting. Perhaps the single-most important hunting gear you’ll ever purchase, there are dozens of brands from which to choose, each with seemingly endless choices of models at widely varying price points, and each claiming the “best” this or the “most” that.

At MINOX, we’ve simplified the process while distinguishing MINOX Riflescopes from the rest by creating Riflescopes with the features hunters want most. Like special glass from SCHOTT - the legendary German glass pioneer, fully multi-coated lens elements, precise windage and elevation adjustments, up to 5 times magnification zoom ranges, and argon-purged water and fog-proof design – all at surprisingly affordable price points. Plus, MINOX backs each Riflescope with a comprehensive Full Coverage Lifetime Warranty and the heritage of one of Germany’s premier sport optics companies. For the uncompromising shooter, MINOX Riflescopes stand distinctly alone in providing uncompromising value.

Test report: Australian hunting magazin "Sporting Shooter", January 2011

They are a top-grade-scope, and great value. Besides the fine glass, they show practical design.
The company is definitely courting the hunter by offering durable variables with bright optics at prices that compete with the best European firms as well as American and Japanese brands. In addition, MINOX offers a lifetime no-fault-warranty, which will replace any damaged MINOX riflescope with no questions asked! Now that´s a guarantee that´s hard to beat."

Read complete test report (PDF-File, 2,5 MB) ...

Uncompromising Craftmanship

MINOX Riflescopes are designed in Germany and assembled in the USA. Each Riflescope is crafted from lightweight, incredibly tough aircraft-grade anodized aluminum and features standard one inch mono-tube construction for easy, low-profile mounting. MINOX Riflescopes are waterproof and system purged with inert argon gas to prevent fogging on inner glass surfaces and provide corrosion protection for critical precision mechanisms. And each is covered by the MINOX comprehensive no-questions-asked warranty with service provided in
the U.S.

Oregon DFW Weekly Outdoor Report

February 7, 2012

Winter steelhead caught on the Siletz -Photo by Derek Wilson-

Winter steelhead fishing is hot
Water levels are dropping into shape and anglers are reporting some great fishing. Not sure where to go? Check out the Winter Steelhead Guide.
Pacific Northwest Sportsman Show, Feb. 8-12 Portland Expo Center
Stop by ODFW’s exhibit next to the kids’ fishing pond to get a copy of the regulations, chat with one of our fish or wildlife biologists, get a license or pick up one of our how-tos. ODFW is also at the Roseburg show, Feb. 17-19, Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Good trout fishing continues
Yes, it’s winter steelhead season, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon the trout gear. Fly fishing on the Metolius, lake fishing on Emigrant Reservoir, ice fishing on Yellowjacket Lake. Getting’ the idea? Check out the zone updates for trout opportunities in your area.
Spring bear applications due Feb. 10, 2012
Apply online. As of Feb. 6, 3,404 of SW Oregon’s 4,000 first-come first serve spring bear tags have been sold. Last year they sold out before the Feb. 20 draw.
Watch and listen for owls
Great horned owls and other smaller owls are calling in the evenings and early mornings in areas of wooded habitat in southwest Oregon. Short-eared owls and a snowy owl have been seen in Morrow County. Great horned owls can be seen at Ladd Marsh and Summer Lake Wildlife Areas. Learn more about Oregon’s owls.
Apply early for a 2012 controlled hunt
You could win a 2013 Sports Pac. More information.
Youth spring turkey season is April 7-9, 2012
The season dates are wrong in the 2011-12 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Hunters 17 and under can hunt Saturday, Sunday and Monday this year.

Commission adopts new sportfishing rules,
increases multiple-season hunting permits

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a variety of new sportfishing rules and increased the number of multiple-season hunting permits for deer and elk issued each year during a public meeting here Feb. 3-4.

The commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), adopted new fishing rules for the 2012-13 season that will:

• Close fishing early for steelhead and other game fish in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead. The early closures, ranging from mid-January to mid-February of 2013, apply to the Nooksack, Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Green and Puyallup river systems, along with several streams along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The proposal also includes closing the upper section of the Samish River on Dec. 1 and the lower section Jan. 1 to fishing for all species.
• Declassify northern pike as a gamefish and allow anglers to fish with two poles on the Pend Oreille River, where the non-native fish have been spreading. Anglers who purchase the required endorsement will also be allowed to use two fishing poles on the lower Spokane River.
• Close fisheries on a number of small coastal streams that drain into Washington's ocean waters to protect juvenile anadromous fish.
• Change the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season from the last Saturday in April to the fourth Saturday in April.
• Limit sturgeon retention in Puget Sound, as well as its tributaries, to June 1-June 30 and Sept. 1-Oct.15. The new rule is designed to minimize impacts to Columbia River sturgeon that venture into Puget Sound to feed. Under the proposal, catch-and-release fishing will still be allowed year-round.

Summaries of those and other rule changes, as adopted, will be available on the department's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/ by mid-February. Public comments on the proposed changes were taken by the commission during meetings in December and January.

In other action, the commission increased the number of multiple-season deer and elk permits issued each year to hunters. Those permits, awarded through annual drawings, allow permit-holders to participate in all general hunting seasons for deer and elk.

Without the special permit, hunters must choose among archery, muzzleloader or modern firearm seasons.

The commission approved WDFW's proposal to increase the number of deer permits from 4,000 currently to 8,500, and the number of elk permits from 850 to 1,250. State wildlife managers have assured the commission that increasing permit levels will expand hunting opportunities without posing a risk to deer and elk populations.

In other business, the commission deferred action on a proposal by WDFW to acquire 165 acres for fish and wildlife habitat in Okanogan County. The commission re-scheduled consideration of the purchase for a conference call Feb. 17 to allow time for further review.

The new MINOX DTC 600 with blackflash: Completely invisible to animals and people

Game cameras have been used for checking, recording and research purposes in nature oberservation and game parks for a long time now, and have become an essential tool in the field of hunting and gamekeeping. MINOX, the optics manufacturer from Wetzlar, is therefore expanding its current product range of game cameras with the new model DTC 600. Small and compact, this new MINOX DTC 600 also features a black filter in front of the IR flash, making it completely invisible to animals and people!

Boasting a resolution of 8 megapixels the new MINOX DTC 600 provides an outstanding imaging quality with pin-sharp details, high contrast and natural color rendition. The powerful infrared flash with a range of up to 15 meters produces reliable images even in unfavorable light or twilight conditions. The wavelength range of the flash is invisible both to people and animals due to a black filter positioned in front of the infrared flash. This makes the new DTC 600 an ideal tool for hunting grounds and also for safeguarding property and for personal safety.

Greater flexibility and efficiency during recordings thanks to the intelligently designed motion detector. Based on the individually adjustable sensitivity the camera only captures desired objects and excludes all recordings of irrelevant motions such as those of branches or grass.

Thanks to the extremely short shutter delay of just 1 second and a battery life of more than 6 months, this new DTC 600 is a reliable companion in hunting grounds and game parks. All data are stored on a SD card and can be directly read from the integrated 2.0 inch monitor or can be transferred to a computer or TV via the USB port. Additionally the data can be stored on the SD card using a code, making it impossible for others to read. A padlock also protects the new DTC 600 against theft.

The reliable camera technology of the MINOX DTC 600 is protected by a sturdy and weatherproof plastic body that keeps out water, dust, cold and heat.

The new MINOX DTC 600 comes with a strap, USB and TV cable and is available from specialist dealers.

Washington DFW Host Meetings on Northern Pike Reductions

Learn about plans for northern pike
at meetings scheduled Feb. 15-16

SPOKANE -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians will jointly host two public meetings this month to share information about plans to reduce the number of non-native northern pike in Box Canyon Reservoir on the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington.

The meetings are scheduled 6-8 p.m. as follows:

• Feb. 15, CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley
• Feb. 16, Usk Community Hall, 2442 Black Road, Usk

John Whalen, WDFW eastern regional fish manager, said the department and the tribe have agreed on a three-part strategy for reducing northern pike in the Box Canyon Reservoir. Starting this spring, they will be actively encouraging anglers to fish for northern pike, holding fishing tournaments with incentives and removing pike with gill nets.

WDFW solicited input from the public last spring on those and other potential pike control methods.

"Non-native northern pike are high-impact predators," Whalen said. "We're concerned about impacts to native trout and other species within the reservoir, as well as the potential for downstream impacts to salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River."

Whalen cited biological surveys conducted since 2004 by the Kalispel Tribe and Eastern Washington University have shown a rapid increase in northern pike abundance in the Box Canyon Reservoir. Those surveys also show a dramatic decline in mountain whitefish, native minnows, largemouth bass, yellow perch and other fish species that inhabit the 55-mile reservoir.

"The current pike population is not sustainable," Whalen said. "It's also inconsistent with our conservation objectives, both within the reservoir as well as downstream and in adjacent waters."

Whalen said the meetings scheduled this month will focus on results of surveys conducted last year and the three pike-control methods that will be used starting this spring.

WDFW recently launched a webpage (http://wdfw.wa.gov/ais/esox_lucius/ ) on northern pike that provides more details on the species and the problems associated with its spread in Washington and other places.

Enter Now: Oregon F&W Conservation Art Contest

Enter now: Oregon  DFW Conservation Art Contest January 30, 2012 SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites artists to enter its Habitat Conservation Stamp art contest. The winning artist will receive $3000 and his or her artwork will be used to produce a stamp and other promotional items. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Feb. 29, 2012. Artwork must feature one of the fish or wildlife species identified in the Oregon  Conservation Strategy in its respective Strategy habitat. There are 286 native  species and 11 habitats called out in the Strategy, which is available on ODFW’s website. See the ODFW website for a copy of the announcement, rules and entry form. The contest winner will be chosen by a panel comprised of a Fish and Wildlife   Commissioner and four citizens to be selected by ODFW’s Director. Artwork will be available for public viewing. About the Habitat Conservation Stamp Adopted by the 2011 Oregon State Legislature, the new Habitat Conservation Stamp allows Oregonians to purchase an annual stamp to benefit conservation of Oregon’s native species and habitats. Stamps sell for $40 a year and include a free ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Pass (a $22 value). Revenue will be used for restoration of the native habitats that are home to the state’s fish and wildlife. Habitat Conservation Stamps will go on sale in 2012. About the Oregon Conservation Strategy The Oregon Conservation Strategy provides a blueprint and action plan for the long-term conservation of Oregon’s native fish and wildlife and their habitats through a voluntary, statewide approach to conservation. It was developed by   ODFW with the help of a diverse coalition of Oregonians including scientists, conservation groups, landowners, extension services, anglers, hunters, and representatives from agriculture, forestry and rangelands.

Oregon Outdoor Report

January 31, 2012

2012 Winter Steelhead Guide
The guide offers the novice steelhead angler an overview of where and when to fish for winter steelhead season. For the more experienced angler, the guide also includes updates on access and regulations, and lists other changes that could affect fishing.
Winter trout fishing
Yes, it’s winter steelhead season, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon the trout gear. Fly fishing on the Metolius, lake fishing on Emigrant Reservoir, ice fishing on Yellowjacket Lake. Getting’ the idea? Check out the zone updates for trout opportunities in your area.

Black Bear Oregon Fish and Wildlife

Spring bear applications due Feb. 10, 2012
Apply online. As of Jan. 30, 2,821 of SW Oregon’s 4,000 first-come first serve spring bear tags have been sold. Last year they sold before the Feb. 20 draw.
Report all 2011 big game and turkey tags by Jan. 31, 2012
All hunters that report hunt results on time are entered into a contest to win a special big game tag (deer, elk or pronghorn) with an extended season and expanded hunt area. The deadline for reporting hunts that end between Jan. 1-March 31, 2012 is April 15, 2012. More information
Pacific Northwest Sportsman Show, Feb. 8-12 Portland Expo Center
Stop by ODFW’s exhibit next to the kids’ fishing pond to get a copy of the regulations, chat with one of our fish or wildlife biologists, get a license or pick up one of our how-tos. ODFW is also at the Eugene Show, Feb. 3-5, Lane County Fairgrounds and Convention Center and the Roseburg show, Feb. 17-19, Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Apply early for a 2012 controlled hunt
You could win a 2013 Sports Pac. More information.
Check conditions before heading out
Rain may have closed roads due to flooding or made travel off unimproved roads very difficult.
Youth spring turkey season is April 7-9, 2012
The season dates are wrong in the 2011-12 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Hunters 17 and under can hunt Saturday, Sunday and Monday this year.

Washington Weekender report

No need to wait until spring
to go fishing, enjoy wildlife

Now that the big January storm has passed, early signs of spring have begun to appear in many parts of the state. The days are getting longer, spring chinook salmon are moving up the Columbia River, and bluebirds have been spotted in several areas.

Then again, many lakes in eastern Washington are still iced over, and the winter whitefish season is reaching its peak.

"Winter isn’t prime time for most fisheries, but the action should start to pick up this month," said Joe Hymer, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "For example, the spring chinook fishery in the lower Columbia River started getting pretty darn good around Valentine’s Day last year."

State fishery managers also point to several other good fishing opportunities available this month:

• Steelhead: Beginning Feb. 16, anglers can catch and keep a wild steelhead on one of eight rivers on the Olympic Peninsula. The Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc rivers are the only rivers in Washington where wild steelhead may be retained.
• Razor clams: An evening dig is tentatively scheduled Feb. 18-19 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches. WDFW will announce the final word on that dig once marine toxin tests are completed about a week ahead of time.
• Squid: This is also prime time to jig for squid in Puget Sound. Good spots include the Elliot Bay Pier in Seattle, the Edmonds Pier, the Point Defiance Park Pier in Tacoma, and the Indianola Pier in Kitsap County.

Rather count birds for science? All it takes is 15 minutes of your time to contribute to the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual survey of birds sighted throughout North America. From Feb.17-20, birders of all levels of experience are invited to count the number of birds they see in a 15-minute period and enter their tally, by species, online at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc . Participants can conduct their count in their own backyards, in a neighborhood park or anywhere they choose.

The snow cover remaining in many parts of the state has also made it easier to spot large animals - particularly deer, elk, and moose, said WDFW wildlife biologist Woody Myers. He suggests watching for those animals near forest cover early in the morning and late afternoon.

"Look, but keep your distance," Myers said. "It’s important to avoid disturbing animals that are under stress from limited food sources, cold temperatures, and snow cover."

At WDFW’s Oak Creek Wildlife Area, more than 400 elk and 150 bighorn sheep are on display daily when they congregate to feed on alfalfa hay and pellets near the area headquarters 15 miles northwest of Yakima. The elk usually feed from 1-3 p.m. daily, while the sheep dine in mid-morning.

For more information about these and other opportunities to enjoy Washington’s great outdoors, see the Weekender Regional Reports posted on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/ . These reports are updated throughout the month to provide current information about recreational opportunities around the state.