Washington Hunter
Well-known member
January 07, 2007
Project researching effect of flows on snails could cause water to go up or down suddenly
The stump we were watching in the Snake River while duck hunting was a shocker because we saw more of it every time we looked at it. The water level was dropping fast.
If you're a waterfowl hunter and are hunting the Snake River, you should keep an eye on the river's flows. They have been going up and down a foot or so all winter.
It's for a good cause — snails. Idaho Power Co. is increasing and decreasing flows from Bliss Dam as part of a study to determine the impact of varying flows on snails. The study is expected to continue through March 2008.
The fluctuation of flows can have some consequences for hunters. If you wade out to an island when the river is low, the flow can rise sharply within hours, and you can get stuck on the island because the water level is higher than the top of your waders.
You may have to spend a night out on the island.
If you run a jet boat up the river and park it in a cove while hunting, you may return to the boat, only to have it grounded.
It's not exactly easy to push a jet boat across a muddy bank.
Fluctuating river flows also can change the dynamics of the river.
If you floated out to an island in a canoe or small john boat when the river was low, the river might be a little more powerful for your small craft at the higher flows.
Here's another problem duck hunters have faced with rising and falling flows. Say you put your decoys out in a shallow part of the river where the water was only hip deep.
What happens when the river rises and you can't get to the decoys in deeper water? You have to leave them. Sometimes you lose them as they drift off in higher flows. The faster water is too strong for the decoy weights.
You might want to log on to the Real Time Data for Idaho Streamflows: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=.
The Web site will give you flows on the Snake River for King Hill, C.J. Strike Dam, Nyssa, Ore., and Weiser.
You also can check out flows on Idaho Power Co.'s Web site at www.idahopower.com.
High-tech hunting
Hunting equipment is getting so high tech, I wonder whether game animals and birds have a chance.
It sure makes you think about fair chase. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission also will think about fair chase when it meets Wednesday and Thursday in Boise.
A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
I saw so many gadgets and so much equipment for hunting while shopping for holiday gifts, it floored me.
You wonder what's really fair.
Fish and Game has a questionnaire online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/surveys/bgWeapons.
The survey asks whether scopes with lighted crosshairs should be allowed.
What about 50-caliber or larger centerfire cartridges for big game?
These rifles can hit targets at 1,000 yards, where a normal rifle is good at 500 yards in the hands of an expert. The average big game rifle is good for about 300 yards for the weekend hunter.
Should Idaho change the definition of a traditional muzzleloader to only allow for "sidelock" muzzleloaders?
Some so-called muzzleloaders today can be more accurate than regular high-powered rifles. Lewis and Clark would really be impressed.
Most of the big game hunting equipment restrictions we have for archery, muzzleloaders and centerfire weapons were adopted by the Fish and Game Commission in 1991.
There is sure a lot of new stuff on the market for hunting today. Is it still fair chase?
Antelope, wow!
About 150 antelope are roaming on the north side of I-84 between Boise and Mountain Home this winter. Most of them are closer to Mountain Home.
It's a sight to see. Some days, they are there, and others, they're not. Keep a look out for them. It will make your drive.
(Keep your eyes on the road, too.)
Project researching effect of flows on snails could cause water to go up or down suddenly
The stump we were watching in the Snake River while duck hunting was a shocker because we saw more of it every time we looked at it. The water level was dropping fast.
If you're a waterfowl hunter and are hunting the Snake River, you should keep an eye on the river's flows. They have been going up and down a foot or so all winter.
It's for a good cause — snails. Idaho Power Co. is increasing and decreasing flows from Bliss Dam as part of a study to determine the impact of varying flows on snails. The study is expected to continue through March 2008.
The fluctuation of flows can have some consequences for hunters. If you wade out to an island when the river is low, the flow can rise sharply within hours, and you can get stuck on the island because the water level is higher than the top of your waders.
You may have to spend a night out on the island.
If you run a jet boat up the river and park it in a cove while hunting, you may return to the boat, only to have it grounded.
It's not exactly easy to push a jet boat across a muddy bank.
Fluctuating river flows also can change the dynamics of the river.
If you floated out to an island in a canoe or small john boat when the river was low, the river might be a little more powerful for your small craft at the higher flows.
Here's another problem duck hunters have faced with rising and falling flows. Say you put your decoys out in a shallow part of the river where the water was only hip deep.
What happens when the river rises and you can't get to the decoys in deeper water? You have to leave them. Sometimes you lose them as they drift off in higher flows. The faster water is too strong for the decoy weights.
You might want to log on to the Real Time Data for Idaho Streamflows: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=.
The Web site will give you flows on the Snake River for King Hill, C.J. Strike Dam, Nyssa, Ore., and Weiser.
You also can check out flows on Idaho Power Co.'s Web site at www.idahopower.com.
High-tech hunting
Hunting equipment is getting so high tech, I wonder whether game animals and birds have a chance.
It sure makes you think about fair chase. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission also will think about fair chase when it meets Wednesday and Thursday in Boise.
A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
I saw so many gadgets and so much equipment for hunting while shopping for holiday gifts, it floored me.
You wonder what's really fair.
Fish and Game has a questionnaire online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/surveys/bgWeapons.
The survey asks whether scopes with lighted crosshairs should be allowed.
What about 50-caliber or larger centerfire cartridges for big game?
These rifles can hit targets at 1,000 yards, where a normal rifle is good at 500 yards in the hands of an expert. The average big game rifle is good for about 300 yards for the weekend hunter.
Should Idaho change the definition of a traditional muzzleloader to only allow for "sidelock" muzzleloaders?
Some so-called muzzleloaders today can be more accurate than regular high-powered rifles. Lewis and Clark would really be impressed.
Most of the big game hunting equipment restrictions we have for archery, muzzleloaders and centerfire weapons were adopted by the Fish and Game Commission in 1991.
There is sure a lot of new stuff on the market for hunting today. Is it still fair chase?
Antelope, wow!
About 150 antelope are roaming on the north side of I-84 between Boise and Mountain Home this winter. Most of them are closer to Mountain Home.
It's a sight to see. Some days, they are there, and others, they're not. Keep a look out for them. It will make your drive.
(Keep your eyes on the road, too.)
