Field reports: Asotin County men charged in elk case
POACHING – Two Anatone, Washington, men have been charged in the November illegal killing of two trophy-class bull elk in Asotin County.
Richard Kramer, 39, and his son, Jonathan Kramer, 22, face multiple charges in the cases, which were made with the help of tips from the public, according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife police.
The unlawful hunting charges involve spotlighting, trespassing, and wasting game.
Officer Matt Sabo had reported that the two bulls were killed within about 100 yards of each other near the intersection of Weissenfels Ridge Road and Kiesecker Road, and both had their heads removed and backstrap meat taken. One of the elk’s hindquarters were also taken with the rest of the meat left to waste.
They are set to appear in Asotin County District Court on Wednesday.
Washington offers only a few hunting tags for coveted branch-antlered bull elk in that area through a lottery drawing each year.
Mount Spokane friends to fill board openings
PARKS – The Friends of Mount Spokane State Park Board of Directors is looking for new members.
The panel of up to 15 members serves as a link between the park manager and park visitors, says Cris Currie, board president.
“It provides management recommendations to the park manager, organizes volunteer park projects and raises funds to help fulfill management plans for improved facilities and education within the park,” he said.
The group meets 3-5 times a year and is looking for people who have a passion for the park and who can help represent recreational user groups as well as other interests including education, business and environmental protection, Currie says.
For an application, email a letter of interest to criscurrie22@gmail.com.
Disabled hunters apply for timberland access
HUNTING – April 3 is the deadline to apply for one of 25 disabled-hunter vehicle access permits to access otherwise gated areas on Inland Empire Paper Company lands. Permits will be distributed in a lottery drawing.
Applications are available through the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, (509) 328-6429, or on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility.
Idaho keeps discounts on predator tags
HUNTING – Discounts on nonresident tags for large predators in some units offered last year will be continued through 2015, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission says.
The discounts will apply to black bear, mountain lion and wolf tags.
Black bear and mountain lion tags will be sold at the new discounted price of $41.75, a 78 percent decrease in the regular price of $186.00.
Gray wolf tags will continue to be sold at the discounted price of $31.75.
The panel cites a “biological and public need” to increase hunting of mountain lion and black bear in certain units and wolves statewide.