Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

A salmon launches itself out of the water at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery's adult collection facility on Sunday, Sept. 29, in Salkum.

Lewis County, Thurston County to each receive more than $1 million for salmon restoration projects

Lewis County will receive more than a million dollars in state grants to improve habitat for salmon and trout, the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board announced Monday. The funding is … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 10/2/24

Hikers explore the Mount Fremont Lookout at Mount Rainier National Park on Sunday, Sept. 29.

In focus: Panoramic views at Mount Fremont Lookout in Mount Rainier National Park

Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson captured these photos from the Mount Fremont Lookout Train at Mount Rainier National Park on Sunday, Sept. 29. The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is a 5.6-mile … more

9/30/24

A large bull elk munches on vegetation in Packwood in August 2023.

WDFW issues warning regarding transporting game meat

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued a statement to remind Washington-based hunters of rules associated with bringing game meat into the Evergreen State from other states. … more

Columbia Basin Herald / (TNS) | 9/29/24

Sherry Church cleans her razor clams at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8.

Let the digging begin: WDFW approves first round of coastal razor clam digs beginning Oct. 3

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Friday confirmed the first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach , Twin Harbors , Copalis and Mocrocks … more

Submitted by WDFW | 9/27/24

Hunting Highlight: Chehalis girl, 11, bags bull elk

Tylie Tobin, 11, of Chehalis, is pictured with a 6x6 bull she harvested with her youth elk tag she drew through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife permit draws. Her 240-yard shot hit the mark … more

9/23/24

The sun shines through clouds onto the Paradise Valley at Mount Rainier National Park on Thursday, Sept. 19.

In focus: Cloudy scenes from Mount Rainier National Park

9/20/24

A car sits parked at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8.

Washington State Parks to co-host international coastal cleanup

As a member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will co-host the annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 21. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/13/24

Successful fall turkey hunters pack out their harvest in Klickitat County.

Fall turkey season opens in Southwest Washington with increased bag limit

While turkey hunting is often associated with Eastern Washington, hunters might be surprised to discover the wealth of opportunities available in Southwest Washington this fall — including a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/13/24

Novella Klein of Hood River celebrates her first-ever salmon, a fall chinook caught in the Columbia River near White Salmon, Washington.

Salmon seasons expanded along Columbia River

Bolstered by encouraging fall chinook salmon numbers at Bonneville Dam and a robust coho return down low, Oregon and Washington biologists met Tuesday and approved extensions of salmon fishing from … more

Bill Monroe / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 9/11/24

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

Clam digging returns: WDFW announces 42 tentative days of coastal digging opportunities

Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Thursday announced 42 tentative days of razor clam digs at four coastal beaches from Oct. 3 through Dec. 31. … more

WDFW | 9/5/24

A bobcat in Washington is pictured in this photo by Daniel McBride.

WDFW: Bobcat hunters must now submit lower jaw of animals

Washington small game hunters and trappers are now required to submit the lower jaw of any bobcat they harvest as part of the mandatory pelt sealing process following a rule update finalized through … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/4/24

Washington state embarks on once-a-decade update of wildlife conservation plan

Washington wildlife officials are beginning to plan for how to conserve the state’s species and habitats for the next decade. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is updating its State … more

By Laurel Demkovich / The Washington Standard | 9/2/24

Elk run across the road in Packwood on April, 2.

WDFW: Surplus multi-season deer and elk tags available

Deer and elk hunters who bought a multi-season permit application this year will have the chance to buy one of 2,369 remaining multi-season deer tags and 130 remaining multi-season elk tags as of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/20/24

Sunlight illuminates Mount Rainier at sunset near Paradise on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.

Have thoughts on Mount Rainier's new timed entry system? The park wants your feedback

Earlier this year, Mount Rainier National Park rolled out a timed entry system to combat overcrowding. Now, they're asking for your feedback. "We are eager to learn what visitors think of the … more

Daniel Schrager / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 8/20/24

Trucks drive across the Interstate 5 bridge that spans the Cowlitz River in this Chronicle file photo.

Join Cowlitz River float over Labor Day weekend

A local kayaking group headed by Kelso native Mike Hedges is hosting its annual float along the Cowlitz River on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The event has occurred every Labor Day weekend … more

By The Daily News | 8/19/24

A view from the Cape Trail at Cape Lookout State Park.

Stretch your legs on these long-distance hikes on the Oregon coast

If your summer legs are itching for a big adventure, look no further than the Oregon coast. While Oregon’s long mountain treks get all the attention, the coastal trail networks offer a … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 8/12/24

Focus turns to understanding scope of chronic wasting disease outbreak in Washington deer

It's not clear how a deer in north Spokane ended up with chronic wasting disease, but wildlife officials believe they found the disease early and are prepared to deal with it. They also think … more

Michael Wright / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 8/6/24

Snow Lake is pictured at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, July 8.

Four Mount Rainier National Park hikes recommended by a wildflower enthusiast

Mount Rainier National Park has long been hailed for the abundant, colorful wildflower species surrounding the peak, and photographer Donovan Tracy has documented around 250 of them — all … more

Sarah-Mae McCullough / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 8/6/24

This photo of a cougar was provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Five Washington cyclists survived a cougar attack, but life has been challenging since

Six months after the cougar attack that left 61-year-old Keri Bergere's jaw broken and face swollen nearly beyond recognition, the Kenmore cyclist is still on the road to recovery. Bergere's … more

Xavier Martinez / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 8/2/24

Huckleberries from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest stain hands with red and purple juice in this courtesy photo from the Forest Service.

Berry harvest permits available for Gifford Pinchot National Forest

As the calendar turns to August, forest managers in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest want to remind those planning to collect huckleberries and wild berries that a permit is required to remove … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/2/24