Wildfires last summer in parts of Yakima, Benton and Klickitat counties have reduced natural elk forage, forcing animals onto agricultural lands and resulting in increased crop damage. As a result, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended the rifle elk season in game management units 372 and 382 to Dec. 31. The extension requires an Eastern Washington elk tag and is for antlerless animals only.
The department reminds hunters that most of this area is privately owned, and that landowner permission is required prior to entry.
EVENTS, REGULATIONS
Sportsmen’s Expo: The Seattle International Sportsmen’s Exposition comes to the Stadium Exhibition Center (just north of Safeco Field) Feb. 7-11, with tickets going for $9 adult, and free for children 12 and under. A $1 discount coupon, good any day, along with a personal map to the show, is available at www.sportsexpos.com. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Exhibition Center parking is inside and $8, but there’s more than enough low-cost outdoor parking south of Safeco Field to service the show.
Boat show: The 2001 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show comes to Seattle Jan. 12-21 at Chandler’s Cove. It’s billed as the largest floating boat show on the West Coast. The lakefront location in the heart of Seattle, according to Jane Love of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, allows brokers and dealers to display many of their largest sail and power boats. Show hours will be 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends. Boarding passes are $10 for single day pass, or $20 for multi-day pass. A free shuttle service will connect the Lake Union site with the indoor displays at the Seattle Boat Show, located in the Stadium Exhibition Center just north of Safeco Field. For more information call Love at 206-748-0012, or visit www.boatsafloatshow.com.
Puyallup sportsmen’s show: The 2001 Washington Sportsmen’s Show is set for Jan. 24-28 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, 1-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 1-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults, free for children under 6, and $5 for children ages 6-16. Discount coupons good for $3 off adult admission will be available at participating Western Washington AM/PM stores. Call 503-246-8291, or visit www.oloughlintradeshows.com. Heading this year’s long list of featured experts is Ray Scott – known among bass anglers around the country as “Mr. Bass.” The Alabama native founded the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. He will be talking bass and autographing copies of his biography, “Bass Boss,” on Jan. 26-27.
Steelhead contest: Jim Strege at Triangle Beverage in Snohomish (360-568-4276) has announced the 12th annual edition of his winter steelhead contest, running now through the end of the season, for fish from either the Snohomish (includes the Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Pilchuck, etc.) or Stillaguamish river systems. Free entry. Weekly drawing for $5 in tackle, and season-end prizes for the 10 heaviest fish, plus a couple of mystery weights.
Steelhead contest too: MacDaniel’s Do-It Center, 510 2nd Street, Snohomish, hosts its annual winter steelhead contest again this year, offering a $10 certificate for the heaviest fish entered each week. All entries are then eligible for a grand prize season-end drawing. No cost to enter, simply bring your fish by and have it weighed. Phone number is 360-568-1544.
Rec vehicle show: The 2001 Tacoma RV Show runs Jan. 3-7 in the Tacoma Dome, with $1 discount coupons available at participating RV dealers and Les Schwab Tire locations. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and older, weekdays only, $3 for juniors 6-16, and free for children under 6. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Some 500 units will be on display, 300 different makes and models, 35 leading dealers from three states, 100 manufacturers, previews on 2001 models, close-outs on 2000 models, on-site financing and several specialty RVs, pull-trailers, and park models. Featured will be the 2001 NewAire Concept Vehicle, designed to have all the amenities of a motor home with the handling of an automobile.
CLASSES, CLINICS
Hunter ed: Successful completion of a certified hunter safety class is required in order to obtain a first Washington State hunting license for those of a certain age, or for those planning on hunting as a non-resident in any of several other states. For information on upcoming classes, call certified instructors Dick Abbey, at 206-542-2792 (leave a message if no answer), or Jim Elliott at 425-353-2211 after 5 p.m.
Boating class: The Coast Guard Auxiliary presents a boating and seamanship course, starting Jan. 23, 7 p.m., to run 14 sessions in seven weeks. Place is Everett Alternative High School, 3516 Rucker Avenue, and cost is $33. Call 425-252-7980.
