PUBLIC LANDS -- Idaho is about halfway through its two-year investigation on whether it should try to take over federal lands within the state. Opinions vary dramatically on how much it would cost the state if it was able to pull this off. State residents…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The number of bald eagles is thinning out at Lake Coeur d'Alene's Wolf Lodge Bay area where the national symbols gather each year to feast on spawning kokanee. After peaking at 217 two weeks ago, the number of eagles counted today by…
WINTER SPORTS -- Great report just posted from Lookout Pass: ...With all the snow this week and more to come, it seems like Lookout Pass is the place to be. We received over 12 inches in the last 48 hours and the forecast is predicting…
PUBLIC LANDS -- My column today regarding the murky jurisdictional differences sport fishermen must navigate on and around Lake Roosevelt is just a glimpse at years of posturing that's likely to go on for many more years. That's the way it is with boundary disputes…
PARKS -- The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is holding four meetings this week for the public to comment on plans to ban outdoor smoking at state parks. The Statesman Journal reports the proposed ban would stop smoking on hiking trails, picnic areas, waysides and…
SKY WATCHING -- If the weather clears up and gives us a break, the solar system is poised to deliver a light show tonight. See the story about the prime conditions for northern lights. Best views would be from high areas away from town lights…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The Oregonian has compiled three videos that help underscore the concern marine biologists have for the massive die-off of Pacific starfish detected in 2013. See the story and the videos.
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.