Clarifications On Washington Youth Hunts

New doe hunting opportunities and youth hunting days reported recently in the newspaper’s special hunting section need clarification, according to Washington Fish and Wildilfe Department officials.

Washington’s first-ever youth waterfowl hunt on Oct. 5 is for kids 15 years old and under who have completed hunter education requirements.

Note, however, that NO geese can be taken on that day. Youths who are accompanied by a licensed hunter over 18 years old can take the regular daily limit of ducks, coots or snipe.

Washington’s new open “doe hunt” for seniors and youths is geared ONLY to antlerless whitetailed deer in units 105-142. The newspaper incorrectly reported the units in the hunting section.

Details of the deer-hunting opportunities are spelled out on page 12 of the Washington 1996-97 Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet. Details of the youth waterfowl hunt are on page 3 of the Washington Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Rules pamphlet. Both are available from license dealers.

Also, this new opportunity is open to hunters 65 years or older and youths 16 and younger. Note that this youth age requirement is different than those for the state’s youth waterfowl hunt because of federal migratory bird hunting criteria.

Weekday road closures

Landslides and road washouts caused by flooding last winter and spring could plague some hunters heading afield this fall. The Clearwater and Panhandle national forests report numerous roads and trails that are closed or modified.

The Colville National Forest warns that the Hande Creek Road No. 530 and Thomas Mountain Road No. 550 and a half-mile of the Little Pend Oreille ORV trail will be closed on weekdays, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., through November. Heavy equipment will be using this area while doing repairs to State Highway 20.

Forest officials recommend that hunters check with ranger stations on weekdays before they plan to hunt to assure that roads and trails are open.

, DataTimes