Out & About: Friday is free State Parks Day

Black Friday is a free State Parks day in Washington, and entry fees are waived for the day at all state parks.

Battle Ground Lake State Park is a great local spot and the lake will be well stocked with trout for the Black Friday trout event. Also, Beacon Rock offers good hikes, and great views of the Columbia River Gorge.

Free days apply only to day use (not overnight stays or rented facilities), and a Discover Pass will still be required to access lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Four-day razor clam dig approved

Razor clam diggers can return to various ocean beaches for a four-day opening beginning Thanksgiving Day.

State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig on evening low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. No digging will be allowed on any beach before noon.

The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates, and evening low tides:

Nov. 22, Thursday, 5:55 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 23, Friday, 6:36 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 24, Saturday, 7:20 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

Nov. 25, Sunday, 8:05 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Diggers want to be sure to come prepared with good lighting devices and always keep an eye on the surf, particularly in the fall when the best low tides come after dark.

WDFW has tentatively scheduled another dig for Dec. 6-9, pending results of future toxin tests. More information on planned digs can be found on WDFW’s razor clam webpage.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2018-19 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website and from license vendors around the state.

ODFW launches modernized licensing system

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s new modernized licensing system will launch on Dec. 1. Sportsmen should hang on to their 2018 hunting or fishing license or take a photo of it now to make verification easier.

Once the new system launches, hunters and anglers should use their Hunter/Angler ID# to verify their account in the new system, which can be done either online at MyODFW.com or at a license sale agent. The Hunter/Angler ID# number is printed on all ODFW licenses and tags and stays the same from year to year. It will be known as the “ODFW ID#” in the new licensing system.

Hunters and anglers can also enter a phone number or email associated with their ODFW account to verify it in the new system. Those who don’t have any of this information can visit a license sale agent or call ODFW Licensing at 503-947-6101 for help.

Verifying your account will be an important step for hunters and anglers who have big game preference points or other certifications/special status in effect. Customers who have purchased a hunting, fishing, shellfish, combination or Sports Pac license in the last three years (2016-2018) should also verify their account in the new system.

All others can choose “I am a new customer or have not purchased an annual license in the last 3 years” to open an account either at MyODFW.com or a license sale agent.

The old licensing system will stop operating at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 so the new system can launch sometime on Dec. 1. Not all license sales agents may have their new systems up and running immediately on Dec. 1, so customers who need to purchase 2018 licenses/tags to hunt, fish, crab or clam the first weekend of December are encouraged to purchase needed documents before Nov. 30.