Field reports: June fishing clinic geared to adults

FISHING – Sign-ups are under way for 30 openings in a two-session basic fishing clinic for adults who haven’t been introduced to the sport.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department and the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council are teaming to teach non-fishers age 16 or older. The clinic entails a June 7 evening session and a session at an area lake on June 9, which is free fishing weekend in Washington – no fishing license required.

Sign up: 892-1001 or email teamspokane@dfw.wa.gov.

Free-roaming bison discussed in Missoula

WILDLIFE – Planning for long-term management of bison as a wildlife species – which may include hunting down the road – will kick off Monday in Missoula with a public meeting organized by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the Downtown Holiday Inn.

Putting bison back on more of the Montana landscape would restore the last existing link to the wildlife mix at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

But landowners in particular are wary about disease, fences and forage.

Turnbull festival brings all together

REFUGES – Floods, Flowers and Feathers is the theme for a new festival at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge featuring Ice Age Floods that shaped the land along with the flora and fauna that flourish in this scablands habitat.

The free festival, set for Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., includes bird banding, nature walks with birders and native plant experts, examining reptiles and learning to track elk with telemetry.

Sign up: 235-4723.

Motor vehicle collisions killing bighorn sheep

WILDLIFE – Montana officials are discussing ways to reduce the number of bighorn sheep killed on Montana Highway 200 between Thompson Falls and Plains.

From 2008 to 2012, 50 ewes and 60 rams were killed by collisions, with 107 of those deaths on the highway. Three were struck by trains. The herd appears to have declined by more than 50 percent.

The state has tried installing flashing caution signs and electronic reader boards to get drivers to slow down and have used strategically placed salt blocks to try to lure sheep away from the road, to little effect.

Rifle marksmanship taught at Fernan club

OUTSHOOT – Project Appleseed ( appleseedusa.org) has scheduled a rifle marksmanship clinic at Fernan Rod and Gun Club on May 19-20.

Participants will learn the “six steps of firing a shot” and “natural point of aim,” among other techniques.

Project organizers also tell a few stories of how our country was born, on April 19, 1775. 

General cost, $70; women, $10; under 21 youths, $5; active duty military, peace officers, elected officials and disabled, free.

Preregister: (208) 819-0866 or email ID@appleseedinfo.org

Fly-fishing gear swap

FISHING – Buy or sell gear at the annual Fly Fishing Gear Swap May 19-20 at Silver Bow Fly Shop, 13210 E. Indiana.

Info: 924-9998.