Several weeks ago there was a series of articles about wolves, namely that they have officially been proclaimed to be residents of the state of Washington by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The department is convening a committee of residents and wildlife officials to formulate a plan for the management of the gray wolf in this state. Once the federal government takes the wolf off the endangered species list, which it is sure to do in the near future, it will be the responsibility of the state to help guide decisions about wolf management.

Through the magic of the Internet, the articles (in the Chinook Observer) were read by radio talk show host Bill Moore, of radio station AM 600 in the state of Michigan. Moore’s program “Outspoken Sportsmen” is aired from 9 a.m. to noon ever Saturday morning. The “on air” conversation I had with him centered on the appearance of wolves in Washington and the problems encountered with the same species in Michigan.

Bill stated that he lived in rural upper Michigan and has hunted the area for whitetail deer since he was a child and was always successful. Since wolves have moved into the area, the whitetail population has been devastated. He also recounted that several weeks ago, a man (unarmed) had ventured into the woods to exercise his four dogs. All of the dogs had been killed by wolves. The most chilling part of our conversation was when he told me that his wife, who had been a cross-country skier for years, had given up her sport for fear of her life. They also would not let their small children or dogs outside unless he was present. He always carries a gun.

Unfortunately, this could be the scenario in the future that many of our residents will face in eastern Washington. Not a pretty picture, for sure.

Wolf update IdahoRon Gillett, a hunting outfitter from Stanley, aims to gather enough voter signatures for his initiative in time for the general election in November 2008. It calls for the state to end all wolf recovery efforts and to remove “all wolves reintroduced into Idaho from Canada to the extent allowed by law.”

Canadian gray wolves were taken to Idaho, starting with 35 animals in 1995 and 1996. Since then, they have prospered in the state’s rugged interior with the population growing to about 650 animals in 60 packs this year. “There’s only one way to manage the wolves in Idaho, and that’s to get rid of them,” Gillett said. “I’ll fight until all the wolves are driven from the state, there are too many elk and livestock and the wolves are threatening the livelihoods of outfitters and ranchers.”

Green sturgeonFrom Jan. 1 until further notice, the retention of green sturgeon is prohibited in the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the mouth of the river. The southern district population segment of green sturgeon was listed under Endangered Species Act as threatened, effective July 6, 2006. The WDFW will consider a permanent rule proposal to prohibit retention at the Feb. 2 and 3 commission meeting.

Nautical phrases and mythsSt. Elmo’s Fire around a sailor’s head means he will die within a day.

The feather of a wren slain on New Year’s Day will protect a sailor from dying by shipwreck.

Scuttlebutt – A butt was a barrel. Scuttle meant to chop a hole in something. The scuttlebutt was a water barrel with a hole cut into it so that sailors could reach in and dip out drinking water. The scuttlebutt was a place where the ship’s gossip was exchanged.

Ron Malast is operator of the charter boat Big Dipper, working out of SeaSport Fishing Charters and can be reached at 665-3573 or raiders@reachone.com.