WILDLIFE -- A 30-second video of an eagle being clipped by the blade of a wind turbine helps illustrate the reason for the American Bird Conservancy's bird-smart wind campaign to address the impact of wind farms on bird populations. By 2030, there will be more…
FISHING -- Idaho anglers have until April 18 to comment in the first round of discussions on fishing rule changes proposed for 2012. Fish and Game is considering changing the rule that requires anglers transporting hatchery-produced salmon or steelhead to keep the carcass whole, with…
PUBLIC LANDS --Planning your outdoor adventures in advance? Here's a money saving opportunity. National parks will be waiving entrance fees for National Park Week April 16-24. Fee-free days have been offered the past two years as a cost-friendly family vacation option in the economic slump.
WILDLIFE -- "He is a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched in some dead tree where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing hawk and, when that…
FISHING -- Jim Scroggie, 86, who operated Fishtrap Lake Resort from 1952 to 2001, passed away on March 28. "I can't think of anyone who did more for fishermen and trout fishing in this area than Jim," said Chris Donley, Washington Department of Fish and…
PUBLIC LANDS -- Derrick Knowles of Spokane and Joe Mirasoe of Elk, both members of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, will be making a presentation tonight -- From Controversy to Common Ground: The Colville National Forest Story" -- at the general meeting of the Inland Northwest…
WILDLIFE -- The Oregon House has voted to give authorities the power to prohibit people from feeding bears, wolves and cougars, the Associated Press reports. The House’s 51-9 vote on Monday sends the measure to the Senate. The bill would allow police to issue a…
BIRDWATCHING -- The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival is history for a year, but wild friends of another feather are giving birder more reasons to travel across the state: Olympic Birdfest, April 8-10, Sequim, WA A bird watching vacation for beginners to experts, from leisurely strolls…
HIKING -- It's wet out there. Hikers in Deep Creek Canyon off the Spokane River near Nine Mile found plenty of water going down the stream, which usually dries up well before summer. You don't have to go much higher in elevation to find trails…
NATURAL AREAS -- Volunteers are signing up for the Dishman Hills Service Project to plant trees, pull weeds, and spruce up the city's much-loved natural area on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Several hundred helpers -- individuals and groups -- are expected to…
FISHING -- There's no single opening day for fishing in Washington. Fishing seasons open throughout the year, including major waters that open on March 1, April 1 and, of course, the popular lowland trout season that opens the "last Saturday in April." Just to keep…
OUTDOOR TRAVEL -- Don't get in a hurry to cross the North Cascades on State Route 20. The Washington State Department of Transportation says avalanche danger on the North Cascades Highway has delayed the annual spring opening of the road. Work crews plan to start…
HUNTING -- Washington's youth wild turkey hunting season is history, and the general spring gobbler seasons don't open until April 15. But Idaho youths under the age of 16 get their special turn at the toms starting Friday and running through April 14. All youth…
HIKING -- It was almost amusing this morning to compare notes of my Sunday hiking trip with the experience of my friend, Dan Hansen, and his experience floating the formidable whitewater on Hangman Creek. Hansen noted that despite some strong eddies and good rapids that…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Science got a boost this winter when about 60,000 bird watchers took part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, a four-day held Feb. 18-21. When tens of thousands of people watch birds and report what they see online, they create a…
FISHING -- Washington anglers are required to have the new 2011-2012 fishing licenses as of April 1, but that might not be all you need -- or want. Possible additions to the basic license include: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Stamp if you plan…
RIVER RUNNING -- Seven canoeists wearing dry suits had a wet and wonderful trip Sunday on Hangman Creek. We all agreed that a flow of 1,200 cfs was about as good as this trip would get," reported Dan Hansen. "I’m really glad I didn’t try…
NATURE -- Butterfly enthusiasts have developed a cool Butterflies and Moths of North America website that produces checklists of butterfly species documented for general or specific areas. For example, by filling in the blanks on the site, one can see the 91 butterfly species that…
FISHERIES -- While most Idaho big-fish anglers are still focused on steelheading, some are turning their attention to chinook salmon. Idaho Fish and Game regularly fields questions on why seasons aren't set sooner or why certain stretches of the state's rivers aren't opened to chinook…
OUTDOOR TRAVEL -- Winter still has a grip on the region's high country. Thick snowpacks are still waiting for spring-like conditions, as I mentioned in Friday's post on the region's avalanche advisory. Access to the mountains for the start of the summer camping and hiking…
WILDLIFE – Today’s “Swan song” Outdoors feature in the Sunday Sports section tells the inspiring story of a senior swan at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. I dubbed him “Solo” when I wrote the 2002 column about the widower swan that kept returning to Turnbull without…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The weather might be lousy, but life is carrying on for wildlife outside and live web cameras are piping the spectacle into the homes of millions of people. Millions of nature lovers from around the world are watching eaglets in northeast Iowa…
NATIONAL FORESTS -- Relentless precipitation and soggy ground is causing rocks and soil to give way on steep slopes throughout the region. The Okanogan-Wenatchee national forests on Friday called for an emergency closure of the Icicle Road near Leavenworth after a landslide swept trees, mud…
CITY PARKS -- A small rock slide has caused Spokane City Parks officials to temporarily close the rail trail between the new Ben Burr Trailhead at West Liberty Park and the Liberty Aquatic Center entrance off Pittsburg Street. The rock slide occurred earlier this week…
SKIING -- Even though Red Mountain Ski Area received more than 200 cm of snow in March, the resort near Rossland, British Columbia, is closing for the season on Sunday with more new snow in the forecast. Most resorts are staying open for at least…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
