THE CHANCE TO compare and contrast the salmon season projections offered up in Thursday’s Outdoors column by Quilcene’s Ward Norden, a former fisheries biologist and owner of Snapper Tackle Co., with those of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and tribal biologists, will come next week.
State fishery managers will hold their annual salmon forecast meeting Tuesday in Olympia.
Initial forecasts compiled by state and tribal biologists of the 2018 salmon returns will be presented at the meeting scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. S.E., Olympia.
That meeting is one of more than 20 scheduled at various locations around the state as part of each year’s salmon negotiations. A list of the meetings scheduled in 2018 can be found online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/.
State fishery managers will be relying on input from anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in salmon as they work to develop this year’s fisheries, said Ron Warren, head of Fish and Wildlife fish program.
Additionally, fishery managers plan to discuss with the public ways to simplify salmon-fishing regulations, said Warren. Over the last two years, Fish and Wildlife has been working to simplify regulations after hearing from the public that the state’s fishing rules are too complex.
“It’s really important for us to hear what the public has to say about salmon fisheries,” Warren said. “I encourage people to get involved and share their ideas on fishing opportunities and ways we can simplify the rules for anglers.”
A recreational fisheries discussion focused on pre-season forecasts and possible salmon fisheries will be co-hosted by the North Olympic Peninsula chapter of Puget Sound Anglers and Fish and Wildlife, Thursday, March 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Trinity Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim.
The public also can provide online comments on fisheries and rule simplification through a tool that will be available in the coming weeks on Fish and Wildlife’s website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon.
Not open to the public
There’s no movement in making the North of Falcon salmon season negotiations open to the public, those sessions will stay behind closed doors.
But the co-managers have agreed to invite the public to an informal discussion, which is tentatively scheduled to follow a state-tribal negotiating session in early April.
Meeting information will be posted on the state’s North of Falcon website.
During the final days of negotiations, state fish managers will hold multiple briefings each day with the public as well as conference calls with constituents who can’t attend.
State salmon managers scheduled these opportunities under guidance from the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for Fish and Wildlife.
Commissioners have instructed state staff to continue to work with their tribal co-managers to make the season-setting process as transparent as possible.
Final ocean fishing seasons and harvest levels will be adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at its April 6-11 meeting in Portland, Ore.
The 2018 salmon fisheries package for Washington’s inside waters is expected to be completed by the state and tribal co-managers during that April meeting.
Hunter education class
A hunter education class will be held in Forks at the West End Sportmen’s Club beginning Monday, March 5.
The class will meet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 5, 7, 12, and 14, and the final test is set at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 17.
Students must attend all classes for the opportunity to receive a hunter education student certificate.
State law requires all first-time hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972 to successfully complete a hunter education class in order to purchase a hunting license. Students receive instruction in firearms safety, wildlife conservation and sportsmanship. The course is taught by volunteer instructors who have been certified by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct student courses.
The hunter education program is open to everyone, experienced or not.
Most students who successfully complete this course are 10 years old or older. A parent or guardian is required to attend the first night of class with their student and are encouraged to attend all classes. Additionally, if a student is under 10 a parent or guardian must accompany them to all classes.
Pre-registration is required and can be made at www.register-ed.com/events/view/119263.
Field test scheduled
A separate field test for online hunter education students will be held at the West End Sportsmen’s Club at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10.
Pre-registration is required and is accomplished online. Other field test opportunities for online students will be held in June and September with dates to be announced.
For more information, phone 360-640-4346.
Port Townsend class
A Port Townsend-based hunter education class will begin Monday, March 5 at the Jefferson County Sportsmans Association, 112 Gun Club Road, at 5:30 p.m.
The class will run from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. that night, and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 6, 7, 8 and 9.
A final exam will be held from 9:15 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 11.
To register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/116240.
Murray’s derby
The 36th annual Murray’s Salmon Derby will be held on Hood Canal Saturday and Sunday, March 3-4.
Tickets are $15 and available at the derby’s home, the Geoduck Restaurant, 307103 U.S. Highway 101 in Brinnon.
First-prize for the biggest blackmouth is $1,500, with second taking home $750, and third $500. A $100 bonus will be awarded for the biggest fish caught Saturday.
Other prizes donated by local merchants will be donated.
The Geoduck will open at 4 a.m. for breakfast and derby ticket purchases each day.
An award ceremony will close out the derby Sunday afternoon.
For more information, phone the Geoduck at 360-796-4430.
