Hunting Guide 2014

THE MINER

OCTOBER 8, 2014 |

Hunting Guide

1B

Hunting season expectations for Northeastern Washington Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s District 1, in the northeastern corner of Washington, is comprised of seven game management units (GMUs): 101 (Sherman), 105 (Kelly Hill), 108 (Douglas), 111 (Aladdin), 113 (Selkirk), 117 (49 Degrees North), and 121 (Huckleberry).

The topography is dominated by four mountain ranges that run generally north and south: the Kettle, Huckleberry, Calispell and Selkirk Ranges.

There are broad valleys in-between these ranges

that are drained by the Kettle, Columbia, Colville, and Pend Oreille Rivers, all within the Columbia River watershed.

Elevations vary from about 1,290 feet at the normal pool level of Lake Roosevelt (Reservoir) to 7,309 feet on Gypsy Peak in the north Selkirk Range.

Coniferous forest is extensive within District 1, covering about two thirds or 68 percent of the district’s landscape. Agricultural land, rangeland, and water features cover most of the balance.

Over one third (37 percent) of the landmass in District 1 is public land, mostly national forest, but also state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Additional public lands include federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and a few other government agencies.

Most of the lands outside of Indian reservations are open to public hunting.

There are large timber company lands open to public hunting, although not necessarily open to private motorized vehicles.

Elk Elk populations typically do not fluctuate dramatically from year to year, but periodic severe winters can trigger substantial die-offs.

The 2013-14 winter was moderate and consequently, populations available for harvest are expected to be similar in size compared to the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

That said, the total hunter harvest of elk in District 1 is low compared to other WDFW districts, hovering around 250-300 animals a year since 2009.

Deer Harvest has been gradually increasing in District 1 over the past two years and we expect this trend to continue. Fall surveys for the past two years also have yielded slightly higher buck to doe and fawn to doe ratios. Recent moderate winters have likely contributed to increased over-winter survival of

deer in District 1. While hunter check stations alongside state highways are not mandatory stops, the WDFW experienced an increase in deer checked in 2013, and this could also

be an indication of increasing hunter success. A good predictor of future harvest during general seasons is recent trends in harvest SEE HUNTING, 4B

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2B

HUNTING GUIDE

| OCTOBER 8, 2014

Deer season opens in October in most of Idaho The regular deer season opens Oct. 10 in most regions of Idaho.

In some areas, a regular deer tag allows hunters to take either mule deer or white-tailed deer. A white-tailed deer tag allows a hunter to take only a white-tail.

Many areas across the state also offer antlerless youth hunt opportunities, but check the 2014 big game rules brochure carefully for the areas where youth hunts are open.

To hunt deer in Idaho during the regular season, you must have a valid 2014 Idaho hunting license and a deer tag. There is still a good number of second deer tags available at a discounted price for 2014.

For more information click: https://fishandgame.idaho. gov/content/tagdiscount.

Fish and Game Conservation Officers ask that hunters report any poaching or suspicious activities they encounter or hear about

while hunting.

Most serious poaching cases are solved only with the help of ordinary Idaho

residents, hunters or others who report crimes.

If you have information about a wildlife crime, call the Citizens Against Poaching hot-line at 1-800-632-5999, 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous.

Hunters also are encouraged to check out Idaho Fish and Game’s backcoun-

try game meat care guide.

The guide has helpful tips to ensure proper handling of game to avoid wasting

the meat.

A link to the guide can be found on the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame. idaho.gov/public/hunt/ rules/?getPage=63.

For help planning your hunt, check out the hunt planner, at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ huntplanner.

Best hunting areas Pend Oreille River The “upper” Pend Oreille River from Newport downstream to Usk probably offers the best general waterfowl hunting opportunity within northeastern Washington, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Outside of the east shoreline alongside the Kalispel Indian Reservation most of the river itself is open for hunting along with a number of islands.

In most instances a boat is required, either as a hunting blind in itself or for access to islands and sandbars, which are open to hunting.

There are also Pend Oreille Public Utility District lands as well as U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuge lands (the “Cusick” Unit) open to public hunting.

These parcels are located near the mouths of Ta-

coma and Trimble Creeks into the Pend Oreille River.

Dabbling Ducks: Moderate numbers during migration, mostly gadwall, wigeon, teal, mallards, and some pintails.

Diving Ducks: Moderate numbers with highest densities during peak migration periods.

Geese: Canada geese occur in greatest abundance in this part of District 1.

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THE MINER

Head outdoors for deer, waterfowl

Some of Washington’s most popular hunting seasons get under way in October, when hunters take to the field for deer, ducks, geese and other game birds.

Migratory waterfowl numbers are expected to be good this year, said Dave Ware, game manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). With an increase in breeding populations of migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, waterfowl hunters should expect great hunting this year, depending on weather.

“Big game hunts also look promising this fall,” Ware said. “Hunters had a pretty good season last year and with the mild winter that should be the case again this year.”

All hunters using modern firearms – or in areas open to hunting with modern firearms – are reminded to wear hunter orange clothing as specified by state law.

While that requirement does not apply to nonhunters, Ware suggests

hikers, mushroom pickers and others in areas open to hunting wear bright, colorful clothing to maximize their visibility.

Area-by-area hunting prospects around the state are available on WDFW’s website at wdfw.wa.gov/ hunting/prospects/. Local prospects are also in this publication.

For more information

about fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing available this month, see the Weekender Regional Reports posted on WDFW’s website at wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/.

These reports are updated throughout the month to provide current information about recreational opportunities around the state.

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THE MINER

HUNTING GUIDE

OCTOBER 8, 2014 |

3B

Eastern Washington hunting prospects

The Hunter’s Full Moon on Oct. 8 is the legendary start of hunting seasons, and indeed October is the peak month to hunt the eastern region, with a season opener every weekend.

WDFW has lifted fire restrictions on most department-managed lands in

eastern Washington, where cooler temperatures and fall rains have reduced fire danger. However, hunters should be aware that some localized restrictions remain in place, including a campfire ban through Oct. 15 at all WDFW wildlife areas in Benton, Franklin, Yakima,

and Kittitas counties.

Similarly, a campfire ban is in place at the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in Grant and Adams counties through Oct. 31. Any further updates will be posted on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/.

Quail and partridge hunting began Oct. 4. This year’s spring and summer weather conditions may have boosted production of these birds in many areas in the region, although there are no specific field surveys.

In the central district, good quail brood numbers have been seen incidental to other field work in Spokane and Whitman counties, although hunting access can be a problem because much of the best quail habitat is in and around farmsteads and towns. Gray partridge broods of 10-12 chicks were regularly seen in and around Lincoln County agricultural fields. Chukar partridge are mostly along the steep and rocky breaks of the Snake River and throughout Asotin County’s grasslands. California quail are locally common in the lower elevation draws and drainages across the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and in suitable pockets of habitat across the prairie areas and breaks of the Grande Ronde and Snake rivers.

Modern firearm deer hunting begins Oct. 11. The best deer hunting in the region is in the northeast district where white-tailed deer are the most abundant and all Game Management Units (GMUs) offer good to excellent opportunities.

Depending on the GMU, 21 to 32 percent of modern firearm hunters bag a deer.

GMUs 117 and 121 have a four-antler-point minimum harvest restriction for white-tailed deer.

The southeast district is best known for its mule deer hunting and hunter success ranges from 13 to 43 percent, depending on GMU. Those with highest success rates (GMUs 145, 149, 178, 181) also have the highest amount of private land and access can be limited.

Those with the most public land (GMUs 166, 169, 175) have the lowest success, in part due to high hunter numbers. Mule deer have a three-antler-point minimum harvest restriction during all general seasons throughout the region.

Southeast district hunters are reminded that a couple of Wooten Wildlife Area campgrounds are closed, while new ones are constructed away from the Tucannon River. Wooten Manager Kari Dingman also notes that black bears have

been in the campgrounds, so hunters should not leave garbage and food out.

Although private property access is key, the central district offers good mule deer opportunities in GMUs 133, 136, and 142, and more white-tailed deer opportunities in GMUs 124, 127, and 139. Hunter success in these units usually averages 30 to 35 percent.

Waterfowl hunting also

begins Oct. 11, although this region’s opportunities rely more on incoming northern migrants later in the season, rather than local production earlier. In general, waterfowl concentration areas include the Columbia, Snake, Spokane, and Pend Oreille rivers and their associated wetlands and tributaries. The agricultural areas around McNary SEE PROSPECTS, 4B

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4B

HUNTING GUIDE

| OCTOBER 8, 2014

THE MINER

PROSPECTS: Deer bucks are in the ‘rut’ HUNTING: Bear harvest to be higher FROM PAGE 3B

National Wildlife Refuge near the Tri-Cities attract large numbers of foraging ducks and geese, but many of these lands are closed to hunting or leased by private hunting outfitters and access can be difficult or expensive.

Pheasant hunting begins Oct. 18, and this could be a good year for harvesting young-of-the-year birds.

Southeast district wildlife biologists predict numbers of birds are up because of good spring and summer conditions for nesting and brood rearing. In addition to wild birds, pheasant hunting opportunities are enhanced with periodic releases of farm-raised roosters at sites across the region, with most in the southeast district, many owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along the Snake River (Hollebeke, Mill Creek, Rice Bar and Willow Bar Habitat Management Units) and others on WDFW-owned property or private lands enrolled in the Feel Free to Hunt program. See the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program website for details.

Modern firearm elk hunting begins Oct. 25. The best opportunities in the region are in the southeast district of the Blue Mountains where three to eight percent of modern firearm elk hunters bag an elk, depending on GMU. Only the GMUs within the forested portion of the southeast district are managed for elk population stability or growth (GMUs 154, 157, 162, 166, 169, 172, 175, and 186). GMUs 145, 149, 163, 178, and 181 are managed to limit elk numbers to control agricultural damage and conflict issues.

The harvest of branchedbulls is regulated through the permit system. GMU 166 has had the highest success rate for general season hunters recently, but also has one of the higher densities of hunters.

The unit is predominantly USFS and WDFW owned lands. A portion of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness extends into this GMU and offers backcountry hunting opportunities.

Southeast district hunters are reminded that a couple of Wooten Wildlife Area campgrounds are closed, while new ones are constructed away from the

Tucannon River. Wooten Manager Kari Dingman also notes that black bears have been in the campgrounds, so hunters should not leave garbage and food out.

Central district elk hunting is mostly in GMUs 124, 127, and 130. However, elk appear to be expanding into new areas and harvest in GMUs 139 and 142 has been on the rise.

Some of these appear to be elk that move back and forth between Idaho and Washington, so timing and access to private lands is key. Hunters on private lands in GMU 130 have the highest success, probably benefitting from animals moving on and off Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

Northeast district elk are widely scattered in small groups in dense forestland, making them both difficult to survey and to hunt. The best elk hunting opportunities occur in GMUs associated with the Pend Oreille sub-herd area which includes 113 (Selkirk), 117 (49 Degrees North), and 111 (Aladdin), where an average of three to four percent of modern firearm hunters are successful. Hunter harvest rates were up slightly last season but have remained steady for the past five years, with prime bulls (at least six antler points) making up about 24 percent of the harvest. The state’s only moose hunting is in this region’s northeast district, all by special permits only drawn from last spring’s applicants. The season began Oct. 1 and runs through November.

More details on hunting prospects by WDFW district wildlife biologists is available on the department’s website, which also includes detail on hunting access on private lands.

Wildlife watching: Bird migration is in full swing this month, from songbirds to shorebirds and water-

fowl. WDFW Wildlife Biologist David Woodall recently reported seeing a flock of Nashville warblers on a WDFW access area in the Blue Mountains of the southeast district. Other staff report short-term invasions of migrating cedar waxwings and American robins on berry bushes, noisy gatherings of blackbirds, and soaring groups of turkey vultures.

Both white-tailed and mule deer bucks are in the “rut” or breeding mode in October and early November. That can mean they’re moving across the landscape with less than their usual wariness, challenging each other and looking for does – including near roadways, and not just at dawn or dusk. Motorists traveling through deer country – which is virtually all of the region – should be alert, aware and prepared for possible collisions with these animals.

With daylight hours shrinking fast, the chances for a low-light roadside wildlife encounter are increasing, too. Black bears in particular are tough to spot in the growing dimness as they roam farther and wider in search of food, including closer to roads and human development.

Bears are instinctively trying to fatten up as much as they can before going into winter dens later this fall.

WDFW officials remind all wildlife enthusiasts – both homeowners and recreationists in bear country – to avoid attracting bears by keeping any possible source of food out of their reach. That includes wild bird seed and suet, pet food, garbage, compost piles, and unpicked fruit or vegetables in orchards and gardens.

Southeast district wildlife watchers are reminded that a couple of Wooten Wildlife Area campgrounds are closed as new ones are constructed away from the Tucannon River.

FROM PAGE 1B

and catch per unit effort (CPUE) or its inverse, days per kill. Figures 4 and 5 provide trend data for each of these statistics by GMU and are intended to provide hunters with the best information possible to make an informed decision on where they want to hunt in District 1. Keep in mind, that as of 2011, a 4-point minimum restriction was imposed for white-tailed deer in GMUs 117 and 121, which led to decreases in harvest, hunter numbers, and hunter success. Available evidence points to this regulation change that brought about these decreases and not a dramatic decrease in the white-tailed deer population.

Bear Although there are hunters that specifically target black bears, we suspect that most bears are harvested opportunistically during general deer and elk seasons.

Consequently, annual harvest and hunter success can vary quite a bit from one year to the next.

Since 2004, hunter success in District 1 GMUs has varied from 4 percent to 18 percent. Hunter success is likely higher, however, for those hunters that specifically hunt bears versus those that buy a bear tag just in case they see one while they are deer or elk hunting.

Overall, annual bear

harvest during the general bear season in District 1 showed an increasing trend from 2004 to 2007 before it declined sharply during the 2008 season. Harvest continued to fluctuate up and down, but in 2013 it sharply declined again.

At the GMU level, most black bears will likely be harvested in GMUs 101 (Sherman), 117 (49 Degrees North), and 121 (Huckleberry). Harvest numbers during the 2013 season compared to long-term (10-year) and short-term (5-year) averages suggests that the bear harvest has been decreasing in District 1. With only one year of decreasing bear harvest, it is hard to say if this is a

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