WILDLIFE WATCHING -- There's a difference between seeing wildlife and observing them. Here's a thought just posted by Moscow birder Terry Gray: I have been spending some time over the past years watching birds that eat fruit or which some think eat fruit and do…
BIRD DOGGING -- A Facebook friend recently sent me several poignant quotations regarding dogs, which made me think fondly back over the German shorthairs, Brittanys and English setters I've been privileged to own, know, love and hunt. But honestly, I couldn't help but make a…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The 9thCircuit Court ruled 3-0 this morning in favor of Idaho and against a challenge some conservation groups have made to the state's roadless rule, which helps designate where motorized vehicle use can be allowed on public lands not otherwise protected. The…
HUNTING -- About 30 Montana farmers and rangers say they won't allow public hunting on their land in protest of the state's purchase of a ranch along the Milk River. Last month, the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission OK’d the purchase of 2,992 acres of…
HUNTING/FISHING -- Idaho Fish and Game put out the following notice of new rules affection hunters and anglers in 2012. Several new rules, including a mentored hunting program and changes to fishing rules, take effect January 1; all of them are subject of legislative review.…
WINTER SPORTS -- The Friends of Mount Spokane State Park have posted a detailed guide to five snowshoeing routes with easy access off the plowed park roads. Washington Sno-Park permits required.
Four Eastern Washington were in top form in the U.S. National Cross Country Skiing Championship races this week at the former Olympic course at Soldier Hollow, Utah. Erik Bjornsen, 22, of Winthrop finished first in the men's 15-kilometer freestyle. His sister, Sadie Bjornsen, 24, finished…
FISHERIES -- A record 515,700 sockeye salmon was counted this year at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department reports. The run count -- the most since counting began at Bonneville Dam in 1938 -- far exceeded the agency's preseason…
Weak returns of spring chinook salmon are predicted for the Wind River and Drano Lake in Skamania County, a not-surprising forecast given the low return expected to the Columbia River upstream of Bonneville Dam, reports Allen Thomas of the Vancouver Columbian. The Washington Department of…
SALMON FISHING -- Chances for a long chinook salmon fishing season with liberal limits next spring are looking slim in the Snake and Clearwater rivers, reports Eric Barker of the Lewiston Tribune. Fisheries managers from state, tribal and federal agencies are predicting 141,400 spring chinook…
MOUNTAINS -- After seeing this stunning display of photo technology, I'll never be able to squat in the woods without wondering if somebody's taking my picture from a perch a mile away. Click the link below and zoom in, for example, on the amazing detail…
WILDLIFE WATCHING — Although plenty of bald eagles are still hanging around, the annual congregation at Lake Coeur d'Alene peaked around Dec.19 and numbers are declining. Carrie Hugo, U.S. Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist, counted 157 bald eagles Thursday in cold, clear weather in…
FLY FISHING -- The cold of January is prime time for cozying up to a vise to learn how to tie flies. Click "continue reading" for the timely January fly-tying class schedule -- for beginner and advanced tiers -- from Silver Bow Fly Shop in…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Unless there's a stray report still to come in, Inland Northwest Birders and Spokane Audubon tallied 238 species in their 2012 Spokane County "Big Year" effort to spot as many types of birds as possible. Following are highlights compiled by Tim O'Brien…
WINTER SPORTS -- Special events, such as guided snowshoe hike and ski touring, are planned for Saturday's Park-n-Ski day at winter hot spots such as Priest Lake State Park and Fourth of July Pass while fees are being waived for parking. A winter fat-biking demostration…
WINTER SPORTS -- Tracking critters with a naturalist, studying winter ecology and a ladies-only snowshoe trek into an ancient cedar grove are among a dozen outings the public can join in a winter trip series led by the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. The…
WILDLIFE -- A training workshop will be held Saturday in Sandpoint for volunteers planning to help wildlife researchers monitor wolverines, lynx and fishers in North Idaho this winter. The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, the Idaho Conservation League and Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education (SOLE)…
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS -- Predators can be a problem in suburban areas, especially if they are encouraged to be bold by people who leave out pet food or purposely feed them. The consequences of trying to "tame" wildlife can impact everyone in the neighborhood. For example,…
WILDLIFE -- An orphaned black bear cub burned in a wildfire last summer is recovering and may be released in June, an Idaho wildlife sanctuary official said. The 4-month-old bear nicknamed “Boo Boo” was discovered by a fisherman in a tree along the Salmon River…
HUNTING -- Fewer numbers of moose in Idaho have prompted proposals for fewer moose hunting permits as the Idaho Fish and Game Department takes comments on changing moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons and rules for 2013-2014. Proposed changes in moose tags are in…
WILDLIFE -- Countless birds, large and small, are killed in collisions with powerlines that crisscross the country. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been working with the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee on guidelines utilities, compiled in an updated booklet called, Reducing Avian Collisions…
RIVER SPORTS -- Members of Northwest Whitewater call their New Year Day tradition on the Spokane River the "Only Fools Float the River on the First," event -- and they had no shortage of numb skulls aboard this year. The 20th annual Fools Float on…
My annual review of the year outdoors published Sunday chronicled a wide range of outdoor stories from 2012. Here are a few milestones that were reached. 2012 Highlights from the field ANNIVERSARIES 125, birth of Aldo Leopold, father of wildlife management. 100, L.L. Bean, Maine.…
FISHING -- Hall of fame fly tier John Newbury of Chewelah will be tying flies and displaying artistic prints of his fly patterns during a First Friday Event, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., at the Steelhead Bar & Grill, 218 N. Howard St., in Spokane.
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Anglers take note: Patience and a good choice in bait reward this fishing bird with a good meal. This short video is worth watching.
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
| Dec. 2013 | Nov. 2013 | Oct. 2013 | Sept. 2013 |
| Aug. 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 |
| April 2013 | March 2013 | Feb. 2013 | Jan. 2013 |
