Field reports: Whitefish man seeks Ultimate Ski Bum title

SKIING – A 32-year-old Whitefish, Mont., man is in the running to be named the “Ultimate Ski Bum,” a title that comes with a prize package worth $30,000.

Craig Moore recently became one of 10 finalists for the title that’s being sponsored by the Kootenay Rockies Tourism. Moore has skied at least one day every month for the last four years and beat out about 300 other wanna-be ski bums through online voting.

“It would be a pretty regimented winter,” said Moore, a member of the Flathead Nordic Backcountry Ski Patrol. “I would have to take a three-month sabbatical from Whitefish and spend three months up north, which I would have absolutely no problem doing.”

Moore skis 150 days a year, about 70 at Whitefish Mountain Resort and another 80 in the surrounding backcountry.

Associated Press

Hunters may help cull Hanford elk

WILDLIFE – The Fish and Wildlife Service may allow hunting on Hanford Reach National Monument to cull elk damaging wheat fields near Rattlesnake Mountain.

Over several years, managers hope to reduce the heard of about 700 elk to about 350.

The federal agency is accepting public comment this month on the proposed elk hunt that would take place next fall.

The hunt would be limited to 10 hunters a day and would be managed by the state Fish and Wildlife Department and the Yakama Nation.

The Energy Department opposed an elk hunt in 2005 but is not opposing the current proposal because cleanup work has been completed in the area.

Tri-City Herald

Master Hunter group has advisor opening

HUNTING – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department is accepting applications through Dec. 18 for membership on the department’s Master Hunter Advisory Group.

The 15 volunteers advise the state on issues affecting the Master Hunter program and about 2,000 master hunters.

Email Lt. Eric Anderson, Master Hunter policy lead, at Eric.Anderson@dfw.wa.gov.

Rich Landers

CdA taxidermist donates bear mount

WILDLIFE – Sean West of Captured Expressions Taxidermy is donating a mounted black bear for bear education efforts across the region.

The Coeur d’Alene taxidermist will present the bear to the Center for Wildlife Information on Tuesday, 10 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game office in Coeur d’Alene.

“Knowing more about bears is important to anyone who lives in bear country,” West said. “It’s especially important to hunters and it’s not always as easy as it seems.”

The black bear, which had been donated by Washington Fish and Wildlife officials, will travel with a full mount of a grizzly in an educational exhibit that tours the region.

“The whole purpose of the bear education trailer is to teach people more about bears so they can minimize conflicts,” West said.

The Center for Wildlife information is based in Missoula, (406) 721-8985.

Rich Landers