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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog archive for Jan. 2011

MONDAY, JAN. 24, 2011

Sportsmen-related bills entered in Olympia

OLYMPIA -- Here' s a sampling of legislation of interest to sportsmen that's been introduced in the Washington Legislature and is up for major public hearings. It's a version reduced from a list being watched by the Fishing and Hunting Natural Resources Forum. SB 5201…

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A sub-zero air temperature produces fog around waterfowl huddled on a pond at sunrise.  (Associated Press)

Let winter get you down

WATERFOWL -- These ducks are offering their free services as models to promote the effective qualities of down insulation as they hang out comfortably on the ice in below-zero conditions. Down is the lightest most compressible and efficient natural insulator for cold weather clothing. But…

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SUNDAY, JAN. 23, 2011

Ice shrouded everything on top of Star Peak northeast of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, when a Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness arrived on a snowshoeing day trip Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (Andrew Kraus)

Snowshoers making tracks this weekend 

WINTER SPORTS -- This has been a glorious and brilliant weekend for exploring the winter outdoors in the Inland Northwest, especially for snowshoers who absorb it all at a quiet pace that seems in step with the season. Ice shrouded everything on top of Star…

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David Thompson detailed in Nisbet talk

ADVENTURE -- Historian and author Jack Nisbet of Spokane will give a slide presentation on "David Thompson among the Kalispel" this month in the cultural heart of the tribe's reservation. Although the Lewis and Clark Expedition had garnered much of the publicity a few years…

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SATURDAY, JAN. 22, 2011

Spokane River Water Trail discussed

RIVERS -- Andy Dunau, Executive Director of the Spokane River Forum, will discuss the effort to develop the recreation potential of the Spokane River Water Trail in a meeting with the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club Monday, 7 p.m., at the Corbin Community Center, 827…

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FRIDAY, JAN. 21, 2011

WA wolf bills panned or 'awfulness'

WILDLIFE LEGISLATION -- A spokeswoman for an organization working on wolf, wildlife and wildland issues in Washington is panning a trio of Canis lupus-related bills introduced in Olympia last week, according to a report by Northwest Sportsman magazine. “They are spectacular in their awfulness and…

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Ladies took advantage of free snowshoe rentals -- and sunshine -- today during the Women's Souper Bowl fundraiser at Mount Spokane State Park. (Rich Landers)

Women's Souper Bowl at Mount Spokane

WINTER SPORTS -- Women and girls can earn an advantage in winning prizes by signing up early for the 6th Annual Women's Souper’ Bowl snowshoe and cross-country Ski event at Mount Spokane. Use the handy new online registration option. The event runs 10 a.m.-1 p.m.…

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Ski area rewards rainy-day patrons

WINTER SPORTS -- Mount Baker Ski Area took a beating over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend as rain pounded the ski area during a weekend that's critical in a resort's bottom line. How did the ski area respond to the hardy skiers who showed…

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Runners, photogs top grizzly targets

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS -- Runners are gaining ground on wildlife photographers as the most likely people to be mauled by a grizzly bear in the Northern Rockies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s grizzly bear recovery coordinator says long-distance trail runners are approaching photographers as the…

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Highest tide of year on Washington Coast

BEACHCOMBING -- Washington beaches will see the highest tides of the year this weekend, peaking at 7:28 a.m. Sunday. Unfortunately, the peak comes a bit late for the razor clamming season that runs today and Saturday. The National Weather Service says the tide will measure…

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Avalanche danger 'considerable' in many areas

WINTER S PORTS -- The avalanche advisory issued by the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center this morning warns of "considerable" danger on many areas of the Inland Northwest. Avalanche conditions for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest are rated as Considerable on wind loaded aspects above 5000…

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Hunting, fishing fee increase bill introduced

OLYLMPIA -- Legislation was introduced Thursday for the first across-the-board increase in Washington hunting and fishing license fees in 14 years, according to a report by Allen Thomas of the Vancouver Columbian. House Bill 1387 would result in an increase in revenue from hunting licenses…

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Surfers catch a massive wave, at Waimea Bay on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 on Oahu, Hawaii North Shore. Organizers of the big wave surfing contest known as "The Eddie" say Waimea Bay's aren't consistently large enough to hold the event. The contest in memory of legendary Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau is only held when waves are at least 20 feet. It's only been put on eight times since it was founded in 1984.  (Jamm Aquino / Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Big occasion for surfers in Hawaii

WATER SPORTS -- The waves are rising to the occasion of an almost-annual event in Hawaii. Surfers are catching massive waves this week on Oahu's North Shore. Organizers of the big wave surfing contest known as "The Eddie" say Waimea Bay's waves aren't consistently large…

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THURSDAY, JAN. 20, 2011


Kokanee at Lake Coeur d'Alene should reach a healthy 12 inches this year.
 (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)

Gear up for CdA kokanee fishing

FISHING -- Take it from the record number of bald eagles that gathered to feast on spawning salmon this winter: The kokanee have made a comeback at Lake Coeur d'Alene. The turn-around has been dramatic, Idaho Fish and Game fisheries biologists say in a just-released…

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DNR warns of moth outbreak in area trees

FORESTS -- Inland Northwest landowners with woodlots are being warned to watch for signs of a tree-damaging caterpillar outbreak that's already affected at least 570 acres in eastern Spokane County and 8,500 acrees in North Idaho. Defoliation from the Douglas-fir tussock moth was found in…

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Avalanche workshops for all snowgoers

WINTER SPORTS -- The next free avalanche workshop in Sandpoint for all snowgoers is set for Feb. 9. The topic to be tackled by the team from the Forest Service technicians at the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center: "What we can learn from 10 years of…

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2011

Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow!

RIVERS -- The huge runoff from recent thaw has prompted Avista Utilities to open all of its spill gats at Post Falls Dam, the utility announced moments ago. In response to rising Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe River flows and Coeur d’Alene Lake levels, the…

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Dogs killing deer is not a new problem in the Inland Northwest. Packs of two or more dogs roaming freely can take advantage of deer in deep snow or crusty snow that makes running difficult for hooved animals. Even house pets can revert to deadly predatory instincts when allowed to roam around deer that struggle to survive during winter. This deer was dragged down in a harrowing few minutes as at least three dogs bit chunks of flesh from its body before it finally succumbed. The 2004 incident prompted a story in The Spokesman-Review following a tip from a resident. (Rich Landers)

Wintering deer harassed by dogs 

WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT -- Washington Fish and Wildlife Deparment agents in the Spokane Region spent an unusually large amount of time last week responding to complaints about free-roaming dogs harassing deer. At least five incidents showed up on the department's weekly report on enforcement officer activity.…

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TUESDAY, JAN. 18, 2011


Bill to extend hound hunting heard

LEGISLATING WILDLIFE – Washington lawmakers heard a mixed bag of testimony at a hearing today on continuing the pilot program that allows the use of hounds for hunting cougars. HB 1124 seeks to extend the program in a portion of Klickitat County as well as…

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Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.




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