Time Has Come To Head For Coast As Gray Whales Migrate To Arctic

The annual migration of gray whales has begun, and Westport charter operators are offering whale-watching trips.

More than 23,000 gray whales migrate each year along the West Coast. In spring, they swim from Baja, Calif., to the Arctic seas.

"There have been whales right inside the harbor all week and commercial crabbers indicate quite a few of them swimming up and down the beachline," said Larry Giese at Deep Sea Charters in Westport.

The best time to see the 45-ton whales is March through April. Trips usually last about 2 1/2 hours, and watchers should dress according to the weather.

The cost is $20 to $25 and most trips are scheduled around the high tide cycle.

For information, call Whale Watching Headquarters at (360) 268-9300.

Hunter education contest

Hunters between ages 11 and 17 can enter the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "Hunter Education Essay Contest."

The topic is the future of hunting in Washington and the role hunter ethics will play. Essays must be between 300 and 1,500 words, and must be submitted by May 1. Five grand prize winners will get an all-expense-paid trip to Texas.

The writers of the first 100 essays submitted will receive a one-year young hunter membership in Safari Club International. For details, call (360) 753-4476.

Falcon nest stops climbers

The south side of Beacon Rock, an 848-foot basalt monolith on the Lower Columbia River, has been closed to technical rock climbing and will remain so through Aug. 31 in anticipation of nesting falcons.

The peregrine falcons, which are included on the state's lists of species that are threatened or endangered, raise their chicks to maturity on Beacon Rock.

If no falcons nest on the rock by May 1, the area will be reopened.

Two from Seattle elected

Seattle attorney Bruce Hilyer, an avid hiker, angler, skier and pilot, has been elected chairman of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Hilyer has served on the commission since 1991.

Glenna Hall of Seattle was elected vice chairman.

Outdoor notes

-- Those interested in volunteering with Washington State Parks this year can apply for a variety of positions. For details, call (360) 902-8583.

-- Ron Rosenberg, backup tactician and trainer for the Young America Yacht Team will speak today at the Tacoma Yacht Club, from 3-4:30 p.m. Compiled by Mark Yuasa, Seattle Times staff.