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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, August 23, 2008 Have your say on shared trails, hunting rules and hikers By Sharon Wootton Herald Columnist A flood of comments have been offered in various formats and forums concerning the accidental death of a hiker on Aug. 2, fatally shot by a young hunter who mistook her for a bear. They range from one extreme to the other, with the majority falling into the thoughtful category from both hunters and hikers. Another venue to express views will be at a seven-city open-house event sponsored by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (360-902-2515). The main reason for the 7 p.m. meetings is to give the public a chance to weigh in on hunting seasons and associated regulations for 2009-11. But it's also a timely opportunity to voice concerns over hiker-hunting proximity and the issue of hunters as young as 12 being able to hunt without adult supervision. Speak directly to wildlife managers about those issues. The three nearest meetings are Aug. 25 at Bellingham's Broadway Hall, 1300 Broadway; Aug. 27 at Tacoma's Landmark Convention Center, 47 Saint Helens Ave.; and Sept. 2 at Wenatchee's Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Center Way. The hiker's death is the only such fatality in this state in at least 25 years, according to Fish & Wildlife. That makes it no less tragic, but the statistic at least offers some perspective in a time of sadness and fear expressed by other hikers. Hunters are hikers, too, and they don't want to be mistaken for a bear or deer by another hunter -- and shot -- and they don't want to shoot another human being. It's incumbent on everyone associated with the issue to work this out. The population in Western Washington continues to grow and more hunters and hikers will share the same woods. Both like the same areas for the same reason -- accessibility. I-5, I-90, U.S. 2 and Highway 20 are corridors that lead to easily accessible trails for hikers and hunters. If you want to avoid any potential conflict during hunting season, I'd suggest hiking on trails in the national parks or state parks where hunting is not allowed. Road delays: Expect 60-minute delays at the start of Forest Service Road 12 (Loomis-Nooksack Road) in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest through Oct. 11 while crews replace the culvert between mileposts 0.0 and 3.6 to the junction with Road 13 (Schriebers Meadow Road). Heather Meadows: Three programs are left on the schedule at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center on Mount Baker. The 1 p.m. talks include Mount Baker: The Stories Behind the Beauty (Aug. 24 and Aug. 31) and Nooksack Tribal Stories (Aug. 30). The programs are free but a parking permit is needed. For more information, call 360-599-2714. For sale: A historical U.S. Forest Service compound in Twisp is for sale. Six acres and 17 buildings at 502 Glover St. in downtown Twisp are on the bidding block. Open houses will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 22-23 and Sept. 5-6. For more information, call Scott Lynn, 425-783-6023. On the bookshelf: "The 10 Best of Everything: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers" ($20, National Geographic Books) is not a fly-by creation of lists just to turn a buck. "The 10 Best" is a solid creation by award-winning authors Nathaniel and Andrew Lande that goes beyond a simple list. The two explore the 10 best sports, places, products, travel, things to do on a Sunday afternoon and glorious foods (including the 10 best chocolates and hamburgers). Then they take readers on the new grand tour of the 10 best literary and historical journeys, including the Silk Road, the old world cities of Rajasthan, and a garden and walking tour through literary England. "No Worries Hawaii" ($18, Diamond Valley). Jerry and Janine Sprout's colorful book is a vacation planning guide to Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.

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