Extra Deer Hunt On Drawing Board To Thin Out Overgrown Population
Outdoors
An additional fall deer hunt has been proposed for the Entiat area to reduce deer numbers in fire-ravaged winter range.
Washington Fish and Wildlife Department biologists are asking the Fish and Wildlife Commission to approve a 12-day antlerless deer hunt that would begin Nov. 1.
“Because of the wildfires last summer that destroyed large portions of this herd’s habitat, and the mild winter which has meant a high survival rate for the deer, there is a real need to harvest more animals,” said George Tsukamoto, the agency’s game division chief.
The commission will consider the proposal at its April 7-8 meeting in Walla Walla. However, hunters who want to be eligible for the hunt must submit an application to the department by the April 1 deadline to apply for permit hunts.
When applying, hunters should use a standard application and refer to the hunt as Entiat Hunt 1123.
The 1995 Washington hunting regulations pamphlet contains an error, state officials say. Successful applicants for the Peshastin A special permit elk hunt No. 2021 will not be restricted to hunting for bulls. They will be allowed to hunt either sex for elk.
TROPHY MOUNTS MEASURED
The Big Horn Sports and Recreation Show will be accepting trophy mounts for measuring and judging beginning today, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. at Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.
Official scorers from the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council will measure the trophies and put them on display at the show. Deadline for entering is noon on Saturday. Mounts must remain on display at the show until 6 p.m. Sunday.
LITTLE FUNDING HEADED TO EAST SIDE
Of the $2,675,000 slated to be spent by Washington state this year to sponsor projects for boating and off-road vehicle use, only $376,000 is earmarked for two projects in the Spokane region.
The Boyer Park and Marina will provide barrier-free access to the Eastern Washington boating community by making restrooms, moorage docks and shelters accessible. Total cost is about $400,000, with $197,000 to be funded by a portion of the unrefunded marine fuel tax revenues.
The state also has earmarked $179,000 for a $364,000 project to provide a public boat launch and support facilities on the Pend Oreille River at Cusick.
WWP WINS FOREST SERVICE AWARD
Washington Water Power has received the U.S. Forests Service Regional Forester’s Public Service Award for contributions in management, administration and protection of National Forest resources.
“Without the continuing support of the WWP, the resources of the National Forests in the area would not have the data, the boat ramps, the camping areas, the insight into our historic past nor the improved fisheries that we know enjoy,” said Cabinet District Ranger, Jim Mershon.
Some of the cooperative efforts that WWP has been involved with under the Challenge Cost Share since 1985 include creating bass habitat in the Noxon reservoir, releasing peregrine falcons near Clark Fork and the funding of a computer program to help locate Native American cultural sites.