Comments Welcome

The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife is taking public comment on the issue of baiting waterfowl through June 20. The process of baiting waterfowl with corn and other foodstuffs has been outlawed since the 1930s because of the emergence of the conservation movements and international conservation treaties with Mexico and Canada.

The practice became an issue recently in Idaho when officials cracked down on hunters using partially harvested corn fields as “bait” for waterfowl. The Idaho hunters argued that they were taking advantage of naturally occurring harvest conditions to attract more birds.

Comments: Director (FWS/ NAWWO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 110 ARLSQ, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20240.

Kokanee population down

A massive water release from the Dworshak Reservoir during March and April has caused a 90 percent drop in kokanee population in the reservoir, according to an Idaho Fish and Wildlife estimate.

Regulations to change

Fishers planning on going north to British Columbia should expect changes in regulations this season. The following areas will enforce limits of four coho or other species per day, with no more than eight in possession; and two halibut per day, with three in possession. Other changes are as follows:

Queen Charlotte Islands (including Sandspit, Masset, Queen Charlotte City, Langara Island and Naden Harbour) - Zero chinook retention (catch and release) from June 1-Oct. 31.

North end of Western Vancouver Island (including Nootka Sound, Gold River, Tahsis and Zeballos) - Two chinook a day, four in possession through July 15 north of Estevan Point. July 15-Oct. 31 no chinook retention is allowed.

Southern end of Western Vancouver Island (including Bamfield, Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet) - From Aug. 1 - Oct. 31 there will be zero chinook retention north from Sheringham Point, including the Ucluelet and Tofino areas. Coho and Halibut restrictions apply after Aug. 1. Rivers Inlet, Hakai Pass, north coast inside waters, Georgia Straight and the Straights of Juan de Fuca - Two chinook allowed daily, with a possession limit of four. Two Coho allowed per day, but other coho and halibut limits remain the same as other areas.

There is a 20-fish dogfish limit in all British Columbia waters.

Canning of any species, including salmon, is allowed only in residences and approved commercial facilities.

Bad fuel will stall you

The No. 1 cause of stalled boats is fuel that has gone bad.

Gasoline loses its combustibility and turns to a gummy varnish when it sits for long periods. Old gas clogs fuel lines and filters and is bad for spark plugs.

If you detect a varnish smell near the carburetor or air cleaner and if your engine needs excessive choke to run, the fuel has gone bad. Change the filter and spark plugs, drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh gas. Lubricate the throttle linkage with WD-40 or some other brand of lubricant that displaces moisture.

A series of statewide meetings will be held this month to entertain ideas on simplifying and modernizing sport fishing and hunting laws. The meetings, held by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and mandated by the Washington state legislature, are open to the public. Area meetings are as follows:

Tuesday, June 18, at the North Spokane Library, on East Hawthorne Rd., 7-9 p.m.

Wednesday, June 19, at the Pullman City Hall’s Senior Lounge, 325 S.E. Paradise, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Info: (360) 902-2441.

, DataTimes