If you want to hunt Merriams in some absolutely beautiful scenery, you may want to look at Northeastern WA. Stevens Co. is loaded with birds, there's a ton of NF land to hunt, and the non-resident 3-day license is $50.

I've got 2 or 3 friends coming out from Mississippi in May. You can fly into Spokane, rent a truck, drive about an hour north to Colville, and be into birds before you know it. There are also several guide services in the area, if that is the way you want to go. Shoot me an e-mail if you want some additional info.

I think my friends are flying out of New Orleans into Spokane for $210. Not bad! I'll pick them up at the airport at 12:30pm with their licenses in hand, have camp up by 3:00pm, and hopefully be on a bird by 4:00pm. And out here, it doesn't get dark until after 9:00pm.

Edited by - slee on 02/16/2002 00:53:56