Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

Pseudo-nitzschia are one of the phytoplankton genera whose species naturally produce the neurotoxin domoic acid.

Digging into the health reasons for the recent coastal razor clam dig closures

The scheduled start of recreational clam season was Oct. 9, but on Oct. 6, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced a postponing of the season until further notice due to the … more

By Andrea Watt / The Daily World | 10/21/26

A woman searches for razor clams at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8, 2024.

After delay, WDFW approves four days of razor clam digs at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches beginning Monday, Oct. 26

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Tuesday confirmed the first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches only from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/21/26

Hunting Highlights: Opening weekend proves successful for local youth

Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email … more

10/19/26

Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to update or clarify the department’s process for listing and developing recovery … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/12/26

Jason Fox, 10, harvested his first deer during muzzleloader season Oct. 2 while out hunting with his mom and little brother. Photo and information submitted by his mother, Cassie Vance.

Hunting Highlights: Bull elk, buck harvested during muzzleloader season

Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email … more

10/12/26

PNW's tiny pygmy owls are adorable little murder machines

A northern pygmy owl weighs about as much as a chicken egg. They’re adorable, with big yellow eyes. They’re also ruthless predators known to kill chickens far heavier than themselves. … more

Mark Graves / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/12/26

A Columbian white-tailed buck leaps through the brush in hot pursuit of a doe at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge River S Unit on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

WDFW: The rut is on; watch for deer on the move

Try using a little less pressure on the accelerator this fall when driving; deer are especially active in November as the rut (mating season) is at its peak. Additionally, many animals from each … more

By the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | 10/12/26

From Brittany Montgomery, originally published online by The Chronicle Sept. 14: "This is my son Ryker Hansen, age 16, from Toledo, Washington. He shot his first bull elk on opening day while hunting with his older brother Corbyn. He shot it in the Winston unit at 55 yards.”

Hunting Highlights: Reader-submitted photos from recent harvests

Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email … more

10/9/26

A seagull carries a razor clam in its mouth at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Clam digs on coastal beaches postponed until further notice due to spike in marine toxins, WDFW reports

The recreational razor clam season — originally scheduled to begin Oct. 9 through 14 on four coastal beaches — has been postponed until further notice, the Washington Department of Fish and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/7/26

A Columbian white-tailed buck reacts to a large amount of deer flies on its body at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge River S Unit on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Summer turns to fall at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Before you know it, orange leaves and rainy days will be encompassing everyday life in Southwest Washington. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s River "S" Unit is one of the best places … more

By Cade Barker / The Reflector | 9/28/26

Elk graze off of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood on Monday, March 9.

WDFW launches new kindergarten curriculum to introduce students to wildlife

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) this week announced a new kindergarten curriculum centered around “Many Places, Many Lives,” an illustrated poetry collection that … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/18/26

‘Tis the season: 2026 Washington state hunting prospects now available

September marks the beginning of new hunting seasons across Washington, including early archery opening for deer and elk. As hunters across the state gear up for big game, waterfowl, and upland bird … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/2/26

A major industrial forestland swap generated tax revenue for Pacific County but creates uncertainty over future recreational access.

Major forest sale leaves hunting uncertainty in Pacific County’s Willapa Hills

PACIFIC COUNTY — One of Washington state’s largest timberland transactions of the year was finalized Aug. 6 when Rayonier Forest Resources swapped 56 square miles of timberland in Pacific County … more

By Jeff Clemens / The Chinook Observer | 8/21/26

Glenn Trusty operates a forklift as Kevin Ward helps maneuver the more than 8-foot long billfish into Sportsmen's Canning, where the marlin was weighed at 151 pounds, eclipsing the previous state record (134 pounds) set in 2005.

151-pound marlin: Rare catch sets new Washington state record

PACIFIC OCEAN — An Oregon man on a tuna charter trip off the Washington coast landed the catch of a lifetime over the weekend. Tim Durheim, of Prineville, was fishing aboard the F/V Four … more

By Luke Whittaker / The Chinook Observer | 8/18/26

A state record striped marlin was caught in the North Pacific off Ilwaco, Washington, on Saturday, Aug. 15. The legendary species are apex predators that inhabit subtropical and tropical waters. The marlin's presence in Washington can likely be attributed to the intense El Niño event now at its inception.

Washington state-record marlin caught off Ilwaco

A Prineville, Oregon, man got the thrill of a lifetime Saturday, Aug. 15, out in the deep blue sea about 40 miles west of Ilwaco when he pulled in a 151-pound striped marlin. Tim Durheim was … more

By Luke Whittaker / The Chinook Observer | 8/17/26

Pre-7 a.m. morning light shines on Mount Rainier while the mountain reflects off of Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Reporter’s Notebook: A morning in Mount Rainier National Park

When the clock struck 6 a.m., we were off from Packwood en route to the fourth oldest U.S. National Park. A month prior, my girlfriend, Piper, had mentioned her family was planning a camping … more

By Cade Barker / The Reflector | 8/14/26

A bull elk picks leaves off a tree in Packwood in 2023.

Surplus multi-season elk tags available Aug. 25; multi-season deer tags available Aug. 27

Deer and elk hunters who bought a Washington multi-season application this year will have a chance to buy one of 3,137 remaining multi-season deer tags and 187 remaining multi-season elk tags in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/12/26

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

‘Get here early’: Crowds form at Mount Rainier National Park as visits boom

ASHFORD — By sunrise Sunday, two-thirds of the roughly 200 parking stalls in the upper parking lot at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park were taken. By 6:30 a.m., cars were turning, … more

By Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/31/26

In Focus: Young local climber, 5, conquers Mount Ellinor with father and grandfather

Joseph Plahuta, a local 5-year-old boy, recently summited Mount Ellinor. Along with his paternal grandfather and father, Joseph went on his first Olympics mountain hike on a recent Friday. Mount … more

7/15/26

Jason Moorehead delivers supplies to volunteers and members of Lewis County Search and Rescue at High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Wednesday, July 8.

Air support arrives after vandalism at High Rock Lookout

A helicopter swirled above the High Rock Lookout in view of Mount Rainier on Wednesday morning as volunteers awaited the precious loads it was delivering from below. The aircraft was delivering … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/10/26