Field reports: Land deals proposed for wildlife habitat

HABITAT – Proposals to acquire land in eight Washington counties for fish and wildlife habitat and public recreation are open to comments through Feb. 12.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has proposed purchasing 10 properties in Walla Walla, Snohomish, Lincoln, Kittitas, Klickitat, Grays Harbor, Thurston and Pacific counties.

The properties total more than 9,800 acres and range from 13 acres of wetland areas in Snohomish County to 5,542 acres around Lake Creek north of Odessa in Lincoln County.

Other Eastern Washington proposals include a 59-acre addition to the Swanson Lakes Wildlife area in Lincoln County and 2,560 acres along the Touchet River in Walla Walla County.

Information on the properties is available on WDFW’s website at wdfw.wa.gov.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife department owns or manages about a million acres in 33 wildlife areas, along with 700 public water-access sites.

Apply for river lotteries

WATERSPORTS – River permits for the region’s world-class rafting streams are among the most coveted recreation reservations in the West – and Jan. 31 is the deadline to apply.

Maximum group size on the rivers generally is around 30. Midweek launch dates tend to be easier to get than Friday-Sunday dates.

The toughest permit to bag is for the Selway, with odds of 1 in 52 last year. The easiest permit is the Snake River in Hells Canyon, with odds of 1 in 7.

Following are some of the most sought-after permits in the region.

Idaho’s Selway, Salmon, Middle Fork Salmon and the Snake River in Hells Canyon.

Deadline for online applications (no paper applications allowed): Jan. 31. Details: http://1.usa.gov/15VvY8k.

Montana’s Smith River, a classic 59-mile multiday floating and fishing experience in Central Montana.

Deadline for applications: Feb. 18. Details: fwp.mt.gov.

Turkey season extended

HUNTING – Idaho Panhandle hunters will have an extra 16 days to hunt wild turkeys next fall under new season adopted for the next two years by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday.

Panhandle Region fall general turkey season turkey hunts will be extended to Dec. 31 in Units 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and Farragut WMA), 3, 4, 4A, 5 and 6.

Rules for upland bird and turkey hunting across the state will be available in February.

Free local programs

PADDLING – Kayak Camping: Six Beautiful Places Within a Day’s Drive, by Hulda Bridgeman, 7 p.m. Monday, sponsored by Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club, at Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield in Spokane Valley.

EQUESTRIAN – Gun Selection and Care for Backcountry Riders, by Robin Ball of Sharp Shooting Indoor Range, 7 p.m. on Tuesday, sponsored by Back Country Horsemen, at Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Building, 6116 N. Market St. in Spokane.