Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 288
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is canceling its meeting on Saturday, Feb. 9, due to an expected winter storm. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will meet as scheduled on Friday, Feb. 8, in Olympia. More information about the Friday meeting agenda is available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/feb0119a/. The National Weather Service is predicting a winter storm that could b... Full story
OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can return to various ocean beaches for a seven-day opening beginning Sunday, Feb. 17. The dig extends over a long weekend and provides a Saturday digging opportunity at Long Beach. State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig on evening low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. No digging will be allowed on any beach before noon. The upcoming dig is approved on the following b... Full story
Species affected: All species Location: In the waters downstream of markers on a point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of the Highway 14 Bridge. Reason for action: The return of fall chinook to Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery is currently projected to be below the number needed to meet egg take goals for 2018. Closing the fishing season in Drano Lake will increase the number of hatchery fish available for broodstock and help... Full story
Action: Close part of the Samish River to all fishing. Effective dates: Sept.15, 2018 until further notice. Species affected: All species. Location: From the mouth (Bayview –Edison Road) to I-5 bridge Reasons for action: The return of fall chinook to the Samish Hatchery is currently projected to be below the number needed to meet egg take goals for 2018. Closing the fishing season in the lower Samish River will increase the number of hatchery fish available for broodstock and help ensure f... Full story
Contact: WDFW Wildlife Program, (360) 902-2515 Statewide shooting ban added to other fire-prevention strategies on WDFW lands. OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will add a temporary statewide restriction on firearm use beginning Saturday, Aug. 4, to fire-prevention rules already in place on WDFW-managed lands. “Weeks of dry weather have raised the threat of wildfire on both sides of the Cascades, and it’s critical for all of us to avoid doing anything that could... Full story
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is highlighting a browser-based, hunting regulations web map in time for 2018-19 hunting seasons. The web map, available at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ provides more convenient access to Washington's 2018-19 hunting regulations by allowing hunters to find permit and general season hunts based on location, date, weapon choice and more. "This web map helps hunters narrow their search to the hunts and hunt areas relevant... Full story
OLYMPIA – A report by Washington State University (WSU) about the examination of the carcass of the cougar believed to be involved in the death of a bicyclist this spring near North Bend revealed no abnormalities that might have contributed to the animal's unusual behavior, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said today. The report by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at WSU in Pullman was released today in response to public disclosure requests. The report i... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has reopened several roads and campgrounds at three wildlife areas and numerous water access sites in Okanogan County that were closed in mid-May due to flooding. Water from snowmelt runoff has receded and conditions have improved enough to safely allow public access without damaging the areas, said Nathan Wehmeyer, manager of WDFW's Sinlahekin Wildlife Area. "We're glad that conditions have improved to the point that we can r... Full story
OLYMPIA – Eighteen lucky hunters will have an opportunity to hunt for deer this fall on the 6,000-acre Charles and Mary Eder unit of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area in northeastern Okanogan County. Hunters can submit an application for the "limited-entry" deer hunt on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/scotchcreek/ or by contacting the department's northcentral region office at (509) 754-4624 or headquarters at (360) 902-2515. Th... Full story
Angler establishes redbanded rockfish state record; Arrowtooth flounder record falls the same day OLYMPIA - John Sly of Tacoma has established the state record for the largest redbanded rockfish caught in state waters, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed today. Sly caught the 7.54 pound redbanded rockfish while jigging with bait out of Westport, Washington on June 21. There was no previous state record established for this species. Richard Hale of Tukwila broke... Full story
PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- The National Park Service (NPS), the USDA Forest Service (USFS), and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have released the Mountain Goat Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for managing non-native mountain goats in the Olympic Mountains. The NPS preferred alternative involves the relocation of the majority of mountain goats to USFS lands in the North Cascades forests and the lethal removal of the remaining mountain goats in... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting people to share their views at four upcoming meetings in Ridgefield on a draft assessment of a state policy that guides the management of salmon fisheries in the lower Columbia River. The policy, adopted in 2013 by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, is designed to promote orderly fisheries, advance the recovery of wild salmon and steelhead, and support the economic well-being of the Columbia River fishing i... Full story
WDFW IS seeking comments on the draft status reviews for sea otters, pygmy rabbits, and grizzly bears. OLYMPIA – State wildlife managers are seeking public input on their recommendations to keep the pygmy rabbit and grizzly bear on the state's endangered species list, and to downlist the sea otter from endangered to threatened. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) periodically reviews the status of protected species in the state. The public can comment on the listing r... Full story
SPOKANE – A private helicopter flying under contract with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for a mule deer study crashed Saturday, Jan. 27, in Garfield County, killing one member of the crew and injuring two others. The Washington State Patrol confirmed today that the crash took the life of Benjamin M. Poirier, 19, Berthoud, Colo., a crew member in the helicopter. The pilot, Blake Malo, 33, Clarkston, and the third crew member, Garrett Bradshaw, 30, Eagle Point Ore., were t... Full story
OLYMPIA – State investigators have determined that an excessive buildup of mussels and other marine organisms on nets – caused by Cooke Aquaculture's failure to properly clean them – led to the August 19 collapse of the company's net pen at Cypress Island. An investigative report – authored by the departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Ecology, and Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) – found that 110 tons of mussels and plants had accumulated on the nets before the incident. The report was released... Full story
Action: Open the Nisqually River to fishing for salmon and gamefish. Effective dates: Immediately through 11:59 p.m., Jan. 31, 2018. Species affected: Salmon, gamefish. Location: Nisqually River (Pierce and Thurston counties) from the mouth to military tank crossing bridge (located one mile upstream from the mouth of Muck Creek). Reasons for action: Recent surveys indicate that the spawning goal for chum salmon has been met in the Nisqually River and its tributaries, allowing both WDFW and the... Full story
OLYMPIA--The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed today that two state sport fish records fell during one late September weekend. Mike Benoit, of Gig Harbor, set a new state record for the largest opah caught off the coast of Washington on Sept. 23. The 37.98-pound fish measured 32.5 inches. Benoit was live bait fishing with anchovies out of Westport. The new record exceeded the previous opah record by more than two pounds. That record was held by Jim Watson on a fish... Full story
OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers have delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery on Washington's coast due to inadequate meat in crab shells. The commercial fishery on Washington's coast typically opens Dec. 1. Recent testing indicates crabs along the coast do not have sufficient meat in their shells to meet industry standards for harvest. The fishery will be delayed until at least Dec. 16 to allow more time for crabs to fill with more meat. Another round of testing will t... Full story
Despite the winter chill, Washingtonians have plenty of reaso0ns to head outdoors during the holidays. Seasonal fisheries are underway throughout the state, waterfowl hunting is in full swing and birders are gearing up for some prime viewing opportunities. Those planning to spend time outdoors between holiday shopping can enjoy: Steelhead fishing: Fisheries for hatchery steelhead are up and running, drawing stalwart anglers to rivers on both sides of the Cascades. Goose and duck hunting:... Full story
OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers have given the OK for a five-day razor clam dig at Twin Harbors starting April 5, and have tentatively scheduled the beach to open again later this month. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the opening after marine toxin tests showed clams at Twin Harbors are safe to eat. Razor clam diggers should be aware that the first four days of the dig are on evening tides, whereas the last day's dig is on a morning tide, said Dan Ayres, c... Full story
Washington anglers can expect a mixed bag of salmon fisheries this year with slightly increased opportunities in the ocean, seasons similar to last year in the Columbia River, and continued restrictions in Puget Sound. The state's 2017 salmon fishing seasons, developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty tribal co-managers, were finalized during the Pacific Fishery Management Council's meeting in Sacramento, Calif. In recent years, unfavorable environmental... Full story
OLYMPIA – State fishery managers have again extended the initial sportfishing season for spring chinook salmon on the lower Columbia River in response to poor fishing conditions caused by extremely high, turbid water. The fishery will reopen from April 13-17 and from April 20-23 upstream from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia River to Bonneville Dam, except in the Lewis River sanctuary. The extension was approved today by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon, who previously extended t... Full story
Publishers Note - We are hearing from our readers that many times these attempts to include species on the endangered list are driven by other than just concerns for the species. We welcome your comments. OLYMPIA – State wildlife managers are seeking public input on their recommendation to list the yellow-billed cuckoo as an endangered species in Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reviews the status of rare and declining species in the state. The public can c... Full story
Action: Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) will close to salmon fishing Feb. 11. Effective Date: Feb. 11, 2017, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Marine Area 7. Reason for action: Preliminary estimates and fishery projections indicate that Marine Area 7 will exceed the allowable limit of total chinook encounters – including both retained and released fish – prior to the planned April 30 closure date. The fishery is being temporarily closed until early April to allow the... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider updating the state's reform policy on Columbia River salmon management during a meeting scheduled Jan. 13-14 in Vancouver, Wash. In addition, the commission is scheduled to review the protective status of three state wildlife species, and consider adopting updates to its North of Falcon salmon season-setting policy. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish a... Full story
