WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- New sport fishing rules, a major land acquisition in Asotin County, spring bear seasons, and hunting season proposals are on the agenda for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting March 1 in Moses Lake.

The meeting, to be held at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S Balsam in Moses Lake, will begin at 8 a.m. with a public input session.

Specific March 1 commission agenda topics include:

• Director’s report.
• Sportfishing rule proposals.
• Land transactions.
• Wildlife crossing project on Interstate 90.
• Hunting seasons and regulations for spring bear, small game, and special permit seasons for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk and deer.
• Importation of dead nonresident wildlife.
• Lighted nocks for archery equipment.

The land transaction discussions include Phase 2 of multi-year effort to acquire 12,000 acres of the wildlife-friendly 4-O Land and Livestock property along the Grande Ronde River in the Grouse Flat Unit of the Blue Mountains Wildlife Area.

In January 2012, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife made the initial purchase of 2,200 acres in the Mountain View area.

The second-phase purchase, if approved by the commission, would include spending just over $3 million for 1,613 acres adjoining the Phase 1 property to be managed as additions to the Chief Joseph Wildlife Area, which is under the umbrella of the Blue Mountains Wildlife Area.

• Click on the document attached below for details and maps on the 4-0 Ranch acquisition phases.

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