PADDLING -- Spokane paddler and guidebook author Dan Hansen couldn't find a scouting report for a stretch of Hangman Creek at high water, so he set out by foot on Sunday to find out for himself. Hansen hiked the 10-mile stretch from the Qualchan Historical…
WILDLIFE -- Idaho Fish and Game Department researchers used bait and a motion-activated remote camera to photograph the fisher shown above. Seeing these critters in the Inland Northwest is very rare without taking such lengthy measures. These large, quick members of the weasel family are…
CLIMATE CHANGE-- Last year was a climatological wonder, with figures indicating that 2010 was not only the wettest since record keeping began in 1860, but the year also tied with 2005 for the hottest, according to a story in The New York Times.
WILDLIFE -- While some ground-dwelling creatures snoose away the winter, others are up for everything from hunting to major construction projects. Badgers, the middle linebackers of the weasel family, aren't timid about winter when bare ground is available. Badgers normally eat ground squirrels, gophers and…
WINTER SPORTS -- Anyone winter snow traveler who sees avalanche activity in North Idaho or the adjoining areas of Washington and Montana can boost the safety of other snowgoers by reporting their observations to the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint. "We would appreciate hearing…
SURVIVAL -- It's been a rough week on the Outdoors beat, but I'm still holding my head high. How about you? Remember, the snow slopes are unstable as we head into the weekend. The ice is weakening on the lakes and the rivers are surging…
OUTDOOR ETHICS -- During a public meeting Tuesday in Spokane attended mostly by hunters and anglers, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department Director Phil Anderson was asked why the state isn't more aggressive about killing wolves. Anderson explained the recent federal court ruling that returned the…
WATERFOWLING -- A friend told me today that his fingers were cramping shut after plucking waterfowl from a productive hunt. Been there, done that. Nowadays I tend to breast-out most of my waterfowl. A fun way to use duck legs is in the blind itself.…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved an expanded permit program for state wildlife areas starting January 2012. The program will require either a $7 daily parking permit or a $22 annual permit, and will be phased in over three years…
WILDLIFE -- The Yellowstone National Park elk herd, the most observed and photographed elk in the country, declined by an astonishing 24 percent in December. The annual aerial survey counted 4,635 elk last month, compared to 6,070 elk counted at the same time last year.…
FISHING -- Out of Montana comes a rare story of a youngster whose life revolves around something as age-old as fishing. Joe Hagengruber, a 10-year-old from Helena -- an angler who lets his fishing rod do most of the talking --means every word when he…
PUBLIC LANDS --Conservation got an edge in management considerations on a portion of western Bureau of Land Management areas under an order signed late last year by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Salazar's order clarifies that the Bureau of Land Management should treat conservation as a…
The boat, RV and sportsmen’s show season is under way, giving outdoor enthusiasts a chance to see the latest products from manufacturers and learn sporting techniques at seminars. Two notable shows won’t be in area the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area lineup this year: The Outdoor Sports…
FLY FISHING -- Jeff Mayor knows the advantages of fishing with guides, especially in a drift boat on unfamiliar stretches of river. But he and two buddies had a great time recently fishing on their own in a rented drift boat on the Yakima River.…
PADDLING -- The rain-on-snow event that's making Inland Northwest roads and landscapes a mess is an opportunity to behold for paddlers and rafters. E-mails were buzzing today with the possibility of a rare opportunity this weekend to run boatable flows down Hangman Creek and the…
WINTER SPORTS -- The Idaho Panhandle National Forests has issued a warning that avalanche danger is rated as high in many areas as a storm and changing weather conditions engulf the Inland Northwest. Mountain visitors are urged to check weather and avalanche reports, and use…
PUBLIC LANDS -- National parks will be waiving entrance fees this weekend as an incentive for families to enjoy the outdoors and national heritage. The parks will be waiving fees for a total of 17 days in 2011, including National Park Week (April 16-24), the…
OUTDOORS TV -- "Sarah Palin's Alaska" concluded Sunday with the final episode of the eight-part documentary series showing the former governor and her family having assorted adventures in their home state. The show appeared ripe for a second season on the TLC channel after attracting…
NORDIC SKIING -- You don't have to leave North America to participate in one of the longest, toughest nordic skiing events on the planet, but it might help to brush up on your French. The annual Canadian Ski Marathon involves skiing 100 miles over two…
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- Washington Fish and Wildlfie Department Director Phil Anderson is scheduled to discuss legislative proposals for budget cuts and agency mergers during a public meeting tonight starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, 6116 N. Market in Spokane. Deputy Director…
WILDLIFE -- Hawks aren't fond of competition in their territory, as we see in this photo of a bird attacking a hawk-shaped during the International Kite Festival in Ahmadabad, India, on Monday. Kite-flyers from 36 countries are participating in the festival. No word on how…
FISHING -- If you haven't heard about how good the fishing has been the past two months at Lake Roosevelt, you're probably not an angler. Here's today's report from Spokane Valley angler Jim Kujala, who has a boat but decided to cut costs and hassle…
WINTER SPORTS -- The 37th annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival is adding some horsepower to its 37th annual event, which runs Wednesday through Sunday between venues from Sandpoint to Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Skijoring -- horses towing skeirs on a loop track and over jumps will debut…
FLY FISHING -- Winter is prime time to learn fundamentals of fly fishing before the spring waters warm and the bite is on. Here are two local opportunities: Jan. 24-25, Begining Fly Tying Course at Silver Bow Fly Shop: Learn to tie six reliable fly…
NORDIC SKIING -- Two great ways to meet up with the area's cross-country skiing community are coming up: Snow Ball Potluck and Moonlight Ski Tour, Jan. 15, starting at 5 p.m. at Selkirk Lodge on Mount Spokane. Bring potluck item and headlamp for the skiing,…
