Author photo

By Drew Lawson
The Record-Times 

Fall hunting season brings promising outlook

 

Last updated 9/8/2022 at 2:49pm



DAVENPORT—A flip of the calendar to September means that for most seasons, it’s time to hunt. Many big game, small game and bird hunts began Sept. 1, while others begin later in the month or into October.

The hunting season looks more promising for deer opposed to last year, when the animal was ravaged by disease that particularly hit white-tail populations.

“Last year really took a toll on white-tail especially, but we saw it in mule deer too,” Fish and Wildlife Officer JoLynn Beauchene said. “But I haven’t gotten any report of bluetongue this spring…I’m guessing that’s going to have an effect on deer numbers.”

White-tailed deer and mule general season isn’t until Oct. 15-25 for game management units 130 (Cheney), 133 (Roosevelt) and 136 (Harrington). Both have a 3-pt. minimum rule.

A youth hunt for white-tailed deer is Oct. 22-25.

Deer should be prominent in Lincoln County and western Spokane County.

“I’ve seen plenty of deer on the south side of Highway 2, but nothing stands out between (units) 133 and 136,” Beauchene said. “There’s a good amount of mule deer and whitetail near Turnbull.”

Elk aren’t quite as common in local units, but herds near Devil’s Gap and Turnbull Wildlife Refuge do get pursued every year, Beauchene said.

Elk season is Oct. 29-Nov. 6 locally.

This year, a new rule may help big game hunters trying to track a downed deer or elk.

Hunters are allowed to use one blood-trailing dog within 72 hours of tracking or shooting a big game animal, excluding a bear or cougar.

“It has to be on a leash and during legal hunting hours,” Beauchene said. “That’s just helping folks recover and locate wounded game. People have asked to do that in the past.”

Beauchene also sees hunters having success in birding.

“I think bird hunting is going to be great,” she said. “I’ve seen quail, hens, some pheasants. There’s a ton of doves, and I’m hopeful on upland birds. There’s a lot of turkeys.”

Birds are widespread in the Cheney unit, but a lack of public land does create some hunting problems.

“There’s tons of birds, it’s just difficult to find places to hunt,” Beauchene said.

Turkey began Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31 with a two beardless and two either sex limit.

Forest grouse begins Sept. 15, with a four grouse daily limit and 12 grouse possession limit.

Pheasant season is Sept. 17-18 for youth, Sept. 19-23 for seniors and disabled and Oct. 22-Jan. 16 for the regular season. A three-cock bag limit and 15 cock possession limit is in place.

California quail and northern bobwhite runs Oct. 1-Jan. 16 with a daily limit of 10 and possession limit of 30.

Gray partridge runs Oct. 1-Jan. 6 with a daily limit of six and possession limit of 18.

Chukar runs Oct. 1-Jan. 31 with a daily bag limit of six and possession limit of 18.

Crow began Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. No limits are in place.

Other hunting seasons open soon or already opened.

Bobcat, fox, cottontail and snowshoe hare and racoon opened Sept. 1 and runs through March 15. Coyote is legal year-round with a license.

Black bear began Aug. 1 and runs through Nov. 15. There is a two-bear limit. Grizzly bears are protected under federal and state law and can’t be killed.

Cougar began Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. Only one cougar can be bagged a year.

Author Bio

Drew Lawson, Editor

Author photo

Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/28/2024 07:19