Editor's BlogPlan Would Stave Off Closing Skagit-Sauk Steelheading Next SpringJune 21, 2019Don’t hang up your Skagit-Sauk spoons, pink worms, plugs, jigs and flies again quite yet. State fishery managers appear to have a rough gameplan for how to keep the rivers’ wild steelhead catch-and-release fishery open next spring.... More From Minter Hatchery Generator Failure Report, Discipline For 3 StaffersJune 18, 2019The root cause analysis for the failure of one at Minter Creek Hatchery last winter was released this week and it makes for some aggravating reading.... Not So Fast That Fishing’s The Reason For Sultan Wild Steelhead WoesJune 12, 2019The head of a longtime fishing organization is expressing disappointment with his local utility after it claimed summer angling is the reason wild winter-run steelhead aren’t recovering in part of a popular Western Washington watershed.... Geezers (And Others) Will Now Have To Walk Down To Grand Coulee Fishing BeachJune 12, 2019Despite a reported 33 of 34 commenters being opposed to banning parking at Geezer Beach, parking will no longer be allowed at the popular lower Lake Roosevelt bank fishery.... Skagit-Sauk Steelheading Could Be Cut In 2020 With WDFW’s Budget WoesJune 4, 2019There may not be a Skagit-Sauk steelhead catch-and-release season next spring due to WDFW’s growing money woes, a “bitter pill” for the anglers who worked for half a decade to reopen the iconic North Cascades waters.... Lake Sammamish ‘Warm Water Test Fishery’ Netting Raises QuestionsMay 28, 2019Lee Getzewich had heard that there was some gillnetting going on on Lake Sammamish, a water he’s fished for more than 25 years, and it gave him some pause, but believing it to be just a “study,” the Issaquah resident decided to hit it earlier this month anyway.... Sheep Pneumonia Kills 11 Okanogan Bighorns; Monitoring ContinuesMay 20, 2019A pneumonia outbreak may have run its course in a herd of Okanogan County bighorn sheep after killing nearly a dozen this past winter, but wildlife managers will keep monitoring the animals.... WDFW Shortfall Grows; Leaders Take Questions During LivestreamMay 17, 2019Washington fish and wildlife managers are now projecting they will have a $20 million budget shortfall over the coming two years, and it could more than double in the following two.... Let Techron Marine Protect your Boat against Corrosion HeadlinesBasser’s Huge Catches, Tourney Results, Techniques Questioned In Massively Detailed ArticleJune 26, 2019This week more than a few West Coast and national fishing reporters and editors are probably going through their archives and shaking their heads in disbelief.... SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (6-26-19)June 26, 2019Cowlitz River – I-5 Br downstream: 5 bank rods kept 2 steelhead. Above the I-5 Br: 10 bank rods had no catch. 38 boats/110 rods kept 42 steelhead and released 1 Chinook and 3 jacks.... June 28 Added To Halibut Days On Marine Areas 1-10, Oregon Waters North Of FalconJune 24, 2019Adding an additional fishing day for all coastal areas will provide Washington sport halibut anglers with the opportunity to catch the remaining 2019 sport quota.... ODFW To Hold 20 Meetings Around Oregon On 2020 Hunt Reg ProposalsJune 24, 2019The meetings will focus on big game regulations and are a great chance to come and hear about changes proposed for the 2020 seasons, comment on those changes and ask questions of district wildlife biologists.... Westport, La Push, Neah Bay Halibut Season ExtendedJune 21, 2019Adding these days will provide Washington sport halibut anglers with more fishing days and maximize the opportunity to catch the remaining sport quota.... Industry NewsTechron ® Protection Plus Marine Fuel System Treatment Receives “2019 Top Product” Award from Boating Industry MagazineMay 9, 2019SAN RAMON, Calif. (May 1, 2019) — Leading marine business journal Boating Industry magazine today recognized Techron ® Protection Plus Marine Fuel System Treatment with a “2019 Top Products” award. Hand-picked by the editorial staff of Boating Industry from among hundreds of nominations, this coveted award is bestowed annually to 50 products that stand out […]... Lance Camper Announces Top Dealer AwardsApril 22, 2019Lancaster, CA – 4/18/2019 – Lancaster based Lance Camper Mfg. Corp. announces top dealer award results for the 2018 season. Results are based on retail sales of new Lance Ultra-Light Travel Trailers and Truck Campers. “Congratulations to all of our key dealer partners who achieved significant sales success last season. We look forward to another […]... Anacortes Boat And Yacht Show Set For May 16-19 At Cap Santé MarinaMarch 29, 2019“There is lots of strong energy from exhibitors as we head into the second annual Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show,” said Katie McPhail, the NMTA’s Boat Show Director. “I look forward to seeing how far we can grow in our second year. There is momentum for growth and a lot of potential!”... First Aid At Sea For Fishermen, Boaters Courses Coming To Seattle; Registration OpenJanuary 11, 2019Captain Thomas Bliss of Northwest Response has teamed up with The Center For Wooden Boats in Seattle, Washington to bring three levels of First Aid, CPR/AED classes to the Wagner Education Center in 2019.... Canine Cargo Carrier: The Next Generation in Dog TransportationDecember 7, 2018After years of experience in building, buying and transporting with just about every type of dog trailer out there, Get My Point, LLC has developed a break-through in dog transportation. Whether you have show dogs, rescue dogs, hunting dogs, sled dogs, police/military dogs or you are a dog transportation company, we have a trailer for […]... Wolf NewsWDFW Reports Wolf Depredation In Northern Stevens Co.June 17, 2019It’s been a relatively quiet few months, but Washington wolf managers are reporting a confirmed wolf depredation earlier this month. They say an adult cow was killed on leased private land where the Wedge Pack roams in northern Stevens County. “Bite wounds were documented on the tail, both rear legs, right elbow, and throat,” WDFW wrote in a report out this afternoon. “Hemorrhaging was noted at all locations accompanied by bite wounds with varying degrees of severity. Based on the combination of bite wounds with associated hemorrhaging and wolf sign in the area, WDFW staff classified this event as a confirmed wolf depredation.” Agency staffers also investigated what led to the death of another cow a quarter mile away but couldn’t make a final determination on it. “Despite a thorough investigation, no sign of injury by wildlife was located and the cause of death for this cow was unconfirmed,” WDFW reported. Both dead cows were investigated June 12 after being found by ranch hands. “Proactive, non-lethal deterrents (range riding, human presence, monitoring via trail camera, and hazing of wolves when seen) were in place at the time of the depredation,” WDFW reported. The cattle herd has been moved away from the scene and trail cameras were put up to monitor the area. The Wedge wolves numbered three when they were counted during last winter’s annual survey. The pack was mostly wiped out in 2012 following a long string of depredations. The incident is the first confirmed wolf kill since the first days of 2019. It’s the first attributed to the pack in some time.... ODFW’s Commission Adopts Updated Wolf Management PlanJune 11, 2019THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE The Commission adopted a Wolf Plan at its meeting in Salem in a 6-1 vote after hearing from 44 people who came to testify and reviewing thousands of public comments. Allowing controlled take (limited regulated hunting and trapping of wolves) was one of the most controversial topics in the new Wolf Plan. The original Plan adopted in 2005 allowed for controlled take only in Phase 3 (currently eastern Oregon), in instances of recurring depredations or when wolves are a major cause of ungulate populations not meeting established management objectives or herd management goals. While ODFW believed it needed to remain a tool available for wolf management, the department has not proposed any controlled take of wolves and has no plans to at this time. Commissioners made some changes related to “controlled take” from the proposed Plan. An addendum was added clearly stating that “Use of controlled take as a management tool requires Commission approval through a separate public rulemaking process” and the definition of controlled take was modified. Additional minor changes were made to emphasize the importance of non-lethal tools to address wolf-livestock conflict and easy access to this information. Non-lethal measures to prevent wolf-livestock conflict continue to be emphasized in all phases of the Plan, and required before any lethal control is considered. After some discussion, Commissioners revised the definition of chronic depredation (which can lead to lethal control of wolves if non-lethals are in use and not working) in Phase 2 and 3 from two confirmed depredations with no specific time frame to two confirmed depredations in nine months. The Wolf Plan will be filed with the Secretary of State and posted on the ODFW Wolves webpage (www.odfw.com/wolves) within the next few business days. In other business over the two-day meeting June 6-7, the Commission also: Allocated big game auction and raffle tags for 2020. Heard a briefing on the crab fishery and reducing the risk of whale entanglements. Adopted harvest limits for Pacific sardine in state waters for July 2019-June 2020 based on federal regulations. Approved funding for Access and Habitat projects that provide hunting access or improve wildlife habitat on private land. Heard a briefing on proposed changes to 2020 big game hunting regulations as part of efforts to improve and simplify the Big Game Hunting Regulations The Fish and Wildlife Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in Oregon. Its next meeting is Aug. 2 in Salem.... WDFW Reports 2 Stevens Co. Wolves Killed, 1 in Self-defenseMay 31, 2019A Stevens County man shot and killed a wolf in self-defense after it turned towards he and his daughter last weekend while they were on a hike, but the death of a collared wolf elsewhere in the county is under investigation. WDFW Capt. Dan Rahn says the latter animal, a female, was killed off Highway 20 near the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. “It was transmitting a mortality signal — that’s how we found it,” he said. “We recovered it on May 27.” He said that any tips can be phoned in to his agency’s regional office in Spokane at (509) 892-1001. Conservation Northwest is offering a $7,500 reward for info leading to a conviction. As for the other incident, state wolf specialist Ben Maletzke said the man and girl left their home late Sunday afternoon to go on a hike on an ATV trail onto public land when they encountered the wolf. “About 30 yards up the trail a wolf came out of the brush,” he says. The man, who was carrying a shotgun, “felt threatened and shot the wolf at 25 yards,” Maletzke said. “It’s just one of those things. They just kinda crossed paths at a bad time,” he said. Maletzke said the duo left the uncollared female wolf and returned to their home and reported the incident to WDFW. In 20 minutes an officer arrived and began investigating, determining it had been in self-defense. “The wolf was running at them and they were concerned for their safety,” said Capt. Rahn. “You have the right to protect yourself.” Both he and Maletzke agreed that calling in the incident immediately was the right thing for the man to have done. It’s the latest where state residents have been found to have been justified in shooting a wolf. Other cases include a Blue Mountains cabin owner afraid for his dogs; a northern Ferry County livestock producer who caught a wolf in the act of attacking his cattle; an Adams County ranchhand who observed a wolf chasing cows; and a northeast Okanogan County rancher who saw a wolf approaching his day-old calves. This most recent incident occurred in the south end of Stevens County, in the range of the Stranger Pack and most likely was a member of that group of wolves, Maltezke said, though it might also have been a wandering Huckleberry wolf. Wolves in Northeast Washington were delisted in 2011 and this corner of the state is where most packs and individuals live. They remain state listed. Maletzke also shared some nonlethal ways to deal with wildlife encountered afield. “Stand tall, make yourself look big to make it go away,” he said. Raising your voice can also help, Maletzke added. Last summer, after wandering too close to a wolf pup rendezvous site and drawing the attention of protective parents, a Forest Service worker climbed a tree, twice. And before he retired, Rich Landers, longtime outdoor columnist at the Spokesman-Review, posted a great video with advice for recreating with dogs where wolves might be encountered.... Okanogan Highlands Rancher ‘Justified’ In Shooting Wolf Approaching CalvesMay 22, 2019A northeast Okanogan County rancher has been reported cleared by Washington game wardens after shooting a wolf that approached within roughly half a football field of a fenced calving area with several newborns. The incident was first reported in WDFW’s monthly wolf report earlier in May and was fleshed out more fully today by the Capital Press after it requested officers’ reports. It occurred the morning of April 29 east of Highway 97 in the Beaver Creek Pack territory, part of the state where wolves have been federally delisted, and involved a young unmarked male. “The calving area included cow-calf pairs that were enclosed in a fenced pasture within sight of the house of the livestock producer,” WDFW initially reported. The Press reported that day-old calves were near a fence as the animal approached. Unsure if it was a coyote or wolf, the rancher shouted at it, but it continued to come closer. He grabbed a rifle and fired one shot at it, killing it at 280 yards and just 56 yards from the fenceline, the Press reported. Under state caught-in-the-act provisions, ranchers, farmers and others with animals in the delisted eastern third of the state can shoot a single wolf without a state permit “if the wolf is attacking their domestic animals.” That allowance was also used this past February in Adams County, where a ranchhand shot and killed a wolf in an unnamed pack after it continued to chase a herd of cattle. It also requires whomever shoots a wolf to contact WDFW within 24 hours and allow wardens onto the property to investigate. According to the Press, the rancher was “tense” but officers “assured (him) that we were present to document what had occurred, and we were there to advocate for his personal and property rights as much as the rights of wildlife.” The story says that the family had known that there had been wolves around the ranch since last fall. “The producer routinely buries all carcasses and removes afterbirth from the area,” WDFW reported. Had the wolf gone after the calves, it would have been difficult to make a clean shot, an investigator wrote in their report, the Press stated. “I informed (the rancher and his wife) that it was a justified act and did not want them to stress about a delayed finding or decision,” another wrote, according to the news source. Elsewhere in WDFW’s monthly report, state managers say a Spokane Tribe hunter took a member of the Stranger Pack in April, but little other wolf activity amongst the 27 known packs.... Oregon Gov. To ODFW: Support For Wolf Delisting Was ‘Incorrect’May 16, 2019In a staggering turn, Oregon’s governor told federal officials that her fish and wildlife director was “incorrect” in supporting the delisting of wolves in the western two-thirds of their state and elsewhere in the Lower 48. “The state of Oregon and its agencies do not support the delisting of wolves from the federal Endangered Species Act across their range in the 48 contiguous states,” Gov. Kate Brown also wrote in a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That contradicts comments sent just the week before by ODFW’s Curt Melcher that said he agreed with the feds that it was time to remove the species from the ESA list, the state was ready to take on the responsibility across Oregon, and “few changes would occur” as a result. Asked by a reporter at a news conference late this morning if Melcher should have checked with her office before entering the comments on the Federal Register, Brown said, “That probably would have been a good idea.” In effectively reversing the state’s position, she said it was “critically important that we maintain rangewide recovery for wolves across the entire Western United States and I think it’s critical they maintain their listing status for that to happen.” Dominic Aiello of the Oregon Outdoor Council disagreed sharply with the governor’s move. “The proposed removal of the wolf — or any species — from the federal Endangered Species Act should be cheered as a conservation success story. Unfortunately, the ESA continues to be used by local and national environmental groups and some politicians as a means to force their political agenda. It is extremely disappointing to see Governor Brown undercut science and the state’s biologists,” he said. Indeed, wildlife management is based in science — but politics does invade the realm, sometimes more nakedly than others. Earlier this month, the nomination of a Northeast Oregon hunter, outfitter and conservationist to serve on ODFW’s Fish and Wildlife Commission was scuttled after environmental groups objected, and then changed their tune about why they were objecting. Objections from environmental groups also led to what’s believed to be a first in Washington, Gov. Jay Insee’s 2015 order to the Fish & Wildlife Commission to reverse a decision involving slightly increased cougar quotas in parts of Eastern Washington. This is the second time this decade that the USFWS has proposed delisting gray wolves in the western two-thirds of Oregon, Washington and elsewhere outside the Northern Rockies (which include the eastern thirds of both states, where wolves were Congressionally removed in 2011). The other time, in 2013, it was derailed through the courts. Meanwhile, the species is clearly recovered and not in any danger of failing in the Northwest, thanks to strong protections put in place by ODFW, WDFW and other state wildlife management agencies. Comments on this latest proposal were due Tuesday, but USFWS has since extended the deadline until July 15, and Brown’s will now stand as the state’s statement. “ODFW appreciates and respects the governor’s clarification of the state’s position on federal wolf delisting in the Lower 48,” said agency spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy....
