band-tailed pigeons

This may be the last weekend band-tailed pigeons stay in the North Cascade foothills.

I found a scattered few Thursday on the opener, but with the weather forecast calling for rain showers and a descending freezing level, they won’t stay much longer.

The season closes Sept. 23 and hunters must, in addition to a valid small-game hunting license, have a state migratory bird endorsement (state duck stamp) and a special written authorization to hunt band-tailed pigeons.

A basic fee of $13.50 is charged for written authorizations plus $.50 for each actual print out of the individual pigeon, seaduck, brant or snow goose card. These are also meant to be harvest tallies that must be inked in the field with each kill.