Saturday, Sep. 13, 2008

Briefs: Hunters warned of pot operations in forest

From Herald news services

Officials of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are warning hunters to be aware of a potential hazard in the woods this fall.

Some areas of the forest contain illegal marijuana plantations, and rangers fear hunters might stumble onto them.

Last month, about 74,000 plants were eradicated from locations throughout the forest.

"The marijuana grows were located in very isolated and inaccessible areas of the national forest, areas where hunters might find themselves during hunting season," forest officials said in a statement.

Some signs that a marijuana plantation may be in the area include extensive terracing of land and damage to the forest, presence of rat poison, bags of fertilizer, plastic pipe used for irrigation, wire fencing surrounding the grow site, and large amounts of litter.

Hunters should leave an area immediately if they find a growing operation, and alert law enforcement.

The forest also encourages other visitors to the forest to wear brightly colored clothing during hunting season.

Chukar numbers down in Idaho again this year

Chukar numbers in Idaho's most reliable hunting spots are low again this year, according to recent aerial counts done by Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Counts at Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River showed chukar numbers below last year and only about one-third of the 10-year average.

Observers saw 453 birds, compared with last year's 506 and the 10-year average of 1,325.

There were about 38 chukar per square mile, and 111.8 birds per square mile is the 10-year average.

The number of coveys is also down from 70 last year to 61 this year. The average is about 107 coveys observed.