Field reports: Mushroom poisoning prompts warnings
WILD EDIBLES – Washington officials are urging caution to mushroom foragers after a Bellevue woman was hospitalized for the potentially fatal symptoms of eating a “death cap” mushroom.
The highly toxic Amanita phalloides mushrooms were once thought to be rare in Washington, but increased numbers of them have been reported this year possibly because of the wet spring, according to the Washington Poison Center.
“It takes extensive knowledge to know which mushrooms are safe to eat and which are poisonous,” said Dr. David Fleming, King County health director, noting that many poisonous mushrooms resemble the edible ones.
If you suspect you may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to appear, he said: call Washington Poison Center:
(800) 222-1222.
Rich Landers
$10,000 reward offered
WOLVES – Rewards totaling $10,000 were offered last week for information in the killing of a federally protected wolf in northeastern Oregon.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering $2,500. A coalition of conservation groups put up $7,500.
The 2-year-old male wolf, from the Wenaha pack, had been captured and fitted with a radio tracking collar in August and was being followed by Oregon and Washington biologists.
It was found dead Sept. 30 on the Umatilla National Forest. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
Oregon has two breeding packs totaling about 20 wolves.
Two other wolves have been illegally shot since they moved into the state. Two from the Imnaha pack were killed by government hunters for attacking livestock.
Associated Press
Meet the Mountaineers
CLUBS – The Spokane Mountaineers are offering potential members a glimpse of the schools, seminars, trips and social activities they offer during the year to help each other enjoy and explore the outdoors.
Meet the Mountaineers in a free program Monday, 7 p.m. at REI.
Founded in 1915 as the Spokane Hiking Club, the group has expanded its offerings to biking, backpacking, paddling, conservation and mountaineering.
Info: Chuck Huber, 939-2644.
Rich Landers
Breaking ground on route
TRAILS – Volunteers are needed to begin construction what’s been dubbed the Gibraltar Trail near Republic. A work party organized by the Colville National Forest, Conservation Northwest and several outdoor groups is set for next weekend.
The route “will soon be a 12-mile, non-motorized loop trail with close access to the town of Republic,” said Jeff Lambert of the Spokane Mountaineers. “The trail will be open to hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, as well as skiers and snowshoers, and will offer early-season snow-free trail access and incredible views of the Kettle Crest and surrounding mountains.”
A $6,000 grant from The Spring Trust for Trails will be used to buy tools, said Derrick Knowles of Conservation Northwest.
Workers will meet at 10 a.m. both days in the parking lot behind the Co-op/Bakery in Republic to carpool to the work site and return at 5 p.m.
Sign-up:(509) 435-1270 or e-mail dknowles@conservationnw.org.
Rich Landers
Kokanee record is official
FISHING – A 9.67-pound kokanee caught in northeastern Oregon’s Wallowa Lake has been declared the world record holder in two categories.
Ron Campbell of La Grande, Ore., landed the lunker on June 13 to break the 22-year-old all-tackle record, the Florida-based International Game Fish Association announced on Wednesday.
The fish also was declared the largest recorded in the 12-pound test line class.
Rich Landers