Waterfowl surveys taken in Washington, British Columbia, Alaska and Alberta showed bird production was good for some and bad for others.

"It is a mixed bag. But in southern Alberta, production improved from last year with pintails increasing quite a bit," said Don Kraege, a state Fish and Wildlife waterfowl biologist. "However, the total number of ducks was down in Alberta and Alaska."

In general, Kraege said wetland conditions are better now than they were last year. Last fall and winter, hunting success was down and it mainly had to do with the mild weather.

"Western Canada goose numbers look good," Kraege said. "Wrangle Island snow geese had one of the best survivals on record, and we should see a lot in the Skagit area this fall."

Duck populations across North America are slightly down this year, according to Ducks Unlimited. But wetland conditions were improved, which bodes well for breeding ducks.

The Canadian prairies are extraordinarily wet, with 56 percent more ponds counted than last year, and 17 percent more than the long-term average count.

Since the survey's completion in May, rainfall has been abundant across all prairie-breeding areas in the United States and Canada.

Total breeding duck numbers were relatively unchanged from last year at 31.7 million, slightly down from the 32.2 million estimated last year.

Breeding ducks responded well to the improved habitat conditions on the Canadian prairies. Ducks settling in prairie Canada increased by 31 percent from the previous year but decreased in the U.S. prairies by 15 percent.

Each of the 10 most common duck species has responded differently to the present conditions.

The breeding mallard count was 6.8 million, the lowest estimated number since 1993. The pintail count was 2.6 million, up from 2.2 million last year.

Local tackle shop receives recognition

Field & Stream magazine has announced the top 10 tackle shops in the United States, and Ted's Sports Center in Lynnwood was selected.

Every year, American anglers spend billions of dollars on gear in tackle shops.

But a tackle shop is also a place for anglers to gather information — where to go, how to catch fish, and what to use — from an honest staff.

"The best tackle shops are destinations in and of themselves," said Sid Evans, the editor in chief for Field & Stream. "These are the places making sure the home waters are taken care of and that fishing is alive and well."

"It is a neat honor, and I know we go out of our way for the people involved in the sport," said Mike Chamberlain, owner of Ted's Sports Center, who has been in the business since 1968. "We do the best job we can, and I've got a good crew who are great with the customers."

The 10 best tackle shops were selected by the editors of Field & Stream, and will debut in next month's issue.

Ted's opened in 1968, and the original owner was Ted Oden. The store at 15526 Highway 99 North in Lynnwood has been at the same location since 1973.

Notes

• Raffle tickets for special big-game hunting permits this fall are on sale through Aug. 7. The special hunts are for deer, elk, moose, California bighorn sheep and mountain goat. One winner will be chosen for each hunt. Raffle tickets are $5.98 apiece, $11.45 for sheep. Details: fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or 866-246-9453.

• New this year is a special raffle hunt for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the Blue Mountains. Bighorn sheep haven't been hunted in this area for 10 years because of a disease die-off, but their numbers have rebounded to a level that allows one ram to be taken. The permit is being raffled through the Washington chapter of Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. Raffle ticket deadline is Aug. 2. Details: www.wafnaws.com.

• The Puget Sound Anglers Eastside Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. Jim Workman will talk about Elliott Bay chinook fishing. Details: 425-883-6405.

• The Seattle Poggie Fishing Club meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seattle City Light Building at 97th Street North and Stone Avenue. Derek Anderson of Screamin' Reels Guide Service is guest speaker. Details: www.seattlepoggies.com or 425-742-7948.

• The Samish Bay Bivalve Bash and Low Tide Mud Run is 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday at Taylor Shellfish Farm, 2182 Chuckanut Drive in Bow. Activities include games and contests, food booths, oyster shell castle building, oyster shuffleboard, crab races, oyster shucking contest, music and more. Details: www.bivalvebash.com.

• The Tacoma Nature Center is offering a program titled "Reel 'em In" for youths 9-13, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 29. The event is geared toward those who have never fished or are new to the sport. Details: 253-591-6439.

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

• The Northwest Marine Trade Association's Boatstock demo event is July 23-24 at Gene Coulon Park in Renton.

The public may take free test drives and boat rides on more than 50 different boats. There will also be free clinics in beginning sailing from Hobie Cats Northwest.

There will also be the Northwest Wakeboard Invitational featuring pro level and top amateur riders. Details: 206-634-0911 or www.nmta.net.

• The Washington Trails Association is hosting a seven-mile day hike July 24 in the Dark Divide Roadless Area up to Juniper Ridge. This has a steep climb up to an impressive ridge on the South Cascades.

Other scheduled hikes: July 22, Snow Lake Trail in Wenatchee National Forest; July 30, Tubal Cain Mine Trail in Olympic National Forest; and Aug. 13, Yellow Auster Butte Trail in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The Big Hike begins Monday. It's hosted by the American Lung Association of Washington, and is the first-ever fundraising team hike along the entire Washington state portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, which covers areas from the Oregon border to Canada.

The hike starts at the Bridge of the Gods on the Columbia River, and heads north the length of the Washington Cascades and will finish Sept. 5 at Manning Provincial Park in Canada.

The teams are comprised of corporate local sponsors, and will traverse the trail in 12 segments, ranging from two to seven days. Each team includes 10 hikers of all abilities and two guides.

Through corporate sponsorships and individual hiker fundraising efforts event is expected to raise $250,000. Details: 800-732-9339 or www.alaw.org.

• The East Lake Washington Audubon Society is hosting a field trip 8 a.m. Aug. 6 at Naches Peak Loop. The three-mile hike will go through trails covered with wildflowers and abundant views of wildlife. Cost is $8 per person. Details: 425-746-5543 or www.ELWAS.org.

• The Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo offers a wide variety of kayak classes, camps and tours during the summer for all ages and ability. Details: 800-592-5983 or www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com.

• The Scottish Lakes High Camp is offering a fly-fishing weekend clinic Sept. 9-11 in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Details: 425-844-2000 or www.scottishlakes.com.

• The Cedar River Bowmen Bownanza Tournament is July 23-24. There will be 40 3-D targets each day. The range is on Enumclaw-Franklin Road off Highway 169 between Black Diamond and Enumclaw. Details: 360-886-0809 or www.CedarRiverBowmen.org.

• Crabbing is open in most marine areas, but fishers are reminded about window closures during certain parts of the week.

Crab fishing is open Wednesdays through Saturdays in eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, south San Juan Islands, Deception Pass to East Point and East Point to Possession Point, Bellingham Bay-Samish Bay, Admiralty Inlet-North Puget Sound, Seattle-Bremerton area (Central Puget Sound), Tacoma-Vashon area (southcentral Puget Sound) and Hood Canal.

Areas open daily are Neah Bay, Sekiu and southern Puget Sound south of the Narrows Bridge. Daily limit is five crabs.

• The Washington Butterfly Conference is July 22-24 in Mazama, and guided tours will be offered in the Methow Valley that hosts a variety of 100 butterfly species. The conference also offers field trips and lectures. Details: www.naba.org/chapters/nabaws/conference.htm.

• The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center will hold a fundraising art auction 4 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Union in Hood Canal. Cost is $25 per person. Details: 360-275-4212.

• Olympic Park Institute is offering 30 weekend workshops this summer and fall that include fly-fishing, day field trips, guided family camping and Northwest native art in Olympic National Park.

Expert fly fisher Ron Link will lead an all-inclusive weekend of trout catch-and-release technique on Lake Crescent. Tuition includes weekend gear, meals and lodging on July 29-31 or Aug 19-21.

Explore Northwest coastal design elements and technique with the aid of expert craftsman David Franklin during "Native American Formline Drawing and Painting" is Aug. 5-7. Details: 800-775-3720 or www.OlympicParkInstitute.org.

• The height of the summer outdoor season is upon us, and state Fish and Wildlife would like to remind folks of guidelines to follow when trekking outdoors.

State Fish and Wildlife manages more than 600 public access sites across Washington, and parking at these wildlife areas and water access sites require a $10 permit available at recreational license dealers or on the Internet at www.fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/.

Visitors to the forests of Washington should avoid approaching or rescuing animals that may seem to be alone. For tips on wildlife viewing go to wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/ethics.

When boating, remember that a personal flotation device is required for everyone on board. Children under age 12 must wear one while on a boat under 19 feet in length. Details: www.boatwashington.org/.

• Alki Kayak Tours has begun operating out of the Seacrest Boathouse at 1660 Harbor Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. The company provides sea kayak tours focusing on the natural and human history of Puget Sound. Owners Greg and Kara Whittaker, both expert kayakers and naturalists, will offer two basic tours for all skill levels: the Alki Lighthouse Paddle, which is $39 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and sunset paddles for $25 that launch two hours before sunset. Overnight trips to Blake Island and two-hour introduction to sea kayaking classes are planned for this summer. The tours will be in a brand-new fleet of Northwest Kayaks. Details: 206-953-0237 or www.kayakalki.com.

• The DevineRIDE mountain-bike women camps are two-day weekend camps held during this summer at Red Mountain Resort's Bikepark in Rossland, British Columbia.

The camps focus on skills instruction, lift-access rides or ride/shuttle access, and technical seminars. There are trails for all abilities and a skill-development area.

Camps are Aug. 5-7 and Sept. 16-18. Cost is $165 (U.S. currency) plus tax without lift tickets, and $293 with lift tickets. Details: 877-969-7669 or www.kirstyexner.com or www.devineride.com.

• The Whistler-Blackcomb Resort in British Columbia has opened its Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which offers a wide variety of trails for all skill levels. The park is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

New this year is a another lift-accessed park at the base of Blackcomb "The Magic Park," specifically designed for beginners and families. Also new this year and accessible the Garbanzo chair is the 2,200 vertical foot, 8-kilometer long Freight Train trail, and the Kona Jump Farm will be introduced this summer as the world's first lift-accessed dirt jump facility.

• Friends of Seattle's Olmstead Parks has created a new bicycle map that is geared toward recreational riders and covers four quadrants of the city.

The map lists mileage, bathrooms, parking and food locations. The maps is available on the Web site at www.seattleolmsted.org.

• As the boating season kicks into high gear, boaters are asked to remember some basic guidelines to follow on maintenance that can help prevent oil spills caused by cracking fuel lines, hull leaks and other mechanical failures.

Here are some preventative measures to follow:

1. Tune up the boat motor, check for oil and fuel leaks, and fix them before launching the boat.

2. If the boat's engine uses coolant, drain the existing fluid, recycle it and replace it — taking care not to spill any in the water or on the ground in the process.

3. Carefully replace the engine's old gear oil with fresh oil. Use the oil recycling center to get rid of used oil and old boat batteries.

4. Inspect all cockpit drain plugs and make sure the holes are clear. If the boat is left in the water, cover it so rain or overspray from other boats can't flood into the bilge area and sink the boat.

5. Put a clean absorbent pad in the bilge-pump area, since many boats have a bilge pump that is activated by an automatic float switch to prevent them from sinking.

6. Check the weather forecast before heading out to make sure you and your boat can handle the anticipated conditions.

Report spills by calling 800-OILS-911 or U.S. Coast Guard at 800-424-8802 or www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.

• Fishers and hunters purchasing their 2005-06 licenses are encouraged to help support youth outdoor education. Individuals can donate any amount of money, which goes directly to the Washington Wildlife Coalition, a consortium of outdoor recreation groups that sponsor youth-focused outdoor recreation events in Washington.

The youth events take place as part of the state Fish and Wildlife's "Go Play Outside" program aimed at bringing youngsters outside to learn how to fish, hunt and enjoy nature. Details: www.wdfw.wa.gov/gpo/index.htm.

• The Hike-A-Thon, a benefit for the Washington Trails Association, is a fun and healthy way to support hiking trails this spring and summer.

Participants collect pledges then log their miles hiked in August. The funds raised support trail maintenance and protection efforts. There is no fee to register. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The North Cascades Institute catalog features 40 pages of natural history seminars, summer youth adventures and new Family Getaways. The institute is a provider of field-based environmental education, focusing on natural and cultural history. Details: www.ncascades.org or 360-856-5700.

• 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 p.m.-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th S.W. in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The state Fish and Wildlife hunter education classes are Aug. 26-28 at the Cascade Boy Scout Reservation Complex near Snohomish. The classes offer comprehensive safety training that fulfills state hunter-education certification requirements for those born after 1971. Each student must achieve a passing score on a written examination and an outdoor field course that simulates actual hunting conditions. Each participant must also safely handle and fire a .22 rifle under the supervision of instructors. The June class is not recommended for children under age 12 or anyone who has difficulty with reading. Details: 360-568-2065 or 360-902-8115 or 360-480-4881.

• The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest Services are studying a new state law that would allow some use of forest roads by recreational riders of unlicensed "quad-runner" off-highway vehicles (OHV's) and trail bikes to see where such vehicles might be appropriate.

Use of unlicensed motor vehicles will only be allowed on roads that are signed as open for that use. Local ranger district offices will have information on local opportunities. The law will require helmets to be worn by users and sets age limits for operators. Details: 509-664-9319, 509-997-9738, www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee or www.fs.fed.us/r6/okanogan.

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