Waterfowl are flourishing across Washington state, creating a flock of recreational opportunities for hunters.
Washington winters more mallards than any other state on the Pacific Flyway and more waterfowl overall than any state except California, according to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services's annual North American waterfowl survey. That translates to one of the longest seasons and most generous bag limits in the United States.
An early, seven-day hunting season opens Sept. 8 statewide for Canada geese.
The general goose opener (except Brant and Aleutian Canada geese) is Oct. 10 in all eastern and western management areas, except Western Washington goose management area 2 (southwest Washington) which opens Nov. 25. There is a youth hunting day for waterfowl on Sept. 26. The general duck opener is Oct. 3. Healthy bird breeding populations and favorable habitat conditions have combined to create burgeoning bird populations.
"The continental population of waterfowl, while down slightly from last year, is near it's highest in 50 years," said Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Game Manager Rocky Beach. "Mallards are near record highs and gadwall populations are at all-time highs. Hunters can expect good results in the traditional hunting areas of the Columbia Basin, along the Columbia River, Skagit, Padilla Bay and on the outer coast near Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor."
Hunters should clean and repaint decoys to increase their chances of a successful hunt, Beach added.
Hunters are reminded to check rules in the WDFW "Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons" pamphlet before setting out. The free pamphlet will be available by the end of the month at WDFW offices statewide and at license dealers.
There are plenty of late-summer recreational opportunities for wildlife watchers and fishers as well:
- Mountain goat viewing: Mount Ellinor Trail #812 off State Route 119 west of Hoodsport
offers wildlife watchers who are willing to take a steep and strenuous hike some of the best
odds in the state for seeing mountain goats. The area also offers excellent vistas and a
likelihood of spotting deer and elk. Visitors are reminded that the U.S. Forest Service now
requires a $3 Trail Park Permit, which should be purchased in advance from the USFS
headquarters in Hoodsport.
- River otters: The cooler weather and waning crowds of late summer offer increased
opportunities for wildlife watching at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island. River
otters may be seen leaving the park's Cranberry Lake at this time of year, according to Park
Manager Bill Overby. Blue herons in the lake as well as in Cornet Bay and Pass Lake are
among more than 170 varieties of birds visible in the area. Eagles and other birds of prey,
such as osprey, also begin to show up now, he added.
- Alpine fishing: As schools re-open and people complete their vacations, the roads and
most outdoor destinations become less crowded. Luckily, this period coincides with renewed
fish-feeding activity, as the water starts to cool. This is an especially good time to try a day
hike and fishing expedition to one of the more than 3,000 alpine lakes in the state. Not only
do the fish become more active, but populations of annoying insects start to decline as the
weather cools. The same goes for lowland lakes. Bass and panfish seem to really go on
feeding binges starting in late summer and early fall, and water temperatures also become
more tolerable to trout. (See our Trout Fishing in Washington's High Lakes page for more information.)
- Upland birds: Fall hunting for grouse opens Sept. 1. This is not only a chance to hunt one
of North America's premier game birds but also an opportunity to do some early scouting for
deer and elk, plus a great time of year for a walk in the woods. (But before you go make sure
forests aren't closed because of fire danger.)
- Steelhead: Shirt-sleeve steelheading is usually still good in Western Washington streams,
near peak in the Columbia River Gorge streams, and starting to build in the Snake and other
upstream areas. Check the regulations carefully for each stream.
- Salmon: Ocean sport salmon fishing reopens at Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) and Westport
(Marine Area 2) for a one-day season on Sept. 3. WDFW also has opened the coastline in
those areas from the beach to three miles out to salmon fishing, which will provide anglers a
greater opportunity to harvest chinook salmon. It is a good week for sport salmon fishing in
the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Marine Areas 5 and 6) because coho may not be retained after
Sept. 7. A catch-and-release salmon fishery opens in those areas Sept. 8.
(See our Fishing Regulations Page for more information.)
- Crabbing: Puget Sound and ocean waters are now open at all depths for crab pot fishing.
Portions of Puget Sound in the Bellingham area have been closed to depths greater than 60
feet to protect crabs with soft shells.
