PUBLIC LANDS -- The Washington Department of Natural Resources is trying to take steps to keep state lands from becoming dumps. The agency has posted an interactive map on its website showing locations of more than 200 sites that experienced illegal dumping last year on…
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- Montana's wolf population increased about 8 percent in 2010 while Idaho's decreased about 16 percent, according to reports released today by state wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Montana has just announced that at least 566 wolves inhabit the…
SKIING -- If your dog has any pull around the house, its probably game for trying the skijoring demo at Mount Spokane on Sunday. Meet at 2:15 p.m. on the nordic ski trails where Linder Road passes ski trail Junction 1 (skiers an tell you…
HUNTING -- A series of photos of a rare calico (piebald) whitetail buck killed in 2008 is recirculating on the Internet and e-mail. While it's a legitimate photo and trophy, it's moving around, as usual, with fabricated info. If you're interested in the details, here's…
HUNTING -- Proposed changes to Idaho's 2011 big-game hunting seasons are being presented in meetings throughout North Idaho this week, starting in Kellogg and Coeur d'Alene. Still to go are: Tonight: Sandpoint, Bonner County Fairgrounds, 7 p.m. Saturday: St. Maries, Eagles, 8 a.m. Details of…
WILDLIFE -- An exotic furry critter resembling a cross between a beaver and a muskrat is gaining ground in the Pacific Northwest, and that's not something to get all warm and fuzzy about. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released videos this week about thegrowing…
BIRDING -- The fish-eating great blue heron dwarfs seed-eating songbirds in size, but the diminutive willow goldfinch will continue to reign in greater stature as the Washington State Bird. Proposals at the State Legislature to replace the finch with the GBH as the state bird…
FISHING -- The race is on between wild rainbow trout and hatchery-raised trout, as Washington State University researchers measure their speed to see who's fastest -- and most likely to survive in streams and lakes. Which fish do you think wins most of the races…
HUNTING -- My faith has been restored in stories going viral through email and the Internet. This photo of the pending world record whitetail buck seems thoroughly verified and on the up and up. Finally! Word is out, from impeccable sources, that the buck was…
OUTDOOR IMAGING -- Professional landscape photographer Tim Cooper will present a free program on capturing outdoor scenes on camera Monday, March 14, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Spokane REI store. Cooper, a Rocky Mountain School of Photography instructor, will explain how he captures dramatic photographs…
PREDATORS -- The Washington Senate approved another extension of a long-standing pilot program that allows the hunting of cougars with dogs in northeastern Washington and Klickitat County. The Senate approved the measure Tuesday 37-1. It would expand for another five years a pilot program created…
INVASIVE SPECIES – Idaho’s Invasive Species program and mandatory boat inspection law got a shot of credibility this week as an exotic quagga mussel was found in Montana on the hull of a sailboat that had been in Nevada’s Lake Mead. Mandatory watercraft inspections kick…
HUNTING -- The inscription on the metal bands used by the U.S. Department of the Interior to tag migratory birds has been changed, according to totally believable sources on the Internet. The bands used to bear the address of the Washington Biological Survey, which was…
FORESTS -- I've had a long fascination with hiking into forest fire lookouts, sometimes reserving and renting one for the ultimate room with a view. The next-best thing is the Outdoor Idaho program that premiers Thursday on Public TV. Eyes of the Forest explores the…
WINTER SPORTS -- A mistake last week in my report on Washington Fish and Wildlife enforcement activities is stirring up rumors we need to nip in the bud. Eight snowmobilers were cited last week in the Buck Creek area of Pend Oreille County for going…
STEELHEADING -- A few sharp-eyed readers noticed that fish in the photo of the "27.5-pound" steelhead (see two blog posts below this one) I hooked Tuesday in the Okanogan River either didn't look that big or the guy holding the fish, Jerrod Gibbons, must have…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Washington Trails Association, led by Spokane trail maintenace ace Jane Baker has an ambitious schedule to enhance trails, from the Dishman Hills and Liberty Lake, to Mount Spokane, the Kettle Range and the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. Volunteers are needed for one-day efforts…
FISHING -- Steelhead don't care if it's snowing, and neither does a serious steelhead fisherman. Jerrod Gibbons of Okanogan Valley Guide Service holds a 27.5-inch long hatchery hen I hooked at 10 a.m. this morning on an orange 1/4-ounce jig under a bobber. We were…
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- Idaho Fish and Game biologists have started a project to attach radio collars on elk in the St. Joe in order to get a better handle on the extent of wolf predation on elk in that area, says Jim Hayden, Panhandle region…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Knight's Lake property along Lake Spokane -- owned by Washington DNR and at the top of the list for proposed Spokane County Conservation Futures acquisitions -- is a misnomer. The property proposed for sale doesn't include Knight's Lake. SR county government…
FLY FISHING -- The Bitterroot River, which runs through Missoula, is warming up and anglers are starting to squirm at the thought of the season's first hatch of big fish-arousing stoneflies. There's still ice on the lower end of the popular Montana stream, and a…
FISHING -- Anglers soon will need new fishing licenses in Washington where the 2010-2011 licenses will expire on March 31. Note that: Idaho's new license requirement kicked in Jan. 1. Montana new fishing licenses have been required since March 1. In Washington, be careful not…
HIKING -- Late winter hikers don't have to look any farther than the Washington State Parks system to find excellent year-round trails. This week, with the state legislature looking for ways to keep the park gates open through the state budget crisis, the Washington Trails…
HUNTING -- Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments on proposed changes to 2011 big-game hunting seasons in meetings throughout North Idaho this week. Details of proposed changes are available on the Fish and Game website at or from regional Fish and Game offices.…
STATE PARKS -- Rock climbers and people fascinated by caves will be among the first to feel the impact of the budget crisis facing Washington's State Parks. Two state parks in Eastern Washington – Crawford and Peshastin Pinnacles – will not open this season because…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
