OUT & ABOUT

OUTFIELD

Even years good for wilderness

Since the 1964 Wilderness Act, Congress has passed bills adding public lands to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 18 of 20 even-numbered years.

Indeed, 97 percent of the nation’s 106.6 million wilderness acres was protected in even-numbered years.

Already this year, President Bush has signed a law designating Cedar Mountain Wilderness in Utah.

Among the best bets for additional wilderness designation in 2006: Oregon’s Mount Hood, California’s North Coast, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.

OUTSPEAK

Elk hunter talks the talk

What: Elk calling seminar

Who: Jim Horn, Oregon archer, staff shooter for Bear Archery Company, Primos Calls rep and host of Limbsaver’s Outdoors TV program, which airs on the Men’s Channel.

When: Monday, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Prairie Avenue Christian Center, 3639 W. Prairie Ave. in Hayden.

Details: Free admission, door prizes, raffles. Primos calls will be available for purchase.

Info: Rob Rippee, (208) 683-1776.

OUTGOING

High-rise camping

Bald Mountain Lookout may be one of the best rooms with a view within two hours of Coeur d’Alene.

The Forest Service lookout is on a 40-foot tower perched on top of the 5,334-foot mountain and just became available as a public rental on July 19.

The Palouse Ranger District lookout was built in 1956 and retired from fire detection in 1984. It’s sparsely equipped with four chairs, a table, one twin size bed, two cots, propane cooking stove, heater and refrigerator.

Access road is rough; high-clearance vehicles recommended.

Book it through the National Recreation Reservation Service, www.reserveusa.com or call (877) 444-6777.

OUTLOOK

Best fishing times

Lunar tables from the U.S. Naval Observatory list peak fishing times. Be fishing at least one hour before and one hour after given times. Applies to all time zones.

(* indicates best days.)

Through July 30

* Today

Noon 12:05 a.m.

Monday

12:55 p.m. 12:30 a.m.

Tuesday

1:45 p.m. —

Wednesday

2:30 p.m. 2:50 a.m.

Thursday

3:15 p.m. 3:35 a.m.

Friday

3:55 p.m. 4:15 a.m.

Saturday

4:30 p.m. 4:55 a.m.

* Next Sunday

5:10 p.m. 5:30 a.m.