FISHING – Ferry County businesses are repeating what may be the closest thing to a complete fishing tournament weekend: The second annual Bass/Bands/BBQ & Brews! event is set for Sept. 25-27 at Curlew Lake based out of Black Beach Resort 8 miles north of Republic...
WILDLIFE -- A grizzly bear sighting has been confirmed up the Coeur d'Alene River around milepost 9, officials say in a warning especially to hunters. Grizzlies can be attracted by elk calls. While black bears are legal game, grizzly bears are federally protected. Although Idaho...
HUNTING -- Cooler weather and precipitation, including snowstorms in the Central Idaho mountains, have slowed fire activity and allowed land agencies to lift some restrictions, and the Forest Service expects to lift more by the weekend. But all lands have not reopened and hunters should…
TRAILS -- That cheap champagne to celebrate a record-setting completion of the Appalachian Trail got a lot more expensive today. Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek paid a $500 fine in Portland, Maine, to settle citations over his celebration atop the state’s Mount Katahdin that struck a nerve…
FISHING -- The number of anglers and the numbers of salmon harvested continues to rise in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River as fall chinook pour over McNary Dam. Fish passage over McNary, the last dam before the big kings enter the Hanford Reach,...
BICYCLING -- The Route of the Hiawatha rail trail near Lookout Pass is still open daily, but shuttle hours have changed through September. Considered a crown jewel of American rail-to-trail mountain bike or hike routes, the 15-mile trail includes nine train tunnels and seven shockingly high...
WILDFIRES -- An area closed by wildfires southeast of Republic on the Colville National Forest is being reopened today. The temporary emergency closure issued for the Thirteen Mile and Hall Creek area on the Republic Ranger District east of SR 21 and south of U.S....
PARKS -- A long-term agreement for managing the 280-acre Trautman property adjacent to Riverside State Park near Nine Mile will be considered by the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in Spokane on Thursday. Spokane County acquired the property earlier this year using Conservation Futures...
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- Grizzlies appear to be slowly sniffing out new digs in the Pacific Northwest. Grizzly bear sighting in SW British Columbia raises hopes, prompts warnings The sighting of a grizzly bear with two cubs near Whistler has raised hopes that the species is…
WILDLIFE -- For the second straight year, state wildlife managers say they are scrambling to assess the damage caused by a massive fire affecting four state wildlife areas in northcentral Washington. The harmful and in some cases beneficial impacts to fish and critters could play…
HUNTING -- Anyone who's been out and about, whether for scouting and hunting or avoiding wildfires, can't help but notice the huge flocks of wild turkeys that are roaming just about everywhere in Northeastern Washington and North Idaho. This year's mild spring and lack of…
TRAILS -- The east-west trail across Washington, Idaho and Western Montana has taken another step higher in stature. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently appointed 23 members to the inaugural Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Council under the authority of the National Trails System...
WILDFIRES -- Public access to more public lands in North Idaho is being restored starting Wednesday after rain and snow wet down much of the Inland Northwest over the Labor Day weekend. Private timber company land closures are still in effect, apparently, and there's...
HIKING -- When you have Labor Day holiday plans to make a big backpacking trek, sometimes you just do it, take the iffy weather as it comes. This year, it came in the color of white. Here are photos from a few Facebook friends who…
WATERSPORTS -- The annual drawdown of Lake Coeur d'Alene won't be necessary this year. The 2015 drought already took care of that task. Avista usually begins the fall drawdown of Coeur d’Alene Lake starting the Tuesday after Labor Day. The goal is to have the...
WILDFIRES -- Hunters were frustrated over the Labor Day weekend as access was closed to many of their favorite grouse and archery hunting areas because of wildfire activity or fire danger. While many restrictions still apply to the region's private timberlands and portions of the…
TRAPPING -- Wolf Trapper Certification courses have been schedule throughout Idaho this month. State rules require prospective wolf trappers to complete the course before they can purchase wolf trapping tags. For those planning to trap wolves this winter, nine courses are scheduled over the next…
WILDFIRES -- Things aren't coming out too well in the end for a mountain biker who started a 73-acre wildfire in southwest Idaho after burning his used toilet paper. The man could be faced with all or part of the costs of extinguishing the blaze…
RIVERS -- The fishing report for about 100 yards of the St. Regis River near Haugan was pretty bleak last week because -- the stretch went dry. The river flows from the Lookout Pass area east to the Clark Fork river at the town of...
Ask Idaho Fish and Game: Grouse permits Q. Do I need a permit to hunt grouse? A. It depends. No permit, other than a valid hunting license, is required to hunt forest grouse, including blue, ruffed and spruce grouse. However, hunters need a permit to...
CLUBS – After a summer hiatus, Inland Northwest outdoors groups are reviving monthly free programs. Among this week’s offerings are: Hobby Beekeeping, by Ken Crawley, 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Rd. in Coeur d’Alene, for Coeur d’Alene Audubon....
FISHING -- The 212,618 adult fall Chinook counted at Bonneville Dam as of Friday is the 2nd highest on record (since at least 1938). The record is 260,775 fish counted from August 1-September 3, 2013. This year’s total adult Chinook count at Bonneville Dam trails…
WILDFIRES -- Little by little, wildfire-related restrictions on public access are being eased in select areas of the Inland Northwest as cool, wet weather helps tame fires and ease drought conditions. While many restrictions still apply to the region's private timberlands and portions of the...
FISHING -- Long Lake, a fly-fishing-only water in Ferry County south of Republic, reportedly is among the casualties of the huge North Star Fire. "The Colville National Forrest Ranger Station confirmed that the area around the lake burned in the North Star Complex fire," says...
WATERSPORTS -- Stand-up paddleboarding classes and tours scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, from the Spokane River's revived access at Division Street have been cancelled, Spokane City Parks staffers say. "We hope to try and offer another opportunity this month weather permitting," said Ryan Griffith, outdoors…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.