OLYMPIA — The WDFW modified sport oyster and clamming seasons on several public beaches beginning last Wednesday. All oyster and clam species are affected and the seasons will remain in place until further notice.
The sport oyster fishing seasons were modified on certain public beaches based on results from population, harvest and effort assessments by the WDFW.
Surveys at Indian Island County Park, Potlatch State Park, Potlatch DNR tidelands, Port Gamble Heritage Park and Twanoh State Park indicate that the clam population has increased, allowing for longer seasons. To align clam and oyster seasons, WDFW is extending the oyster season as well, though the season is being shortened at Penrose Point State Park.
Surveys at North Bay indicate that the clam population has increased slightly, but a shift in season timing is recommended to reduce user group conflicts and increased pressure on infrastructure at the access site.
The existing hours of darkness harvest restriction at Quilcene Bay Tidelands is no longer necessary. There is no conservation or management needed to limit the hours of harvest.
The following are the season openings and closings for the identified beaches:
• Indian Island County Park/Lagoon Beach: From the jetty boundary with Port Townsend Ship Canal east to the beach access stairs on Flagler Road near milepost 4. Open Aug. 15 through Sept. 30 only.
• Oyster Reserves – North Bay: State-owned oyster reserves and contiguous state-owned tidelands south and east of the powerline crossing are open Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 only.
• Penrose Point State Park: Open March 1 through April 30 only.
• Port Gamble Heritage Park Tidelands: Open year-round.
• Potlatch DNR tidelands: Open April 1 through Aug. 31 only.
• Potlatch State Park: Open April 1 through Aug. 31 only.
• Quilcene Tidelands: Open April 1 through Dec. 31, with no restrictions on hours of harvest.
• Twanoh State Park: Open July 15 through Sept. 30 only; for clamming only.
For more information, contact Camille Speck, WDFW Port Townsend Office, at (360) 302-3030, ext. 313
Multiple-season tags
OLYMPIA — Deer and elk hunters have until March 31 to enter their names into the drawing for a 2017 multiple-season tag, which can greatly increase the opportunity for success in the field.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold the drawing in mid-April, randomly selecting names for 8,500 multiple-season deer tags and 1,000 multiple season elk tags.
Winners of the drawing will be eligible to purchase a special tag allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader, as well as modern firearm general hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2017. The deadline to purchase the multiple-season tag is July 31.
Winners may choose any weapon type when applying for a special permit to hunt deer or elk. Winners who purchase the multiple season elk tag can participate in general elk hunting seasons in both eastern and western Washington.
“This is a great opportunity for hunters to extend their hunting season this fall,” said Anis Aoude, game manager for WDFW. “The multiple-season tag allows more flexibility, since winners do not need to choose one hunting method over another.”
Aoude noted that the tags can be used only during general seasons and in game management units open during a modern firearm, muzzleloader, or archery general season. For example, winners may not hunt during the muzzleloader general season in an area that is not open for the muzzleloader general season.
Hunters can apply only once for each species and are limited to harvesting one deer or elk.
A multiple season application can be purchased from authorized license dealers, online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or by calling (866) 246-9453. The application costs $7.10 for residents and $110.50 for nonresidents.
A 2017 hunting license is not required to submit an application, but winners of the drawing must purchase one before they can purchase a multiple season tag.
Fisheries to open
OLYMPIA — With a new season of outdoor adventures about to begin, Washington residents might want to purchase 2017-18 recreational fishing and hunting licenses before current licenses expire at midnight March 31.
The cost of fishing and hunting licenses remains the same as last year, and most annual licenses include a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife vehicle-access pass. That pass allows people to use and park at more than 700 WDFW water access sites and 33 wildlife areas throughout the state. More information is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/.
Popular outdoor opportunities available in the coming weeks include:
• Columbia River spring chinook: The initial season for the popular fishery runs through April 6, before closing for a run assessment. This year’s returns are projected to be below average, but the sport fishery will receive a larger share of the catch than in years past. Make sure to check the river conditions before you go.
• Razor clams: Three razor clam digs are tentatively scheduled this month. For details on the proposed digs, check the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html.
• Eastern Washington lakes: Fishing opens March 1 at several lakes east of the Cascades, although many are still iced up. Check the regional reports for more information.
• Sandhill cranes: Some of the earliest and easiest migrating birds to watch throughout the state are sandhill cranes, which make feeding and resting stopovers in the Columbia Basin of our north-central and southcentral regions and in the Vancouver Lowlands of our southwest region.
