A mischievous kitten gone bad
This has happened twice to me during my lifetime. A kitten has gotten away from its owner and climbed a large tree in a campground.
Outdoor knowledge passed down through generations
Life was a blast for a youngster when growing up in the great Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington, this being in the 1950s and 1960s. Dad, Max Clay, was a man of the outdoors and eager to share his knowledge with his friends and family members.
The dangers of mixing chemicals
Well, there isn’t much need to mix chemicals in the slow-down operation of a population of starlings. Although this isn’t always true. Sometimes a poison is used, if the population is causing great distress on one or neighboring farms.
Invasive vs. native species: Starling
City folk might not notice these problem birds as much those folks on the farm, but there is a reason. Hidden among the thousands on a city street, it is difficult to see the other thousands on the same street, along with thousands of pigeons and otherwise messy birds.
Youthful ventures in carp fishing
Catching carp in the 1950s and 60s was great fun for young boys growing up in the Moses Lake area. Of course, so was hunting pheasants and other birds.
Invasive species: Carp
Of course, carp is an invasive species, but as with the pheasant, the common carp was welcomed with open arms.
What to do when one endangered species affects another?
Received last Thursday: “Dennis: I really enjoyed your invasive and native species series in the CBH this last couple of weeks. Very educational and informative.
Multi-season hunt deadline March 31
Deer and elk hunters have until March 31 to enter their names into the drawing for a 2020 multi-season tag.
Invasive species: Walleye
Is walleye a game fish or an invasive species? My friends thought we were in seventh-heaven when we began catching and eating walleye.
My first and only pig hunt
The National Shooting Sports Foundation urged Congress to celebrate the outdoor activities of hunting and fishing while emphasizing conservation on a special day each year.
Invasive vs. native species: Wild pigs
Some years ago, perhaps 20 or 25 by now, the Alberta, Canada, tourism people called and wanted me to suggest three other writers to travel to Alberta and explore some outdoor experiences they offer.
Crayfish, think shrimp and lobster
There is much more to say about crayfish. This was realized after yesterday’s column was sent for publication. Yes, there are people who don’t like the taste, but there are also people who don’t like the taste of shrimp or lobster.
Invasive vs. native: Crawfish
Friday we discussed one of my favorite invasive species, the Eurasian collared dove. Today we will discuss another of my favorites, which is worth pursuing, the crawfish. They are also known as crayfish crawdads, freshwater lobsters and mudbugs.
Sunday is the big day
Sunday, March 1, is the fishing opener for several Columbia Basin waters. They include: Burke, Upper Caliche, Cascade, Crystal, Cup, Dry Falls, Dusty, Lenice, Lenore, Martha, Merry, Nunnally and Quincy lakes.
Invasive vs. native: Eurasian collared dove
Today we discuss one of my favorite invasive species, the Eurasian collared dove.
Invasive vs. native: Pigeon
Sometimes in the depth of sleep, my mind will wander through the previous day’s activities. More often than not, those activities will cause me a warm feeling, cuddling me into a deep and more peaceful sleep.
Invasive vs. native: house sparrow
Unfortunately, but sometimes fortunately, we have invasive species of all types in our lives. Yes, right here in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington.
Invasive vs. native: Why it is dangerous to release non-native animals
Inspiration for columns arrive at my desk from many different angles. Some, of course, develop in my own mind. Others are suggested by readers, family and friends.
Final thoughts about backyard education
This week has been a welcome chance to reflect on the backyard, as in everyone’s backyard. We have discussed how anyone’s backyard is a place to teach a youth outdoor skills.
Backyard and beyond
Many an outdoor education began in the backyard. How to build a fire, how to tie knots, how to properly use a knife, survival skills, how to erect a tent were all part of my backyard schooling.
Backyards can offer a glimpse into the Great Outdoors
The backyard, every backyard, can be the entrance to the outdoors for everyone. Yesterday we discussed my participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count with embarrassing results for me.
In my backyard
This was the weekend of the 2020 Great Backyard Bird Count. It was my duty to conduct at least one count. The rules state the minimum time for a count was 15 minutes. The location could be anywhere desired, most common was a backyard, thus the name.
Final thoughts for a successful bird count
The 2020 Great Backyard Bird Count has started. It will continue for the next three days, plus today.
Count begins tomorrow
The 2020 Great Backyard Bird Count begins tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 14 and continues through Monday, Feb. 17. The object is to count the birds in a certain area, such as a backyard, for a minimum of 15 minutes, but the time could be longer, such as for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, or even longer.
Bird count educational
The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place this weekend, Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 17. This is a world-wide event with the final count used by scientists to get a “snapshot” of the location of bird species throughout the world.
Bird Count next weekend
Watching birds and other wildlife has been instilled into my life by my parents. Next weekend is a special event for all birdwatchers, also simply called birders.
Final thoughts about the 2020 SHOT Show
The SHOT Show has changed over the years. When we started attending in the early 1990s, the show would change locations every year. One year in New Orleans, another in Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
SHOT Show allows new products to shine
One purpose of the SHOT Show is to allow manufactures to show off their new products. This is true when the press and buyers head to the range on the day before the show begins.
SHOT Show allows new products to shine
One purpose of the SHOT Show is to allow manufactures to show off their new products. This is true when the press and buyers head to the range on the day before the show begins.
More thoughts about the 2020 SHOT Show
This column has established the annual SHOT Show is huge, with thousands of exhibitors, thousands of buyers and thousands of press members in attendance. Walking each aisle would cover a distance of 12.5 miles.
Day at the range
The SHOT Show has become an annual event for Garnet and me. We have made this trip for 25-plus years. This year the dates of SHOT were Jan. 21 through 24, a Tuesday through Friday.
Meeting celebs at the SHOT Show
The Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, known as the SHOT Show, is aimed at the hunting and shooting industry.
How to make the most of the enormous SHOT Show
The SHOT Show is enormous. As reported recently: The show covered about 692,000 square feet of exhibit space. If a person walked down each aisle of the show, they would cover a distance of 12.5 miles.
SHOT Show impressive
It is named the SHOT Show, which stands for Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. The show is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is an American national trade association for the firearms industry.
Last of the name series
Today we finish our series about animal and bird names, with more group names.
Animal and bird group names
We have been exploring the names of animal and birds for a couple of days, so it is appropriate to look at some names for a group of animals or birds. Actually, a couple of group names have been mentioned, but we will cover more.
Animal and bird names are entertaining
Animal and bird names have always been fun and entertaining to me. Of more importance, you, the reader, seem to enjoy the names, also.
Elk stew my way
The digital pressure cooker is used often at my house, but so is the slow cooker. We have several slow cookers of different sizes.
Cooking the harvest
We have been discussing outdoor wintertime activities for outdoor-minded people during the past few weeks. Today and tomorrow we examine another activity designed to be conducted during cold weather: Cooking the harvest of our outdoor efforts.
Elk stew and elk roast
Wintertime activities for outdoor-minded people include cooking the harvest.
In search of the proper load
The goal of a person, who reloads rifle ammunition for hunting, is to find the perfect load for the rifle she/he is using. Indeed, each rifle is different and, therefore, a different load may be needed to attain the best round for each.
A time for reloading
This is the slow time of year for outdoor-minded people. As mentioned before, we have anglers polishing and sharpening hooks in their tackle boxes.
What to consider as a fly-angler
Fishing line maintenance was mentioned at the end of yesterday’s column. A couple more thoughts about making sure the fishing line you are using is up-to-date and continues to be the strength you desire.
More first-of-year ideas
Yesterday we briefly mentioned checking fishing gear as a wintertime activity. One sentence talked about polishing lures, plus replacing and sharpening hooks.
Winter, what winter?
The current weather forecast indicates we have eight days of above freezing days and four above freezing nights before us. The temperatures afterwards show temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s with only three in the teens. For Heaven sakes, weeds are beginning to come up in Garnet’s flower gardens. Winter, what winter?
2020 is here
We have spent a few days discussing what happened in 2019, but now we are in a new year. This is an exciting time for me.
Reflecting again on 2019
This was a busy outdoor year with camping, hunting, birding, fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, outdoor cooking, time at the shooting range and more on the agenda.
Looking back at 2019
Looking back at the past year’s columns is healthy for me. This allows me to think hard about the reason why a specific column was written. In turn, this allows me to consider if the subject is worthy of repeating, while using a different angle.
Some 2019 hunting seasons closing
Seasons continue
Last minute gift ideas continued
Yes, there is time for some last-minute shopping. In fact, there are people out there who wait until Christmas Eve to begin their Christmas shopping.