Out & About: Dishman Hills effort needs volunteers

OUTDO – It’s time to sign up for the Dishman Hills Service Project to plant trees, pull weeds, and spiff up the city’s much-loved natural area Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Several hundred helpers – individuals and groups – are expected to spread out into the natural area after meeting at Camp Caro, 625 S. Sargent Rd. in Spokane Valley (just south of Appleway Boulevard).

REI is sponsoring the event. Groups chipping in include the Dishman Hills Natural Area Association, Spokane Mountaineers, The Lands Council, Spokane County Parks and Recreation, Inland Northwest Land Trust, Gonzaga University, the Inland Northwest Backcountry Horsemen and Sierra Club Inner City Outings.

Bring work gloves and water bottles, and come prepared for dirty work and the weather.

Coffee, water and light snacks will be provided. The event will conclude with a pizza party and live bluegrass music.

Preregister: rei.com/stores/24/

Bicyclists briefly rule at Yellowstone Park

OUTPEDAL – Bicycle riders have a few weeks to enjoy Yellowstone National Park before it opens to motorized vehicles next month.

Park crews are plowing roads, which are scheduled to open to motorists on April 15.

Until then, bicyclists willing to brave the elements can tour the park with no competition, except for bison and other critters.

Roads between West Yellowstone, Madison, Norris and Mammoth Hot Springs are the most reliable spring options for cyclists. No spring-season bicycle-only access is provided to Old Faithful or Canyon.

Odds good to draw moose raffle tag

HUNTING – Relatively speaking, the odds were excellent for drawing Washington’s coveted 2011 moose raffle tag.

Lloyd Hoppner of Colville won the tag to hunt a prolonged season anywhere moose hunting is allowed in Eastern Washington in the recent drawing at the Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show.

His ticket was selected from a pool of only 1,000 tickets, down from a pool of 3,000 tickets last year, said Wanda Clifford, executive director of the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council.

The council does the work of running the raffle to raise money for wildlife conservation projects while 10 percent of the proceeds go to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department for moose management.

“Last year we sold tickets at all Ziggy’s stores,” she said. “We did not have that opportunity this year. Selling them just from our office and the show was not enough.”

The special permit is a good bet, especially since some hunters have put in fruitlessly for 20 years without drawing a permit in the regular state lottery drawing.