Out & About: Smith River floaters must be bear aware
OUTCAMP – After destroying a shocking number of bears habituated to camping food along the Smith River in recent years, Montana and federal officials finally are requiring floaters to be bear aware.
Before launching, Smith River floaters will be required to prove they can keep from luring bears into their camps with food.
Boaters who hope to float and fish the regulated 59-mile stretch of the central Montana stream this season have until Feb. 18 to apply to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department for one of the coveted permits for the spring-summer season.
About 8,000 people submitted applications for permits last year, and 1,000 were successful.
Starting this season, floaters must bring bear-resistant coolers, use portable electric fencing or hang their food out of reach of bears and other scavengers at the river campgrounds managed by the state and U.S. Forest Service.
No bear-resistant lockers or hanging posts have been installed at the designated campsites, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials that manage the river recreation.
“We don’t want people showing up with a rope and saying, ‘I’m going to hang a 70-pound cooler,’ ” Smith River State Park manager Colin Maas told the Missoulian. “The responsibility is on the public to come prepared with proper food storage options.”
Few trees are available at campsites to effectively hand heavy gear, he said.
Some stores in Montana are beginning to rent bear-resistant story containers.
In 2013 through 2014, eight black bears were killed along the Smith River corridor because of conflicts with people floating the river.
Photo contest on
at Turnbull Refuge
OUTFOCUS – Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge has announced a contest seeking photos from amateur photographers showcasing the wildlife and habitats found on the refuge.
Photos must be made from Nov. 1, 2015, through Oct. 31, 2016.
The winning photo will be featured on the face of the 2017 annual refuge pass.
Rules and other info are online: fws.gov/refuge/turnbull.
Outdoor programs
feature birds, parks
OUTTHERE – Outdoors-related free programs of note this week include:
Indomitable Hellcat – Program on Rosalie Edge and the Founding of Hawk Mountain Raptor Sanctuary for Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society, 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 Ramsey Rd.
Riverside State Park: Spokane’s Backyard Jewel, by local birder Kim Thorburn for the Spokane Audubon Society, 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Riverview Retirement Community Building, 2117 E. North Crescent Ave.
Find Your Park: Mount Spokane – An introduction to recreation at the most diverse four-season state park in Washington, 7 p.m. Thursday at REI, 1125 N. Monroe St.
Snowshoeing Basics – Sign-up for 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. sessions set for Wednesday at REI.
Heads up: Registration for a Pacific Crest Trail Basics hiking program set for last week filled so quickly that REI scheduled another program on Feb. 24.
The teacher for the PCT class is a “Triple Crowner” who’s hiked the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide and Appalachian Trails. “This guy KNOWS about long-distance hiking,” said Carol Christensen, REI outreach specialist.
Register for REI programs at rei.com/stores/spokane.