Peninsula Daily News and news sources
OLYMPIA — Hunters, it’s never too early to start planning for the 2012 seasons.
In fact, those who want a multiple-season deer and elk permit better start paying attention because there’s a deadline looming.
Deer and elk hunters have until March 31 to enter their name in a drawing for a 2012 multiple-season permit, which can greatly increase their opportunities for success in the field.
In mid-April, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will randomly draw names for 8,500 multiple-season deer permits and 1,000 multiple-season elk permits.
Winners of the drawing will be eligible to purchase a special tag allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader and modern-firearm general hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2012.
Winners who purchase the multiple-season elk tag by Aug. 31 can participate in general elk-hunting season in both eastern and western Washington.
Winners also may apply for any weapon-type deer or elk special permit.
“This is a great opportunity for hunters to extend their hunting season this fall,” said Dave Ware, game manager for WDFW.
“Rather than having to choose one hunting method over another, hunters drawn for a multiple-season permit who purchase the tag can participate in multiple seasons.”
Ware noted that the tags can only be used during general seasons and in game management units that are open during a modern firearm, muzzleloader, or archery general season.
For example, winners may not hunt during the muzzleloader general season in an area that is not open for the muzzleloader general season.
Also, hunters can apply only once for each species and are limited to harvesting one deer or elk.
Hunters may purchase a multiple-season permit application at an authorized license dealer or by calling 866-246-9453.
The permit application is $6 for residents and $100 for nonresidents.
A 2012 hunting license is not required to submit an application, but winners of the drawing must purchase one before they can purchase a multiple-season tag.
Hunting licenses and multi-season tags can be purchased from local license dealers, on the Internet (http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/) or by calling 866-246-9453.
Including transaction fees, multiple-season deer or elk tags cost $180.50 for residents and nonresidents.
This figure does not include the cost of an annual hunting license.
For more information, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/, or call the licensing department at 360-902-2464.
In clam heaven
Morning clam digs are on the way this month.
Also, North Olympic Peninsula’s Kalaloch Beach is scheduled to open for the first time this season April 7-9.
The beach is not included in the March digs.
Fishery managers are planning a series of morning razor-clam digs in March and April on Washington’s ocean beaches as long as marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.
As usual, the final word on beach openings will be announced about a week before each dig is scheduled to start.
“We’re announcing tentative dates now so people can get them on their calendars,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
“We’ll confirm the dates once the test results are available.”
More digs later
WDFW may announce additional digs in late April and early May at some beaches if enough clams are still available for harvest, Ayres said.
Unlike previous openings this season, all digs planned in the months ahead are timed to coincide with morning low tides.
No digging will be allowed on any beach after noon.
Proposed beach openings, along with morning low tides, for upcoming digs are:
■■ March 10, Saturday (7:39 a.m. -0.3.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
■■ March 11, Sunday (9:28 a.m. -0.4.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
■■ March 24, Saturday (8:25 a.m. +0.3.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
■■ March 25, Sunday (8:59 a.m., +0.3 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
■■ April 7, Saturday (7:36 a.m., -1.2 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch.
■■ April 8, Sunday (8:23 a.m.,
-1.5 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch.
■■ April 9, Monday (9:11 a.m.,
-1.5 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Kalaloch.
Ayres noted that the dig planned at Copalis on March 24 will coincide with the sixth annual Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival, which includes a chowder cookoff and other events.
Information on the festival is available at http://www.oceanshores.org/.
Kalaloch Beach, tentatively scheduled to open April 7-9, has been closed to digging all season due to a low abundance of clams.
Located inside Olympic National Park, the beach is managed by the National Park Service in cooperation with WDFW.
Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig.
Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
All diggers age 15 or older must have a valid fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.
Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW’s website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) and from license vendors around the state.
Updated information on razor clam seasons is available on WDFW’s toll-free Shellfish Hotline at 888-562-5632.
