OMAK - General rifle season for deer hunters begins Oct. 17 and Okanogan County public land management agencies are hosting their annual hunter information booths in Omak and Twisp.
     Omak's booth will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday Oct. 15-16, in the Wal-Mart parking lot.
     The Twisp booth will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 15-18, at the Public Development Authority complex (old Forest Service buildings).
     The two booths will be staffed by the U.S. Forest Service, state Department of Natural Resources and the Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Office.
     They will offer free information to hunters and other recreation enthusiasts, including maps, information about motorized recreation opportunities and Washington hunting regulations.
     "We have almost 2.5 million acres of public land in Okanogan County and those who engage in recreation on those lands play a critical role in controlling the spread of noxious weeds and preventing human-caused wildfires," said Tonasket District Ranger Mark Morris.
     "These information booths give us a chance to visit with folks who come here to enjoy their public lands and inform them on how they can have a positive impact," he said.