THREATENED SPECIES — The government is preparing insufficient protections for a ground-dwelling bird that has declined significantly over the past century and soon will face a possible endangered species listing, according to 11 biologists who have studied the greater sage grouse. Federal agencies have abandoned…
FISHING -- A two-day Salmon University, March 21-22 in Kent, Wash., could improve your saltwater fishing savvy by a degree or two. Northwest fishing experts are assembling for the ninth year to teach sessions on regional destinations and fishing techniques for salmon and bottomfish. "The...
WILDLIFE -- Opponents to a major ski resort being planned for the Purcell Mountains near Invermere, British Columbia, are emphasizing that their wilderness and wildlife aren't the only resources threatened. Jumbo Glacier Resort also threatens grizzly bears in the United States, researchers say. See the…
WILDLIFE -- Here's a free birding program that might be of interest to folks in the Moscow-Pullman area: Wednesday, March 18, 7:30pm: “Birding and botanizing trip to Nome, Alaska, June 2014.” Naturalists Jerry Cebula and Sarah Walker will share the sights of their 250 mile…
WILDLIFE DISEASES -- Thousands of migrating snow geese have died in southeastern Idaho, apparently from avian cholera. The carcasses of about 2,000 migrating snow geese were collected this weekend by Idaho Fish and Game Department workers. The birds died while stopping at Mud Lake and…
HUNTING -- Restrictions on using bait and other possible changes to hunting rules and seasons will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday and Saturday in Moses Lake. Public comments will be taken on proposed changes to state hunting rules for deer,...
WATERSPORTS -- Boating facilities at Dworshak Reservoir are starting to open for the season, with houseboat moorage notably absent from recent years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says. Smallmouth bass anglers are likely to be the first to zero in on the lake this...
WILDLIFE -- An update on North Idaho big-game aerial surveys will be presented by Wayne Wakkinen, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional wildlife manager during the monthly public sportsman's breakfast meeting starting 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, Lake City Center, 1916 N. Lakewood Dr. in...
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- A blizzard of wings -- snow geese with their white bodies and black wingtips -- darkens the sky above Montana outdoor photographer Jaime Johnson recently as the spring migrations storm through the region.
OUTDOOR TRAVEL -- A low snowpack in the Cascades Mountains could mean an early opening for the North Cascades Highway this year. The Department of Transportation says it will begin clearing snow from State Route 20 this week and hopes to reopen the highway in...
FISHERIES -- A documentary film about the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon is debuting next week at screenings from Helena to Coeur d'Alene. The sturgeon, an ancient fish species, has been imperiled by operations of Libby Dam. From the filmmakers: Ten thousand years ago Kootenai…
WILDLIFE -- Several of the wolf-related bills introduced in the 2015 Washington Legislature are still alive. Here's an update from the Wenatchee World: OLYMPIA -- State lawmakers in both the house and senate passed bills dealing with wolves that are sponsored by Republicans from northeastern...
TRAILS -- Two outdoor groups will give a program Monday, March 16, about their plans for organizing volunteers to build and maintain trails in the region this summer. The public is invited. The Spokane Mountaineers and Washington Trails Association program will begin at 7 p.m.…
WINTER SPORTS -- Where can a backcountry skier or split-boarder be fulfilled in a grim snow year like this? A heli-in British Columbia backcountry lodge a few hours north of Spokane -- Boulder Hut Adventures -- operated by a family from Sandpoint has the answer.…
TRAILS -- Andy Davidhazy hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2013 and 2014 and snapped a selfie every mile to document the route. He's compiled the images into a four-minute time-lapse video (below) that flies viewers ground-level from Mexico through Callifornia, Oregon and Washington...
PUBLIC LANDS — Environmental groups cited threats to elk habitat in a lawsuit -- and a federal federal judge was persuaded this week, ruling that the Clearwater National Forest Travel Management Plan plan must be reworked. He said it violates national environmental laws. U.S. District…
OUTDOOR SHOWS -- Big-game horns and antlers once again will be a featured attraction at the annual Big Horn Outdoor Recreation Show March 19-22 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. Trophies can be entered for official scoring and display in the Trophy Territory hall....
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Colville National Forest is temporarily closing the Sullivan Lake area's Mill Pond Historic site at trails to public access while contractors are in the area with heavy equipment. Seattle City Light is setting up drilling equipment and doing core samples for…
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- The first Karelian bear dog used to help manage conflicts with bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife in Washington state is retiring after 12 years of service. Mishka, enlisted for duty by a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist in 2003,...
FISHING -- Eastern Washington anglers have a chance to get details about salmon fishing season setting at two public meetings next week. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled meetings starting at 6 a.m.: Tuesday, March 24, in Clarkston at Walla Walla Community…
HIKING -- The Mineral Ridge Scenic Area off the northeast portion of Lake Coeur d'Alene, including the popular Mineral Ridge Trail, will be temporarily closed next week for hazardous tree removal, U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials say. The Beauty Bay-area closure is scheduled for...
WILDLIFE -- Bears are on the move early this year, lured from their winter dens by unseasonably warm weather. Bear activity has been reported in recent weeks from the Washington Coast east to Yellowstone National Park. "Black bears usually start making appearances in mid-to-late April,…
FISHING -- Washington steelhead angler Rick Itami was so impressed with the routine action's of an Idaho Fish and Game Department conservation officer, he was moved to write this report to share his respect. I wanted to share a positive experience I had with...
FISHING -- There will be a notable gap in the Grant County lakes that open to trout fishing on April 1. Anglers will have to wait until next year to harvest catchable-size trout at five Columbia Basin lakes that were rehabilitated last fall to remove...
PUBLIC LANDS -- Enforcement of laws that protect public lands and resources is taking another blow. Region 1 of USFS to lose 15 law enforcement jobs The U.S. Forest Service's Region 1, which covers all of Montana, North Idaho and parts of South Dakota, has…
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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