Outdoors Notebook

Idaho applications due April 30

Applications for moose, sheep and goat controlled hunts must be received at the headquarters office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game postmarked no later than April 30.

Application fees are $5, nonrefundable, plus the price of the tag, with $1 of the fee going to Citizens Against Poaching unless the applicant instructs otherwise.

Telephone orders, which will be processed through April 30 as well, will cost an additional $4 if paid via credit card.

Applicants must have a valid license and nonresidents are not eligible for moose permits unless they have previously been a resident of Idaho and hold a lifetime license.

Applicants will receive either a permit-tag or a refund by mail no later than June 10.

Mushrooming projections

According to the U.S. Forest Service, mushroom lovers expect this to be a banner year for harvesting wild mushrooms on the National Forests of the Inland Northwest.

Last year’s catastrophic wildfires and this spring’s higher-than-normal rainfall are two factors that offer ideal conditions for many different crops of mushrooms.

Guides that index the forest fires

experienced last year on the Colville and Okanogan national forests as well as maps are available at Spokane’s Forest Service Information office, S400 Jefferson, and many ranger stations.

No permit is required for picking mushrooms for personal use up to three gallons, but a commercial permit for over three gallons must be obtained at ranger stations for $5 per day.

Due to the fact that virtually all mushrooms are toxic to some extent, and some are deadly poisonous, the Forest Service suggests studying booklets on mushrooms and picking them in the presence of someone experienced.

In addition, when eating wild mushrooms for the first time, take the usual precaution of parboiling them and then eating only a bite or two. If you haven’t experienced any symptoms in 10 to 12 hours, or a day or so, then it’s probably safe to prepare the rest. Info: (509) 353-2574.

Whirling disease surfaces

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) reported recently that brown trout from Poindexter Slough, near Dillon, have tested positive for whirling disease.

Whirling disease is a parasitic and potentially fatal infection of trout and salmon for which there is no known cure.

The fish to be tested for whirling disease have been taken from the Beaverhead River, upstream from where Poindexter Slough enters the river just south of Dillon.In addition, MFWP will immediately begin sampling downstream, Vincent said.In addition to Poindexter Slough,

whirling disease has been found in wild trout from the upper Madison River, Ruby River and in Blaine Spring Creek, a Madison River tributary.

Grouse if you like

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comments on its draft statewide management plan for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse.Sharp-tailed grouse currently live in limited numbers in portions of Douglas, Lincoln and Okanogan counties.

The goals of the management plan are to increase the population size and distribution of sharp-tailed grouse, and to protect remaining shrub/meadow steppe habitat, which supplies the grouse with food, shelter and other life needs.

Copies of the draft management are available from Tom McCall, planning biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, N600 Capitol Way, Olympia, WA, 98501, or by calling (360) 902-2692.

Written comments on the plan should be sent to Tom McCall at the above address and should be returned by May 15.