Hunting & Fishing Report: Coyotes Always Circle Back

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A mid-February snow fell across the lowlands covering the floodplain with a crepe paper blanket of white. The frozen sun climbed slow as it cast rose and orange through a parfait of parting clouds. Nothing moved but chimney soot on the breeze.

In the fresh snow a trail of paw prints led off toward the far corner of the pasture. Following the coyote tracks past the old evergreens, oaks and hawthornes is like a walk back through winter.

Frozen puddles look like pudding cups, crystals cracking across the top. Blackberries reawaken with broken frostbitten tips. A busted barbed-wire strand can be blamed on a lazy loping deer. Feathers from turkeys that never made it to Thanksgiving dot the pasture, because coyotes always circle back.

Memories of depreciating woodlands all kept off limits and public roads washed away. Hungry crowds gathered at the gates and cruised the perimeter while diseased and hungry ungulates waste away. Elk feet are, quite literally, falling off and one could be led to believe that there’s nothing to be done. Only the poachers appear well fed.

Winter salmon fisheries have turned downright depressing. And that’s saying something for a pursuit that already involved sitting still in the rain for hours on end. In some cases the state stopped planting the fish all together. In other rivers the answers are not so clear. Lingering ocean blobs and gluttonous sea lions seem to share some blame. Free flowing rivers be dammed. In any case, the fish that once were there just aren’t there anymore.

Wolves are moving back into Washington on their own. They’ve crossed the mountains and we’ve been instructed to leave them alone. Let them roam and lurk, and hunt and kill. The embodiment of wild Washington. Unless, of course, they get too good at their task and realize that dumbed down cows munching on public rangelands means beef is what’s for dinner. Then, of course, they can be shot from helicopters.

Checking the fence lines for weak spots revealed by the grip of winter I realize one thing — wolves should be glad they aren’t coyotes. Because the state lets you shoot them, no matter the season.

You know how the story goes. They always come back around.

FISHIN’

Winter steelhead should be making up the bulk of the catch these days but the bite has been slow on most regional rivers.

A pair of anglers on the middle Chehalis River on Sunday noted how perfect the water was. They also noted the irritating lack of action on the end of their lines. The looks on their faces said that they had something to hide, but it certainly wasn’t a stringer full of steelhead.

On the lower Chehalis River there are hatchery runs of steelhead that are continuing to pay modest reward to anglers willing to ply the tributaries or scrounge out a bank spot. The Skookumchuck, Wynoochee, and Satsop rivers are usually the best bet for late winter steelies. However, all the silvers in the system are rumored to be turning colors from old age.

Anglers have had less luck on the lower Columbia River and its tributaries where attentions are split between later winter steelhead and early spring Chinook. Salmon fishing is currently open from the I-5 Bridge down river but effort has been minimal. While some anglers have been trying their luck on Columbia River tributaries it seems nobody has been rewarded for their efforts. Between the Grays, Elochoman, and East Fork Lewis rivers, and Skamokawa, Mill, Abernathy, Germany, and Salmon creeks the WDFW sampled 116 anglers with a take of just two hatchery steelhead with nine unclipped steelhead released.

The faint possibility of a sport smelt fishery on the Cowlitz River is still lingering like morning fog as the WDFW waits for data from a commercial smelt fishery this month. The run is projected to be only around 1.5 million pounds, which is less than half of last year’s run. That return would represent the lowest return in at least five years, and last year’s sport fishery produced only a handful of fish for tens of thousands of dippers. Fishery managers say that if commercial boats bring back a haul of at least 250 pounds per trip they will consider opening a sport smelt dip.

Trout anglers should note that many area lakes are set to close in late February. That means there are only a couple weeks left to chase loads of trout trucked around by the WDFW in order to pad piscatorial prospects. Borst Park Pond, Carlisle Lake (Old Mill Pond), South County Park Pond, Kress Lake, Lake Sacajawea, Silver Lake, Lake St. Clair, Black Lake and Lake Mayfield have all been fishing well in recent weeks. At Merwin Reservoir anglers have been catching sizable kokanee, but water conditions are finicky dependent upon rainfall.

Anglers looking to try something out of the ordinary can head to Puget Sound in order to jig for squid. Prime spots include the Des Moines pier, Edmonds pier, Point Defiance and Les Davis piers in Tacoma. Other hot spots for snaring squid are Illahee State Park, Waterman and Indianola piers in Kitsap County.

HUNTIN’

All that’s left for most hunters to do these days is pick up their meat from the butcher, hang up their newest taxidermy and start working on paperwork for next year. Of course dogged bird hunters are also enjoying an extended season in Area 2 where waterfowl are open season through March 10.

Anyone hoping to attain Master Hunter status will have to submit their applications no later than Thursday in order to be considered. From 6-8 p.m. on Thursday the WDFW will host a meeting at Lower Columbia College in Longview in order to disperse new information to current master hunters and educate prospective applicants. That meeting will take place at 1600 Maple St.

“To qualify for the program, applicants must demonstrate a high level of skill and be committed to lawful and ethical hunting practices,” said David Whipple, WDFW hunter education division manager, in a press release.

Additional information is available online at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/.

Hunters hoping to bag a black bear this spring have until Feb. 28 to apply for a special hunt permit valid in designated units on both sides of Washington. Successfully applications will be entered into a drawing in mid-March for one of 272 permits in western Washington and 509 permits for hunts east of the Cascade Range. Winners will be notified by the end of March.

In a press release the WDFW noted that prospective bear hunters should be aware that private timberland owners in some areas have taken to limiting access or charging fees for access. They advise not to apply for the hunts unless you can secure access in advance. Bear hunts can be conducted with any legal weapon that can also be used for big game seasons, but the use of bait and dogs are not allowed.

For those who are determined to keep the grease paint on and their weapons free from closet dust, hunters are also allowed to take cougars in most units through April 30, although it’s a good idea to check for closures in units with harvest guidelines before heading out in search of the elusive big cats. In the brush, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbits, bobcat, fox and raccoon are all fair game until March 15, and of course, coyote season is open all year round.

CLAMMIN’

On Wednesday the WDFW announced a set of proposed razor clam digs planned for four of Washington’s coastal beaches in March and April. Final approval of those digs at Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mockrocks and Copalis is dependant upon marine toxin testing that will be conducted about a week and a half before the digging dates.

Those tides will be divided between night and day digs, with diggers who hit the beach in March likely still needing to bring along a lantern. Typically digging is not allowed before noon during evening digs and all digging must be completed by noon during morning digs. However, because two of the dates in April have low tides around noon that rule will be waived on those days.

The proposed razor clam digs, along with low tides and beaches, are listed below:

• March 2, Friday, 6:54 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Mocrocks

• March 3, Saturday, 7:34 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks

• March 16, Friday, 7:03 p.m.; +0.2 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks

• March 17, Saturday, 7:36 p.m.; +0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

• April 19, Thursday, 9:46 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Mocrocks

• April 20, Friday, 10:37 a.m.; -0.7 feet; Mocrocks

• April 21, Saturday, 11:34 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging hours will be extended to 1 p.m.)

• April 22, Sunday, 12:38 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging hours will be extended to 2 p.m.)



Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, says that the additional digging dates will be considered later this spring if adequate clam populations remain available for harvest. He has hinted that Long Beach may be the first beach to reach its limit and be shut down for the season.

State law allows diggers to take 15 razor clams per day but they are required to keep the first 15 they dig regardless of size or condition. Additionally, each digger must keep their clams in a personal container. Diggers age 15 and older must have a license.

SNOWIN’

Cold temperatures and well placed winter storms have been good news for powderheads hoping to find a few more good runs up at White Pass before spring turns good curves soggy.

On Wednesday afternoon the ski area was reporting five new inches of snow with temperatures around 22 degrees at the summit and 24 degrees at the base. That fresh dump of powder left 39 total inches at the base and 85 inches of snow at the summit. The official snow report noted, “Light pow turns and soft groomers.”

Lifts are currently in operation from 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m., with night skiing on Saturdays until 9 p.m. Surface lifts are in operation along with Great White, Couloir, Basin, Far East. Tubing is open on weekends and holidays and the nordic area os open Thursday through Sunday and on holidays.

On Feb. 17-19 the USASA slopestyle, BDX, snowboard slalom and GS will be held at White Pass. Registration is still open at usasa.org/regions/western/2015-10-05-16-18-50.

ADVENTURIN’

In honor of President’s Day the U.S. Forest Service will offer free admission to public lands under their jurisdiction in Washington and Oregon on Monday.

“Public lands in the Pacific Northwest offer nearly unlimited opportunities for year-round recreation,” said Jim Peña, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester, in a news report. “We hope this fee-free day encourages new and repeat visitors to come out and enjoy their national forests.”

The fee waiver pertains to most picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads, and visitor centers. Fees will still be charged at concession centers and fees for camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions and other use permits will still apply. Additionally, the waiver does not apply to SnoParks.

Additional USFS fee-free days are scheduled on the following dates:

• June 2, 2018: National Trails Day

• June 9, 2018: National Get Outdoors Day

• Sept. 22, 2018: National Public Lands Day

• Nov. 11-12, 2018: Veterans Day Weekend

The USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region manages more than 2,400 recreation sites, over 24,000 miles of trails, 51 Wild and Scenic Rivers, and two national monuments. In the Pacific Northwest there are 16 National Forests, 59 District Offices, a National Scenic Area, and a National Grasslands totalling 24.7 million acres across Oregon and Washington.

LAND GRABBIN’

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved the final step in the purchase of 20,000 acres in order to establish a wildlife area seven miles downriver from the Grand Coulee Dam.

According to Cynthia Wilkerson, WDFW lands division manager, the purchase of the 7,217-acre Grand Coulee Ranch LLC property is the final step in a three part land acquisition by the WDFW. Those lands are intended to preserve critical habitat for the threatened sharp-tailed grouse while simultaneously creating recreation access through the Mid-Columbia/Grand Coulee project.

“This property has special importance, because it connects sharp-tailed grouse populations in Douglas County with those in Okanogan and Lincoln counties,” Wilkerson said in a press release. “Securing this habitat could make a real difference in the effort to recover this species.”

Wilkerson asserted that the WDFW project will guarantee public access to hunting and fishing grounds. Anglers will reportedly gain access to four more miles of river frontage on the Columbia River and plans call for opening thousands of acres to hunting for mule deer, upland birds and waterfowl.

The purchase was made at the appraised value of $3.1 million for the Grand Coulee parcel. Once completed, the 20,000 acres Big Bend Wildlife Area will become the 33rd of its kind in Washington.

COMMENTIN’

The WDFW is set to make changes to their five year management policy for salmon fisheries on the lower Columbia River and they need public feedback to complete their process.

Last week members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission directed WDFW staff to conduct a thorough and transparent review of those policies, which were originally adopted in 2013 by both Washington and Oregon.

The policy was adjusted by both states in 2017 and is said to promote conservation of salmon species while giving precedent to recreational fishing while shifting priority away from gillnetters on the main stem. Washington’s policy also calls for increased hatchery salmon releases on the lower Columbia and expanded fishing gear allowances for commercial fishers.

Public comment will taken on March 14 at the WDFW southwest Washington regional office, 5525 South 11th St., Ridgefield The WDFW’s Columbia River Commercial Fishing Advisory Group will meet from 1-3 p.m., and the Columbia River Recreational Fishing Advisory Group will meet from 3-5 p.m. The commission has also stated an intent to review the policy at its meetings in Wenatchee on March 15-17, in additional to two public meetings later this year.

“Columbia River salmon fisheries are part of Washington’s economic, cultural, and recreational lifeblood, so we want to keep the public informed and involved as we review and revise this important policy,” said Commission Chairman Brad Smith, in a press release.

The policy, as revised by the Washington commission in January 2017, is available for review online at wdfw.wa.gov/commission/policies/c3620.pdf.

DIRECTIN’

Last Thursday Joe Stohr took over as DIrector of the WDFW after more than a decade as deputy director. Stohr was bumped up in position after former WDFW director Jim Unsworth announced his resignation earlier this month.

Stohr, 61, is a longtime Olympia resident who began serving as deputy director of the WDFW in 2007. As deputy director, Storhr has been in charge of department operations, including budget and finance, capital project management, performance and accountability, risk management and human resources.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the WDFW, has committed to conducting a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. Stohr will serve in a temporary capacity until a permanent replacement can be found.

“In the meantime, we know we are leaving the agency in very capable hands by placing Joe in charge,” said commission chair Brad Smith, in a press release. “His leadership and extensive experience will be very helpful as we begin the search for a new director.”

Stohr has appointed Amy Windrope, the WDFW’s regional director for northern Puget Sound, to fill the deputy director role while he sits in as interim director.