A LITTLE WIND and rain never hurt a determined hunter with a deer tag burning a hole in his camouflage rain gear.
Oh, this storm system is the final remnants of a Pacific Ocean typhoon?
That could complicate matters for the hundreds, if not thousands of intrepid hunters set to enjoy the first day of modern firearm deer season across the North Olympic Peninsula and the state Saturday.
But hunters may receive a bit of a break. At least if they can get their shots in during the day and before conditions become untenable when the weather system’s main surge is expected to head ashore Saturday evening.
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said weather will be a huge factor in the success of opening day hunts.
“When the wind picks up really hard it can be an ally,” Menkal said.
“Deer won’t want to be in the timber when it’s crashing down all around them. And they can’t hear predators when it’s really whistling out there.”
Strong gusts could push bucks into more open spots.
“You will see them on the edge of cover in bad weather a lot of times,” Menkal said.
“And they also will hunker down in reprod, and if there’s a break in the wind they might move around.”
Menkal recommends finding drier, leeward slopes, although the slop coming our way may drench everything.
“A lot of people are fairweather hunters, sure,” Menkal said.
“If rain is coming down in sheets, sideways, its like somebody throwing a glass of water on you every few seconds. That gets on your scope and really make it tough.”
Menkal has his tag and he’s planning to head west for the opener.
“I’ll be bringing all my rain gear, but yeah, I’ll be wet as the rest of them,” he said.
“If it’s really blowing, stay out of the timber, those limbs will come down. They don’t call them widowmakers for nothing.”
He recommends bringing a chainsaw along to cut down any limbs or trees that have fallen on roads in the back-40.
“If it’s really cloudy, dark and rainy they may not feed,” Menkal said.
“You just have to be ready to go if you get an opportunity. You can catch deer out in the open in a rainstorm.”
Terrible timing
Razor clamming is open today through Sunday at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches, but who in their right mind would try clamming in such a storm? Polish your shovel or get your bucket ready for a safer dig date.
Dungeness crabbing also opens Saturday, but really, stay home and stay off the water. The Coast Guard or other first responders don’t need to be put in danger because you have a hankering for some crab legs.
Anglers to meet
Bruce Bryant, an avid tuna angler and the general manager of Platypus Marine in Port Angeles, will speak at Thursday’s meeting of the Puget Sound Anglers’ North Olympic Peninsula Chapter in Sequim.
A chapter member, Bryant has donated fishing trip prizes to the club for years, and never fails to get on the tuna.
He will discuss how it’s done and show a video he filmed on his boat.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. for viewing the raffle prizes and fish stories.
A short club business meeting begins at 7 p.m. and Bryant will follow soon after.
The club meets at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
Refreshments, raffles for fishing gear and a $50 membership drawing (must be present to win) also are planned.
The public is welcome to attend.
Fishing for gold?
A recent BBC story said the international governing body for fishing has applied for angling to be part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The Confederation Internationale de la Peche Sportive says accepting fishing as an Olympic discipline would enlarge the universality of the Olympic idea because angling is so popular.
Fish caught would be returned to the water unharmed.
But critics say fishing involves too much luck, is incomprehensible to outsiders and too boring to watch.
I disagree with all three of those claims. I DVR a lot of Bass Masters on ESPN and I was a weekly watcher of Hawg Quest on Root Sports before that Pacific Northwest-based show went off the air earlier this year.
It may not be as fun to watch others catch fish as it is to catch them yourself or to see a buddy or family member reel one in, but it’s still worth a view. You never know what kind of tip or tricks you’ll learn.
Luck plays a part, but professional anglers hit the water with sound strategies.
Incomprehensible to outsiders? I have no idea what’s going on on the gymnastics mat, but I’ll watch world-class athletes compete for Olympic gold.
Becoming an Olympic sport could help in attracting more people to recreational fishing.
I just hope they don’t use any of the inner city fishing ponds frequented by urban residents.
That’s like having an Olympic event on the Bogachiel trout pond.
Far from sporting.
Fishing has featured at the Olympics once before — it was an unofficial sport at the 1900 Paris games. Only six nations took part and there is no record of the eventual winner.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
