Field reports: Idaho allows hunting before safety course
HUNTING – Idaho is joining 30 states allowing potential new hunters accompanied by a mentor to try the sport before they pass a hunter education course.
On Tuesday, Gov. Butch Otter signed “Families Afield,” legislation, a “try before you buy” program promoted by national shooting groups since 2004.
Montana is the only state in the Northwest that has not adopted the legislation.
Now it’s up to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to establish the program.
Rich Landers
Grooming wanes at Mount Spokane
NORDIC SKIING – Cross-country trails at Mount Spokane State Park are scheduled to be groomed through March, although park rangers said they won’t decide until this week on whether to groom longer.
Only the snowmobile groomer has been operating since March 19.
Sno-Park permits will be required until trail grooming has ended for the season.
Rich Landers
Habitat area trees protected from saws
CONSERVATION – A man who sawed down a cottonwood tree to use as a bridge over the Tucannon River could be charged with felony malicious mischief in a “habitat protection area.”
Washington Fish and Wildlife police caught the man sawing the tree in the Wooten Wildlife Area of the Blue Mountains last week.
The Tucannon River is designated for preserving trees and vegetation to shield the river from summer sun and cool water for young bull trout and steelhead.
Rich Landers
Ducks Unlimited holds area events
CONSERVATION – Upcoming Ducks Unlimited fundraising events include:
Saturday – Coyote Falls Sporting Clays fun shoot near Almira, 10:30 a.m. Preregister: (509) 639-0168.
April 7 – Spokane DU banquet, doors open at 5:30 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. Tickets $50 single, $275 sponsor.
Contact Gordon Hester, 755-7576 or register online, WA.ducks.org/
Program discusses Eloika Lake milfoil
INVASIVES – A program on local wildlife and milfoil-control efforts will be presented Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at the Inland Grange, 37147 N. Conklin Rd., southeast of Elk at Conklin and Nelson roads.
The program is put on by the Department of Natural Resources, Spokane County Conservation District and the Eloika Lake Association.
Info: eloika.com/
Rich Landers
Access passes for disabled hunters
HUNTING – April 8 is the deadline to apply for Inland Empire Paper Company handicapped-access passes.
Contact: Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, 487-8552 or Larry Carey, 328-6429.
Rich Landers