Fishing prospects began improving after a break in the weather ended a month of wet and windy conditions.

Anglers were able to take advantage of recent blue skies, as swollen rivers finally began to recede and gusty winds diminished in Puget Sound. Steelhead fishing picked up on both sides of the Cascades, while catch rates for blackmouth continued to show improvements in coastal regions.

While weather conditions for the coming weeks remain uncertain, anglers and others can look forward to new opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors:

• Razor clams: Three ocean beaches - and maybe four - will open to razor clam digging on evening tides Jan. 27-29. Marine toxin tests confirmed that clams from Long Beach, Mocrocks and Twin Harbors beaches were safe to eat. Heavy surf, however, thwarted efforts to test clams at Kalaloch, delaying a decision on opening that beach to a public dig until the afternoon of Jan. 26.

• Steelhead: Fishing for steelhead has improved once again, as heavy-flowing rivers have finally began to drop into shape. One popular spot was the Sol Duc River, where checkers interviewed 63 anglers with 29 wild steelhead (including 25 that were released) and nine hatchery fish in a two-day span.

• Blackmouth: Beginning Feb. 1, anglers will have more opportunities to catch blackmouth as Marine Areas 7 and 9 open, with a daily bag limit of one chinook in both areas. Catch rates are picking up in nearby Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2, suggesting fishing could be just as good in Marine Areas 7 and 9.

Duck and goose hunting has been good on lakes and ponds around the state as the season comes to an end. All areas still open to waterfowl hunting will close Jan. 29.

Whether successful or not, hunters who purchased deer, elk, black bear or turkey tags for the 2005 season are required to report their hunting activities by Jan. 31, 2006. Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license.

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: As the weather improved, so did the fishing. And if the conditions stay favorable, anglers will continue to have more opportunities to catch fish. The recent respite from rain and wind gave anglers a chance to get out on Puget Sound and hook some blackmouth. "I've heard there's some nice fish out there," said Steve Thiesfeld, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "With a break in the weather, more people headed out on the sound to fish for blackmouth, and those that did seem to have had some success."

  As participation in the saltwater fishery grows, so does the harvest. Catch counts at the Everett boat ramp showed 35 anglers checked in 12 chinook on Jan. 21, and 54 anglers accounted for another 12 blackmouth on Jan. 22. At the Camano Island public ramp 32 anglers hauled in 11 chinook on Jan. 21, and 44 anglers accounted for seven blackmouth Jan. 22.

  Thiesfeld recommends pursuing blackmouth in Marine Areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) through January. "Those are the areas where people are picking up fish right now," Thiesfeld said. "But once Marine Areas 7 (San Juan Islands) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet) open in February, anglers might want to consider those areas as well." Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) is also open for blackmouth fishing through Jan. 31. Marine Areas 7 and 9 are scheduled to open on Feb. 1, with a daily bag limit of one chinook in both areas. Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 each have a daily bag limit of two hatchery chinook, and wild chinook must be released. Anglers should check the 2005/2006 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for more information.

  After nearly a month of rain, the region's swollen rivers finally began to subside. And if the weather continues to cooperate, steelhead harvests could pick up. "The rivers are coming back into shape, and the fishing should be getting better," said Chad Jackson, WDFW fish biologist. Anglers should have a shot at hooking hatchery steelhead in the Snoqualmie and the Skykomish rivers into February, Jackson said. Anglers might want to keep an eye on the area's stream gauges before heading out.

  If river conditions don't improve, Jackson recommends dropping a line in one of the region's lakes that have been stocked with kokanee. "Winter is a good time to fish for kokanee because they are usually up high in the water column," he said.

• Hunting: Two days remain in a brant goose hunt in Skagit County. Hunters participating have a chance to bag two brant a day on Thursday (Jan. 26) and Saturday (Jan. 28). An abundant return of brant to Skagit County cleared the way for the hunt. More than 8,000 brant were counted during a recent aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays, said Mike Davison, wildlife biologist for WDFW. At least 6,000 brant in Skagit County must be counted before hunting is allowed. All hunters participating in the brant season must have prior written authorization and a harvest information card from WDFW. More information on brant-hunting requirements is available in WDFW's Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons hunting pamphlet.

  In a continuing effort to monitor trumpeter swans that have succumbed to lead poisoning, WDFW has established a hotline to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. The public can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, and leave a message with their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hotline is available 24 hours a day through the end of February. The swans die of lead poisoning after ingesting lead shot that has been deposited in areas where the birds feed during the winter. Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting in Washington and British Columbia for more than a decade. WDFW is involved in a study to locate and remove the toxic lead, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, the University of Washington, the Trumpeter Swan Society and other non-governmental organizations.

  A decent duck-hunting season comes to a close Jan. 29. Wet weather in the North Sound region improved waterfowl habitat this winter, and made for excellent hunting conditions throughout January.

  Only a few days remain for big-game and turkey hunters to report their hunting activities. The reports must be turned in by Jan. 31, 2006, whether or not hunters were successful in their hunt. Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license. (See WDFW's Big Game Hunting pamphlet.)

• Wildlife viewing: After a lull in orca sightings, several whales have once again been spotted in the North Sound area in recent weeks. About 15 orcas were spotted between Whidbey and Camano Island. They appeared to be separated into two separate groups, one observer reported to the Orca Network. The next day, a number of orcas were once again spotted along Whidbey Island, this time near the Clinton ferry dock. Four males and one small baby were spotted near the terminal, "and the baby was having a great time jumping out of the water," according to the observer. Earlier that day, a gray whale also was spotted between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend.

  A birder reporting to Tweeters birding website spotted a tufted duck in a flooded area in Kent. The duck was very active and was part of a large flock of ring-necked ducks. The tufted duck, which has white sides and is black on the head, breast, neck and back, is a rare winter resident in lowland areas of Washington state, according to the Seattle Audubon Society. When spotted, the medium-sized diving duck is usually seen with flocks of scaup or ring-necked ducks.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: After a record-breaking 35 days of rain, fishing prospects are finally looking up. Rivers began dropping back into shape and clam diggers were busy booking motel reservations for a series of evening razor clam digs in late January. Still, conditions remain uncertain in the days ahead, prompting words of caution from fishery managers.

  Three ocean beaches - and maybe four - will open to razor clam digging on evening tides Jan. 27-29. As of Jan. 20, WDFW had approved digs on evening tides at Long Beach, Mocrocks and Twin Harbors beaches after marine toxin tests confirmed that the clams on those beaches are safe to eat. Heavy surf earlier thwarted efforts to test clams at Kalaloch, delaying a decision on opening that beach to a public dig until the afternoon of Jan. 26. WDFW will announce the decision on its Shellfish Hotline (866-880-5431) and post it on the department's razor clam season website.

  Because the surf remains heavy, diggers planning to hit the beach during the three-day opening should make sure to take a good lantern and raingear, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "It's important to come prepared," Ayres said. "Particularly during night digs, we also ask people to keep a close eye on young children."

  Washington State Parks is also advising beach goers to remain 300 feet away from the toe of bluffs where slides have occurred or could occur. Since the last clam season, a major bluff has fallen into the ocean near Roosevelt Beach access road, south of Moclips.

  As in previous openings, no digging will be allowed at any beach before noon. Evening low tides during the three-day dig are:

  • Friday, Jan. 27: 5 p.m. (-0.3 ft.)
  • Saturday, Jan. 28: 5:49 p.m. (-0.7 ft.)
  • Sunday, Jan. 29: 6:34 p.m. (-1.0 ft.)

  Copalis Beach will remain closed to digging in January to ensure that enough clams are available for harvest in April, when the tides allow for morning digs, Ayres said. The closed beach lies between the Grays Harbor North Jetty and the Copalis River, and includes Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis.

  Meanwhile, steelhead fishing picked up quickly after the rain clouds parted and the rivers became "fishable" again. "Rivers have been dropping into shape throughout western Washington, drawing an increasing number of anglers," said Mike Gross, WDFW fish biologist. One popular choice was the Sol Duc River, where checkers interviewed 63 anglers with 29 wild steelhead (including 25 that were released) and nine hatchery fish Jan. 20-22. By comparison, checkers counted just 10 anglers on the river - with just five fish among them - during the previous four days. The story was much the same on the Bogachiel, Calawah and Hoh rivers, although catch rates were considerably lower than those on the Sol Duc.

  Improving conditions have also brought a flood of steelhead anglers to rivers in the Grays Harbor area, said Scott Barbour, another WDFW fish biologist. "There were lots of boats on the Wynoochee (River) last weekend, and I know a lot of people were catching fish. Barring another torrential downpour, steelhead fishing in other area rivers - including the Satsop, Humptulips and the Chehalis - should also be good in the days ahead." Sturgeon fishing on the Chehalis River should also pick up, now that smelt are moving in, he said.

  Another change, noted by anglers and fish biologists alike, is that wild steelhead are becoming predominant in the catch. As most anglers know, retention of wild steelhead is limited to one fish per licensing year (April 1-March 31), taken from one of the following rivers: the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Goodman, Green, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault or the Sol Duc. (The retention period for wild steelhead on the Green River closed Nov. 30). Elsewhere, they must be released. Wild steelhead can be distinguished from hatchery fish by their intact adipose and ventral fins.

  Rather catch a salmon? Blackmouth fishing opens Feb. 1 in Marine Area 9, and should afford some good opportunities, said Tim Flint, WDFW statewide salmon manager. "These fish haven't seen a bait or lure since the end of November," Flint said. "That, together with the fact that catch rates are picking up in the chinook selective fishery in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2, suggests that fishing in Marine Area 9 could be good." Popular areas include Possession Bar, Midchannel Bank and Point No Point.

• Hunting: The last day to hunt ducks or geese anywhere in the region is Saturday, Jan. 29 (Management Area 2B closed Jan. 14). Big-game and turkey hunters are required to report their hunting activities by Jan. 31, 2006, whether or not they were successful in their hunt. (See WDFW's Big Game Hunting pamphlet.) Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license.

• Wildlife viewing: After a flurry of sightings, red phalaropes seem to have all but disappeared from the region. Flocks of ancient murrelets, however, are showing up in large numbers along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A birder reporting to Tweeters birding website spotted about 400 ancient murrelets near Victoria, British Columbia, with about another 50 murrelets scattered between the Canadian city and Port Angeles. Another birder spotted about 50 ancient murrelets near Port Townsend, and was able to identify the birds by their behavior. Ancient murrelets will often plunge from the air into the water to forage for food, using their wings as flippers, according to the Seattle Audubon Society. The small, stocky bird has a black head and a slate gray back, with gray and white sides, and a white belly.

  Orca whales also were spotted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A pod was sighted at Race Rocks, near Victoria, according to one observer reporting to the Orca Network. Within the pod, were females and juveniles, and a male with a tall dorsal fin. Elsewhere, orcas were sighted near Ayock Point in Hood Canal, "putting on quite a show," another observer reported. A gray whale also was sighted near the entrance to Sequim Bay. The whale was heading toward Protection Island, and it was spotted doing a full breach, showing its barnacles.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: The "smelt watch" is intensifying on the Cowlitz River. With the river dropping and commercial landings mounting in the Columbia River, the popular fish could start entering the Cowlitz at any time, said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "We had one unsubstantiated report of some guys getting smelt in the river last Saturday, but nothing's confirmed yet," Hymer said Jan. 24. "All I can say at this point is the conditions are right."

  The recreational smelt fishery in the Cowlitz River is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays only, with a 10-pound daily limit. No other tributaries are open to smelt dipping, but the mainstem Columbia River is open seven days per week, 24-hours a day, with a 25-pound daily limit. Updates on the smelt fishery are posted on WDFW's website.

  Lower stream flows are also improving steelhead fishing, particularly on the smaller rivers. No current reports were available for the Cowlitz River since water levels started dropping, but anglers reported good steelhead fishing on the Kalama River during the weekend of Jan. 21-22. However, Hymer noted that a majority of those fish were wild, unmarked steelhead, which must be released unharmed. During the previous week, hatchery workers recycled 217 hatchery winter steelhead into the river below Kalama Falls Hatchery, planted 74 hatchery fish into Kress Lake and passed 70 wild fish above the hatchery.

  Despite high water, 28 bank anglers caught 31 catchable-size rainbow trout in Klineline Pond that week. Those fishing in the swimming area with worms or Rapala lures had the best results. Since Jan. 17, WDFW has planted 1,250 catchable-size rainbows in Klineline Pond, 1,500 in Kress Lake, 5,200 in Battleground Lake and 1,000 in Kidney Lake near North Bonneville.

  Anglers are also catching some legal-size sturgeon on the mainstem Columbia River, notably in the pools above Bonneville and The Dalles dams. Sturgeon retention is allowed seven days per week below the Wauna power lines and on Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays from the power lines upriver to Bonneville dam. For regulations above Bonneville Dam, see the 2005-06 rules/efishrules/index.jsp" target="_blank">Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet.

  For anglers who want to stay dry, WDFW will have a booth Feb. 8-12 at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show at the Portland Expo Center.

• Hunting: The last day to hunt ducks or geese anywhere in the region is Saturday, Jan. 29. Big-game and turkey hunters are required to report their hunting activities by Jan. 31, 2006, whether or not they were successful in their hunt. (See WDFW's Big Game Hunting pamphlet.) Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license.

• Wildlife viewing: For hunters, dusky Canada geese are one of the last species of waterfowl they want to see overhead. Under state regulations, hunters who shoot one are automatically disqualified from hunting in coastal areas for the rest of the season. Biologists, on the other hand, just spent several weeks looking for every "dusky" they could find.

  In the second of two back-to-back surveys coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, WDFW wildlife biologists counted 57 dusky geese among the thousands of other geese surveyed in the Vancouver lowlands. Two flocks of duskies were spotted feeding at the Shillapoo State Wildlife Area. Another was recorded feeding on harvested corn near Woodland. Other survey teams counted hundreds more in southwest Washington and western Oregon.

  While this year's survey is not yet complete, recent trends in the dusky goose population are encouraging, said Fred Dobler, WDFW regional wildlife manager. Hunting restrictions have helped to stabilize the birds' numbers, which declined from more than 25,500 birds in 1979 to around 15,000 in recent years. With one week remaining before the end of the goose-hunting season, only 25 of the 1,547 geese taken in Wahkiakum, Cowlitz and Clark counties were duskies, he said.

  Still, habitat changes in the birds' breeding grounds, leave them vulnerable to brown bears, wolves, coyotes and other predators, Dobler said. A subspecies of Canada geese, the dusky goose population breed in Alaska's Copper River Delta and winter in western Oregon and southwest Washington. Dusky geese are typically chocolate brown in color, although some appear dark gray. Many, including 14 of the 57 birds counted in the Vancouver lowlands, sport red or green neck collars for ready identification.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Snake River steelhead fishing is picking up on tributaries that are running high and fast. Latest creel surveys showed an average of just two-and-half hours per steelhead caught on the Touchet River, just under three hours per fish on the Walla Walla River, and a little over four hours per fish on the Tucannon River. The full report, which includes Snake River mainstem stretches, is on the WDFW website.

  WDFW district fish biologist Chris Donley of Spokane reports that most of the ice has melted at the district's winter-only rainbow trout lakes, Fourth of July on the Lincoln-Adams county line and Hog Canyon in western Spokane County. "Go get 'em," Donley said, "but be careful out there." Boat launching and shore fishing continue to be challenging with thin shoreline ice from freezing nights. Donley recommends fishing Lake Roosevelt for kokanee and rainbow trout, either by boat trolling or bank fishing from the mouth of the Spokane River up to Grand Coulee Dam. Donley also noted that Whitman County's year-round Rock Lake continues to produce brown and rainbow trout.

  WDFW district fish biologist Curt Vail of Colville said Williams Lake in Stevens County has about four inches of ice covered with almost as much slush and water. "It's pretty risky to walk out on," he said. Those managing to get a line in are doing well, with near limits of rainbow trout that run from just under 10 inches to 14 inches.

• Hunting: These are the final days of waterfowl hunting with duck and goose seasons closing Jan. 29. WDFW central district wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson of Spokane reports that water is everywhere after all the recent rain and snow, and "there's lots of waterfowl all around, especially geese."

  Jan. 31 is the deadline for all hunters who purchased black bear, deer, elk, or turkey tags to file hunting activity reports. Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license. All hunters, whether successful or not, are required to submit activity reports by calling (877) 945-3492, or by the Internet at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

  General cougar hunting continues through March 15, except in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, where only hound hunters with special permits are afield after cats. All cougar hunters are reminded to notify WDFW within 72 hours of kills to make arrangements for sealing hides. Cougar hunters in southeast Washington should note that campgrounds on WDFW's Wooten Wildlife Area in Columbia County are closed and traffic is restricted while helicopter salvage logging operations are under way. For more information, see the Wooten Wildlife Area on WDFW's website.

• Wildlife viewing: WDFW district wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson of Spokane says snowy owls continue to be seen throughout Spokane County, including the eastside's Rathdrum Prairie and in the Mica Peak area. With water everywhere after all the recent rain and snow, he said, "there's lots of waterfowl all around, especially geese. No swans yet, though." Ferguson also noted that birders might notice buttercups showing up already. Bald eagles have been seen throughout the region, feeding on everything from road-killed deer to waterfowl. WDFW habitat biologist Jeff Lawlor said he's noticed eagles along the Spokane River near Riverside State Park, and in several locations in Pend Oreille County. "I watched one repeatedly diving at a duck on the Pend Oreille River right outside Newport the other day," Lawlor said.

  Birders in Lincoln, Ferry and Stevens counties recently reported lots of interesting species, including a Bohemian waxwing near Davenport, a northern goshawk near Creston, a prairie falcon near Lamona, a northern shrike and barred owl near Inchelium, a pileated woodpecker, a black-backed woodpecker and merlin near Gifford, and Townsend's solitaire and ruffed grouse near Hunters.

  Bureau of Land Management staff recently relayed a rare sighting of a white-tailed jackrabbit, a species that is a candidate for protective listing in Washington, at Telford and Whittaker Lake roads in Lincoln County.

  Deer and elk are shedding antlers now and WDFW regional wildlife program manager Kevin Robinette reminds antler collectors to avoid disturbing animals on critical winter ranges.

  Outdoor recreationists should note that campgrounds on WDFW's Wooten Wildlife Area in Columbia County are closed and traffic is restricted while helicopter salvage logging operations are under way. For more information see WDFW's website.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Upper Columbia River steelhead fishing has slowed a bit due to cooler temperatures, said WDFW district fish biologist Bob Jateff of Omak. "But anglers should keep a close eye on any warming trends," he said, "since a few degrees can make a big difference in fish activity and success rates." That fishery includes portions of the Okanogan and Methow rivers; steelheaders should check all regulation details of the season on WDFW's website. Whitefish fishing can also be productive at this time of the year on both the Methow and Similkameen rivers, Jateff said. But whitefish anglers need to remember that in sections of the river that have an ongoing steelhead fishery, selective gear rules are in effect. Jateff also noted that Rufous Woods Lake continues to be good fishing for triploid rainbow trout up to five pounds for both bank and boat anglers. The daily limit is two trout.

  WDFW district fish biologist Art Viola of Wenatchee said yellow perch and trout fishing through the ice at Fish Lake north of Leavenworth in Chelan County remains excellent but ice conditions have deteriorated. "There is at least 12 inches of water-soaked snow on top the ice, making walking very difficult," he said. "And the ice is beginning to weaken." Viola noted that the ice is unsafe on Roses Lake, another popular Chelan County year-round fishery north of Manson. He also noted that steelhead angling remains slow on the Columbia River between Rocky Reach and Wells dams.

  Walleye and yellow perch fishing at the Interstate-90 bridge on Moses Lake has been sporadic, says WDFW district fish biologist Jeff Korth of Moses Lake. "It's still pretty much iced up," he said. "But things are starting to thaw."

• Hunting: A final aerial survey of waterfowl in the North Columbia Basin was recently completed, and that information is available on WDFW's website. Hunters might want to take a look at the survey information during the remaining days of the season, which closes Jan. 29.

  Jan. 31 is the deadline for all hunters who purchased black bear, deer, elk, or turkey tags to file hunting activity reports. Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license. All hunters, whether successful or not, are required to submit activity reports by calling (877) 945-3492, or by the Internet at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

  General cougar hunting continues through March 15, except in Okanongan and Chelan counties where only hound hunters with special permits are afield after cats. All cougar hunters are reminded to notify WDFW within 72 hours of kills to make arrangements for sealing hides.

• Wildlife viewing: Ducks are just beginning to do some pre-courtship flying, reports WDFW district wildlife biologist Beau Patterson of Wenatchee. "Wells pool on the Columbia River is a good place to observe a wide variety of waterfowl and wintering bald eagles," Patterson said. "Rocky Reach pool has lesser numbers of ducks, but there are quite a few bald eagles there, as well as grebes and loons."

  A final aerial survey of waterfowl in the North Columbia Basin was recently completed. Birdwatchers may want to take a look at the survey numbers on WDFW's website.

  Birders recently reported several interesting raptor species throughout Douglas County, from the Waterville plateau through Bridgeport and Mansfield, including snowy owls, a northern pygmy owl, a barn owl, merlin, and a golden eagle.

  Patterson notes that with deer starting to shed antlers now, antler collectors will be out in some areas. "I caution antler hunters to avoid pushing and stressing deer at this time of year, especially in open foothills habitat where they're most vulnerable to disturbance," he said.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: The catch-and-keep season for sturgeon got under way this month on a portion of the Columbia River from the Dalles Dam to McNary Dam in Benton County. Minimum size for keeping a sturgeon is 48 inches, maximum size is 60 inches, and the daily catch limit is one fish. The stretch of the Columbia from McNary Dam to the Old Hanford townsite wooden power-line towers are open year-round for sturgeon, under the same rules. Feb. 1 is the opening of sturgeon fishing on the stretch from the Old Hanford townsite wooden power-line towers to Vernita Bridge, also under the same size and catch rules.

  Whitefish are available on portions of the Bumping, Klickitat, Naches, Tieton and Yakima rivers. Anglers can do fairly well on whitefish once they find the winter schools. Whitefish make for very tasty tablefare, especially smoked. Only one single hook 3/16-inch or smaller measured point to shank (size 14) may be used to avoid hooking off-limits fish such as steelhead or salmon. There's no minimum size limit on whitefish and up to 15 can be taken daily.

  Warmer weather and rain has melted most of the ice on the region's year-round lowland rainbow trout lakes, so they may be more accessible. Anglers are reminded that the region's winter-only fishery at North Elton Pond has a two-trout daily catch limit.

• Hunting: The final days of waterfowl hunting could be productive with abundant water holding ducks and geese in many areas across the region. Seasons close Jan. 29. Aerial surveys of ducks and geese in the South Columbia Basin, centered around the Tri-Cities area, were conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) earlier this month and a full report can be seen on WDFW's website. USFWS biologist Howard Browers noted that some of the ice that formed last month during the deep freeze in the area was still lingering at the time of the January survey, but much of the survey area was open, and even more is open now. At the time of the survey he said there was a fairly good concentration of birds - mostly mallards and wigeon - on the McNary pool near Badger Island and the western shore of the Columbia River near Finley. "Pintail numbers were fairly low and no green-winged teal were counted on the flight, although I'm sure there are a few around," he said. "I suspect that the frozen conditions may have pushed some of these birds out." Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge held good numbers of birds despite much of the area being frozen, and the Hanford

  Reach of the Columbia River held good numbers as well, Browers noted. Waterfowl numbers on the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge were possibly the lowest recorded during a January survey, he added. "I suspect that the earlier cold weather must have pushed birds out."

  Jan. 31 is the deadline for all hunters who purchased black bear, deer, elk, or turkey tags to file hunting activity reports. Hunters who miss the deadline must pay a $10 penalty before they can purchase a 2006 license. All hunters, whether successful or not, are required to submit activity reports by calling (877) 945-3492, or by the Internet at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

• Wildlife Viewing: Deer and elk are shedding antlers now and WDFW regional wildlife program manager Ted Clausing reminds antler collectors to avoid disturbing animals. WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area northwest of Yakima has several road closures in place now to restrict activities that have proved harmful to elk and deer at the harshest time of year. Oak Creek, Bethel Ridge, Sandford Pasture, and Mud Lake road systems are all closed to use through April 30. Winter elk feeding and viewing continues at the wildlife area's headquarters area off Highway 12; call 509-652-2390 for more information about interpretive center hours and truck tours through the feeding herd.

  Bald eagles feeding on waterfowl and other winter-weakened or road-killed wildlife are visible throughout the Yakima River drainage. Golden eagles will soon begin setting up nesting territories in the Tieton River area. The trail along the river is closed to all use from Feb. 1 through April 1 to avoid disturbing the big birds.