Editor’s Note: Recreation Reports are printed every other week. September 27, 2016 Visitors to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest need to be aware that a number of different hunting seasons are occurring right now. There are early and late season hunts for different species, so hunters will be out in the woods for the next few months. No campfire restrictions are in effect so hunters and other recreationists may have campfires in all areas of the national forest where they are normally allowed. A woodcutting permit is not needed to collect wood that will be burned in a campfire ring during your visit to the national forest. Hunters are required to wear 400 square inches of fluorescent “Hunter Orange” in areas currently open to modern firearm deer or elk hunting, this includes archers and muzzleloaders while hunting in units which overlap modern firearm seasons. Forest visitors may also want to dress in vivid colors during the fall hunting seasons. Hikers should wear at least one article of hunter orange viewable from all directions such as a hat, jacket, or vest. Cover your backpack with orange. Horseback riders should wear a hunter orange vest and helmet cover. Use a hunter orange vest or rump sheet on your horse. Dogs should wear hunter orange or other visible color, like a vest, leash, coat, shirt or bandana If camping in a dispersed area or in a developed campground, think safety. Establish boundaries for children and dress them in bright clothes. Keep in mind quiet is for hunters, not hikers, bikers and other outdoors enthusiasts. Without scaring the dickens out of everyone and everything, make sure you can be heard and not confused with an animal moving through the woods. Whether hunting or out for a day’s trek into the woods, it is a good idea to complete and leave a “Trip Plan” with a friend before departing. Information that should be included in the “Trip Plan” is the starting date, return date, purpose of trip, general location, specific location, starting point, route in, destination, route out (if different than route in), and finish point. It is also a good idea to leave vehicle information with a friend--owner of the vehicle, license number, make/model, and year/color. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). Updated on 9/27/16 Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Recreation Report page 2 of 30 Backcountry visitors are also encouraged to take the “10 Essentials” with them when in the woods. The “10 Essentials” are a list of basic items that are recommended for every backcountry trip—whether it’s a day hike or a two-week hunting trip. The “10 Essentials” include a pocketknife, first aid kit, extra clothing, a full canteen or water bottle, flashlight with extra batteries and bulb, extra food, extra matches and fire starters, sun protection--sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, lip balm, a map, and a compass. Many backcountry travelers carry cellular phones with them in case of emergency. Use 911 only in case of an actual emergency. Remember, help may be several hours away or longer. When making a 911 emergency call from the backcountry be sure you know your location, including the trailhead and nearest city, destination or waypoints, your cell phone number, how your cell phone works, and how to increase your signal strength by finding a clearing, gaining elevation, and turning your body—you may be obstructing the signal. Be prepared to give complete information about the nature of the emergency when placing a call for help. If forest visitors come across a marijuana grow site, or any other area where suspicious activity is occurring, they should leave the area immediately following the same route they came in and make as little noise as possible. After leaving the area, note the location of the site and contact local law enforcement right away. This is especially important to keep in mind during hunting season; many hunters will be visiting remote, difficult to access areas of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. These areas are also the places where illegal marijuana plantations may be planted. Remember, be safe, be aware of your surroundings and leave the area if you see any signs that it may be a grow site. For information about backcountry trip planning contact any USDA Forest Service office. Be sure to check the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife 2016 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations booklet for hunting information. CAMPFIRES ALLOWED: Campfire restrictions have been lifted on national forest lands; forest users may have campfires in all areas of the national forest where they are normally allowed. NEW FOREST SERVICE OFFICE IN OMAK: Forest Service visitor information services for the central and south part of Okanogan County have moved to 401 Omak Ave in Omak WA, near the Omak Stampede Grounds. We share a building with the Omak Visitor Center; there is a separate Forest Service entrance. The new office is staffed Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the office is closed for lunch from 11-11:45 a.m. The new phone number is 509-486-5145. Visitor services are no longer available in Okanogan. Updated on 9/27/16 Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Recreation Report page 3 of 30 OFFICE ADDRESSES and PHONE NUMBERS: Chelan Ranger District, 428 W. Woodin Ave., Chelan, WA 98816; 509-682-4900; hours M-F 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., closed for lunch 11:30 to 12:30 Cle Elum Ranger District, 803 W. 2nd Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922; 509-852-1100; summer hours 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily; closed for lunch 12:30-1:15 p.m. Entiat Ranger District, physical address 2108 Entiat Way, (P.O. Box 476), Entiat, WA 98822; 509-784-4700; hours M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Methow Valley Ranger District, 24 West Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862; 509-996-4000; hours M-F 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Naches Ranger District, 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches, WA 98937; 509-653-1401; hours 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed for lunch noon to 12:30 p.m. NEW--Omak Visitor Center, 401 Omak Ave., Omak, WA 98841; 509-486-5145; hours Tues-Sat 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed for lunch 11 a.m. to 11:45 NEW--Okanogan-Wenatchee NF Headquarters, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801; 509-664-9200; hours M-F 8 a.m.-4:30; closed for lunch 12-1 p.m. Tonasket Ranger District, 1 W. Winesap, Tonasket, WA 98855; 509-486-2186; hours M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed for lunch 12:30 to 1 p.m. Wenatchee River Ranger District, 600 Sherbourne, Leavenworth, WA 98826; 509-548-2550; summer hours Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. WOODCUTTING INFORMATION: The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) is 1 for all woodcutting zones in the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF. Always be aware of the IFPL on the day that woodcutting will occur. The minimum firewood permit is $20 for four cords of wood. The cost for permits over the four-cord minimum is $5 per cord. The maximum number of cords that may be purchased for personal-use is 12 cords per household per year. Generally, woodcutters may cut wood lying on the forest floor and standing dead trees, except wildlife habitat trees. Falling snags is not permitted on the Cle Elum Ranger District. No woodcutting is allowed in congressionally designated Wilderness areas. Things to keep in mind when woodcutting: Do not drive off of roads onto wet ground to load firewood. Don’t travel on roads if road surfaces are slippery and muddy, let them dry out before traveling on them. This will prevent deep ruts from developing. Be aware of other forest users, especially mushroom hunters, in areas burned by recent fires. The best time to cut firewood is in the late spring and early fall; avoid mid to late summer as woodcutting restrictions may be imposed due to severe fire danger. Permits must be purchased in person, no permits will be sold through the mail. Individuals purchasing woodcutting permits need to present a driver’s license or other form of picture identification at the time of purchase; they will also need to supply their phone number and address. Woodcutters need to abide by the terms and conditions listed on their woodcutting permit. Be sure to read all conditions and requirements listed on the woodcutting permit and be familiar with the info on the map. A woodcutting area map is a necessity. These maps show the areas that are open and closed to woodcutting and are available free with the woodcutting permits. Special woodcutting rules and conditions apply on the Naches Ranger District; contact their office at 509- 653-1401 for specific information. Firewood cutting season on the Naches Ranger District ends on September 30 or the first Sunday in October if Sept. 30 falls on a weekday. Firewood permits are good through December 31 in the calendar year they are purchased, with the exception of the Naches District, or until areas are no longer accessible. HAZARDS FOUND IN WILDFIRE AREAS: Following are a variety of hazards to watch out for when traveling through areas burned in wildfires. Snags and damaged trees—blackened dead trees or green trees burned through at the bottom—can fall at any time possibly striking people or property; they can block trails or roads, including your exit even though travel was unimpeded when you entered the area.