Youths get shot at Turnbull ducks

OUTHUNT - For the second time since 1937, youngsters can apply for permits to join a two-day youth waterfowl hunt this fall at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will restrict the hunters to about eight hunting sites during Washington’s youth waterfowl season, Sept. 24-25.

Two youth hunters under 16 accompanied by one or two non-hunting adults will be allowed at each site. The hunters must have state small game and waterfowl licenses.

Hunters will be selected in a random drawing. Applications will be accepted Monday through Aug. 15.

Apply on a U.S. Postal Service postcard. Include the youth’s full name, address and telephone number.

Youths may apply with a youth friend or youth sibling on the same application.

Mail postcards to Refuge Manager, Turnbull NWR, 26010 S. Smith Road, Cheney, WA 99004.

The Washington Waterfowl Association will conduct a workshop the week prior to the hunt to help the youths select hunting sites and provide waterfowl identification and hunting tips.

Info: 235-4723; fws.gov/turnbull/

OUTHOWL –Washington’s gray wolf conservation and management plan will take another step toward adoption Thursday when the nearly completed document – years in the making – is presented to the state Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Wildlife officials will start their presentation to the commission at 10 a.m. in the Natural Resources Building in Olympia.

The presentation will include a summary of comments received from public and scientific peer reviews and the 17-member Wolf Working Group.

Public comment will be allowed after the briefing. Statewide public meetings are likely, but have not been announced.

The commission may consider approval of a final plan later this year.

Friends lead hike up Scotchman Peak

OUTDO – The Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will continue their summer group hiking series this weekend by inviting the public to sign up and join Spokane naturalist Jack Nisbet on a rugged 7-mile round trip trek to the summit of Scotchman Peak.

Nisbet will give a short talk Saturday morning at the trailhead northeast of Lake Pend Oreille on “thinking like a naturalist” and then lead a hike up Scotchman Peak with opportunities to practice the described skills.

Expect awesome views from the top, but you’ll earn them. The all-day hike is rated strenuous. Preregister: scotchmanpeaks.org.   

Why we need bats

OUTKNOW – Learn the global importance of bats and differences in the 15 species found in Washington during a free program by wildlife biologist Ella Rowan, Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council hall, 6116 N. Market St.