WILDERNESS -- Members of Washington's congressional delegation are making another attempt to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascades, according to a Seattle Times report. Republican Rep. Dave Reichert and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray reintroduced bills Thursday to expand the wilderness area by about…
WILDLIFE -- Washington wildlife biologist are keenly watching during the February wolf mating season to see if there's any breeding activity in the Methow Valley's Lookout Mountain pack. Two years ago, that pack became the first in Washington to have a confirmed breeding pair. State…
FISHING - Ranchers unhappy with Montana's stream access law are moving a bill through the Legislature that tinkers with rules that allow access to public waters via irrigation ditches, according to an Associated Press report. Anglers are opposing the measure. The Republican majority in the…
WINTER SPORTS -- The weekly avalanche forecast posted today by the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center indicates that backcountry winter travelers need to pay close attention to conditions in specific areas. In the Selkirks from Schweitzer north to Caribou Creek the danger is generally rated as…
NORDIC SKIING -- The countdown has begun for the annualLanglauf 10K classic cross-country citizens race set to start at 11 a.m. Sunday at Mount Spokane. A free waxing clinic geared to the race will be held today, 6 p.m., at Fitness Fanatics, 2425 E. Trent.,…
FISHING -- Highlights from today's FISHING & HUNTING REPORT by SR columnist Al Liere include great shore fishing for trout at Lake Roosvelt and unusually good steelheading on the Clearwater River. Check it out.
OLYMPIA — Sportsmen jammed a state Senate hearing room Thursday and delivered this message to legislators over and over: Don't strip the Fish and Wildlife Commission of its authority in an attempt to save the state money. The sportsmen were testifying before the state Senate…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The U.S. Forest Service unveiled its proposed Forest Planning Rule today which would establish a new national framework to develop land management plans that protect water and wildlife. The details are still being analyized, but the proposal comes after 40 public meetings…
NATIONAL FORESTS – A reality TV show about Montana’s game wardens has been fined $1,050 for not having a permit to film on federal land, according to a story in the Missoulian. The videographer for Muddy Boot Productions followed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens…
ENVIRONMENT -- In an effort to reduce lead toxicity hazards to wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week that it has banned the use of lead ammunition for it's official control hunting of nuisance birds such as blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and…
PUBLIC LANDS -- Washington's budget crisis is leaving lawmakers with the grim prospect of having to close perhaps 100 of the state's parks plus access sites at some recreation areas managed by other state agencies. One of the solution's is a $30 Discover Pass user…
FLY FISHING -- Two free fly tying activites are scheduled at Silver Bow Fly Shop, 13210 E. Indiana Ave., plus an in-depth class for a fee. Flies and Lies What: Free fly tying clinic with local professional tier Tom Keefe. Bring your own fly tying…
WINTER SPORTS -- If you're looking to be a maverick on the snow, cross-country snowboarding is a good bet. Put a little skooch in your getalong with this video. For you incurable traditionalists, the Spokane Langlauf 10 cross-country citizens race is Sunday, 11 a.m. at…
FISHING -- Spokane Fish Hatchery manager Ace Trump says $2,800 worth of new fish pond protective netting will be installed Tuesday to prevent herons, gulls, raccoons and other critters from taking a toll on the fish being raised for stocking in the region's lakes. Money…
OUTBID– For the first time since at least 1981, mule deer on Utah’s Antelope Island will be in the cross hairs of a hunter’s rifle, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. A hunter won the right to kill one buck later this year on the…
BOATING -- More than 100 boats are on display in three buildings during the North Idaho Boat Show which runs through Sunday at Tobler Marina in Hayden. No boating or fishing seminars are included, but admission is free and the boats range from small flat-bottom…
FLY FISHING -- Canadian fly fisher and author Phil Rowley will present a free Stillwater fishing program on “Tactics for Tough Days” tonight, 7 p.m. during the meeting of the Spokane Fly Fishers at St. Francis School, 1104 W. Heroy Ave.
RIVER RUNNING -- Rafters who have the do-it-yourself skills for big water have until Feb. 23 to apply for a coveted permit to run the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service is holding its annual lottery this month to assign…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Washington Trails Association is organizing a Hiker Lobby Day at the state Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday (Feb. 9) to urging lawmakers to support for state parks and recreation threatened with closure because of the budget crisis. More than 2,000 hikers…
WINTER SPORTS -- Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center technicians will present, "10 Years of Avalanche Accident Review in North Idaho" Wednesday (Feb. 9) at 6 p.m. at the Sandpoint Forest Service Building. The hour-long discussion will focus on common characteristics involved in several fatal avalanche accidents…
WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT -- A Washington Fish and Wildlife Department enforcement officer has been named Officer of the Year by the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs for staring down a gunman and alerting his partner to impending danger . Chad McGary, 28, of Othello, received…
FISHING -- Improvements in operating Rock Island Dam will allow survival of at least 93 percent of the young salmon and steelhead migrating downstream, according to the Chelan County PUD. The utility had to be able reach the 93-percent survival goal to meet federal criteria…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Satellite technology is allowing whale enthusiasts to click here and join researchers in tracking a type of gray whale that spends summers off Russia as it makes its way along the Oregon coast. Researchers attached a satellite tag to a 13-year-old, male…
ENDANGERED SPECIES — How desperate are federal wildlife officials in protecting the endangered spotted owl from the larger, more aggressive barred owls? A story in the Oregonian says a draft environmental impact statement scheduled for release this summer most likely will recommend shooting barred owls.…
FISHING -- A Washington man has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly guiding fishing trips in North Idaho without an Idaho outfitters license, according to a Bonner County Daily Bee story. Prosecutors charged 49-year-old Charles Osterholm of Deer Park last week following an undercover…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
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