Wood Duck Nest Box Maintenance

Dale Schielke reports that annual nest box clean outs are under way.  The goal is to inspect, clean, and install new wood chips in all 600+ nest boxes by mid-March.  If you would like to volunteer to help check nest boxes, please call or text Dale at 509-420-0021. 

Coastal Conservation Association Fundraiser Banquet

The Tri-Cities CCA Chapter 19th annual fundraiser banquet will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Red Lion in Pasco.  Doors open at 4:30pm.  CCA promotes health and longevity of our coastal and river recreational fisheries.  Banquet proceeds support Washington advocacy efforts and statewide operations.  Tickets are available at https://TriCities2026.givesmart.com 

Pheasants Forever “Clays for Conservation” Event

The Benton-Franklin chapter of Pheasants Forever is holding a clay pigeon shoot at the Lost Barn Venue in West Richland on Saturday, March 28.  Every dollar raised stays local to support habitat projects in Benton and Franklin counties.  The event is from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.  The price is $60 per shooter and only 30 spots are available.  Clays for the shoot, lunch, and prizes for top shooters are provided.  Shooters are required to provide their own shotgun and shells and eye and hearing protection.  Register at https://events.pheasantsforever.org/events/clays-for-conservation/e0c3c29c-b7e3-470a-9100-d93a8df4971a or send questions to ch0995@pfofficers.org.

2026 KOE Fishing Events

Dates have been set for the 2026 Kids Outdoor Education (KOE) fishing events at Columbia Park Pond.  The Special Needs event will be on Friday April 17 and Kids Fishin’ Day will be on Saturday April 18.  Volunteers are needed at these events and to assemble approximately 1,000 fishing rods before the events.  Group rod assembly will be at the Grigg’s Department Store Hunter Education classroom in Pasco on Saturday March 28 at 9:00am, or you can pick up rods to assemble at home.  The registration fee to fish this year has been increased from $10 to $15 due to the loss of Washington ALEA grant funds.  Kids get to keep their fishing rods.  Please mark your calendar.  Any questions can be directed to Marilyn Steele, 509-392-2128 or momhoops46@gmail.com.

Quality Trip Rules

Annual membership dues expire on March 31.  Dues must be paid for 2026 to be eligible to enter the 2026 Quality Trip drawing.  Each member is eligible to purchase two chances in the drawing but members who have performed volunteer work on a number of RRGC projects and activities are eligible to earn additional chances.  A free chance in the raffle will be offered to any member who 1) purchases a chance in the drawing, and 2) has accumulated 20 or more hours of volunteer work on club sponsored projects during the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31, 2025).  A second free chance will be offered if the individual purchases 2 or more chances and has accumulated 40 or more hours as described in the preceding sentence.  No member may be awarded more than two free chances in the drawing.  Volunteer service on the following projects will count towards the accumulated hours.

• Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show – Lunker Lake and Youth Pellet Range (set-up, tear down, shift work)

• Wild Game Dinner (food preparation, cooks, equipment transport, event set-up and tear down)

• KOE Special Needs and Kids Fishing Days (rod assembly, mentoring, event activities)

• Angler Education (class instructors and assistants)

• Hunter Education Class (instructors and assistants during classes and range day)

• Hunter Education Pheasant Hunt (mentors and dog handlers)

• Introduction to Firearms Class (instructors and assistants)

• Salmon in the Classroom (egg deliveries, carcass deliveries, dissections, Salmon Summit fish release)

• Habitat (water guzzler installation, monitoring, maintenance , removal or relocation)

• Wood Duck Nests (construction, installation, monitoring and maintenance, student instruction)

• RRGC wildlife related group projects in support of WDFW, USFWS, and other agencies.

Quality Trip chances are available from Treasurer Ron Moore.   The drawing will be held as the last event of the annual RR&GC Wild Game Dinner on March 21, 2026.  The winner does not need to be present to win.  For full details and a copy of the agreement the winner will be required to sign, follow this link to the Quality Trip page then click on Quality Trip Rules underlined in the first paragraph:  https://www.richlandrodandgun.org/trips

Salmon in the Classroom

RRGC volunteers delivered Chinook salmon eggs to 39 local schools on January 7, 2026.  The eggs came from the Yakama Nation fish hatchery in Prosser this year because the WDFW Priest Rapids hatchery did not have enough eggs to share.   Thanks to Tim Lynch, Jerry Bloom, Gail Brown, Paul Kison, Dave Myers, Monte Kelsey, Bill and Karen Suhr, Blaine and Cindy Schwartz, Pam Anderson, and Mike Estes for making the deliveries.  The young salmon raised in the schools will be released by the students during the Salmon Summit in Columbia Park on April 21and 22. RRGC volunteers will assist with the salmon release.  A Thank You card was received from Benton Conservation District acknowledging our efforts and support for the Salmon in the Classroom program.