HIKING -- Wildfires blocking popular trails into the Glacier Peak Wilderness are a reminder for backcountry travelers to check with the Forest Service for access updates before heading out for the Labor Day holiday weekend. The Buck Creek fire on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has…
HUNTING -- The 2016 big-game hunting seasons have a lot to offer in the Idaho Panhandle, according to this promising report from Wayne Wakkinen, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional wildlife manager. The mild winter resulted in high over-winter survival of big game. We are…
HUNTING -- Montana Wildlife officials have approved a hunt to kill 12 chronically diseased bighorn sheep in the Tendoy Mountains. The Montana Standard reports that Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission voted Monday to approve the hunt that would begin Sept. 15. Between six to eight...
THREATENED SPECIES -- Grizzly bear sightings have been confirmed on several occasions this summer in the Upper Big Hole River area — for the first time in about a century, according to a Big Hole Watershed Committee news release. Kevin Frey of Montana Fish, Wildlife...
WILDLIFE -- A bear attack on a huckleberry picker that didn't result in major injuries is giving Glacier National Park officials a chance to promote bear awareness in this season of increased bear activity. A park employee, while off duty picking huckleberries in the Swiftcurrent…
ENVIRONMENT -- A compelling animated map showing the projected flow of mammals, birds and amphibians in the Western Hemisphere as the species gradually respond to climate change has been created by the University of Washington and The Nature Conservancy. Scientists predict that as Earth warms...
HUNTING -- As hunters gear up for big game seasons, the word commitment comes to mind. We all know that sitting quietly in a good spot is the best way to bag a big-game animal in terms making the perfect shot and controlling the element...
HUNTING -- Idaho's hunting season for forest grouse -- dusky, ruffed and spruce grouse -- opens today, but Washington hunters must wait a bit longer. Archery deer and elk seasons, bear, wolf and mountain lion seasons and some moose and other big-game seasons also open...
NATURE -- Lightning took a reindeer herd by storm on Friday. More than 300 wild reindeer have been killed during a thunder storm in central Norway. The Norwegian Environment Agency has released eerie images showing a jumble of reindeer carcasses scattered across a small area…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ Silver Valley Office in Smelterville will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 30, for repairs to the main water line into the building. If you need recreation passes, maps or information, use the Coeur d' Alene or Fernan...
WATERSPORTS -- Porcupine Bay Campground, day-use area, and boat launch reopened this morning by Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area officials after being closed Aug. 22 because of danger posed by wildfire. The popular boat ramp and picnic area at the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt…
PUBLIC LANDS -- Using his executive authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act, President Obama on Friday created the largest ecologically protected area on Earth -- a Pacific Ocean sanctuary so remote few people will travel there; a place with a name that will boggle your...
HUNTING -- An Oct. 14 court date has been set for the wealthy Washington hunter accused of shooting a well-known Ellensburg trophy bull in an area closed to hunting branch-antlered elk. Kittitas County District Court Judge Jim Hurson last week denied a second motion to…
PUBLIC LANDS -- Illegal trails made by motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles have been a problem for decades in Mount Spokane State Park. Ironically, the most persistent motorhead vandals have targeted the remote Ragged Ridge Natural Area Preserve in the southeast portion of the park. State…
HUNTING/FISHING -- Washington has resumed sales of hunting and fishing licenses after customer information was compromised by a hacker last week. The licenses are available as usual from license vendors, although online sales remain shut down at this point. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department's...
PARKS -- Road construction on the Mount Spokane State Park Road is progressing but a bit behind schedule because of delays at the outset. The likely road will be closed to the general public until sometime in October, blocking vehicle access to the roads in…
GROUP TRIPS -- Hiking, paddling and birding in the Panhandle are featured in the 10th annual Summer Adventure Series of group outings led by the Idaho Conservation League. The 10 excursions kick off Saturday with a paddling trip from Sam Owen Campground on Lake Pend...
FISHING/HUNTING -- The recent breach of online hunting-fishing license sales appears to have exposed personal information for more than 2 million Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife customers, officials said today. And Idaho Fish and Game revealed today that personal information for license buyers who...
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- State workers have killed six wolves so far in an effort to eliminate the cattle-killing Profanity Peak Pack in Ferry County, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department reported today. The operation using helicopter gunners north of Sherman Pass will continue, said Donny…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The National Park Service was created 100 years ago on Aug. 25, 1916. While we have coverage of national parks in the Thursday Outdoors section and coming up on Sunday, the emblem every national park ranger wears says a lot about the...
FISHING -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is allowing anglers to fish without a license through Tuesday while the agency’s fishing and hunting license sales system is down. On Wednesday, several states including Washington and Idaho suspended the sale of fishing and hunting...
PUBLIC LANDS -- School's OUT today at one Utah university so students, faculty and staff can immerse in nature and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. More than 100 outing options are available in the SUU Day in the Parks -- and...
HUNTING/FISHING -- Hackers may have obtained personal information about sportsmen who have purchased hunting and fishing licenses in Washington and Idaho. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has temporarily suspended the sale of fishing and hunting licenses while it works with the...
HIKING -- Every hiker can enjoy a dip in a cool stream on a hot day, but remember, fish need cool water more than we do. Building dams out of rocks and logs to form a swimming hole technically is illegal on streams, and the...
FISHING -- Good news and bad news is coming from the Columbia River fish counters this week, says Joe Hymer, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife salmon-steelhead specialist in Vancouver. GOOD: The 44,229 adult fall chinook counted at Bonneville Dam Aug. 1-22 is the 3rd...
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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