Outdoors | Wet conditions help hunters; some deer counts down

The general statewide deer hunting season begins Oct. 11, and the prospects with the recent wet weather should improve conditions in the woods.

"Some rain would help improve hunting conditions by dampening the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, but that's just one factor in a successful hunt," Dave Ware, a state Fish and Wildlife game manager said in a news release.

During last season's opener, there was a normal amount of hunters out at the popular Vail Tree Farm check station (950 hunters on Oct. 13 and about 800 on Oct. 14), but only 59 bucks came through the entire weekend. That was about half of the number of deer checked in compared to two years ago.

The majority of bucks last season were seen at the check station south of Rainier.

In southwest Washington, state Fish and Wildlife officials say based on past hunting seasons, about one in five hunters will nab a deer this year.

"Our success rates have been very similar over the course of many years, bouncing around between 15 and 20 percent," Eric Holman, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist said in a news release.

Last year, opening day prospects were low in the Klickitat Wildlife Area and at the Yacolt Burn on Weyerhaeuser land in Clark County. Hunting success is expected to be down again this season.

In Eastern Washington, the central district usually produces similar deer success rates, with last year running from more than 32 percent in the Steptoe Unit to 19 percent in the Mica Peak Unit.

The northern sections of the state are usually the best spots for whitetail deer hunting, but populations are down in Pend Oreille County.

Dana Base, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist in Colville conducted a survey, and found a depressed ratio of 24 bucks per 100 does.

"Don't expect a banner year for whitetails in northeast Washington," Base said.

In Okanogan County, while there has been a drop in the overall buck harvest from a few years ago, biologists say there should be some nice carry-over bucks to be had for hunters. The best hunts will likely occur in the Pearrygin, Chewuch in the Methow Valley, Pasayten, Alta and Gardner Units.

Last year, at the Chewuch check station, hunter participation and harvest rates were up with about 40 percent more hunters compared to two years ago, and the number of deer harvested was up 26 percent.

State Fish and Wildlife officials in the east side say that while the fawn-to-doe ratios look good, overall numbers of adult deer may be slightly down. The central part of the state was less affected by deer survival last winter.

Last year, the southeast section of the state's hunting success was from as high as 38 percent in the Grand Ronde Unit to a low of 14 percent in the Wenaha Unit. The Prescott Unit was decent last year, but doesn't appear to be good this season as the area encountered a reduction in whitetail deer due to mortality.

Local fishing-hunting magazine debuts

A newly produced local magazine debuts this month with the hopes of retaining a similar vision to what Fishing & Hunting News offered after the 54-year-old publication unexpectedly folded in late July.

The premiere issue of Northwest Sportsman magazine is on its way to the mailboxes of outdoorsmen in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana, as well as newsstands across the region this week.

The magazine is published by Media Index Publishing of Seattle, and the editor is Andy Walgamott, who had written for Fishing & Hunting News.

"It promises to pick up where the former F&H News left off and more," Walgamott said in an e-mail.

Other writers joining him are Leroy Ledeboer, Dave Workman, Larry Ellis, Joel Shangle, Terry Otto, Rob Phillips, "Uncle Wes" Malmberg, Ed Riser and more.

"These guys are not only hunters and anglers, but also professional outdoor writers, photographers and even radio-show hosts. I'm very pleased — and lucky and grateful — to have them on board with me," Walgamott said in a news release.

There will be plenty of hot-spot articles, but Northwest Sportsman will also provide an interesting mix of features beyond those staples.

"I want to look at some of the region's bigger fishing-and-hunting-related issues," says Walgamott. "Our world is changing fast — wolves moving into Washington and Oregon, hatchery reform, a changing climate, rising gas prices, increasing fish and game regulation. It all has an impact on Northwest outdoors. And we'll also dive into the geology of fishing and hunting spots, feature timely gear and guide tips, boat and product reviews, a sportsman calendar, photo contests, laughs, lots of big pictures from the field, and more."

The magazine's Web site is nwsportsmanmag.com.

Northwest Sportsman retails for $3.50 on the newsstand or $16.95 for a one-year subscription.

Notes

• The Puget Sound Anglers of Lake Washington Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street on Mercer Island. Anton Jones of Darrell and Dad's Guide Service will discuss fishing for lake trout at Lake Chelan and rainbow trout at Rufus Woods Reservoir. Details: 425-823-0704.

• The Olympic Fly Fishers Club is hosting a discussion 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the South County Senior Center 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. Guide Mike Lawson will discuss nymphing from top to bottom. Cost is $10, and preregistration is required. Details: 425-337-9070.

• The Renton Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 6:15 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Kennydale Memorial Hall, 2424 N.E. 27th St. in Renton. Bruce Warren of Fishing for Fun Guide Service will discuss catching salmon in rivers. Details: 425-641-3098.

• The Cama Beach cabins on Camano Island are available rent year-round. Activities include boating (boat rentals at the Center for Wooden Boats), beachcombing, fishing and bird and wildlife viewing, plus two horseshoe pits and an unsheltered fire circle. For reservations, call 360-387-1550.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers Club is offering a five-week beginning fly-tying class starting 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Swiftwater Sports, 17703 15th Ave. N.E. in Seattle. Cost is $35. Details: 206-547-3377.

The Northwest Fly Anglers Club meets on the third Thursday of each month 7 p.m. at the Haller Lake Community Center. Next meeting is Oct. 16. Guest speaker is Ray Gould, a book author and bamboo rod-maker. Details: 425-990-8800.

• The Fall Orvis Days are today through Oct. 12 at the Orvis Bellevue Store, 10223 N.E. 10th St. in Bellevue. Events: Today, John Olson, FFF certified casting instructor, is offering a free beginning casting instruction; Oct. 11, Larry Peterson and Dwight Lyons will display antique Orvis and Hardy reels, rods, flies and more, plus a fly-tying competition; and Oct. 12, Don Simonson, FFF casting board governor, will discuss fly-casting mechanics for intermediate and advanced casters. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The Northwest Knife Collectors Show is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today at the Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel, 2611 East E St. Cost is $5. Details: 253-473-6967 or www.nwkc.org.

• The Bellevue-Issaquah Trout Unlimited Lake Sammamish Redd Party is 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Issaquah Brewhouse, 35 Sunset Way, next door to the hatchery. Beer tasting, fishing reports, kokanee conservation, plus food and music. Details: 425-557-1911 or www.tu-bi.org.

• The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association's Banquet and Auction is Nov. 1 at the Twin Lakes G&CC in Federal Way. Cost is $75 per person. Details: 503-631-8859 or email nsiaoutreach@comcast.net.

• There are two public workshops to discuss the preliminary results of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Studies 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, 319 Second Ave. So. in Seattle, and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 15 at the North Cascades National Park Headquarters, 810 State Route 20 in Sedro-Woolley. To view the plan go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/rola.

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

• 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.

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