Field Reports: Spokane hosts FFA regional event

Future Farmers of America will be plowing new ground at the Spokane Gun Club on Dec. 8 during the first region-wide FFA trapshoot in the Spokane area.

“With gas being so expensive, we thought it would be good to have a more central location for area clubs to come and compete against each other in one spot,” said organizer Harry Grennay.

Grennay regularly plays host to the 15 or so youth shooters in the Reardan FFA at the West Deep Creek trapshooting range he built in his backyard off U.S. Highway 2.

Grennay said he’s so excited about getting all the FFA kids together for astandard trap competition plus a buddy shoot and other games, he even bought the trophies himself.

“The 90th annual Spokesman Review Trapshoot will begin its eight weeks of competition for shooters of all ages throughout the region on Jan. 13. Clubs must sign up using coupons in ads that will be running in the newspaper Sports section through December.

Rich Landers

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Trumpeters rebounding

A record number of trumpeter swans nested in Wyoming this year,

“All the right factors came together this year,” said Susan Patla, a Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologist who monitors wild trumpeter swan populations. “We had an exceptionally warm spring, so wetlands opened up early, allowing aquatic vegetation, (which is) the main source of food for swans, to develop quickly. Winter survival was good, and a number of new pairs, in the 3- to 5-year-old range, were ready to establish nesting territories.”

Of 35 swan pairs occupying nest sites in northwest Wyoming, 20 pairs hatched 74 cygnets. Patla said 59 cygnets survived until they were large enough to fly in the late fall.

That represents a 55 percent increase in number of nesting pairs and a 140 percent increase in productivity, compared with the previous 10-year averages, she said.

Swan numbers hit a low in 1993, when only 278 were found in the greater Yellowstone region.

This year’s fall surveys showed the total number of swans in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho was up to 498, the highest since 1991.

Trumpeters also did well in Montana, with 41 cygnets produced, but Idaho reported only 15 young, much lower than average.

Associated Press

HUNTING

Montana infested with elk

The elk hunting season has been extended in portions of Montana as state officials try to deal with elk herds that may be overpopulated by up to 12,000 animals statewide.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission says a warm fall has led to poor elk hunting in some areas. The board decided to extend the seasons to reduce the elk population.

Hunters will have to check with Fish, Wildlife and Parks to see which districts will have hunting season extended by three weeks.

Many districts in central and southwest Montana will allow hunting for general elk licenses. Others in western and central Montana will only allow hunting for those with specific licenses.

The agency says it has extended the elk season twice in the past three years due to warmer-than-usual fall weather.

Staff and wire reports

HUNTING

Nonresident tags on sale

Idaho’s nonresident big-game tags went on sale Saturday at noon. The quota of tags for coveted hunts sell out quickly.

Call (800) 554-8685 or go online, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.

Rich Landers