Hunting Guide 2011

THE MINER

2011 HUNTING GUIDE

OCTOBER 5, 2011 |

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SPORTSMEN! Listens October 1 - October 15, 2011

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We carry. . .

• Washington & Idaho Hunting & Fishing Licenses • Ammo • Knives • Back packs • Gun Cleaning Kits • Calls • Scents

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FREE Chainsaw Case

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East End of the Oldtown Bridge

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STORE-N-MORE • Hunting Supplies & Ammo • Beer • Pop • Ice • Snacks • Hot & Cold Deli • U-Haul • 24-Hour Gas & Diesel • Wi-Fi • Propane Open Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sun. - 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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Lots of used guns • 90 day lay-away available

Also come check out our selection of: Hats, Gloves, Holsters, Ammo & Scopes If we don’t have a firearm you want we can order it in for you!

300 West Walnut Street • Newport, WA • (509) 447-5702

(In Front of The Dollars & Deals!)

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| OCTOBER 5, 2011

THE MINER

Hunting prospects for 2011

Hunting licenses in Washington Big Game: License Bear Cougar Deer Elk Deer &Elk Goat, Sheep, Moose

BY DANA L. BASE WDFW BIOLOGIST

The following hunting information is for the Colville Region of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, including Pend Oreille County.

Pheasant: There are a limited number of wild pheasants in areas such as the Colville Valley bottom. Again this season we will be releasing roosters at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, which is mapped on the Go Hunt website. Nontoxic shot is required on all pheasant release sites.

Quail: There is a very limited population in northeast Washington.

Gray Partridge: Not a significant population within northeast Washington.

Forest Grouse: As was the case in both 2009 and 2010, the numbers of forest grouse continue to be down in District 1. Even so, this is a good district for grouse and it continues to provide good opportunities for hunting forest grouse.

Wild Turkeys: The first hatch, which typically occurs in early June did not produce many poults, likely due to prolonged rainy weather throughout the late spring. More turkey broods hatched later in the season and

SERVICING GAME &

Non-Resident Youth/Disabled/Veteran $220 $11 $220 $11 $432.30 $11 $495 $19.80 $737 $38.50

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Small Game: License Small Game w/Big Game License Small Game Alone Turkey (1st Tag) Turkey (2nd-7th)

COUNTRY HARDWARE STORE are being reported now. Longer term, turkeys are recovering from the two bad winters of 2007-08 and 2008-09. Flocks of adult birds are being observed in most of the “usual” places, particularly in lower elevation country within the farm and forest mosaic of Stevens and Pend Oreille counties.

Waterfowl: There is limited opportunity for duck hunting within District 1. Most hunting

seems to concentrate on the Pend Oreille River. Diving ducks including goldeneyes, mergansers and others are the most available ducks throughout the rest of District 1 on lakes and rivers. Canada geese are also available on major water bodies such as Lake Roosevelt, the Pend Oreille River, and large farm fields in valley bottoms.

Dove: Hunting prospects for 2011 should be similar to 2010.

However, District 1 is not a major dove area, with doves occurring at low population densities relative to the Columbia Basin and similar regions. The introduced Eurasian CollaredDove continues to become more

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509-442-3532 Hunters we have. . .

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SEE PROSPECTS, 6C

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Now Servicing Harley Davidson Motorcycles

Lodging Adjacent to Restaurant & Airstrip 311 W. Walnut Newport, WA (509) 447-3933

Before You Go See Us for Tires & Batteries for Your Hunting Rigs & ATVs

Loon Lake Marina

Hunter’s Alert

DJ’S MOTORSPORTS 943 Lakeview Drive - Kettle Falls, WA •

Open 6 a.m. 7 days a week Great Breakfast & Lunch Specials Super Suppers!

ATV Service - Accessories Snowmobile Sales & Service

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Cross Roads Cafe Hwy 20 at Usk, WA

(509) 445-1515 Service • Tune-Ups • Boat Storage

509-233-2303 Hwy 395 At Granite Point Park www.loonlakemarina.com Loon Lake

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JOHNS MARINE SERVICE 192 Degrief Rd Colville, Wa 99114 509-684-4581

MASON’S MEAT PACKING COMPANY

1871 Green Rd. • Diamond Lake Area • Newport

(509) 447-3788

*Offer valid at participating U.S. dealers to U.S. residents on new and unused 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 or 2012 Arctic Cat ATVs and Prowlers, excluding the Arctic Cat 50, 90, Demo and Special Services models. See dealer for details and program dates. 3.9% APR FINANCING for a term up to 36 months; 7.9% APR FINANCING for a term up to 60 months. Financing provided by Sheffield Financial and is subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify for credit. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Minimum financing total of $3,000, amortized up to 60 months.

2-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY includes six-month limited factory warranty and 18-month extended service contract through Cornerstone. REBATES not valid on 2012 models and vary by model and dealer participation. Offer subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, freight and dealer setup.

ATVs and ROVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety always wear an approved helmet, eye protection, and protective cloth ing. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Never engage in stunt driving; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix and could cause serious injury or even death.

Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. We recommend all ROV operators have a valid driver’s license and always wear a seat belt. Never carry a passenger in the cargo box; the passenger must be able to place both feet on the floor while keeping their back against the back of the seat. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders read and understand their operator’s manual before operation. Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Arctic Cat urges you to “Tread Lightly” on public and private lands. Ride only on designated areas or trails. Preserve your future riding opportunities by showing respect for the environment, local laws, and the rights of others when riding. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV. Only ride an ATV that is right for your age. Supervise riders younger than 16. ATVs are only recommended for users over 12 years old. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course. For safety or training information in the U.S., call the ATV Safety Institute at (800) 887-2887 or see your dealer. Do not shoot from or lean firearms or bows against the ATV or ROV. ®™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Arctic Cat Inc. ©2011 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701. Arctic Cat ATVs and Side by Sides are world-class products from Arctic Cat Inc.

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THE MINER

out the region. Bow hunters after white-tailed deer in GMUs 117 and 121 need to be aware of a new four-antler-point minimum this year.

Mourning dove hunting also opened Sept. 1 and the best opportunities are usually in the southeast district near the Snake, Touchet and Walla Walla

rivers where birds tend to be more abundant – at least until cooler weather moves them south. An increasing number of exotic Eurasian collared doves are being observed throughout the region and since hunting for them is open year-round without bag limits, they might provide opportunity when native mourning doves migrate out.

Also opening Sept. 1 are seasons for forest grouse, cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares, raccoon, fox, and bobcat.

Early archery elk hunting began Sept. 6 in select GMUs. WDFW Wooten Wildlife Area manager Kari Dingman reported at the end of August that bull elk started bugling and herding up cow elk in the Blue Mountains.

Some special permit opportunities on both elk and deer for limited numbers of successful applicants also get under way at various times this month in select GMUs. Early fall turkey hunting SEE EARLY, 6C

Discover pass required for access to public lands OLYMPA – Beginning July 1, the Discover Pass is required for vehicle access or parking on Washington state parks and recreation lands. Current Vehicle Use Permits will be honored on WDFW lands for the balance of the license year (through March 31, 2012).

Discover Passes are registered to a single vehicle and are nontransferrable.

The annual Discover Pass is $35 from the WILD system (at a license dealer, on the internet or by phone 1-866-320-9933), made up of the $30 base fee, $3 transaction

fee and $2 dealer fee. A one-day Discover Pass is $11.50.

The pass is required to access state recreation lands and water access sites managed by Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

These lands include state parks, water access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads.

The Discover Pass will be needed to access DNR’s developed or designated recreation areas,

sites, trailheads and parking areas. Holders of certain hunting and fishing licenses do not need a Discover Pass on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands and water-access sites; instead a Vehicle Access Pass for WDFW lands and water-access sites will be issued free with purchase of a big-game or small-game hunting license, western Washington pheasant permit, trapping license, Watchable Wildlife decal, or saltwater or freshwater or combination recreational fishing license.

COEUR D’ALENE – There are various opportunities to hunt and view wildlife in Idaho.

Following are descriptions of opportunities at the various Wildlife Management Areas in the Panhandle Region.

Pend Oreille: Sight-seeing, photography and recreational boating are just some of the outdoor activities awaiting Pend Oreille WMA visitors.

Boundary Creek: With a diverse wildlife community within the WMA there are many unique viewing opportunities. Waterfowl viewing is particularly rewarding during the spring migrations in March, April and early May. Elk are frequently visible from early spring to late fall and you may see moose all year long.

Farragut: A trail network on the WMA is available for hikers, birdwatchers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, mushroom gatherers and snowmobilers.

The southern Wildlife Management Area parcels adjacent to Lake Pend Oreille have well developed recreational facilities, including a boat launch, parking areas, restrooms, docks and trails.

McArthur Lake: Waterfowl hunting is popular until freezeup, usually in November. The WMA is also frequently hunted for white-tailed deer, black bear and moose. Many people visit the WMA to view wildlife, particularly in June for moose and during the peak bird migrations in spring and fall.

Coeur d’Alene: Waterfowl hunters and big game hunters will find good hunting opportunities for each season within and adjacent to the WMA. Camping, recreational boating, sightseeing, bird watching and hiking are more of the outdoor activities awaiting the WMA visitors.

St. Maries: Hunting seasons for upland game and big game span the months of September through December, depending upon the species. The St. Maries River provides excellent fishing opportunities with some restrictions applying to cutthroat trout.

The WMA provides wonderful opportunities for camping, picnicking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing and hiking in a diverse setting of forest and mountain meadows.

The town of St. Maries is close by for those forgotten camping and fishing items.

Snow Peak: Excellent hunting opportunities exist for pack trips, with approximately 40 miles of trail found within the borders.

Numerous unimproved campsites are available and the possibility of harvesting a mature, branch-antlered bull is good.

Backpackers, hikers, photographers, hunters and fishermen all enjoy the WMA.

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Laclede Store

14663 Hwy 2 • Laclede, ID 208-263-3892

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF GREAT HUNTING. . .

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It’s the Season of

www.harthillstractorequipment.com *Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment. Not all dealers carry all products. Consult your local Yellow Pages. The Honda Power Equipment VisaŽ credit card is issued

by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants. Regular minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the regular APR if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period or if you make a late payment. For newly opened accounts, the regular APR is 27.99%. The APR may vary. The APR is given as of 06/01/2011. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. Offer expires 12/31/2011.

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We would like to Thank Our Top Idaho Dealer

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Cabin Rentals • RVs • Camping • Groceries • Gas • Boat Rentals Restaurant open 7 days a week • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Half Moon Feeds

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Hunting, wildlife viewing in Idaho

Some hunting seasons opened in September OLYMPIA – The first hunting seasons in the region opened Sept. 1, including black bear in the Northeastern and Blue Mountains management areas and early archery deer in select Game Management Units (GMUs).

Black bear hunters in GMUs 101-121 will want to take the newly available bear species identification test online. The program includes information on how to correctly identify black bears and grizzly bears.

Grizzly bears are protected under state and federal endangered species laws.

Whereas black bears are classified as a game species. “This test was developed to help black bear hunters be sure of their targets,� said Dana Base, a WDFW wildlife biologist. “We encourage hunters to test their knowledge about the two species before going afield.�

Kevin Robinette, WDFW regional wildlife program manager, said deer hunting prospects for both whitetails and mule deer are relatively good through-

OCTOBER 5, 2011 |

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BIG BUCKS & FALLING LEAVES Boots • Wool Socks • Hunting Items

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201 East 4th Street North • Oldtown, Idaho Monday - Saturday • 8 am - 7 pm • Sunday 10 am - 6 pm facebook.com/bfoldtown

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| OCTOBER 5, 2011

Hunters required to wear orange

SPOKANE – Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange exterior clothing is required.

It must be worn above the waist and be visible from all sides.

A hat, by itself, does not meet this requirement.

Anyone hunting deer or elk during any modern firearm deer or elk general season is required to wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

All modern firearm permit holders must wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing. This includes archers and muzzleloaders while hunting in units (e.g.

GMUs, Deer, Areas, Elk Areas, Wilderness Areas, etc.) that overlap modern firearm seasons.

Anyone hunting in an area that is open for modern firearm

deer or elk hunting must meet hunter orange requirements if they are hunting any of the following species: bear, bobcat, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, fox, grouse, hare, rabbit or raccoon.

During any upland game bird (pheasant, quail, and partridge) season, anyone hunting upland game birds or rabbits with a modern firearm is required to wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing. (Grouse are not upland game birds.)

Hunter orange clothing is not required during an upland game bird season for anyone hunting upland game birds with a muzzleloading firearm, bow and arrow, or for falconry or while hunting in a muzzleloading or archery only GMU and possessing a valid muzzleloading or archery deer or elk tag.

Some private lands open for hunting OLYMPIA – Since about 50 percent of Washington is in private ownership, many public hunting opportunities rely on landowners opening their lands.

In Washington, hunters must obtain landowner permission to hunt on private land; however WDFW is working with hundreds of landowners to help acquire permission. Currently, the WDFW private lands access program has more than 600 landowner cooperators and more than one million acres of private land under agreement in eastern and western Washington. One private landowner in Pend Oreille County has agreed to let hunters “feel free to hunt,” on a total of 7,757 acres.

Recognizing the opportunity provided by private landowners is very important, but more important is treating private lands and the landowners with respect.

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THE MINER

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Place your classified or display ad with The Miner and it will appear in both newspapers - The Newport Miner (Pend Oreille County) and The Gem State Miner (West Bonner County). All for one good price. Call (509) 447-2433 for details.

Cathy’s Cafe Homecooked Meals Homemade Pies Milk Shakes When accessing private lands, always be courteous, close gates that you open, stay on designated roads (unless it is walk-in access), pack your trash out, and take time to thank a landowner for participating in the WDFW private lands access program.

Since 1948, WDFW has worked with private landowners across the state to provide public access

MARSHALL LAKE RESORT In the heart of Whitetail Country

• Rustic Cabins • Camping/RV Parking • Boat Rental & Launch • Mini Store **Hot Showers**

through a negotiated agreement.

Landowners participating in a WDFW cooperative agreement retain liability protection provided under RCW 4.24.210. Landowners receive technical services, materials for posting (signs and posts), and in some cases monetary compensation. In addition, lands under agreement are well known

by WDFW enforcement staff.

NORTH SKOOKUM CAMPGROUND 9 miles North of Usk on Kings Lake Road on North Skookum Lake In the heart of Whitetail Country!

• Modern Restrooms • Water • No hook-ups

Breakfast & Lunch Mon. - Fri. • 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. • 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

509-446-2446 Downtown Metaline Falls, WA

OWEN’S GROCERY & DELI 337 S. Washington Ave. Newport • (509) 447-3525

GREAT BEER PRICES!

(208) 304-0773 Manager

Raymond Lenzi

(509) 447-4158

Ice • Groceries Hot foods to go Fresh made sandwiches to go

Many Other Brands Available

Open: Tuesday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed Sunday & Monday

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DON’T SHOOT Near Power Lines Careless or deliberate firearm damage to power lines, poles, insulators, transformers, and other utility equipment occurs during hunting season in Pend Oreille County. Hunter damage can cause outages, and the expensive cost of repairs is ultimately paid by utility customers.

Pend Oreille PUD asks you to be responsible with firearms and report any damage you may see.

p

END OREILLE

PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT

“Quality Service at Low Cost”

(509) 447-3137 • (509) 446-3137 • (509) 242-3137

Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Gathering on the Reservation are Prohibited, unless otherwise approved.

For waterfowl hunting and fishing opportunities please contact the

Kalispel Natural Resources Department (509) 445-1147

THE MINER

Idaho hunting license fees LICENSE

Get fast relief for an upset budget with The Newport Miner and Gem State Miner Classifieds. They work for others; they’ll work for you! Call (509) 447-2433.

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Adult Hunting and Fishing $33.50 Junior Hunting and Fishing (14-17 yrs) $17.50 Senior Hunting and Fishing (65+ yrs) $11.75 Combination - Sportsman’s Package $117.25 Hunting – Adult $12.75 Hunting – Junior (12-17 yrs) $7.25 Hunting – Youth Small Game (10-11 yrs) $7.25

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5C

Mt. Linton Motel

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Tues. - Sat. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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Large Selection of Hunting Supplies Guns & Free Advise

OCTOBER 5, 2011 |

Blanchard Inn Restaurant (208) 437-3137 • Hwy. 41 • Blanchard, ID

509-446-2238

SET YOUR SIGHTS. . . . . .ON A PAIR OF GLOVES Bring us your gameskins and we’ll trade you a pair of gloves or pay you cash.

We’ll also buy your deer or elk antlers.

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| OCTOBER 5, 2011

THE MINER

EARLY | FROM PAGE 3C

began Sept. 24 in most of the region’s GMUs, and WDFW wildlife biologists report that the big birds appear to be in healthy numbers just about everywhere.

Sept. 24-25 was the special youth only waterfowl and upland game bird hunting season that gives hunters under 16 years of age a jump start on the general seasons that open later this fall. Non-hunting adults at least 18 years of age must accompany young hunters, and they should note all the special weekend season rules in WDFW’s Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet.

WDFW Upland Game Bird Specialist Joey McCanna also advises those who accompany youth bird hunters to check out changes in the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program bird release sites.

Non-toxic shot is required for all upland bird hunting on all pheasant release sites statewide to protect other wildlife species including waterfowl and raptors.

Wherever hunters go this fall, WDFW officials ask for care and caution with any potential firestarting activity.

PROSPECTS | FROM PAGE 2C

common in District 1, particularly within town environments such as Colville and Northport.

Considered an “exotic species,” Eurasian Collared-Doves are open to hunting year-round with no bag limit.

Mule Deer: Overall mule deer appear to have weathered the two bad winters of 2007-08 and 2008-09 better than the whitetailed deer, but have shown the same spotty pattern of productivity.

Hunting prospects should be similar to 2010, which was better than the 10-year average.

White-tailed Deer: The longterm population trend for white-tailed deer continues to be on the downside with the loss of acreage in cereal grain and alfalfa hay farm production. Two recent bad winters further exacerbated this situation. On the positive side, the year 2011 is so far shaping up, weather-wise, to be favorable for white-tailed deer in northeast Washington. Last winter was classified as moderate, and the rainy spring led to a flush of green forage. The overall white-tail harvest will inevitably be lower this year than in the previous ten or more years due to continued restrictions in antlerless harvest opportunity along with the first season having the four-point or better antler point restriction within GMUs 117 and 121.

Once again Youth/Senior/Disabled Modern Firearm Hunters will have four days, Oct. 20-23 in which to lawfully bag an antlerless white-tail.

Muzzleloaders will also be limited to antlered white-tail bucks only during their season and the same was true for Archery Hunters during the early season only, which was Sept. 1-23.

The restriction allowing for only four-point or greater white-tail bucks will apply to all hunting methods within GMUs 117 and 121.

Elk: There are fewer elk in District 1 relative to other areas of the state.

With rare exceptions the elk population does not appear to have been as heavily impacted as white-tailed deer from the two bad winters of 2007-08 and 2008-09. Hunting prospects should be similar to 2010. Finding elk is the biggest challenge with so much densely forested areas within NE Washington where they can effectively hide and “sit out” the season. The most successful elk hunters in District 1 tend to be Archers and Muzzleloaders as their seasons are at a time nearer the rut when elk are more vocal, and therefore easier to approach.

(208) 448-2311

Albeni Hwy., Priest River, Idaho For Our Washington Customers Call Toll Free 1-800-440-8254