Thu., July 27, 2017
CARNIVORES -- Wolves have posed little threat to humans as they recover in their native range of the Northern Rockies, but they are known to be aggressive toward dogs that enter their territory. What could have been a tense encounter recently with two wolves during...
Mon., March 27, 2017
HUNTING DOGS -- Ranger, my Brittany pup, appears to be one of those slow learners when it comes to porcupines. The photos show his first encounter two weeks ago and his second encounter on Saturday. The first amounted to one quill that I pulled out...
Mon., March 20, 2017
HIKING -- Only a few snow patches persist. The scablands are soggy after a record winter for precipitation. Potholes and seasonal wetlands are brimming with water, inviting waterfowl by the thousands. Wildflowers are sprouting by the millions. Happy spring.
Thu., March 9, 2017
HIKING -- Feedback to my story about issues with off-leash dogs in Spokane-area parks and conservation areas is running the gamut. Former Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard says he started carrying a weapon while hiking with his dogs after a terrifying incident with three loose...
Tue., Feb. 21, 2017
DOGS -- The size of the dog isn't important in the K-9 Keg Pull event of the Sandpoint Winter Carnival. It's all about desire and pleasing the crowd. The 10th annual K-9 Keg Pull will run dogs in three categories from 10 a.m. to noon...
Fri., Jan. 27, 2017
PARKS -- Salem, Oregon’s capital, has hired a park ranger with the authority to ticket dog owners who violate the city’s leash law. Ranger Mike Zieker will patrol Salem’s parks in search of unleashed canines, the Statesman Journal reports. He started this month but is...
Mon., Jan. 23, 2017
WINTERSPORTS – A clinic on skijoring – nordic skiing behind a dog – is scheduled for 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. next Sunday, Jan. 29, at Mount Spokane State Park sponsored by Spokane Nordic. The sport is a hoot and great exercise for the dogs, as I...
Sun., Jan. 15, 2017
HUNTING -- Washington's upland bird hunting seasons are winding down, and I've been in the field in less than ideal conditions to end the first chapter in the bird-dogging life of my 10-month old Brittany pup, Ranger. He hasn't been perfect, but then neither have...
Tue., Dec. 27, 2016
WINTERSPORTS -- A Spokane nordic skier and his dogs have qualified for the big-leagues of skijoring. Team Hanks -- Louie (Australian shepherd), Lucky (border collie), Mountie (greyster) and Dan Hanks (human) have qualified to compete in the 2017 International Federation of Sleddog Sports World Championships...
Tue., Oct. 11, 2016
TRAILS -- Bicycling author and advocate Willie Weir of Seattle will present a program on the role an Eastern Washington rail trail played in relationship with his fearful dog, Tiva, at 7 p.m. onThursday, Oct. 13, at Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield Ave....
Fri., Oct. 7, 2016
WILDLIFE -- Black bears have been reported on the popular South Hill bluff trails today. After receiving two calls, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department police officer Mike Sprecher responded and said it looked as though two bears, an adult bear and a younger bear, had...
Sat., Sept. 10, 2016
FISHING -- Ranger, my six-month-old Brittany pup, enjoyed his first full day of fly fishing at Cutthroat Creek. Trip report: Bugs were hatching and fish were surface feeding starting around 3 p.m. But having a puppy along on the stream greatly increases a trout's chances...
Wed., June 15, 2016
HUNTING -- How much should we expect out of our bird dogs in return for food, shelter and good times in the field? Seems like the least they could do is take their turn at the wheel rather than loaf in the back seat on...
Tue., June 14, 2016
HUNTING DOGS -- Rattlesnake- aversion clinic for dogs are being offered next week at three towns in the Inland Northwest by California- based Natural Solutions. Some slots are still open for sign-ups The clinic in Lewiston has been promoted each year by Shelly DeAtley, who...
Wed., May 18, 2016
OUTDOOR DOGS -- I've had moments of feeling sorry for myself when my bird dog lost a couple of booties while hunting in cold snowy weather. But I'm humbled in the perspective of Alaska mushers with 16-dog teams running the 1,400-mile Iditarod trail. Here's the...
Fri., May 6, 2016
WILDLIFE -- A pet-friendly 5K fun run/walk will be held in Spokane Valley on Saturday morning, May 7, to give the public a chance to meet a lovable working dog while supporting the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department's Karelian Bear Dog program. The run/walk will...
Tue., May 3, 2016
DOGS -- Ticks have been known to go where the sun don't shine, but this is a first in my book. Check your dog -- thoroughly.
Thu., April 28, 2016
DOGS -- I've had some close calls in falling among forest downfall and having sharp broken branches nick my skin. I've recognized the potential for me to be impaled in a fall while hunting or hiking, as well as the danger to my dog while...
Mon., March 28, 2016
PUBLIC LANDS -- I was exploring old, new and developing trails on the BLM's Fishtrap area on Saturday. The scablands are very wet and waterfowl are in every puddle. I came over one basalt outcropping and found a garden of buttercups. Seemed as though the...
Fri., March 11, 2016
HUNTING DOGS -- My quail, pheasant and chukar hunting future is in the photo above -- preceded by some sleepless nights, chewed boots and loads of fun and training.
Sun., March 6, 2016
HUNTING -- Bird dogs love getting out -- even in rainy weather -- regardless of YOUR training schedule. Only five more months before grouse season opens. Are you two ready? Here's why you should be thinking about training now.
Fri., Feb. 5, 2016
INVASIVES -- Even though I've already written about dogs being used for a variety of useful purposes, such as for search and rescue, for hunting and even for sniffing out wolf poop for research and management, it's clear we're far from tapping all the possible...
Fri., Jan. 29, 2016
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- A northeastern Washington wolf pack is under scrutiny after rural residents fired shots to scare at least five wolves away from a confrontation with their two dogs. "We’re taking this incident very seriously," said Donny Martorello, who heads the Washington Fish and...
Fri., Dec. 18, 2015
HUNTING -- I'll be tagging along behind the nose of a good bird dog. Good luck!
Wed., Dec. 2, 2015
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Was it a wolf or a dog? The question regarding the canine killed by a vehicle along U.S. 2 on Tuesday was answered in a definitive way today. The owners of the dog came to claim its carcass at the Spokane County...
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
