March Filled With Fund-Raisers

All sorts of fund-raisers for wildlife causes throughout the region are coming up in March. Here’s a sampling:

Central Basin Audubon benefit auction, plus appetizers and desserts, Thursday 6 p.m., at the National Guard Armory in Moses Lake. Dan Maher, host of Spokane Public Radio’s “Inland Folk Hour” will sing and play guitar. Tickets: $12.50 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Info: Teri Pieper, (509) 766-0101.

The group sponsors conservation projects, including desert nature trails.

Whitman County Sportsmen Wild Game Dinner, Saturday 6 p.m., Pine Grove Grange on C Street in Albion, Wash. Entertainment features Alan Liere, a nationally recognized outdoor humorist from Deer Park. Cost: $7 per person, $10 for couples and $12 for families. Bring your own beverages, as well as your own plates and utensils.

The club is active in youth hunter education programs.

The Big Horn Sports and Recreation Show, March 16-19, Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, is the granddaddy of fund-raisers in this region.

Sponsored by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, the show earns money for many fish and wildlife conservation projects and research.

Spokane Valley Ducks Unlimited fun shoot and dinner auction March 24, 4 p.m., at the Spokane Gun Club. Ticket info: John Belknap, 922-6023.

The Spokane chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation banquet, March 25, 5 p.m., Spokane Community College Lair. Tickets must be purchased in advance; $60 singles, $70 couples. Info: Larry Walker, 467-5444.

The group has been active in this region with turkey relocation and habitat projects, plus hunter education seminars.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which funds millions of dollars of elk habitat conservation projects each year, has scheduled numerous auctions this spring. Among them:

Saturday in Lewiston. Contact Doug Yochum, (208) 798-4733; March 11 at Newport, Wash. Contact Dale Maki, (509) 447-2910; March 18 in Walla Walla. Contact Wayne Gascon, (509) 529-1324; March 25 in Moscow, Idaho. Contact Mark Loaiza, (208) 835-6690; April 8 in Sandpoint. Contact Rick Lynskey, (208) 265-8510; April 22 in Spokane. Contact Jeff Hickethier, (509) 468-7024.

Idaho commissioners meet

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet Thursday and Friday in Boise to set big game hunting seasons for the fall. Seasons set by the commission will be printed in the regulations booklet set for delivery to the public in mid-April.

The commission also plans to discuss electronic enhancements on hunting weapons, use of bait for taking big game animals, and the rule which allows nonresidents to hold no more than 10 percent of the tags for trophy species hunting.