In the end he never knew it was the end.
He’d never been the biggest buck. Never had the most impressive rack and never got his pick of the does. It had been a long slog to get as far as he did, but the scenery had been mostly pleasant along the way, which helped tremendously in the final score.
From the get-go both his elders and his peers had doubted him. He’s too small, they said. He’s too weak, they claimed. He’ll never make it, they all agreed.
Once, when his mother had laid him down in the late spring tall grass while she foraged in the woodline, a majestic buck with a one track mind had tried to intervene.
“That runt isn’t worth the grass he’s sleeping on,” the gnarled rack buck had insisted. He knew the feeble fawn would mind his mamma’s instructions and remain silent and still in the pasture until she returned. The way that stag saw things, it would be just as easy to walk away now and cut her losses than to keep doting over such an imperfect and ill-fated buckling.
His mother was no monster, though, and she knew what that salty old buck was after anyway. So she circled back around the long way home and left her dastardly admirer to ruminate on his unrequited advances.
Even after he outgrew his hiding spots and the tall grass began to recede along with the hours of the day his struggles were far from over. Where the other fawns had paired off early in their development and learned to spar like the big bucks of legend, the lonesome little deer had never had a partner to match his admittedly tedious progress. Even after he’d shed his spots and his first nubs had begun to burst through his velveteen head he still followed close at his mother’s hip.
Her patience was unmatched and her devotion unquestioned. It was her love that imbued him with what limited strength he had ever been able to find. Ultimately, though, she knew that one day she would have to leave her sweet babe of the woods behind if he was ever to have any hope of making a go of it in the cruel world beyond the comfort of her flank.
Soon the bucks would return like clockwork with the changing colors in the trees. This time around they would be in full rut and their thinly veiled suggestions would become testosterone stoked commands. After all these years she knew how to handle herself, even in the darkest woods, but she knew too that there would be no way for her to protect her bambi much longer.
One day as they browsed resin tipped roughage down by the river she nuzzled his fledgling horns one last time and let his scent imprint on her memory. Then, as he munched away in the early afternoon shade, content and unburdened, she silently slipped away across the rolling rapids that she knew her bumbling babe could not yet traverse.
She paused at the other side until he looked up and they locked eyes. Her expression told him all that he needed to know and there were no questions that could be asked. She was never coming back. He was all alone now and the unknown of impending nighttime never seemed to strike so close to his heart.
That first night alone was the longest he’d ever known and there were times when he doubted he would make it. There were sounds he’d never noticed now and shadows, like sinister sylvan spirits, that seemed to dart around the defenseless hull of his body even when he closed his eyes.
In the morning though, a new sense of promise seemed to wash over him cold and raw like mountain waters over primordial rocks. All alone in the wild world now, he knew that there were only two choices. Sit down and wait for death to come round, or get up and strut headlong into a life unimaginable.
To be sure, there were missteps along the way. He miscalculated his balance on a crumbling stone precipice in those first few days by himself and tumbled hooves over horns until he careened to a crashing stop in a blackberry patch at the bottom. Bruised, but undaunted, he licked his wounds, munched the berries and chalked it all up to a painful, but delicious, lesson in looking before you leap.
He found himself in the midst of a bottomless well of discomfort and inexhaustible wonder regarding the vast unknown. It was a heady cocktail and he’d never felt more alive.
He went on, loping with an angular and off kilter giddyup, for years. His rack was never one that made the young does stop and look but it always surprised him how regal it all looked when the mid-afternoon shadows began to grow long. Eventually, he learned where the dependable berry patches were located and which fat farmers regularly left their tomatoes on the vine one day too long. Although he had no friends like him, he’d managed to make friends with a few herds of simple minded cows who knew nothing of the world beyond their barbed wire confines. He didn’t judge them for their naivete. In fact, sometimes he envied the simplicity of their lives and their unflappable belief in their right to chew cud at their leisure. Ultimately, though, he knew that the grass was always going to be greener on his side of the fence.
When the leaves began to change color each fall he remembered the words his mother had whispered to him in that uncropped hay field long ago. He knew he should keep his head down whenever possible and stick to paths familiar to his own hooves but secret to anyone else.
He also knew that the harvest moon was near in the sky and the fodder in the farmers’ fields would never be as ripe and rewarding as it was right then.
Cutting a quiet course across the moonlit field he headed for a crop of carrots he knew had recently been sweetened up by the arrival of first frost. Amidst the hovering beads of dew that held infinity in their shape he bowed his head. In silent, methodical, reverence he began to rip at the laced greenage with his curled tip tongue in order to retrieve the sustenance stored in their tapered roots from the soil.
In that moment he felt a rush of gratitude for the life he’d been granted against all odds. He finally felt like he had his feet planted squarely beneath him and he believed there was no longer any obstacle that, given time, he could not mount.
The sugar was still simmering sweet on his lips when the farmer fired his first and only round from the front porch swing. In the end he never knew it was the end. He’d simply been too busy living to see it coming.
FISHIN’
Some bummer news about the Chehalis River came floating out of Olympia this week but it wasn’t hitching a ride on the Black River. Instead, it was the WDFW that announced via press release that the annual spring Chinook fishery has been called off this year.
That popular recreational fishery was set to run from May 1 through June 30 from the mouth of the Chehalis up to the Highway 6 Bridge in Adna. However, according to the WDFW the forecast for returning springers to the Chehalis Basin falls below the set spawning goal. That development will leave sport anglers holding the short stick this year.
Interestingly, the WDFW has said numerous times over the years that they do not have detailed return and harvest numbers for salmon and steelhead on the Chehalis River because its stocks are not listed as endangered. That sort of reasoning, coupled with closures brought on by scarcity, makes one wonder how few fish must exist before they warrant more thorough observation.
In the meantime, out on the Cowlitz River the springer fishery has already closed but winter steelhead are still on the table. That doesn’t necessarily mean the overgrown trout are biting, though.
“I haven’t heard of anything really picking up,’ said Jeffery, they don’t call him “Jig ‘n Rig” for nothing’, out at the Barrier Dam Campground on Wednesday. “Since springers are closed right now the only thing in the river will be steelhead and they’ve been showing up about a hundred at a time at the hatchery.”
More accurately, during five days of operation last week crews at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator recovered 375 winter-run steelhead, two spring Chinook adults, and one cutthroat trout. Forty-seven of those steelhead and one cutthroat were then dropped into the Tilton River at Gust Backstrom Park in Morton while another 20 steelies were deposited into Lake Scanewa near Randle. The winter steelhead recycling effort continued last week as well with 142 fish brought back from the hatchery to the I-5 Bridge boat launch for another run up the gantlet.
Last week the return for hours spent on the water varied greatly depending on the area you chose to do your trolling or plunking. From the mouth of the Cowlitz to the I-5 Bridge 28 bank rods had no catch to report. However, between the freeway bridge and the Barrier Dam 35 bank rods managed to keep 24 steelhead while 97 rods on 33 boats released one Chinook and kept 25 steelies. River flow below Mayfield fell below 3,000 cubic feet per second by Tuesday and water temperature rose to 46.2 degrees but visibility was down to just eight feet.
According to WDFW sampling last week rod action was muted on the other two tributaries to the lower Columbia River that typically draw the biggest crowds. Five bank anglers and eight rods on three boats were skunked on the Kalama River while nine bank anglers went home with nothing to show on the Lewis River.
Salmon fishing came to an end below Bonneville Dam last week. During that last ditch effort the WDFW sampled 176 salmon boats along with and 34 bank rods between Warrior Rock and Bonneville Dam.
Similarly, sturgeon fishing is all wrapped up in the Columbia River’s dam pools. Last week 10 bank anglers at Bonneville released one sublegal sturgeon. Another 21 rods on seven boats kept 13 legal sturgeon, while releasing one legal size sturgeon, 71 sublegal sturgeon, and two oversize sturgeon. Retention of the river monsters at Bonneville closed on April 13 when the catch quota was reached. Next month anglers will be allowed to catch-and-keep sturgeon on the lower Columbia River from Bonneville Dam on down. That fishery is slated to run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 13 through June 5.
On the trout line, Longview’s Lake Sacajawea was planted with 3,375 rainbow trout fingerlings on April 15.
Elsewhere, the WDFW recently announced upcoming fishing seasons for the following year in the big salted waters that course along the greater perimeter of the state. Most notably, low returns of salmon to some major tributaries of Puget Sound will mean limited or eliminated fisheries in some areas.
In a press release WDFW director Kelly Susewind admitted that reductions to traditional Puget Sound salmon fisheries are taxing for both anglers and local communities.
“Reducing fisheries is not a long-term solution to the declining number of chinook salmon,” Susewind said. “The department will continue working with the co-managers, our constituents, and others to address habitat loss. Without improved habitat, our chinook populations will likely continue to decline.”
Anglers will also see reduced opportunity for pink salmon in Puget Sound this year with no “bonus bag limits” for those fish.
The news is better out in the great wide open ocean, according to WDFW salmon policy orchestrator, Kyle Adicks.
“We expect some good opportunities for fishing in the ocean this summer,” Adicks said, in a prospect report.
This summer there will be increased catch quotas for coho and a similar catch quota for Chinook when compared to last year. All four marine areas are set to open for daily sport fishing beginning June 22.
On the Columbia River anglers will not have a chance to hook summer Chinook or sockeye this summer due to returns that are expected to fall below the escapement threshold. However, waters from Buoy 10 up to Pasco will be open to fall salmon fishing beginning Aug. 1.
“While we anticipate a robust coho fishery in the Columbia River this year, we’re taking steps to protect depleted runs of chinook and steelhead,” said Adicks.
Adicks added that steelhead fisheries on the Columbia and Snake rivers will be similar to 2017 when a similarly sized (read: disappointing) run came through.
HUNTIN’
A spring bear hunt is ongoing in Washington but if you don’t know that already then you won’t be going this year. That’s because the hunt requires a special permit and the application date is long since passed.
For those who are itching to get out but don’t have much paperwork in order there is an ongoing statewide general hunt for turkeys. That hunt began on April 15 and will continue through May 31.
Cougars are legal to bag in most parts of Washington for a couple more weeks. However, hunters should be sure to check quota numbers that dictate closures before heading out into the field. Those hunts will come to a close on April 30 no matter what.
That doesn’t mean that there won’t be any opportunities left to pursue predators. That’s because there is no expiration date on coyote hunting season in Washington.
What’s more, roadkill salvage is legal in Washington in almost all instances. State law allows for the harvest of most road rashed deer and elk with the use of an emergency permit provided by the WDFW. However, deer are not legal for salvage in Clark, Cowlitz or Wahkiakum counties in order to protect endangered populations of Columbia white-tailed deer.. Permits are available online and must be obtained within 24-hours of any deer or elk salvage. Permits can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/game_salvaging/application.html.
CLAMMIN’
Clam diggers have three more reasons to rejoice now that the WDFW has given the go ahead for a trio of beach openings beginning this weekend.
Those digs will take place at Twin Harbors, Copalis, Long Beach and Mocrocks, depending on the day. The two digs at Long Beach will help to ramp up excitement for the peninsula’s annual razor clam festival.
Approval for the digs was handed down following marine toxin testing that revealed the succulent bivalves are safe for consumption.
The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates, and low tides:
· April 20, Saturday, 7:58 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis;
· April 21, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
· April 22, Monday, 9:25 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
“This is a weekend opening that should not be missed,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, in a press release. “The Long Beach Razor Clam festival on Saturday features clam digging and chowder contests, clam digging lessons, and live music – even pirates and mermaids making an occasional appearance.”
With weather warming and a certain sect of shorebirds returning to their sandy nest the WDFW is reminding beachgoers to be careful in the soft sands away from the tideline. That’s because that’s where imperiled snowy plovers like to lay their eggs.
“With barely 100 of these birds still surviving on the Southwest Washington Coast, it is vitally important for beachgoers to stay out of posted areas,” added Ayres. “Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, so we want people to give these birds the space they need to live and thrive during their nesting period, especially near Midway Beach and while walking towards the north end of Long Beach.”
Ayres said people should avoid leaving leftover food and refuse on the beach since it is known to attract predators. He also suggested avoiding the dunes whenever possible while obeying the 25 mile per hour speed limit on the beach. Additionally, vehicles should stay as close to the tideline as possible when driving.
Shifting back to clam, Ayres pointed out that the upcoming digs at Long Beach and Copalis will very likely be the final openings on those beaches until next fall. He said the pending closures will be based on razor clam population and harvest data.
As always, Ayres recommends diggers put their feet on the sand about an hour or two before low tide in order to find the most clams. Washington law allows diggers to harvest up to 15 clams per day. However, diggers are required to harvest the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or conditions.
All diggers age 15 and older are required to have a valid fishing license. Harvesters must also dig and carry their own quarry.
SHRIMPIN’
Shrimp lovers will have a chance to procure their own prawns from Puget Sound beginning May 11.
That start date is about one week later than last year. Shellfish officials noted that the delayed opening was due to tidal conditions.
"This is a popular fishery, and the volume of boats using the ramps will require some patience and courtesy," said Don Velasquez, WDFW shellfish biologist, in a press release. "Fishers should allow extra time for launching their boats to ensure they’re in the water when fishing opens."
Spot shrimp, commonly called prawns, dominate the early season fishing returns. However, all shrimp species will be open from the get-go, including pink and coonstripe shrimp. Spot shrimp are the king shrimp in Puget Sound. They can grow up to nine inches long.
Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is set to be open from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on May 11. In Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) shrimping will be allowed from 9 a.m. until 1 pl.m. on May 11, 15, 29 and June 1. Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet) will remain closed due to a low abundance of shrimp.
The WDFW will announce additional dates if sufficient catch quota remains following the first round of openers.
All open areas of Puget Sound have a daily limit of 80 shrimp during May. Traps can be set beginning one hour before official sunrise
CONSERVIN’
The WDFW is seeking public comment on a proposal to list the pinto abalone as an endangered species.
The native mollusk, known scientifically as the Haliotis kamtschatkana, has historically been valued for its uses as a foodstuff as well as its ornate shell. The shellfish has experienced massive reduction in population in recent decades. Stats from the WDFW show that from 1992-2017, the number of pinto abalone fell by an estimated 97 percent. That die-off has put the species at risk for extinction.
"Our abalone captive-breeding and reintroduction program is a promising recovery strategy, but much work remains to achieve self-sustaining populations in the state,” said Hank Carson, WDFW research scientist, in a press release.
This will be the second opportunity for public comment after opinions were gathered back in October, 2018. This time around the comment period is expected to remain open through May 15. A final decision is likely to be handed down by the Fish and Wildlife Commission on May 31.
A full status report on the vulnerable mollusk can be found online at wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02031.
Comments on the proposed listing can be submitted to Carson at WDFW via email at Henry.Carson@dfw.wa.gov, or by mail to the WDFW Fish Program,P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200.
SNOWIN’
The final wisps of the white stuff are falling now in the highland and shredders have only a few days left to enjoy what’s left.
White Pass Ski Area will now operate only on weekends until it closes for the season on April 28. The nordic, tubing and night ski operations are all closed for the season already.
This week the snowpack at the summit is up to 103 inches while the total near the lodge is down to 45 inches. Last week the summit had 99 inches of snow while the base had 50 inches.
Temperatures on Tuesday were reported between 28 and 33 degrees.
