SKIING -- I just received the last Ski NW Rockies snow report, confirming that the region's ski resorts have closed regular operations, although Silver Mountain is still catering to skiers on Saturdays through the month. To backcountry skiers, this is prime time -- even at…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- If you're game for an Olympic National Park hike of five to 20 miles and eager to go count housecat-sized rodents, park officials may want you for its "citizen science" marmot monitoring program. For the second year, the park is looking for…
COMMERCIAL FISHING -- Take a break after trying to catch rainbows and Sprague Lake this summer and spend "A night with Captian Sig and the Hillstrand Brother," -- a live traveling show from the Deadliest Catch TV series -- July 24, at the INB Performing…
POACHING -- While Washington legislators continue to butt heads on many issues in Olympia, they joined in refreshing unanimity last week to drop the hammer on people who go wild slaughtering big game. Both the House and Senate voted unanimously for HB 1340, which expands…
FISHING -- The big drawdown at Lake Roosevelt -- much more dramatic than last year -- is making boat launching difficult at all but a few ramps. Even shore fishing is getting tricky as wthe water levels drop so low and fast that anglers are…
WILDLIFE -- Black and grizzly bears are emerging from hibernation, and wildlife managers are trying to get word out to people who live in bear country – that’s virtually anywhere north and east of Spokane – to clean up their act and avoid creating a…
WILDLIFE – Grizzlies and snow leopards highlight the films in the International Wildlife Film Festival coming to Sandpoint’s Panada Theater Friday night – a fundraiser for the Sandpoint High School Venture Club. Starting at 7 p.m., the line up of award-winning films includes: “South Pacific:…
HUNTING -- When Idaho's spring black bear hunting season opens Friday, hunters must be especially careful to identify the species of bear they are looking at before they pull the trigger. Species identification important: It's legal to take a black bear but illegal to kill…
FITNESS -- Even if you're not a runner, Spokane's annual Bloomsday run is a great motivation to improve the fitness needed for outdoor pursuits, whether its hiking, hunting, fishing, geocaching -- whatever. Join the thousands of people for the he 7.5-mile run/walk on May 1.…
PUBLIC LANDS -- National parks will be waiving entrance fees for eight consecutive days, April 16-24, as an incentive for families to enjoy the outdoors and national heritage. The parks will be waiving fees for a total of 17 days in 2011, including National Park…
BACKPACKING -- Phil Hough and Deb Hunsicker, a pair of long-distance hikers from North Idaho, will tap 3,100 miles of footwork to present a free program, “Wildflowers, Wild Lands and Wild Times Along the Continental Divide," Wednesday, 6 p.m., at the Sandpoint Community Hall. The…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
