WINTERSPORTS -- Two skiers at Crystal Mountain Resort face fines of up to $1,000 after ducking under a rope and skiing in an area closed due to avalanche danger. They narrowly escaped danger. The News Tribune says it’s the first time Crystal has pushed for…
WATERSPORTS -- The revised forecast has been released for water levels at Lake Roosevelt this spring as water managers predict how how much the Columbia River reservoir will be drawn down to accommodate spring runoff and how fast it will refill to summer elevations of…
WILDLIFE -- A Washington lawmaker said he's trying to make a point with pointless legislation that would allow Western Washington hunters to shoot bull elk that show signs of a limp. Really. Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe says he introduced SB 5474 to prompt the Washington...
WILDLIFE -- Among the billions of people out there snapping photos of birds, a precious few photographers are masters. Paul Bannick is one of them, and you don't have to take my word for it. The award-winning photographer from Western Washington is presenting a new...
RIVERS -- Ice breakup and a stew of winter weather conditions are raising havoc with area rivers, including the Grande Ronde River in southeastern Washington and, closer to home, Hangman Creek, which was flowing ice this morning. Cody Toner snapped the photo above from the...
FISHING -- Tony Warren's photo above showing iced up fishing gear after a morning of jigging on the Columbia River at the Tri Cities says a lot about the trials anglers have suffered this winter. Ice fishermen are whistling a sweet tune with their numb...
PUBLIC LANDS -- Don't trust federal land grabber Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. He's part of the problem. Chaffetz made headlines last week and got some positive attention for withdrawing his unpopular legislation to mandate the sale of more than 3 million acres of public lands...
OUTDOOR GROUPS -- While researching my recent story on the All Out effort to help people connect with outdoor activities, I came across some enthusiastic SheJumps advocates wearing outdoor clothing -- and tutus. "It helps us stand out in the crowd," said Kayla Jo Haas…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The checkerboard forestry management on Idaho state lands just south of Priest Lake stands out in a winter photo from NASA. "An astronaut aboard the International Space Station observed this distinctive checkerboard pattern alongside the Priest River in northern Idaho," says NASA's...
OUTDOOR TOURISM – In case we need a reminder that preserving landscapes has economic value, a University of Montana research institute says that more than 12 million tourists visited the Big Sky State last year, spending nearly $3.5 billion and supporting nearly 53,000 jobs. Montana’s…
WATERSPORTS -- Unable to find a suitable concessionaire, the National Park Service says it will close the Kettle Falls Marina on April 30 when its contract with Lake Roosevelt Vacations, Inc. expires. "The effort to select a contractor to continue operations was cancelled to give…
HABITAT – The Spokane Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will hold its annual Big Game Banquet on Feb. 18, starting at 5 p.m. at the Mirabeau Hotel in Spokane Valley. Tickets are available online, or by calling Ashley Atkinson, at (509) 939-6360.
CLUBS –Outdoor programs of note this week: Karelian bear dogs, by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 7 p.m., 6116 N. Market St., for Inland Northwest Wildlife Council. Cuba birding, by Ann Brinly, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Riverview Retirement Center, 2117 E. North Crescent Ave.,…
PARKS – Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area staff will discuss proposed outdoor recreation opportunities during a meeting, 6 p.m., tonight, Feb. 6, at the Center for Clinical Research and Simulation building, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. Proposals include a disc golf course, traditional and 3-D…
FISHING – A parasite that caused a major die-off of mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone River has been discovered in two more southwestern Montana streams. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said today that the parasite was detected in the Big Hole River near Wise River…
FISHING -- Idaho's spring chinook fishing rules are being developed and anglers are invited to comment. A public meeting is scheduled on Feb. 16 at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Clearwater Region Office, 3316 16th St. in Lewiston, Free pizza and refreshments will…
WINTERSPORTS -- Three people were injured, apparently not severely, when snow slid off the metal roof of Selkirk Lodge shortly after 1 p.m. today during the 12th annual Women's Souper Bowl snowshoeing and cross-country skiing event at Mount Spokane State Park. State park rangers say...
HUNTING -- Big game hunters in Montana may be able to start wearing pink next season under a bill being considered by state lawmakers. The Senate Fish and Game Committee voted 9-2 Thursday to introduce the bill that gives hunters the option to wear fluorescent…
WILDLIFE -- With crusty snow making it difficult for deer and elk to feed and move, it's not surprising that reports of wolves in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area seem to be increasing. "We have no confirmations, but it wouldn't surprise me," said Wayne Wakkinen, Idaho Fish...
WILDLIFE -- Two large southeastern Washington wildlife areas were closed to public access today through April to prevent human disturbance to deer and elk struggling through the worst winter conditions in years. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife closed the 4-O Ranch and Grouse...
WILDLIFE -- Helicopters are flying in Hells Canyon starting today for a two-week effort to capture 100 bighorn sheep in five herds in a multi-state research effort. Idaho, Oregon and Washington wildlife agencies are joining forces through Feb. 14 to boost the ongoing Hells Canyon...
WILDLIFE -- Managing elk is a complicated business, as indicated by a Washington lawmaker's reasoning for introducing a bill that, in part, seeks to contain the Coluckum elk herd with winter feeding. Few hunters would say there are too many elk in the Colockum, but…
TRAILS -- A Mica Peak Trail Plan has been approved for the 911-acre conservation area and Spokane County Parks and Recreation planners say work could begin this fall. The plan features a 2.65-mile mountain biking downhill flow trail and 11 miles of multi-use trails. The...
WILDLIFE – Idaho is feeding about 7 percent of the state's elk and nearly 2 percent of its deer population to keep the animals off agricultural crops as they try to survive a tough winter of prolonged deep snow and cold temperatures. The Idaho Fish...
PARKS -- The road to Palouse Falls near Starbuck and Washtucna, Washington has reopened, but it is driver beware, according to Washington State Parks. The two-mile county road to Palouse Falls State Park had been closed due to ice. Although the road is open again,…
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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