The Eagle Outdoors

As of Sunday, Jan. 25, Puget Island, much to the delight of some residents, grew quiet. So, too, did the waters surrounding Tennasilhe Island, Grays Bay, the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge, and more. The 2025-26 waterfowl season is now a thing of the past; she's "in the books," as they say. However, there are a couple more opportunities here in southwest Washington. A week-long goose season takes place in early February, and a unique, one-day hunt exclusively to recognize our veterans and active military will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31. In addition, it's a great opportunity to introduce young people under the age of 16 to the sport of waterfowl hunting.

For all intents and purposes, it's over. All duck seasons are great; some are just better than others. While I'll never call a duck season "lackluster," this one was definitely different. I got out in my little plastic boat a time or two in early November. I missed all of December and the first week of January, due to family obligations in Ohio, and, well, I just haven't been much in the mood since returning to Washington on Jan. 8.

I've been vicariously living a wonderful waterfowl season through a handful of friends who are spending time in the marsh. I've been enjoying their reports, successes, and their challenging days. One young man - a former student of mine - hunts both sides of the river and has been doing quite well. He often sends pictures of the day's take, along with Murphy, his handsome, year-old dog. Murphy, I'm told, is learning, as this is his first season afield. I miss having a retriever. At one time, Julie and I had three big black dogs, Maggie, Jet, and Deacon (Jet's son). All were wonderful, and all provided a fantastic opportunity to lay my each and every compliment or complaint. Yes, sir. I sure do miss those dogs.

For now, the decoys are cleaned, organized, and hung in the woodshed; puddlers in one group, divers bagged and in another. The guns have been stripped and maintained, the blinds dried and folded, and the "field food" examined for freshness (or lack thereof) and either given to the grandsons, fed to the chickens, or both. To an avid waterfowl hunter, the last day of the open season always arrives with bittersweet undertones. When I hunted 100 days of a 107-day season, I was glad to see it end. I appreciated the chance to sleep past 4 a.m. It was nice not to smell like 1,000 years of tidal mud. Finally, to throw that last whole mallard (bone-side down, of course) on the grill. After all this, I would still always look at the calendar and count the days until I could chase them again.

Today, with me a whole lot older and, perhaps, a little wiser, I just look forward to spring fishing. It's the "young bull/old bull" situation. Guys over 60 know what I'm talking about.

Mentoring Open House

The folks of Wahkiakum Health and Human Services (HHS) will be holding a youth mentoring open house and Question/Answer Opportunity on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hope Center (320 South 3rd Street, below the high school). This informal gathering is for anyone who might be curious and/or interested in the mentoring program. This is both for potential mentors or for parents wanting to know more about the benefits of enrolling their child(ren) in a mentoring program.

From personal experience, I can honestly say that the agency's mentoring program is an absolutely wonderful and fulfilling adventure. For two years now, Julie and I have been fortunate enough to assist with the HHS' annual fishing afternoon held at the Elochoman Marina. If you haven't watched a young person catch their first bluegill, you need to. Go to the meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, put your hand in the air and ask questions, and get involved.

Backyard Bird Count 2026

Though this is a bit far out in advance, this year's Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will be held from Friday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 16, in outdoor spaces around the planet. The Great Backyard Bird Count, according to the Audubon Society, is "a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations." Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts. You can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.

It's true; I'm a bird nerd, but the GBBC is a fine way to get outside and simply look around. Y'all have 15 minutes. Get a copy of the Audubon Society's "Field Guide to North American Birds / Western Region" and go. Please always remember to be safe out there.