October is for oysters in Mason County! Fresh off OysterFest, there's no better time to go harvest your own. After spawning in the summer, oysters spend the early fall feeding on phytoplankton and plumping back up, so they're at their best right now.
Several public beaches on Hood Canal are open year-round, including Eagle Creek. Grab your bucket, gloves, shucking knife and shellfish license, check the tides and which beaches are open, and head out!
Jeff stops by Verle's in Shelton to pick up his license and get tips on the best beaches. Meanwhile, Michael and Charlotte head to Eagle Creek to fill their frying pan. They show you what to look for (2½ inches minimum, 18 per day), demonstrate how to shuck one cleanly, and finish with a quick beachside cookout that includes some sea asparagus. Can't get any fresher!
Before you go, check the WDFW beach season and the Department of Health closure map. Remember to shuck on the beach and leave the shells there.
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