Outdoors | Coaching on stopping poaching

A state Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer patrolling the Green River two weeks ago came across someone making strange movements in the brush.

"I couldn't figure out what he was doing," said officer Mike Krenz, who then watched the Kent angler hook and land a steelhead near the Auburn Golf Course. "When I got down there by the river, I saw him hiding one fish in the brush."

Krenz was in the midst of nabbing a poacher.

"I asked him three times if he had caught any fish, and he said no all three times," Krenz recalled. "He thought I had just arrived on the scene and didn't see anything happen. Since I had to go and get the fish, I handcuffed him in my vehicle. That is when I went back down there and found the second fish as well."

The poacher was cited for possessing two wild steelhead [about 15 pounds each]; fishing during a closed season; two citations for failing to record fish; and two for failing to submit the catch for inspection.

The total fine handed to the Kent man was a hefty $1,840.

"It is pretty common for something like this to happen," Krenz said. "I know there are a lot of wild fish that are going up over the banks, and all it takes is a minute for these people to hide them."

During fishing and hunting seasons, enforcement officers write up plenty of tickets, but with hundreds of rivers and lakes, and acres of wildlife land to cover, poaching is hard to prevent.

At the State Fish and Wildlife Mill Creek office, there are 19 inland enforcement officers, and six in the marine division who sweep a broad area from Pierce County to the Canadian border.

"It is an absolutely difficult situation we are in to cover the amount of area we have," said Capt. Bill Hebner with state Fish and Wildlife's enforcement division in Mill Creek. "We're pitifully understaffed statewide, and our area is one of the busiest regions with issues growing exponentially."

Hebner says enforcement hands out about 200 and 250 citations per year for illegal hunting and fishing activities.

In order to help combat against poaching, state Fish and Wildlife offers a public online reward program at http://wdfw.wa.gov/enf/poaching.htm. If a violation occurs during non-business hours, citizens are asked to call 800-477-6224.

All reports are confidential. If the information leads to an arrest, the witness could be eligible for cash rewards [$50 for fish and $100 for wildlife] or hunting bonus points, which gives a person a better chance for the special permit hunting season. Depending on the case, a person could be rewarded up to $500.

State Fish and Wildlife and the Eyes in the Woods Association also sponsor a free program to help prevent fish and wildlife poaching. The classes are part of a series that train and certify citizens as non-confrontational witnesses in fish and wildlife-enforcement efforts.

Next training dates: Thursday and March 28 at Tacoma Sportsmen's Club; and March 15 at the Snohomish Sportsmen's Club. Details: www.eyesinthewoods.org.

Penalties for poaching vary. For a first-time offense, the maximum penalty is one year in jail and/or $5,000 in fines. A second offense within five years of the first one is a maximum five years in jail and/or $10,000 in fines. Some want even stiffer penalties.

"I'm planning on working with folks over the next year to generate legislative support for getting natural-resource violation higher penalties," said Bill Robinson, a longtime spokesman for Trout Unlimited and a state Fish and Wildlife sport fishing advisory member.

"All too often, judges don't view fishing and hunting violations and other natural-resource violations as serious crime," he added. "We've put up with judges only slapping the hands of offenders for decades. Now with the impacts of [the Endangered Species Act], anglers, hunters and non-consumptive users need to band together and force the issue."

Notes

• The Seattle Poggie Fishing Club meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seattle City Light Building, 97th St. N. and Stone Ave. N. Steve Worley of "Worley Bugger" Fly and Tackle Shop in Ellensburg will discuss Yakima River trout fishing. Details: 425-742-7948 or www.seattlepoggies.com.

• The Evergreen Sportsmen's Show is Wednesday through next Sunday at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. The show features all the latest fishing and hunting gear, travel destinations, a head and horns exhibit, trophy big-game animals, and seminars and demonstrations.

The popular attractions for kinds 12-and-under is the free trout pond stocked with thousands of trout that kids can catch and keep or release, and the duck decoy painting area.

Show hours: Wednesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost is $9 adults, and $5 for youth ages 6-16. Details: www.otshows.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club dinner meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison St. . Reservations are required. Details: www.wffc.com.

• The Great Backyard Bird Count is today and Monday. Birdwatchers are asked to count the birds they see in their neighborhoods and enter the data via the Web site. The national event is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. Details: www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

• The Overlake Fly Fishing Club dinner meeting is 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Issaquah Holiday Inn, 1801 12th Ave. N.W. Guest speaker Jack Dennis, expert fly fishing guide and writer from Wyoming will discuss a program on "The Trout Streams of the West." Cost is $26 for dinner. Details: 425-481-3063.

• The Lake Washington Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting a turkey hunting clinic noon March 3 at the Renton Fish & Game Club, 17500 S.E. 144th St. in Renton. Cost is $15. Details: 206-914-7916.

The Chapter's Hunting Heritage Banquet is 3 p.m. March 11 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 3225 158th Ave. S.E. in Bellevue. Details: 425-413-3807.

• The Sammamish Rowing Association open house is noon-3 p.m. Feb. 18 at 5022 W. Lake Sammamish Blvd. in Redmond. Tour the boathouse, talk with expert coaches and rowers and take a short row with experienced rowers. Details: www.srarowing.com.

• The Chilly Hilly 33-mile bike ride is 8 a.m. Feb. 25 around Bainbridge Island. Cost is $22 for riders from Seattle, and $17 for riders starting in Winslow. Register by Feb. 20. Details: 206-522-3222 or www.cascade.org.

• The Seattle Astronomical Society meeting is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the University of Washington Physics/Astronomy Building in Room A-102. Guest speakers are Bruce Maxwell, owner of Luma Technologies and Sirius Optics, and Travis McNeal, co-founder of Sirius Optics. Details: 206-523-2787 or www.seattleastro.org.

• The Washington Trails Association is hosting a free discussion titled: Speaking Out for Trails — How outdoor enthusiasts can advocate for protecting our hiking trails. Dates: Feb. 21, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., at Alderwood REI store; and Feb. 22, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. at Seattle REI store. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The Washington Trails Association are hosting free Advocacy Clinics 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. North, and 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Alderwood REI Store, 3000 184th St. S.W.

The events are to get hikers and outdoor enthusiasts geared toward issues like funding for storm damage repair to Mount Rainier and Washington's National Forests.

The event will culminate with Hiker Lobby Day 9 a.m. March 7, at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. N.W. in Olympia when outdoor enthusiasts will discuss with legislators the importance of trail maintenance and wild land protections. Reservations are required for the Olympia event. Details: 206-965-8563 or 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The Patty Wagon Ski Bus to the Stevens Pass Ski Area will be offered every Thursday from now through Feb. 22. Morning pickups in North Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Bothell and Monroe. Cost is $26 per trip. Details: 206-546-6717 or email patty@pattysplaces.com.

• The Three Rivers Marine and Tackle is hosting guest speaker Gary Loomis 6 p.m. March 2 at 24300 Woodinville-Snohomish Road in Woodinville. Loomis will discuss the organization Fish First, which looked for ways to rebuild declining fish populations in the Lewis River to historical levels. Registration required. Details: 425-415-1575.

• The East Lake Washington Audubon Society is hosting an all-day bird watch March 3 to Camano Island's shoreline, salt-water marshes, grasslands and forest habitats. Places on the list include Livingston Bay, English Boom, Utsalady and Iverson Spit. Meet before 7 a.m. at south end of Kingsgate Park and Ride. Cost is $7. Details: 425-868-7986 or www.elwas.org.

• The REI Southcenter Store, 240 Andover Park West in Tukwila is offering two free seminars at 7 p.m. Next: March 6, Angels in the Wilderness: A Solo Trekker's Survival Story of solo ultralight backpacker Amy Racina; March 7, GPS and Topo Navigating with Jeff Caulfield and Honor Fredlund of National Geographic will show you, step-by-step, how to plan your next day hike or backcountry adventure. Details: 206-248-1938 or www.rei.com.

• The Everett Boat Show is March 8-11 at the Everett Events Center.

The show features 100,000 square feet of affordable, family boats for fishing, cruising and water skiing from more than 60 different brands. More than a 100 exhibitors will offer the newest and finest boats and accessories. Authors and experts on topics from fishing to cruising will present free seminars.

Show hours: Thursday-Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for youth age 11-17, and kids 10 and under are free. Details: 206-634-0911 or www.everettboatshow.com.

• The Three Rivers Marine and Tackle bass fishing seminar is 9 a.m. March 10 at 24300 Woodinville-Snohomish Road in Woodinville. Guest speakers are Frank White, ABA big fish record holder and 2006 ABA Opener winner; Tag Watson, Washington's IGFA largemouth bass record holder; and Marc Marcantonio, a 35-year veteran tournament angler. Cost is $5. Details: 425-415-1575.

• The Fidalgo Island Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers is hosting the Anacortes Salmon Derby March 10-11 at Cap Sante Boat Haven in Anacortes. Cost is $50. More than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded, $2,000 for the salmon that comes closest to a hidden/secret weight. Details: 360-941-4500 or www.ancortessalmonderby.com.

• The Western Bass Club meeting is 7 p.m. March 15 at the Kennydale Community Center, 2424 N.E. 27th St. in Renton. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Details: 253-841-2183.

• Author and mountain climber Arlene Blum, PhD will speak and host a slide show on her new memoir "Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life," 7 p.m. March 15 at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. in Seattle. Details: 206-223-1944CQ or www.rei.com or www. Arleneblum.com.

• Northwest photographer Lee Mann will host a benefit program for the Merlin Falcon Foundation titled "Landscapes and Wildlife of the World," 7 p.m. March 21 at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Cost is $12. Details: 206-223-1944 or www.rei.com or www.merlinfalconfoundation.org or www.leemanphotography.com.

• The Washington State Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society Habitat Banquet is 5:30 p.m. March 24 at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison St. in Seattle. Cost is $ 60 membership and dinner; $35 member with dinner. Details: 206-232-0603 or 206-667-8211.

• The ecotourism schooner Maple Leaf is offering a five-night nature tour of western Canada's newest national park: The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve on April 12-17.

The trip offers visits to virtually unreachable wildlife spots, natural history education by experienced naturalists, frequent shore excursions, sailing a tall ship and chef-cooked meals. Details: 888-599-5323 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

• The Race and Ace Competitions are May 5 at Mt. Bachelor and Sunriver Resort in Oregon, and May 19 at the Tamarack Resort in Idaho. The event is a single-day biathlon where competitors ski or snowboard a dual giant slalom course in the morning and play 18 holes of in the afternoon. Cost for the Oregon event is $229 by April 9, and $248 until registration closes April 30. Cost for the Idaho event is $179 by April 23, and $199 until registration closes May 14. Details: www.raceandace.com.

• The Summit for Salmon Benefit Climb of Mt. Rainier is Aug. 25-27. The funds raised will support awareness and funds to support salmon recovery efforts of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition for the Columbia and Snake river systems.

The climb will be led by experienced guides from Rainier Mountaineering, Inc, and anyone who is looking for a physical challenge and enjoys the outdoors can participate. No mountaineering experience necessary. Each climber is required to raise a minimum of $2,000 in donations. The registration deadline is March 15. Details: 206-286-4455, ext. 102 or www.wildsalmon.org/about/summit2007.cfm.

• The Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island is offering a "Take a Hike, Clear a Trail, Enjoy a Vacation" travel package starting May 5 through Sept. 3.

The three-hour-a-day program offers guests a chance to prepare trails for the Moran State Park's summer season and maintain them. Guests who volunteer will receive a special "green" rate of $119 per night, a 40 percent discount. Participants will also receive a 15 percent discount at Rosario's Avanyu spa.

Many cleanup sites will require three to four mile hikes, while others are accessible by vans provided by the resort. Activities will include brushing trails and removing unwanted weeds. Details: 866-801-ROCK or www.rosario.rockresorts.com.

• The Cycle Washington Memorial two-day bike ride from Seattle to Wenatchee is July 21-22. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jill Spanjer Foundation and the Washington State RSVP Association. Details: www.cyclewamemorialride.com.

• The Washington Ski Touring Club offers trips, classes and volunteer opportunities for cross-country, telemark and backcountry skiers. Meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month through April at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Membership is $20, and $30 for a family. Details: 206-784-8741 or www.wstc.org.

• State Fish and Wildlife officials have closed public access to the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area now through April 30 to reduce stress on wintering elk.

Last month, wildlife biologists counted nearly 400 elk in the wildlife area at the foot of Mount St. Helens, and that number is likely to grow depending on the severity of the winter. More than 60 elk died of malnutrition and related causes last winter in the 2,744-acre wildlife area.

• The South Park area of Lake Wenatchee State Park is closed starting in mid-January because of a forest thinning project. The area will be off limits to skiers, sledders, snowshoers and campers until the project is finished in approximately five to six weeks.

Forest thinning reduces the risk of wildfire and improves the overall health of the forest. Winter is the optimum time for thinning trees because it minimizes damage to underlying vegetation and soils.

Groomed ski trails at Chiwawa See & Ski, North Park, Kahler Glen and the Nason Ridge backcountry will be unaffected and will remain open for skiing and snowshoeing. But no alternate sites exist in the park for sledding and winter camping, so those activities will resume only after the South Park area is reopened. Details: 509-763-3101.

• Skiers and snowboarders traveling to Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass and the Summit at Snoqualmie can take part in "SkiGreen," a Bonneville Environmental Foundation program meant to help maintain snow-pack levels in the Cascades by supporting the development of wind and solar energy.

Participants can purchase a $2 SkiGreen Tag at a lift or a $20 SkiGreen Tag when purchasing a season pass.

The program reinvests its revenue into renewable energy and conservation projects. Details: 503-248-1905, 866-BEF-TAGS or www.skigreen.org.

• The winter feeding of elk and bighorn sheep has started at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area and Cleman Mountain in Yakima County.

The main feeding site is near the area's headquarters building off Highway 12, southwest of Naches and west of Yakima; the elk are normally fed around 1:30 p.m. daily. When temperatures are low and snow is on the ground, many elk will stay in the area throughout the day.

The interpretive center is operated by volunteers 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Volunteers conduct elk-viewing tours by haywagon through the feeding area. There's a suggested $5 donation. For reservations, call 509-698-5106.

The majestic bighorn sheep also can be viewed in the Tonasket-to-Oroville area off Highway 97 in Okanogan County. A group of Sinlahekin bighorn sheep also live nearly year-round in and around Loomis.

• State Fish and Wildlife officials are asking the public to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Some trumpeter swans in those counties, and in southwestern British Columbia, are plagued each winter with lead poisoning after ingesting lead shot in areas where they feed.

Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting for more than a decade, but biologists believe swans are likely reaching shallow underwater areas where spent lead shot remains.

Callers are asked to leave a message including their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans, at 360-466-4345, ext. 266.

• The Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall holds numerous outdoors events, including a monthly "Tracking Club," that meets in Sultan on the third Saturday of each month now through May (but not December) from 9 a.m. to noon.

The program is open to naturalists, hunters and people curious about learning to identify, follow and understand stories written in tracks left by animals on the Skykomish River shoreline. Details: 425-788-1301 or www.wildernessawareness.org.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for volunteers for the wild salmon recovery program now through June. Details: 360-275-3575 or email Chris Daniel at chris@hcseg.org.

• The Salish Lodge and Spa, 30 minutes east of Seattle, offers an array of winter outdoor activities.

The guided fly-fishing package for two guests is available year-round, weather permitting A winter snowshoeing package for two occurs during the winter and early spring.

At the adventure center guests can participate in cross country and downhill skiing trips, guided hikes, kayaking and mountain biking. Details: 800-272-5474 or www.salishlodge.com.

• Alpine Ascents International Inc. will begin offering a variety of guided climbs and instructional programs on Mount Rainier starting next year. The group has scheduled more than 30 expeditions and more than 50 training courses in 14 countries, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These expeditions range from six-day training courses in the North Cascades and Alaska to three-month expeditions to Mount Everest to summit climbs and courses on Mount Rainier. Details: 206-378-1927 or www.AlpineAscents.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offers various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th S.W. in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

• Local Escapes, a local-based travel planner and tour operator, offers a two-night guided exploration of the Olympic Peninsula's rainforest, mountains and coastline.

The personal guided package offers snowshoeing, hiking and other recreational activities. The cost is $950 per person and includes two-night accommodations; transportation; all equipment including snowshoes, poles and raingear; park entrance fees and all meals and refreshments. Details: 877-780-4162 or www.localescapes.com.

• The storms from last November and December left a wake of damage and downed trees across many parts of Washington's state parks.

Because of the severe damage, many parks normally open to the public during the winter months were forced to close their doors.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation is now looking for volunteers to help clear debris from park trails and camping areas in preparation for the spring and summer months.

Here is a list of parks seeking out volunteers: Bridle Trails in Issaquah, 425-649-4276; Dash Point, near Tacoma, 253-661-4955; Kitsap Memorial, near Poulsbo, 360-779-3205; Saint Edward Park in Kenmore, 425-823-2992; Seaquest in Castle Rock, 360-274-8633; Spencer Spit, on Lopez Island, 360-468-2251; Wenberg in Stanwood, 360-652-7417; and Moran on Orcas Island, 360-376-3636.

Also, Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island, 360-675-2417, and Blake Island State Park in Puget Sound near Seattle, 360-731-8330 are looking for volunteers to help remove noxious weed in specific park locations. Details: 360-902-8583.

• The Washington Audubon Society has unveiled a new section of the Great Washington State Birding Trail to include the Olympic Loop in the Olympic Peninsula.

The new route features more than 200 of Washington's 365 bird species. The trails are usually self-guided driving tours to places where birds are likely to be seen, and some include water routes where visitors can paddle canoes or kayaks. Copies of the trail maps can be ordered at www.wa.audubon.org.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com