Rich Landers

Attention generated by a record-book bighorn ram shot south of Lewiston last fall helped push the winning bid for an Idaho sheep hunting tag to a record at a fund-raising auction. However, Washington's bighorn sheep enhancement program lost tens of thousands of dollars because of publicity about huge trespass fees being charged by several landowners in Asotin County. The Idaho bighorn tag sold for $70,000 to George Harms of Farmington, N.J., during the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep annual convention March 11 in Phoenix.

Wildlife If you have a fascination for bears - from Montana to the arctic - the Great Bear Foundation has a field course that could fulfill your dreams. From May through October, foundation bear experts have scheduled nine courses ranging from six to 14 days. The most exotic trip involves study of polar bears near Churchill, Manitoba, and a boat-based study of brown bears in the fjords of northern British Columbia. Closer to home, the foundation has courses on the bears of Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. Costs for the courses begin at $1,300 and include transportation from the departure point, food, lodging and accompaniment of bear experts. The Great Bear Foundation's annual meeting, which includes two daylong field trips to Yellowstone National Park plus numerous seminars on bears, is set for June 1-4 in Bozeman, Mont. Costs begin at $75 for those who register before April 15. Info: (800) 822-6525.

Snowmobiler trip notes Access: From Priest River, Idaho, drive north 37 miles on state Highway 57 to the parking area at the Nordman Store. Attractions: Riders gain 3,000 feet on this route from Nordman to the high point of 6,500 feet near Mollies Mountain. The trail passes Granite Falls, numerous open play areas, several great views of the Selkirk Mountain range and lofty views of the Upper and main Priest Lake. This route covers a fraction of the nearly 300 miles of snowmobile trails in the Priest Lake area. Comments: Begin on a new section of trail that takes off behind the Nordman store toward Granite Pass. While most snowmobile trails are merely groomed roads, the first three miles of this route follow a formerly abandoned spur road complete with twists, curves, switchbacks and a few steep spots. Fun riding, plus excellent views of the Selkirks as you descend from Nickelplate Mountain.

Camping A backcountry travel seminar for all types of backcountry travelers is scheduled April 29-30 at Kirk's Lodge on Mount Spokane. Although sponsored by the North Idaho Saddle Mule Club, the two-day event has workshops applicable to hikers, snowmobilers, mountain bikers and others who venture into the wilderness. Five two-hour workshops will be presented twice each day. Participants pay $5 for each workshop they desire to take. Topics include wilderness first aid, map and compass, survival skills, minimum impact camping and traveling plus animal packing. Deadline to preregister is April 15. Applications are available at sporting goods stores. Info: 244-5892 or 299-4712.

Hunting If they have the write stuff, Washington hunters ages 11 to 17 have a chance to win an expense-paid trip to a hunter development program in Texas. The Northwest Chapter of Safari Club International has provided funding to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department to sponsor the Hunter Education Essay Contest. The essay topic is "The future of hunting in Washington and the role hunter ethics will play." Essays must be 300-1,500 words. They are due by May 1 at the Hunter Education Department, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia 98501-1091. The contest is open only to graduates of the state's hunter education program. Five student winners will earn the trip to the Y.O. Ranch Apprentice Hunter Program Camp July 1-8. Info: (360) 753-4476.

Tired of woodpeckers perforating the wood siding on your house? Kansas State University researchers have found that banners festooned with Mylar ribbon are fairly effective at deterring flickers and nuthatches, which are aggressively probing for nesting cavities this time of year.

Summaries of most U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs are available on the Internet. For example, the agency's new World Wide Web server "home pages" contains current listings of all endangered and threatened species and recreation info for 500 wildlife refuges.

Organized sportsmen can learn how to file for grants to fund shooting range development at workshops offered by the Washington Interagency for Outdoor Recreation. A free session conducted by officials familiar with funding sources will begin at 6 p.m. March 27 at the Grant County Law & Justice Building in Ephrata. Info: Scott Chapman, (360) 902-3017.

Starting this year, Washington State Parks will take camping reservations at selected parks for a longer season. Last year, reservations were allowed from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This year, the reservations will be accepted from March 31-Sept 30.

Washington hunters have until March 31 to mail applications for special deer, elk, sheep, cougar, goat and moose hunting seasons. This is the first year under the new deadline. In previous years, hunters have been able to procrastinate until midsummer.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Difficult

Nat Brown

Forty years ago, anglers were catching a million Godgiven kokanee a year from Lake Pend Oreille. Last year, despite the efforts of fish hatcheries, the catch had declined to about 150,000. Man's heavy hand on the lake and its tributaries has taken a heavy toll.

Snowmobiler trip notes Access: From the Lake Coeur d'Alene Drive exit off Interstate 90, head northeast to the Idaho Panhandle National Forests' Fernan Ranger District office. Follow Forest Road 108 along Fernan Lake. Actual trailhead varies up and down Fernan Creek Road, depending on snow depth. By March, trailhead almost always is at Fernan Saddle. Attractions: Easy access to a variety of backcountry terrain. Because the route is popular, it's one of the most frequently groomed trails on the Fernan District. Route follows scenic North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, then climbs to a wide open playground at Horse Heaven's abandoned landing strip. From Crooked Ridge, riders can see Montana's Cabinet Mountains on a clear day. Cascade Inn offers food plus limited fuel and overnight accommodations. Comments: Wildlife such as deer, elk and moose occasionally travel the packed trails. Give them time to clear the trail before passing. Making them run stresses their already marginal energy reserves. This is only one route on about 320 miles of groomed trails in the Fernan District. During spring thaws, expect washouts and some bare trail at lower elevations along the river. For updates on grooming and trail conditions, call Specialty Sales in Coeur d'Alene, (208) 667-3571. In addition to a registration sticker from its state, each snowmobile must have a groomer sticker from Kootenai, Shoshone or Bonner County. Stickers cost $5 for Idaho residents; $15 for non-residents. They're available from snowmobile dealers or county vehicle registration offices. Horse Heaven landing strip was constructed during World War II in case the United States needed to retreat and hide its fighter aircraft during a feared Japanese invasion. The strip is so dangerous, however, the FAA has closed it even to small aircraft.

Backpacking Learn about backpacking equipment, camp cooking, navigation skills and where to go in backpacking courses and workshops scheduled in the area this spring. Among them:

"Roughing It Easy," by Dian Thomas (Dian Thomas Co., P.O. Box 171107, Holladay, Utah 84117, $14.99). This classic guide to modern campcraft combines the best of two earlier editions and has updated hints for making camping and cooking safe and enjoyable.

CHECK IT OUT: Distance: 215 miles Difficulty: Easy Driving Time: 5 to 7 hours Season: March Maps: Washington highway maps and DeLorme Washington Atlas and Gazetter. Birdwatching trip notes

A surge of spawners has produced some desperately needed encouragement for kokanee anglers at Lake Pend Oreille. Hatchery crews handled about 70,000 fish to collect 14.8 million eggs at Sullivan Springs and Cabinet Gorge this season, the second-highest egg take ever. The effort should produce about 12 million fry for restocking the lake this summer. Nevertheless, Idaho Fish and Game Department researchers are forecasting record low numbers of kokanee for the 1997 and 1998 spawning seasons. That's bad news for trophy bull trout and rainbows that feed primarily on kokanee.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Moderately difficult Skiing time: 1-3 hours Season: Mid-Nov. through mid-April Maps: Mount Spokane Ski Trails, available at Selkirk Lodge Info: Mount Spokane State Park, 456-4169. SKI TOURING TRIP NOTES Access: Approach Mount Spokane State Park on Day-Mount Spokane Road. Enter park just past Kirk's Lodge and drive about three miles. As road bears left and downhill toward the alpine ski area, turn right into the Sno-Park area. Continue through the first Sno-Park lot to the second large lot. The trail system begins at Selkirk Lodge. Attractions: This route combines the Mount Spokane nordic ski trail system's best scenery and most challenging trails into one grand tour. Best views are on Shadow Mountain and the top of Eagle Crest and the open slope at the base of Brian's Hill. Most challenging hills are on Wild Moose and Eagle Crest, plus a hairpin curve that's worth a whoop heading into Larch. Comments: Even though grooming usually is excellent on these trails, in icy conditions, this tour could be a bit on the hairy side for novice skiers. The route begins on the Blue Grass trail, then connects to Blue Jay, Hemlock, Raven's Glide, Shadow Mountain, Wild Moose, Eagle Crest, Larch and Brian's Hill trails. With few exceptions, it's a who's who of the system's most difficult hills. But it's worth the effort. Before heading up Eagle Crest, consider a rest and water break at the Nova Hut. Trails have been designed by volunteers of the Inland Empire Nordic Club. Washington State Sno-Park permit required for parking. Permits can be purchased at Kirk's Lodge, ski shops or the state park office. For updates on trail conditions, call 238-4025.

Wildlife education Since it was founded in 1984, Project WILD has attracted 69 percent of Idaho's active teachers to workshops that help them incorporate wildlife in their curriculums.

(photo of book jacket)

Area residents contributed $5,282 in December to a private fund dedicated by buying and preserving 170 acres on Tower Mountain. Last summer, the Dishman Hills Natural Area Society signed a contract to purchase the land in an area known as the Rocks of Sharon. The conservation group, which instigated the preservation of the Dishman Hills Natural Area in the 1960s, put down $50,000 and agreed to make quarterly payments of $6,467 for 10 years in order to complete the new purchase.

Winter weather hasn't put a chill on all fishing activity in the region. Tyler Pinkerton of Spokane was with his father, Scott, when they hooked a 20-inch monster rainbow recently at Hog Canyon Lake. The Pinkertons were fishing in open water near the launch. Hog Canyon and nearby Fourth of July Lakes are open for fishing through March 31.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 4 miles round trip Difficulty: Mostly easy Hiking time: 2 hours Season: Feb. through Nov. Maps: USGS Topo - Dartford Info: Riverside State Park, 456-3964