Outdoors | Brief season for brant goose hunting is set

Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are strong enough to allow a brief window of winter hunting for the fourth year in a row.

The brant hunting season, which is two days longer than last year, is open Jan. 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 28, with a daily bag limit of two geese.

The season was approved after nearly 6,100 brant were counted during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays. At least 6,000 brant must be counted in Skagit County before hunting is allowed.

"Numbers of brant are down this year, but expected harvest rates during the seven-day season are still within our management objectives," said Don Kraege, a state Fish and Wildlife waterfowl manager.

About 9,500 brant were counted during aerial surveys last year, and about 10,000 the previous year.

"We're not sure why the numbers are down this year, but it could be a number of factors, such as poor production on the breeding grounds and possible shifts to other wintering areas," Kraege said.

Hunters participating must have prior written authorization and a harvest information card. Hunters need to record their harvest information immediately after taking a brant.

The card must be returned to state Fish and Wildlife by Feb. 15. Hunters who don't will not be eligible to hunt brant in the 2007-08 season.

Hunters who harvest a brant implanted with a radio transmitter should take the bird to the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve or call 360-428-1558. Biologists use the transmitters to track the migration pattern of the birds.

Hunters who bag a brant fitted with a colored leg band should also report the leg band's numbers and color. Details: 800-327-BAND or www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl. The leg bands also help biologists identify and track the birds.

Notes

• More razor clam digs are scheduled on the coast if marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.

Biologists have indicated that marine toxin levels on all beaches have been relatively low this winter, and they are optimistic that no emergency closures would be necessary.

The first beach to open Jan. 19-21 will be Twin Harbors, from noon to midnight. Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks and Kalaloch will also be open Feb. 16-17 from noon to midnight.

Twin Harbors also will be open an additional day Feb. 18 during the same hours. Copalis Beach will remain closed because clam populations are low. Details: http://wdfw.wa.gov.

• An informational presentation on the Vertical Express for MS program is 6 at the Paragon Restaurant and Bar on Queen Anne Hill, Seattle.

The event, to be held Feb. 24 at the Crystal Mountain ski area, is for skiers and riders of all abilities and benefits The Heuga Center, a national nonprofit organization promoting wellness and educational programs for people and families living with multiple sclerosis.

Teams of three skiers and/or riders must raise a minimum $1,000 to enter. Activities include a poker-run/scavenger hunt and dual giant slalom.

Any team that raises $15,000 or more wins an all-expenses paid trip to Vail, Colo., April 12-15 for the national awards celebration. Details: 888-DO-IT-4MS or www.verticalexpress.org.

• The Orvis Company is hosting a seminar on winter fly-fishing in the Yakima River, 1 p.m. Saturday in their store at 911 Bellevue Way N.E. Learn how to fish indicators and small nymphs on drag-free drifts and big streamers to catch wild winter whitefish and rainbow trout. Details: 425-452-9138.

• General meetings for the Western Bass Club, America's oldest bass club, are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 and March 15 at the Kennydale Community Center, 2424 N.E. 27th St. in Renton. Details: 253-841-2183 or e-mail sskarpenko@comcast.net.

• The Washington Trails Association is looking for volunteers to help on trail maintenance Jan. 21 at Squak Mountain just south of Issaquah. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• Mike Gauthier, climbing program manager and rescue coordinator for Mount Rainier National Park, will host a first-hand account slideshow of the November 2006 flooding.

He will also discuss access to the mountain and opportunities for hiking, backpacking and climbing this season.

Dates: 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Tacoma Mountaineers, 2302 N. 30th St. in Tacoma; and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at The Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave. W. in Seattle. Details: 206-284-6310 or www.mountaineers.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers is offering a graphite fly rod building class 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays from Jan. 17 to Feb. 28 at the Bitter Lake Community Center in North Seattle. Class will be taught by member Kim Kreidler. Cost is $35.

The club also is offering an intermediate fly-tying class 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays from March 7 to April 11 at the Bitter Lake Community Center. Cost is $35. Details: 206-684-7524 or 206-789-9036 or www.northwestflyanglers.org.

• Mountain Madness co-founder Wes Krause will present two slide shows on Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Feathered Friends, 119 Yale Ave. N.; and Wednesday at The Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave. W. in Seattle. Details: 800-328-5925.

• The Edmonds Laebugton Salmon Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. The guest speaker will be Angela Sorenson from Angie's Guide Service. Details: 425-742-6791 or www.geocities.com/edmonds_laebugten.

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