WATERSPORTS -- The Spokane River has opened to recreation from the Spokane Street Bridge downstream to the boater safety cables above the Post Falls Dam. River flows have dropped sufficiently to allow all of the spillway gates at the hydroelectric facility to be closed, Avista…
BOATING -- The level of Lake Roosevelt is likely to fluctuate in the 1,248-1,252 feet elevation range through the end of May, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says. That could keep Memorial Day weekend boaters and campers on their toes, especially if they're beach camping....
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The annual pleas are coming from Idaho, Washington and Montana fish and wildlife agencies as birds and big-game animals are bringing of this year's crop of offspring. "IF YOU CARE, LEAVE THEM THERE," says the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department for...
WILDLIFE -- Cass Davis of Latah County discovered last weekend what he believes are three specimens of the extremely rare giant Palouse Earthworm on Paradise Ridge south of Moscow, according to the Friends of the Clearwater. Paradise Ridge is a long, narrow rise with remnants...
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- "They are pretty misunderstood creatures – honestly they will do almost anything to not bite someone." That's the up-close observation of Montana outdoor photographer Jaime Johnson, who's been spending some quality time with rattlesnakes lately. He and his wife, Lisa, have been...
FISHING -- Fishing is a time-tested, generations-approved way to have quality time with kids. But keep it cool. Going fishing is a way to get away from the pressure kids feel in mainstream sports and school. Idaho Fish and Game staffers have assembled some kid-fishing...
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness are launching another ambitious season of guided hikes, outings, trail work -- along with gentle advocacy for securing wilderness designation for a little piece of heaven northeast of Lake Pend Oreille. The group's newsletter, Peak...
HUNTING DOGS -- A rattlesnake aversion clinic for dogs is being offered June 26 in Lewiston by California-based Natural Solutions. The clinic is being promoted by Lewiston-area resident Shelly DeAtley, who lost her dog to a rattlesnake bite two years ago. "This is the second...
WILDLIFE -- Prescribed burning, noxious weed treatments, forest restoration and big-game related research will get a boost in Washington this year from grants awarded by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The Missoula-based group has announced it has designated $212,692 to help it's partners fund 15…
HUNTING -- The clock is ticking for hunters hoping to fulfill their dreams in special fall hunts: Permit application deadlines are coming up. In Idaho, April 30 was the deadline to apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts. In Montana, March 31...
WATERSPORTS -- With their small, comfortable size, inflatable life jackets make it easy and convenient for boater to wear a PFD while on or around the water. But these self-inflating vests require a little preparation for the season that’s best done at least a day...
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Avery office on the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is opening Monday, May 18 after being closed for the winter. The office has a range of information and resources available for visitors. The office is along…
PRIMITIVE SKILLS -- The third annual Between the Rivers Gathering, an extended ancestral living skills workshop geared for families, is returning May 26-30 in Valley, Wash., north of Spokane, sponsored by the nonprofit group Bridges to the Past. What: Hands-on primitive skills instruction, from Upper...
MOUNTAINEERING -- A massive avalanche and the potential for more of the same forced to Idaho climbers to call for a helicopter rescue this week as they aborted their attempt to climb and Alaska mountain. Following is the story from the Fairbanks News-Miner: Idaho climbers…
WILDLIFE -- Here's the latest news on a lowland grizzly in Pend Oreille County, from Northwest Sportsman magazine: Wildlife managers are keeping tabs on a grizzly that’s wandering in Pend Oreille County’s lowlands and so far isn’t causing any problems. Observed in recent weeks near...
PARKS -- Glacier National Park plowing crews are weeks ahead of last year in their annual effort to clear snow off the Going to the Sun road over Logan Pass. The snowpack is significantly less this year, but it's too soon to plan an opening…
FALCONRY -- Just how sharp are an eagle's eyes? Good enough to find a rabbit in range land, for sure. But could an eagle pick out a single human standing on a red carpet in a major city? Check out this video captured by a…
SHELLFISHING -- Digging will remain closed on ocean beaches for the remainder of the razor clam season because of elevated toxin levels, state shellfish managers announced today. The closure to protect public health ends one of the best razor clam seasons in decades. The Washington…
FISHING -- A northern pike monitoring project on Idaho Panhandle waters helps biologists work to strike a balance between the species popularity with anglers as well as the toothy predator's potential to impact other fish species if its numbers are not kept in balance. Fish...
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- In case you've developed some optimism over man's ability to live within the means of Planet Earth, here's some recent insight on our impacts to wildlife. Researchers warn that B.C.'s woodland caribou headed for extinction The five herds of woodland caribou in…
HUNTING -- Prospective hunters who have completed online hunter education coursework can complete field skills requirements at the Hunter Education Jamboree June 6-7 in Yakima. This is an event worth looking into regardless of where you live in the state since scheduling the required field…
HUNTING -- An Oregon bill banning the use of drones in hunting is on Gov. Kate Brown’s desk. The state Senate backed the bill unanimously last week after the House approved it last month without opposition. Sporting groups that requested the bill say using drones...
HABITAT -- Higher prices for farm products in recent years resulted in acreage coming out of the federal Conservation Reserve Program and going under the plow. CRP acreage has produced a tremendous amount of habitat for upland birds, deer and other wildlife since its inception....
FISHING -- A section of the lower Clearwater River will close to salmon fishing at the end of fishing hours (8:30 p.m.) on Sunday, May 17, the Idaho Fish and Game Department has announced. The Clearwater River will close to harvest of chinook from the...
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.