WILDLIFE -- The grizzly population in northwestern Montana is growing at 3 percent a year -- not bad for grizzlies, experts say. The grizzly is still being scrutinized for removal from threatened species status. Last year, 941 grizzlies were roaming the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem,…
PUBLIC LANDS -- When I hear the term government waste, I can't help but think about the taxpayer money needed to clean up after the low life that finds recreation in destroying public property, such as mudding meadows and shooting up outhouses. Bitterroot National Forest…
VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo. BIKING -- I had trouble WALKING down the streets of Valparaiso, Chile, without hurting myself, or getting mugged. Here's a mountain biker doing it at breakneck speed.
CAMPGROUNDS – A new reservation system debuts Wednesday at 20 of Montana's 54 popular state parks. Starting at 8 a.m Mountain Time, visitors can phone toll-free or use the internet to make reservations up to nine months in advance or as close as two days…
HUNTING -- In response to changes in elk populations, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted today to approve big game hunting seasons that reduce or eliminate antlerless elk tags in some areas, according to a new release just issued by the state Fish and…
FISHING -- Idaho anglers will be able to start fishing for chinook salmon on April 23, according to seasons set today by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Chinook will open in the Clearwater River, Snake River, Little Salmon and part of the lower Salmon…
HUNTING -- Kids under the age of 16 get the first shot at spring wild turkey hunting for gobblers. Washington's youth turkey season is Saturday and Sunday. Idaho's youth season runs April 8-14. The general spring gobbler season opens April 15 in both states. Get…
HIKING -- This is prime time to visit Palouse Falls State Park, where the water is rushing and the landscape is starting to get green. But don't be content to view the falls just from the parking lot overlook. Steve and Karen Heaps of Spokane…
WILDLIFE -- On April 1, U.S. Census Bureau employees will begin the first wave of data collection for the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation from about 53,000 households across the country. Conducted every five years by the Census Bureau, the survey is…
PREDATORS -- An Angus bull that died last month from injuries after fighting with another bull near Missoula attracted the who's who of non-hibernating predators into the unblinking lens of a motion-activated camera. A lone gray wolf spent just 18 minutes feeding on the carcass…
WILDLIFE HABITAT -- Elk research at Mt. St. Helens and habitat improvements on four national forests and other public lands in Washington headline a just-announced slate of projects selected for 2011 grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The far-east side of the state isn't…
CONSERVATION -- The environmental movement is facing serious challenges in the current political and economic climate. Considering bills in state legislatures and in Congress, some conservationists believe they've lost considerable political capitol in their tough stance to prolonging endangered species status for the gray wolf…
CONSERVATION -- An Oregon tax incentive to preserve wildlife habitat has been grossly abused by some property owners forcing the state to put the brakes on new sign ups until oversight is beefed up. In one case, a homeowner received tax deductions for "wildlife habitat"…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- I'm a little late getting into the office today, distracted by a wild turkey crossing in front of the S-R building and heading west on Riverside Ave., across Monroe Street -- traffic kindly giving it the right of way in a Spokane-friendly…
HUNTING -- Seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear and mountain lion are on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission agenda today through Tuesday at the Red Lion Hotel in Boise. An open public hearing is set for tonight at 7 p.m. On Tuesday morning,…
SKI RESORTS -- While many ski and snowboard resorts will close their lifts on April 10, some Montana ski areas are delaying closing dates by several weeks -- perhaps April 17 -- because the late-season snow is fabulous -- and skiers and snowboarders haven't lost…
SHOOTING -- When driving down U.S. Highway 93 through Hamilton, there's no need to do a double-take when you see the sign hanging above the Radio Shack Super Store, reports the Ravalli Republic. You read it right. Customers who buy Dish Network will be rewarded…
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- Just out in an Associted Press story from Billings: Federal officials today signaled their preliminary support for a plan to kill gray wolves in western Montana that have preyed on big game herds along the Idaho border. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife…
WILD LIFE -- Hikers and hunters have joked that the safest way to travel in grizzly country is to bring along a companion you can out-run. Turns out, the same holds true for pot smokers. During a routine patrol to look for illegal fishing activity…
FISHING -- It's routine nowadays for Fish and Wildlife police to deal with illegal activity that has nothing to do with fish or wildlife. Last week, an officer patrolling the TucannonRiverand Wooten Wildlife Area observed a man on Big 4 Lake, which is “Fly Fishing…
FISHING -- Because of a study that involves chemically anesthetizing fish, anglers must release all marked fish on the Columbia River reservoir behind Priest Rapids Dam from April 1-May 31. Species affected by the emergency rule include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and…
FISHING -- This soggy weather sends a lot of people indoors. But serious angler know the saturated ground forces worms out of the ground, making this a ripe time to stock up on nightcrawlers for the next fishing trip. You'll find worms onthe streets and…
WINTER SPORTS -- The weekend avalanche death of a snowboarder near Stevens Pass has sobered some backcountry travelers, and brought forth some worthwhile thoughts. Following is a comment from a skier named Ed posted with the news story about the death. It follows the same…
INVASIVE SPECIES -- Eloika Lake's "milfoil monster" will be addressed in an upcoming program geared to anglers, property owners and anyone else who wants information on this threat to a popular lake -- and the waters downstream. Local Wildlife” photos and the “Eloika Milfoil Monster”…
ENVIRONMENT -- A few tickets remain available for The Lands Council's 16th annual April Showers auction and banquet on April 16 at The DoubleTree Hotel in Spokane. The event always features good food and wine along with live and silent auction items in a fundraiser…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
