Young hunters will take to the field Sept. 23-24 for a special game-bird season that traditionally marks the start of hunting opportunities for waterfowl, pheasant, quail and partridge around the state. Now in its eighth year, the special youth-only season is open to hunters under age 16 who are accompanied by an adult. The adult is not allowed to hunt during the special youth season.

"The special youth season was created to give young people a chance to develop their hunting skills under the supervision of an adult," said Mick Cope, upland game manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "That experience is invaluable both for new hunters and for the future of hunting in our state."

For that reason, WDFW has joined forces with the Washington Waterfowl Association, Pheasants Forever and other hunting organizations to provide adult mentors for young people who want to hunt but don't have anyone to teach them. Young people 16 or under, or their parents, can get more information about this program by calling WDFW at (360) 902-2515.

Cope noted that this year's start of the special youth hunt on Sept. 23 coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, created by Congress in 1972 to promote outdoor sports and conservation. "Given that the youth hunt is designed to foster a new generation of responsible hunters, it's fitting that these events should fall on the same day this year," he said.

Other key dates for hunters in the days ahead include:

• Sept. 21: Early archery season for elk ends statewide.
• Sept. 25-29: Special pheasant hunt for hunters 65 and older in western Washington.
• Sept. 30: General pheasant-hunting season begins in western Washington. Early archery season for deer ends statewide.
• Oct. 7: General hunt begins for quail and bobwhite statewide and for chukar and gray partridge in eastern Washington.
• Oct. 14: General hunting seasons for ducks and geese get under way in most areas, although goose hunting will remain closed in management area 2A in southwest Washington.
• Oct. 7-13: Early muzzleloader season for deer and elk runs in selected game management units statewide.
• Oct. 14: Deer-hunting season with modern firearms begins in selected game management units statewide.

Before heading out, hunters are advised to check WDFW's Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) or the Big Game Hunting pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) for area-specific regulations.

For more information about hunting, fishing and wildlife-viewing opportunities available throughout the state, see the regional reports below:

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: The coho salmon catch continues to be spotty in both saltwater and freshwater fisheries throughout most of the region. "Based on the catch rates in the sport fishery, we haven't seen a big push of coho come into Puget Sound," said Tim Flint, salmon resource manager for WDFW. "But there are coho around, and the number of fish moving into the region should be improving."

  Anglers in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) are finding some coho. Recent creel checks at the Everett and Edmonds boat ramps show anglers are averaging about one silver for every seven rods. The catch in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) has been slightly better. Anglers are averaging one silver for every six rods, according to creel checks at the Armeni and Shilshole boat ramps.

  Anglers who participated in the Edmonds coho derby earlier this month also managed to hook some silvers. A total of 450 anglers weighed in 122 coho during the event. Brandon Choate was the derby's big winner. The 13-year-old angler hauled in a 13 pound, 9.5 ounce coho, taking home first prize in both the adult and kids divisions. For his effort, Choate was awarded $2,500 and a $200 gift certificate. Ken Forland, who weighed in a 13 pound, 3 ounce coho, finished second and pocketed $1,000, and Steve Bratton's 11 pound, 6 ounce silver was good enough for third place and a West Coast Resorts fishing trip.

  Crabbing in the region is still an option, but only in one marine area for a limited time. The eastern and northern portions of Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) are open for crab Wednesday through Saturday each week through Sept. 30. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/) for more information.

  Freshwater anglers have plenty of opportunities. The Snohomish and portions of the Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and Skagit rivers are open for salmon fishing, and should start to heat up for coho.

  Steve Foley, WDFW fish biologist, said anglers are having some success on the Snohomish River. "There's been pretty good fishing for coho recently," Foley said. "Fish are jumping around and moving up river, and some anglers are doing pretty well."

  Anglers fishing the Snohomish River, as well as the Skykomish, Snoqualmie and Stillaguamish rivers, have a daily limit of two salmon measuring at least 12 inches and must release chinook and pinks. Anglers on the Skagit River are allowed three salmon daily measuring at least 12 inches, and must release chinook. Anglers should check WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for more information on those and other fisheries in the region.

  Rather cast a line at a lake? Lake Washington is open for coho, although fishing has been slow, Foley said. "There should be plenty of coho in the lake. We've seen good numbers of coho moving through the Ballard Locks, well over a 1,000 a day last week," he said. Anglers are allowed two coho per day (minimum size 12 inches) from waters north of the Highway 520 Bridge and east of the Montlake Bridge.

• Hunting: Hunters under the age of 16 will go afield for ducks, geese and pheasants during a special youth hunt Sept. 23-24. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult (at least 18 years old) who is not hunting. Hunters of all ages can hunt pheasants beginning Sept. 30, when the westside general hunt gets started.

  Seasons for bear and cougar continue in the region. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the hunting season, which runs through March 15, 2007. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the 2006 general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington.

  Early archery seasons are coming to a close. The early archery season for deer in select western Washington Game Management Units wraps up Sept. 30, while the early season for elk closes Sept. 21. However, early muzzleloader seasons in select units for deer and elk are just around the corner. Those hunts get started Oct. 7.

  Before going afield, hunters are encouraged to check the 2006 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) and the 2006-2007 Waterfowl and Upland Game Regulation pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) for regulations in specific areas.

• Wildlife viewing: For a couple of birders, the sighting of a yellow-breasted chat was the highlight of a recent outing to Marymoor Park in Redmond. The bird was spotted near the off-leash dog area parking lot, according to a report on the Tweeters birding website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/). Yellow-breasted chats, which are known for their elusiveness, are the largest wood warblers. With their nests well concealed, the birds are difficult to find.

  Elsewhere, birders along the Duwamish River spotted an assortment of different species, including ospreys, Canada geese, great blue herons, glaucous-winged gulls and a red-tailed hawk.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: Now that salmon fishing is closed in most ocean areas and not yet open on many area rivers, the focus has turned to the hatchery coho fishery heating up in the western Strait of Juan de Fuca. Through mid-September, catch rates in Sekiu averaged about a half a fish per rod, but approached a fish per angler some days.

  "Coho really respond to the onset of increasing rain during the fall, and we've started to see that during the past week," said Laurie Peterson, a WDFW fish biologist. "Once we start getting more rainfall, the fish will likely start to move further into Puget Sound and catch rates should pick up." Anglers are expected to test the bite Sept. 23 at the Sekiu Coho Derby at Olson's Resort. For information, call 360-963-2311.

  Although most ocean salmon fishery closed Sept. 17, Marine Area 1 remains open through Sept. 30. Through Sept. 17, anglers fishing out of Ilwaco averaged one fish for every two rods - nearly all coho, said Wendy Beeghley, another WDFW fish biologist.

  Also, a portion of Marine Area 3 (LaPush) opens Sept. 23 through Oct. 8 for a late-season salmon fishery. See WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for details on boundaries and rules. The LaPush Last Chance Salmon Derby on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 will feature $4,300 in prizes, including $1,000 each for the top coho and chinook. Call 360-374-2531 for information.

  Salmon fishing opened Sept. 16 in Grays Harbor, but anglers must release any chinook they catch through Sept. 30. The daily limit is two fish, with a minimum size of 12 inches. Starting Oct. 1, anglers may keep one chinook salmon as part of their daily catch limit.

  The salmon have been elusive lately in Puget Sound, with almost no chinook being recorded and only a few coho biting. But WDFW fish biologists predict the onset of fall rain should move the fish into inland waters as the season continues in marine areas 11 (Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge), 12 (Hood Canal), 13 (South Puget Sound) and 10 (Bremerton), with a daily limit of two fish.

  New opportunities for fall fishing open as the salmon make their way back up area rivers. Several area rivers open for salmon fishing on Oct. 1, including the Chehalis, Elk, Hoquiam, Humptulips, Johns, Satsop and Wishkah in Grays Harbor County; Kennedy Creek (upriver to the Highway 101 bridge) in Thurston County; Nemah River in Pacific County; and the Skokomish River in Mason County. Many of these rivers are open to coho fishing only, so anglers are advised to check WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for details. The White River in Pierce County also opens Oct. 1 for trout fishing.

  Recreational crab fishing remains open in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) and 13 (South Puget Sound) seven days a week through Feb. 28. In early October, WDFW will announce if crab fishing will reopen in other waters where the catch has not met area quotas.

• Hunting: Youth hunters under age 16 have a special opportunity to bag ducks, geese, pheasant, coot, and snipe Sept. 23-24. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a hunter age 18 or older. Pacific County (Goose Management Area 2B), however, will not be open for this goose-hunting weekend. Goose-hunting for all hunters opens Oct. 14. In Pacific County, hunters must have written authorization to hunt, which requires passing a goose identification test. Training material is available and testing will be conducted at various sites through early October. Information about how to request material and a testing schedule are available in the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) or by calling the WDFW Region 6 Office at 360-249-4628.

  A special pheasant-hunting season for hunters 65 and older runs Sept. 25-29 before the general pheasant season gets under way Sept. 30 for hunters of all ages. WDFW will release 400 pheasants over the 10-week season in the Chinook Valley of Pacific County for the first time this year. The site of the release is an 800-acre department-owned property along the south shore of the Chinook River. New groups of birds will be release before each weekend of the season.

  Archery season for deer continues through Sept. 30 in designated game management units. The archery season for elk closes tomorrow (Sept. 21). Those pursuing deer and elk with muzzleloaders may take to the field beginning Oct. 7. That season runs through Oct. 13. Meanwhile, the statewide forest grouse season continues through Dec. 31.

• Wildlife viewing: Fall migration continues to offer birdwatchers a vast variety of feathered species to view, particularly shorebirds and seabirds along Washington's many coastal areas. Birding enthusiasts have been busy sharing their sightings on the Tweeters website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/). For example, a Black Hills Audubon group who trekked to Bottle Beach, Tokeland and Midway Beach reported seeing black-bellied plovers, semipalmated plovers, marbled godwits, willets, whimbrels, long-billed curlews, Caspian terns, snowy plovers, horned larks, American pippets, and sanderlings. Another group traveling by boat out of Westport spotted a laysan albatross, long-tailed jaegers, South Polar skua, and manx shearwater.

  Spawning salmon provide another great autumn viewing opportunity. Two spots to see and learn about the returning fish are the Fifth Avenue Bridge in downtown Olympia and Tumwater Falls Park. Volunteer Stream Team Salmon Stewards are on hand at both locations to educate the public about the hatchery chinook they are seeing.

  The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge celebrates fall with its 17th annual Watershed Festival on Sept. 30. Music, food, guided walks, educational displays and more will celebrate the rich cultural and natural heritage of this natural resource area in Thurston County. For more information, visit the NWR website at http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/default.html.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: Anglers must now release any chinook salmon they catch on the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point to Pasco, but the window of opportunity is still open for fall salmon on most area tributaries. Growing numbers of coho are also pushing up many of those rivers - notably the Cowlitz, Lewis and Kalama - as sturgeon anglers on the mainstem Columbia await the Oct. 5 start of a new retention fishery from Bonneville Dam downriver to the Wauna powerlines.

  "This is prime time for the tributaries," said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. "The rain we've had recently is helping to move fish up the rivers."

  Of 129 boat anglers on the Cowlitz River from Sept. 11-17, creel checkers counted 29 chinook salmon, 15 hatchery coho and seven hatchery steelhead. Another 60 bank anglers contacted during that period took home one chinook and five hatchery coho. On the north fork of the Lewis River, 221 bank anglers were checked with 32 hatchery coho but no adult chinook. Eighty-seven bank anglers pulled 14 hatchery coho and five chinook from the Kalama River the same week, while those fishing the lower Klickitat River scored 11 chinook for 19 rods.

  Hymer said anglers should start seeing more bright, late-stock coho in the catch during the weeks ahead, noting that all unmarked wild coho must be released from the mouth of the Columbia to the Hood River Bridge and all tributaries in between. But anglers hoping to take home a chinook need to move fast. Many tributaries to the Columbia - or sections of those rivers - are scheduled to close for chinook retention Oct. 1 to avoid interfering with spawning salmon. Waters closing to chinook retention that day include:

  • Elochoman River, upstream from the Highway 4 Bridge
  • North Fork Toutle from the Kidd Valley Road Bridge near Highway 504 upstream
  • Green River
  • Cowlitz River from Blue Creek to Mill Creek
  • Kalama River from the natural gas pipeline crossing upstream
  • Washougal River from the Little Washougal River upstream
  • White Salmon River from the posted markers half a mile above the Highway 14 Bridge upstream

  Other changes beginning Oct. 1 include:

  • On the Lewis River, all fishing will close from Colvin Creek (near the salmon hatchery) upstream to Merwin Dam.
  • At Drano Lake, night closures will take effect and all non-tribal fishing will be prohibited Wednesdays.
  • In the Buoy 10 fishery in the Columbia River estuary, the daily catch limit for salmon will increase to six fish, although only two of those fish can be adults, of which only one can be a chinook. Anglers must release chum, sockeye, and wild coho. The Buoy 10 fishery is the only area of the mainstream Columbia still open for chinook retention below the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco.

  But for many anglers, the most important change set for October is the opening of the white sturgeon retention fishery from the Wauna powerlines to Bonneville Dam. Limited to catch-and-release fishing since August, anglers fishing in that area will be allowed to keep sturgeon measuring 42 inches to 60 inches on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. More than 9,400 of the area's 12,800-fish annual harvest guideline remain to be caught, setting the stage for a strong fall season, Hymer said.

  "I can't remember when this many sturgeon were available for the fall fishery," Hymer said. "Bank and boat fishing just below Bonneville Dam should be especially productive."

  Meanwhile, Hymer suggested a few other fishing options for anglers looking to try something different. One is the catch-and-release fishery for gamefish - including steelhead - that runs through Nov. 30 on a stretch of the Wind River. Closed for a number of years, the fishery is now open from 100 yards upstream of Shipherd Falls to boundary markers approximately 800 yards downstream from Carson National Fish Hatchery (except from 400 feet below to 100 feet above the coffer dam and all tributaries). Anglers must follow the selective gear rules in effect.

  "Historically, that area had a good steelhead fishery," Hymer said. "For anglers looking for a change of pace, this might be worth a try."

  Another fishery that hasn't received much attention is sea-run cutthroat trout on the Cowlitz River, from Blue Creek downstream. Anglers can catch and keep five hatchery cutts, which often measure from 12 to 20 inches, Hymer said. "Those fish will take flies, lures or bait and put up a heck of a fight," he said. "Mostly it's a bank fishery, and you're not going to run into a lot of people."

  Other options? Anglers are still catching leftover catchable-sized rainbow plants and hefty triploids at Swift Reservoir on the Lewis River, and a crew from the Skamania Hatchery was busy planting 3,000 cutthroat in Goose Lake during the week of Sept. 18. "Those cutts, averaging a pound each, should provide excellent fishing until the snow gets too deep," Hymer said.

  Finally, high mountain lakes are still accessible for fishing throughout the region. "It's a good time to head into the high country," Hymer said. "The mosquitoes are finally down, the crowds have thinned, the foliage is in fall colors and the trout are putting on the feed bag to prepare for winter."

• Hunting: General hunting seasons for pheasant, geese and ducks are coming up soon, but not before young hunters and seniors have a few days of their own in the field. Special youth hunts are scheduled Sept. 23-24 for those birds - plus quail and partridge - in all areas of western Washington, except in goose management areas 2A and 2B where goose hunting will remain closed. In other areas, youth hunts will be open to hunters under age 16 who are accompanied by an adult who is not hunting. Hunters 65 and older are eligible to hunt pheasant Sept. 25-29, before the general pheasant season gets under way Sept. 30 throughout western Washington.

  General hunting seasons for ducks and geese open Oct. 14 in most areas. An exception is goose hunting in Goose Management Area 2A, which will remain closed until Nov. 11, as noted in WDFW's Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm).

  Meanwhile, archers can continue to hunt for elk through Sept. 21 - and deer through Sept. 30. Muzzleloader season for both deer and elk runs Oct. 7-13 in selected game management units (GMUs) before the modern-firearms deer season begins Oct. 14. Hunters should check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) for regulations pertaining to specific GMUs before going afield.

• Wildlife viewing: Along with increasing numbers of waterfowl and raptors, a juvenile male ruff has recently been spotted on Rest Lake in the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. The bird, a type of Eurasian sandpiper, is only the second of its kind on record for Clark County, according to Wilson Cady of the Vancouver Audubon Society. The adult male ruff has distinctive coloring, ranging from dark red to light brown, but juveniles - like the one on show at Ridgefield - are generally light brown with a banded breast.

  Ruffs typically breed from northern Europe to Siberia and winter in southern Europe and Africa, but they regularly wander off-course from their migration routes and appear on both coasts of North America, especially during the fall. Most sightings in Washington state have been in the Grays Harbor area, according to the Seattle Audubon Society.

  Other birds recently sighted at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge include a juvenile sharp-tailed sandpiper (on the south side of Rest Lake), at least six pectoral sandpipers, a white-tailed kite, a great horned owl and at least 18 sandhill cranes. Cady, one of the birders who spotted the ruff, reminds visitors to the refuge that they are not allowed to leave their vehicles while touring the River "S" Unit from Oct. 1 until May 1.

  Meanwhile, hundreds of swifts have been camping in the chimney of an old brick building a few doors down from the Olympic Club in downtown Centralia. Lori Salzer, a WDFW fish biologist, witnessed the spectacle of the small birds spiraling into the chimney at sunset after receiving a report of a "cloud of bats." They weren't bats, but they "were spectacular," she wrote in a message to the Tweeters birding website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/). This is also the time of year when hundreds of Vaux swifts flock to an abandoned two-story factory building on the Klickitat Wildlife Area, just outside of the town of Klickitat. Built in the 1930s as a bottling plant for the local mineral water, the old factory was left standing when WDFW acquired the property as a wildlife area. The buildings' windows and doors were sealed up for safety reasons, but the chimney was left open to accommodate the annual visitation. Noted for their speed and agility in the air, a single swift can eat thousands of insects - including mosquitoes - every day.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Snake River steelheading near the confluence with the Clearwater River near Clarkston has been steady for early morning or late evening boat anglers and for shore anglers. The daily limit is three hatchery steelhead (rainbow trout over 20 inches marked with a clipped fin). Any wild (unmarked) steelhead, or chinook and coho salmon must be released.

  Trout fishing at many of the region's lakes is excellent now with cooler air and water temperatures. Chris Donley, WDFW central district fish biologist, reminds anglers that most trout lakes in Spokane County close at the end of the month and September is "prime time for catching."

  "Amber Lake shifts to a two-month long catch-and-release season starting the first of October, and it will provide some good fly fishing," Donley said. "Clear Lake stays open through October and it has a phenomenal brown trout population that really hasn't been tapped."

  Donley also said that Rock Lake, in Whitman County, is open year-round and has a good population of brown and rainbow trout. Lake Roosevelt is another year-round water that's always good for big rainbows. "Some of the best crappie and perch fishing is also happening now at waters like Long Lake or Downs, Bonnie, Eloika, Diamond and Waitts," Donley said.

  Daily bag and size limits, as well as catch-and-release and selective gear rules were lifted Sept. 13 at McDowell Lake in Stevens County, so anglers can harvest as many rainbow and brook trout as possible before the lake is treated next month to remove an infestation of tench. McDowell Lake, which normally closes Oct. 31, will close Oct. 2 for the rehabilitation.

  The U.S. Forest Service boat ramp at Browns Lake in Pend Oreille County is currently closed for long-needed repairs, but will re-open by October, the final month of fly fishing on the lake for cutthroat trout. Until then, a primitive access at the far end of the lake near the big cedar grove is still available for float tube launching.

• Hunting: The fall wild turkey hunting season runs Sept. 23-Oct. 6 in Game Management Units 101-124 in the northeast district. That includes most of Stevens County, where turkey densities are believed to be among the greatest in the west. It's an either-sex season to attempt to reduce turkey numbers where they have become a nuisance. Special permit turkey hunting seasons in other parts of the region coincide with the fall general hunt, and the northeast district will have a new late turkey permit hunt Nov. 20-Dec. 15 for 800 special permit holders. Steve Zender, WDFW northeast district wildlife biologist, said good-sized turkey broods are well distributed across the landscape now, including on public land. During the late season the big birds will be concentrated in low-lying areas, mostly on private land.

  The youth-only waterfowl and upland game bird hunting weekend, Sept. 23-24, will include releases of pheasants at the traditional Ferry County Sherman Creek and Lincoln County Fishtrap Lake sites (see the WDFW Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program booklet at the Spokane Valley regional office, 2315 N. Discovery Place, 509-892-1001). The release site on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area is not affected by recent road closures due to the Bisbee Mountain fire.

  Early archery elk hunters will conclude their season Sept. 21 and early archery deer hunters will finish Sept. 30. Then it's the muzzleloaders' turn when their early season for deer and elk opens Oct. 7 in select game management units across the region.

  Also opening Oct. 7 is quail and chukar and Hungarian or gray partridge hunting. Although no specific surveys are conducted for these species, anecdotal reports indicate numbers are average. What's more likely to affect hunting success is weather - if dry conditions persist, birds may be concentrated near water, and if fall rains pick up, they will be more scattered.

  Although some of the most popular hunting openers are later in the season, WDFW Regional Wildlife Program Manager Kevin Robinette said now is the time to scout for game and access. Modern firearm deer and waterfowl hunting opens Oct. 14, pheasant hunting opens Oct. 21, and modern firearm elk hunting opens Oct. 28. While most of those game species are relatively abundant in traditionally good habitat throughout the region, access to that habitat is the key to successful hunts.

  "Because of wildfires, this will be the year for some hunters to try new hunting grounds," Robinette said. "The Columbia Complex Fire in southeast Washington is nearing containment and more access restrictions may lift before some of those seasons get under way, but some game management units, like Dayton and Tucannon might not be worth hunting this year."

  Hunters should check the wildfire incident website at http://inciweb.org/state/49/ for the latest on access restrictions and conditions across the state.

  Dave Volsen, WDFW wildlife biologist, reminds deer hunters who traditionally hunt the late whitetail buck season in the Palouse region south of Spokane, that there has been a change this year. Game management units 127-142 are only open during the late hunt, Nov. 6-19, to 625 special permit holders, Volsen said. Those units will not be open to general hunters during the late season this year. Volsen explained that hunter harvest of older bucks has been so high in recent late seasons, that the change was made to a controlled permit hunt to help preserve a healthy ratio of older, breeding bucks in the population.

  "Since we only had 1,210 hunters apply earlier this year for those 625 permits, we suspect that many hunters didn't catch the change," Volsen said.

  Forest grouse hunting has been under way since Sept. 1 and some hunters are having success. Dana Base, WDFW wildlife biologist, said numbers of both ruffed and blue grouse appear to be up in the northeast district.

• Wildlife viewing: Birders are being treated to fall migrations of Canada geese in areas where big flocks are stopping to feed. Wheat and other grain crop stubble fields on north Spokane County's Peone Prairie, for example, are hosting the transients. Turkey vultures, distinguished from hawks by their more V-shaped wing position and separated primary feather tips, are also migrating. Noticeable this time of year is the nearly complete absence of so many common summer species, including hummingbirds, swallows, and bluebirds. "You don't need a calendar to know what time of year it is," said Howard Ferguson, WDFW central district wildlife biologist. "Just look and listen around you."

  Right now if the time to visit the fish ladder windows on the Snake River dams, where an increasing number of salmon and steelhead are moving upstream. Check out these U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facilities along the Snake at http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors/watchabl.htm.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Daily bag and size limits were lifted as of Sept. 13 at several trout lakes in the region that have undesirable fish infestations and are scheduled for rehabilitation later this year. The lakes would normally close Sept. 30, but fishing has been extended up to treatment schedules. Vic Meyers (Rainbow) Lake, Mirror Lake, and Park Lake in Grant County will remain open until Oct. 30. Blue Lake in Grant County will be open through Oct. 22. Pearrygin Lake in Okanogan County will remain open through Oct. 8. Long Lake in Okanogan County will remain open through Oct. 1. Alkali Lake in Grant County, which is normally open year-round, will close Oct. 23-Dec. 31.

  Bob Jateff, WDFW Okanogan district fish biologist, reminds anglers that Methow River trout fishing closes Sept. 30. Catch-and-release fishing with selective gear has been fairly good, he noted, with both rainbow and cutthroat trout up to 18 inches being caught on both flies and spinners.

  "Fishing in general is picking up now as water and air temperatures drop," Jateff said. "Some of the selective gear lakes like Big Twin, near Winthrop, and Blue in the Sinlahekin, are pretty good and are open through October."

  Access to some fishing waters could still be restricted due to wildfires. Contact the U.S. Forest Service Methow Ranger District at 509-996-4000 or see http://inciweb.org/state/49/ for information about access.

• Hunting: The youth-only waterfowl and upland game bird hunting weekend, Sept. 23-24, will include releases of pheasants at several traditional sites (see the WDFW Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program booklet at the Ephrata regional office, 1550 Alder St. N.W., 509-754-4624). Matt Monda, WDFW regional wildlife program manager, said the Winchester Lake site will not be used this year for pheasant releases.

  Early archery elk hunters will conclude their season Sept. 21 and early archery deer hunters will finish Sept. 30. The early muzzleloader hunting season for deer and elk opens Oct. 7 in select game management units across the region.

  Scott Fitkin, WDFW district wildlife biologist, said access for some archery deer hunters has been significantly restricted by wildfire closures, particularly in Game Management Units 215 and 224 and the eastern portion of 218.

  "These closures may very well continue through the general modern firearm deer hunting season," Fitkin warned. "They include the traditionally popular drainages north and northeast of Winthrop. The east and southwest portions of the district are largely unaffected by closures, and recent weather changes have cleared out the smoke. We really don't know to what extent deer displacement from the fire might enhance opportunity in surrounding unburned areas."

  Fitkin advised hunters to check access restrictions daily as they plan current and upcoming hunts by calling the Methow Valley Ranger District at 509-996-4003 or the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest at 509-826-3795. Online updates are available at http://inciweb.org/state/49/.

  More northcentral region deer hunters may be using Chelan County and Columbia Basin units this year to avoid the access restrictions in the wildfire-plagued Okanogan. Beau Patterson, WDFW district wildlife biologist, said Chelan district post-season buck escapement was good last year and adult deer wintered well. "We did experience higher fawn winter mortality, which will translate into reduced yearling bucks this season and will reduce harvest next year because 2-year-old bucks are typically the largest class of legal bucks," Patterson said.

  In the Basin, WDFW District Wildlife Biologist Jim Tabor said deer numbers appear to be as high as any time in the past 20 years.

  Quail and chukar and Hungarian or gray partridge hunting opens Oct. 7. In the Columbia Basin, Tabor reports high numbers of quail and excellent hunting opportunity. "The highest densities are in the dry land portion of Grant County but huntable numbers are also available at some locations in the irrigated parts of Grant and Adams counties," Tabor said. There's good opportunity in central Adams County for gray partridge or huns, said Tabor. WDFW manages some hunter access programs on private lands in that area, he notes, and there's other private and public land with huns.

  Patterson reports quail production in Chelan County appears to have been good. In Okanogan County, Fitkin says quail, hun and chukar numbers all appear to be in better shape than forest grouse because they generally occur at lower elevations. Bird hunters after these species will likely do well because their opportunity is less affected by wildfire than it has been for forest grouse this year.

  "Forest grouse numbers appear to be down this year," Fitkin said. "And since the opener back on Sept. 1, hunting opportunities have been limited by wildfire-related access restrictions."

  Black bear hunting, which has been open since Aug.1 and is picking up in participation with cooler weather, is good. Fitkin said bears are benefiting from a good berry crop and are well distributed on the landscape.

• Wildlife viewing: The Columbia Basin is a sure bet for watching waterfowl and other bird migrations throughout the fall. Desireable destinations include WDFW's many wildlife areas throughout Grant and Adams counties (see http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/r2wlarea.htm) and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (see http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=13510). Just cruising the backroads with scopes and binoculars is bound to be productive at this time of year, especially when weather changes bring new birds into the area.

  The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival in Leavenworth, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, celebrates the return of salmon to the Wenatchee River system. This is the 16th annual festival and this year's theme is "Homeward Bound." Based at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, the festival features salmon and other wildlife watching at the hatchery and in the stream, and a lot more. There are nature-related art and craft booths, "recycled" salmon sculpture, an animal costume parade, the amazing salmon maze, a Native American encampment, outdoor recreation exhibits, hands-on educational activities, and even a reptile and raptor show. One of the most exciting new features this year comes from "Inspirations of the Forest", a traveling Smithsonian exhibit celebrating the centennial of the U.S. Forest Service. Call 509-548-6662 for more information, or visit http://www.salmonfest.org/home.htm.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: Paul Hoffarth, WDFW fish biologist, said that "for the time being," the Yakima River will remain open for the harvest of fall chinook and coho salmon. "Overall the fishing has been slow," he said. An estimated 16 chinook were harvested the first full week of September and six wild steelhead were caught and released. Effort has picked up, primarily at the Chandler powerhouse.

  Hoffarth said fishing success typically improves around Oct. 1 through the end of the season. The sport fishery is open from the Highway 240 bridge in the Tri-Cities upstream to Prosser Dam and from the Highway 223 bridge at Granger upstream to Sunnyside (Parker Dam). There is a night closure and non-buoyant lure restriction in effect for all species from Sept. 1-Oct 22. All steelhead (hatchery and wild) must be released unharmed.

  The Columbia River Hanford Reach fall chinook salmon sport fishery is open through Oct. 22 upstream of the old Hanford townsite (wooden power line tower crossing). The area from the Highway 395 bridge upstream to the Hanford townsite is scheduled to remain open through Dec. 31, although Hoffarth said few chinook are caught after the first week of November.

  "Right now we're starting to see a few chinook caught in the Hanford sport fishery," he said. An estimated 90 adults and eight jacks were harvested the first full week of September. "Fishing usually picks up around the third week of September in the Reach. A good return of fall chinook was expected, but that may be revised based on current fish passage."

  The Ringold area (Highway 395 bridge to Hanford) will open for the harvest of Ringold Hatchery-reared steelhead on Oct. 1. These fish can be distinguished by their fin clipped adipose and right ventral fins. All other hatchery and wild steelhead must be released unharmed.

  Hoffarth also noted that fishing for walleye can be extremely productive in the fall. The Columbia River below McNary Dam regularly produces good catches at Umatilla, Irrigon, Paterson, Boardman, Crow Butte, and Arlington.

  "Many anglers prefer night fishing, but it can be hazardous," Hoffarth said. Be aware of other anglers and barge traffic. Keep your lights in good working condition and wear your life jacket."

• Hunting: The youth-only waterfowl and upland game bird hunting weekend, Sept. 23-24, will include releases of pheasants at traditional sites (see the WDFW Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program booklet at the Yakima regional office, 1701 S. 24th Ave., 509-575-2740. Ted Clausing, WDFW regional wildlife program manager, noted the Sunnyside and Wenas/L.T. Murray sites are targeted for pheasant releases for the youth hunt.

  Early archery elk hunters will conclude their season Sept. 21 and early archery deer hunters will finish Sept. 30. Then it's the muzzleloaders' turn when their early season for deer and elk opens Oct. 7 in select game management units across the region. Although harvest reports compiled later will give the best overall picture, Clausing said at least some archery elk hunters have been successful. "I know of at least one big bull taken on our Oak Creek Wildlife Area," he said.

  Quail and chukar, and Hungarian or gray partridge hunting opens Oct. 7 and Clausing said it should be a good season. "This has been a great quail production year throughout the region," he said. "And chukar numbers also appear good. The recent wetter weather we've had may scatter them a little more, but most are sticking pretty close to water sources."

  Some of the region's most popular hunting season openers are around the corner. The modern firearm deer and waterfowl hunting season opens Oct. 14, pheasant hunting opens Oct. 21, and modern firearm elk hunting opens Oct. 28.

  "Now is the time to scout for game and access for those hunts," Clausing said. "The elk are out where we've got good habitat throughout the region, but access is key to successful hunts. Weather, of course, always plays a major role. It's changing daily. Just plan for it."

• Wildlife viewing: Yakima River spring chinook salmon usually spawn the last two weeks of September in the Easton Reach. Lake Easton State Park, located 15 miles west of Cle Elum and 15 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, is a good area to view the spawning salmon. From Interstate 90 take exit 70, and follow signs to the park. The river is closed to salmon fishing. For more information on the park, visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Lake%20Easton.

  Bull elk will continue their bugling well into October as they maintain breeding territories. Ted Clausing, WDFW regional wildlife program manager, said the break between early archery elk hunting season, which ends Sept. 21, and early muzzleloader elk hunting season, which starts Oct. 7, is a good time for non-hunters to be out in the woods listening and watching. The Raven's Roost area in the Little Naches River drainage in the far northwestern corner of Yakima County (follow Hwy. 410 northwest of Naches) is traditionally one of the best places to listen. For the best opportunities, arrive just before daylight (or plan to camp in one of the many forest service campgrounds in the area) and walk the Cougar Valley trail. Elk may be visible on the open hillsides until about 7 a.m., when they move down into timber. But their bugling might be heard throughout the day, particularly early and late.