Fall hunting changes are considered BRIEFS

THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, April 12, 2002

Changes to hunting rules for the 2002 fall season are scheduled to be adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, meeting today and Saturday in Ellensburg.

The proposed rules establish 2002 permit levels and make minor adjustments to elk, deer and other big-game seasons set in a previously-adopted, three-year hunting rules package.

The proposals include more branched bull elk permits in the Colockum area; elimination of bull elk permits for two game management units in the Blue Mountains; and slight adjustments to moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat permit numbers.

In addition, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff is recommending the commission retain an any-deer youth hunt in the Okanogan.

The commission also is expected to take action on a proposal to reclassify the peregrine falcon from a state endangered species to a state sensitive species.

- TURKEY TIME: Washington's spring turkey hunting season opens statewide Monday and runs through May 15.

Hunters can pursue three different sub-species of turkey, all which have been successfully introduced to the state since 1984. The Merriam's subspecies is in Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry, Klickitat, Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties; Rio Grande turkeys are in Lincoln County and southeastern Washington; and the eastern subspecies is in southwest Washington.

Most of the hunting is in northeast Washington, but other areas include southeast Washington and Klickitat County. Smaller turkey populations can be found in Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties, and southwest Washington.

Turkey hunters are required to report their hunting activity by telephone at 877-945-3492 or on the Internet at www.fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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