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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hatcheries on agenda for wildlife panel

FISHING – A hatchery and fishery reform policy is on the agenda for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting Friday and Saturday in Olympia.

The panel also will receive a staff briefing on proposed changes to the 2010-12 sport fishing rules.

Rich Landers

North Dakota pheasants down

HUNTING – Hunters and the businesses that cater to them in southwest North Dakota say pheasants can be found, but hunters are looking harder this year.

The North Dakota season began Oct. 10. State wildlife officials estimate the pheasant population this fall is down about 50 percent from last year because of harsh conditions last winter and spring.

Travis Scholten of Spokane, his brother Calvin Scholten of Memphis, Tenn., and Jason Smith of Seattle hunted north of Dickinson. They bagged their limits, but noticed the birds were fewer and smaller than last year.

Most Dickinson-area hotels are booked for the first two weeks of the season.

Associated Press

Rules considered for Blackfoot

RIVERS – The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is pondering a new set of recreation rules for a 12-mile stretch of the Blackfoot River.

Proposals call for a permit system to control traffic on the river between the Harry Morgan and Russell Gates fishing access points. The area is popular for fishing and recreational floating.

Other ideas include restricting camping to designated camp areas, redesigning fishing access sites and expanding opportunities for overnight camp trips along one of the state’s 12 blue ribbon streams.

Staff and wire reports

Helena still dealing with urban deer

WILDLIFE – Helena is again trying to get a handle on the number of deer roaming inside Montana capital’s city limits.

The city, along with a private biologist, is conducting a survey that will help give an up-to-date deer census.

It’s the first deer population survey in Helena since late 2006, when officials estimated about 700 deer lived in town and projected that total could grow to 1,800 by 2010.

Helena police killed 200 deer last winter in a pair of pilot projects. This month, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will consider giving approval to kill an additional 150 mule deer between November and March.

Meat from the deer is donated to a Helena food bank.

Associated Press

Record pink salmon run quantified

FISHING – Washington salmon anglers knew this was a special year, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coming up with hard numbers.

A record run of more than 470,000 pinks has been collected this fall at the Mud Mountain Dam on the White River near Buckley. The previous record was about 128,000 fish in 2007.

The fish have been transported by truck to spawning grounds above the dam.

Pink salmon, which average about 4 pounds, have a two-year life cycle. Returning fish could set another record in 2011.

The (Tacoma) News Tribune