Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

A Columbian white-tailed buck reacts to a large amount of deer flies on its body at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge River S Unit on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Summer turns to fall at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Before you know it, orange leaves and rainy days will be encompassing everyday life in Southwest Washington. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s River "S" Unit is one of the best places … more

By Cade Barker / The Reflector | 9/28/26

Elk graze off of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood on Monday, March 9.

WDFW launches new kindergarten curriculum to introduce students to wildlife

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) this week announced a new kindergarten curriculum centered around “Many Places, Many Lives,” an illustrated poetry collection that … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/18/26

‘Tis the season: 2026 Washington state hunting prospects now available

September marks the beginning of new hunting seasons across Washington, including early archery opening for deer and elk. As hunters across the state gear up for big game, waterfowl, and upland bird … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/2/26

A major industrial forestland swap generated tax revenue for Pacific County but creates uncertainty over future recreational access.

Major forest sale leaves hunting uncertainty in Pacific County’s Willapa Hills

PACIFIC COUNTY — One of Washington state’s largest timberland transactions of the year was finalized Aug. 6 when Rayonier Forest Resources swapped 56 square miles of timberland in Pacific County … more

By Jeff Clemens / The Chinook Observer | 8/21/26

Glenn Trusty operates a forklift as Kevin Ward helps maneuver the more than 8-foot long billfish into Sportsmen's Canning, where the marlin was weighed at 151 pounds, eclipsing the previous state record (134 pounds) set in 2005.

151-pound marlin: Rare catch sets new Washington state record

PACIFIC OCEAN — An Oregon man on a tuna charter trip off the Washington coast landed the catch of a lifetime over the weekend. Tim Durheim, of Prineville, was fishing aboard the F/V Four … more

By Luke Whittaker / The Chinook Observer | 8/18/26

A state record striped marlin was caught in the North Pacific off Ilwaco, Washington, on Saturday, Aug. 15. The legendary species are apex predators that inhabit subtropical and tropical waters. The marlin's presence in Washington can likely be attributed to the intense El Niño event now at its inception.

Washington state-record marlin caught off Ilwaco

A Prineville, Oregon, man got the thrill of a lifetime Saturday, Aug. 15, out in the deep blue sea about 40 miles west of Ilwaco when he pulled in a 151-pound striped marlin. Tim Durheim was … more

By Luke Whittaker / The Chinook Observer | 8/17/26

Pre-7 a.m. morning light shines on Mount Rainier while the mountain reflects off of Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Reporter’s Notebook: A morning in Mount Rainier National Park

When the clock struck 6 a.m., we were off from Packwood en route to the fourth oldest U.S. National Park. A month prior, my girlfriend, Piper, had mentioned her family was planning a camping … more

By Cade Barker / The Reflector | 8/14/26

A bull elk picks leaves off a tree in Packwood in 2023.

Surplus multi-season elk tags available Aug. 25; multi-season deer tags available Aug. 27

Deer and elk hunters who bought a Washington multi-season application this year will have a chance to buy one of 3,137 remaining multi-season deer tags and 187 remaining multi-season elk tags in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/12/26

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

‘Get here early’: Crowds form at Mount Rainier National Park as visits boom

ASHFORD — By sunrise Sunday, two-thirds of the roughly 200 parking stalls in the upper parking lot at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park were taken. By 6:30 a.m., cars were turning, … more

By Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/31/26

In Focus: Young local climber, 5, conquers Mount Ellinor with father and grandfather

Joseph Plahuta, a local 5-year-old boy, recently summited Mount Ellinor. Along with his paternal grandfather and father, Joseph went on his first Olympics mountain hike on a recent Friday. Mount … more

7/15/26

Jason Moorehead delivers supplies to volunteers and members of Lewis County Search and Rescue at High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Wednesday, July 8.

Air support arrives after vandalism at High Rock Lookout

A helicopter swirled above the High Rock Lookout in view of Mount Rainier on Wednesday morning as volunteers awaited the precious loads it was delivering from below. The aircraft was delivering … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/10/26

Wood beams from the original lookout structure sit in a pile at the High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest overlooking Mount Rainier on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.

High Rock Trail, lookout area and trailhead closed amid restoration efforts

Beginning Wednesday, July 8, the High Rock Lookout and surrounding area will be closed to the public during the continued reconstruction and renovation of the High Rock Lookout in the Cowlitz Valley … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/26

A purple shore crab in the Puget Sound. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Washington crabbing season: What to know and what not to do this summer

SEATTLE — Summer crabbing season started Thursday. But while the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says it should be a similar season to last year’s, there are a few things that have … more

Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/26

The Morrison Creek Campground in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers stunning views of Mount Adams’ southern slopes.

Into the high country: A night below Mount Adams

Well, Mother Nature always wins. A two-night adventure to the Morrison Creek Campground, a mere 2.6 miles from the timberline of Mount Adams, was cut short to a one night stay after high wind, rain … more

Cade Barker / cade@thereflector.com | 7/7/26

WDFW accepting Master Hunter Permit Program applications

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting new applicants to join the almost 1,000 certified Master Hunters across the state, a news release announced. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/6/26

The Goat Rocks and Agnes Island are reflected back onto Packwood Lake.

Digital payments now accepted at national forests in Washington state

Washington’s national forests are expanding digital payment options at recreation sites. Visitors can now pay fees using the Recreation.gov mobile app at certain trailheads, day-use areas and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Visitors explore the Lava Canyon Trail near Cougar on Wednesday, June 17.

While visiting Ape Cave south of MSH, don’t miss Lava Canyon

Views of a rushing ribbon of pools and waterfalls await visitors on the Lava Canyon Trail on the south side of Mount St. Helens. Three sections of the trail, one section which is … more

U.S. Forest Service | 6/19/26

A visitor shines a flashlight inspecting the lower part of the lava tube in the Ape Cave on Wednesday, June 17.

In Focus: Ape Cave takes adventurers underground near Mount St. Helens

The Ape Cave Interpretive Site opened for the season last month, providing residents and tourists alike with a unique opportunity to head underground for a volcanic adventure south of Mount St. … more

6/19/26

High Rock Lookout, shown here in an aerial drone photo taken by Mary Prophit in 2018, is perched on a 5,685-foot peak, offering visitors a spectacular view of Mount Rainier. It is one of the most popular destinations for hikers in the area.

Investigators seek leads on High Rock Lookout vandalism as volunteers look to continue restoration

While it is unknown exactly when it occurred, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) investigators are asking the public for leads on a potential suspect or suspects who vandalized the High Rock Lookout last … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/16/26

An adult spring Chinook salmon awaits release into South Coldwater Creek during a historic reintroduction effort led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and partner agencies on Wednesday, June 10. The project aims to restore salmon access to habitat above the Sediment Retention Structure in the North Fork Toutle River Basin.

Chinook salmon return above MSH sediment retention structure

For the first time in roughly four decades, spring Chinook salmon were released above the sediment retention structure in the North Fork Toutle River watershed. State, federal, tribal and … more

By Cade Barker / The Reflector | 6/15/26