Field reports: Park sued for fatal goat goring

OUTCRY – The family of Bob Boardman, 63, who was gored to death by a mountain goat in Olympic National Park is suing the Park Service.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by the Messina Bulzomi Christensen law firm.

The Interior Department had earlier denied a $10 million wrongful death claim from the Port Angeles man’s family. A department lawyer said there was no evidence of negligence in the October 2010 death.

A family attorney said the goat that killed Boardman was a rogue that the park should have done something about it.

Wildlife experts, speaking off the record, said the outcome of the suit could prompt less tolerance for a wide range of critters, from marmots to bears.

On Sept. 6, a park ranger operating under new park rules killed a mountain goat that for three days had refused to leave a campsite near Upper Royal Basin.

Associated Press

W. Oregon wolf first in 65 years

OUTFIELD – The first wolf confirmed in western Oregon in 65 years has been roaming Douglas County for a week as wildlife officials track its exploration in the high Cascades by satellite.

The 2-year-old collared male, dubbed OR-7, has been staying mostly in the Umpqua National Forest’s Oregon Cascades Recreation Area, which is sparsely crisscrossed with old logging roads.

Medford Mail-Tribune

Cabela’s profit up after stoppage

RETAILING – Outdoor equipment store Cabela’s fiscal third-quarter profit rose 65 percent in the period, propelled by the elimination of an unprofitable store promotion and the strong performance of what the company calls its “next-generation” stores.

The Sidney, Neb.-based company, which operates a store in Post Falls, earned $35.6 million in the quarter, up from $21.6 million in the third quarter of 2010.

CEO Tommy Millner said the elimination of a store promotion that offered customers a $150 discount on a $500 purchase helped to significantly increase its merchandise gross margins.

Millner said sales of firearms, ammunition, power sports, fishing gear and men’s apparel were strong, while weaker for optics, archery, tree stands and hunting equipment.

One analyst asked Millner what effect slower firearm and ammunition sales might have on the business. Millner said he thought that was going to happen five years ago, but sales remain strong. The company expects that trend to continue next year because it’s an election year.

McClatchy-Tribune

Cantwell wants test for virus

FISHERIES — U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is calling on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to independently confirm the presence of a deadly virus found in two Pacific salmon in British Columbia.

Canadian researchers recently announced they detected infectious salmon anemia disease in two juvenile sockeye salmon for the first time on the West Coast. Canadian government officials are awaiting tests to confirm the results. The virus has caused losses at fish farms in Chile and elsewhere.

Associated Press

Audubon clubs cover wide range

CRITTERS – Area Audubon Society Chapters are showing their diversity with free programs this week:

Tuesday – Amphibians of North Idaho, program by Colleen Trese of McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area, 7 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Rd., in Coeur d’Alene.

Wednesday – Southern Africa wildlife, program by photographer Bob Griffith, 7 p.m., Riverview Retirement Community, Village Community Building, 2117 E. North Crescent Ave., in Spokane.

Rich Landers

Locals selling moose raffle tag

HUNTING – Tickets for Washington’s 2012 moose raffle tag went on sale Tuesday. The $10 tickets are a good deal, and they make a good gift for a big-game hunter.

The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council is selling the tickets on behalf of the Washington Department of Wildlife. For its efforts, the council gets 10 percent of the sales to apply to the group’s wildlife conservation efforts.

The state agency earmarks the rest of the money for moose management.

The tag, available to residents and nonresidents, is good next year for Eastern Washington’s Region 1, the state’s hotbed for moose.

The tag is valid for any open moose unit, with any legal weapon for the Sept. 1-Dec. 31 season.

The hunter will be allowed to kill one moose of either sex.

Tickets may be purchased by phone, (509) 487-8552, or at the INWC office, 6116 N. Market. A maximum of 3,000 tickets will be sold.

The drawing will be held July 1.

Rich Landers