A new federal grant of nearly $1 million will allow the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to offer incentives to more private landowners to open their lands to fishing and hunting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, part of the federal Farm Bill, is the second awarded to the department in as many years. Last year, the state received $1.5 million to increase recreational access to private lands.

“Hunters and fishers consistently rank access to the land and water as one of their top concerns,” Nate Pamplin, assistant director of the state’s wildlife program said in a news release. …

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The results of the drawing for 2011 special-hunt permits are available on the state Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

The results of the were verified Tuesday and are now available for viewing. Click here to go to the site.

Holders of the special permits can hunt at times and locations beyond those authorized by a general hunting license.

This year’s application forms included a range of hunting options for deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep, said Dave Ware, game division manager. Like last year, hunters were allowed to submit applications in multiple categories, boosting the total …

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OK guys, next year we’ll have a reason to go along with our significant others to the Seattle Premium Outlets near Marysville. Cabela’s Inc. and the Tulalip Tribes today announced the sports outfitter will build a store in Tulalip.

Cabela’s expects to open the 110,000-square-foot store within Quil Ceda Village on the Tulalip Tribes reservation along Interstate 5. This will be the second Cabela’s store in Washington, joining the Lacey location. That store, at 185,000 square feet, opened in 2007

The company currently operates 33 stores throughout the United States and Canada.

I find it interesting Cabela’s is willing to …

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Although wolves have been removed from federal Endangered Species Act protection in the eastern third of Washington, they remain protected as a state endangered species throughout Washington.

That is the crux of a news release sent out this morning by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Under Congressional direction that prevents any judicial review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Thursday removed the northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves from federal endangered status. The action affects wolves in Montana, Idaho, the eastern third of Oregon and Washington and a small area of north central Utah.

Idaho has …

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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has started selling wolf tags – $11.50 for resident hunters and $186 for nonresidents, vendor fees included.

Tags are available at license vendors and Fish and Game offices in Idaho. A valid 2011 Idaho hunting license is required to buy a tag.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service earlier today published the rule that removed wolves in Idaho from the endangered species list. The rule took effect upon publishing.

Gray wolves are now under state management and considered a big game animal.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will set seasons, rules and …

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It looks like folks wanting to recreate on state lands will have to purchase a new Discover Pass. Legislation creating the pass, which will cost $10 a day or $30 for a year, is awaiting the signature of Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Is the law takes effect, the pass would be required for most people wanting to recreate on lands owned or managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks and Recreation and state Department of Natural Resources.

Of the first $71 million generated every two years, 84 percent ($59.64 million) would go to State Parks. Eight percent …

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UPDATED: 9:14 A.M. WEDNESDAY
The phone number for Brian Peters has been corrected.

The Paul Bunyan Rifle and Sportsman’s Club is hosting the Washington state
Youth Hunter Education Challenge on Saturday.

Participants will have their skills tested in archery, muzzleloader, shotgun and .22
rifle shooting. But the testing isn’t confined to the shooting range. They also will be tested on wildlife identification, orienteering, hunter responsibility and hunter safety.

Equipment and ammunition is provided, or participants can bring their own.

The top five scoring participants earn a position on the state team and …

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They say the outdoors is one of the best places to make a friend.

I found that to be true back in 2006, when I met Nic Taylor while turkey hunting with his stepfather, Al Prante.

It was the first time Nic or myself had hunted turkeys.

I remember our first morning out, Al had stationed Nic and I about 10 yards apart, while he started calling from behind us. Nic and I giggled like school boys hearing a naughty joke when we first heard a tom’s gobble-gobble-gobble in response to Al’s calls.

That tom never came within sight, stopping …

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