Wolf reduction proposed
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for permission to reduce the wolf population by 75 percent in the Lolo zone of the Clearwater Region in order to boost struggling elk herds.
Wolf predation has contributed to the elk decline in the Lolo zone and may be preventing population recovery, department biologists say.
Rules under the Endangered Species Act provide for the removal of wolves that are having an unacceptable effect on elk and deer populations.
The proposal is available on the department Web site: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. An open house meeting to explain the proposal will be held on Tuesday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., at the department regional office in Lewiston.
Rich Landers
LECTURES
Ice and drought explored
Experts are scheduled to give updates on natural phenomena local and global:
“Glaciers 101, the World of Ice,” by Eugene Kiver, EWU professor emeritus of Geology, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Room 137, Science Building, EWU Cheney campus.
“Arctic Ocean Exploration in a Changing Environment,” by Katrin Iken professor at the University of Alaska School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences,7 p.m., Wednesday, Spokane Community College Lair Auditorium.
“The Drought Is Over in Eastern Washington,” by Robert Quinn, EWU professor of meteorology at EWU, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Room 138 Isle Hall, EWU Cheney campus.
Rich Landers
CAMPING
Time to reserve campsites, cabins
Winter is the season to reserve a camping spot for that summer outing in a national forest as well as in state and national parks.
Umbrella reservations systems have made it easy to make reservations across the country. But beware of exceptions for facilities reserved locally.
Following are reservations contacts for campgrounds, lookouts and cabins on state and federal lands:
Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation, plus some private areas covering 150,000 camping options — www.reserveamerica.com or (877) 444-6777. Also see www.ReserveUSA.com.
National Park exceptions include Granite Park and Sperry Chalets in Glacier Park, www.sperrychalet.com or (888) 345-2649.
National forest exceptions include popular local facilities that will continue to be handled by ranger districts. In this region, those exceptions include:
Red Ives Cabin along the St. Joe River. Apply by Feb. 25 for a lottery drawing that will determine reservations. Details: www.fs.fed.us/ipnf or (208) 245-4517.
Snow Peak Shelter south of Sherman Pass on the Colville National Forest. A Dec. 15 lottery at the Republic Ranger District determines reservations for the year, but open dates can be booked anytime, (509) 684-7000.
Idaho State Parks, www.idahoparks.org or (866) 634-3246.
Oregon State Parks, www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks.
Washington State Parks, www.parks.wa.gov or call (888) 226-7688.
Exceptions include Quartz Mountain Lookout at Mount Spokane. Reservations will be taken starting March 1 by calling the park office, 238-4258.
Rich Landers
NATIVE PLANTS
Rooting for truffles
Three dozen truffle hunters sifted through the dirt near Cottage Grove, Ore., last weekend on the trail of the elusive truffle, an internationally prized culinary delicacy valued at $100 an ounce.
Devotees plodded through mud and journalists from Italy, Japan and Germany took notes during the area’s first Truffle Festival.
Europeans hunt with pigs and dogs trained to sniff the ground to find truffles. Here, Connie Getz concentrated her hunt near the roots of Douglas firs and used her nose to locate the truffles, which she described as having a garlicky scent.
“They have a woodsy, smoky flavor that tastes good all by themselves,” said Diane Westcott.
Oregon has three varieties of truffles, which are found 1-3 inches below the surface, said Matt Trappe of the Oregon State University Environmental Sciences Department.
Trappe, who is the “trufflemaster” for the North American Truffling Society, instructed the truffle hunter to search in areas pockmarked by animal holes and digging activity.
“This is not really rocket science,” he said.
Associated Press