Out & About

OUTBIRD

Auduboners find geese galore

Spokane Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count in a 15-mile diameter circle around Spokane on Dec. 30 documented a record 6,020 Canada geese, up from the high of 3,663 counted in 2003 – and the record count didn’t even include the Liberty Lake Golf Course flock!

Other records included more than 500 wild turkeys, up from 118 in 2001. Duck numbers, however, continue to decline.

• The Great Backyard Bird Count is under way this weekend. See how it’s going locally and across North America online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

• Bats, Birds and Blades, a report on the impact of wind turbines on flying critters, will be presented Monday, 7 p.m., for the Audubon Society, First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Lakeside, Coeur d’Alene.

• Songs of spring: “We awoke this morning to the sound of red-winged blackbirds in our field,” reported Orofino-area residents Paul and June Cleveland on Feb. 5.

OUTSCORE

Big-game trophies measured in Idaho

What: Big-game trophy measuring day.

When: Friday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, with trophies remaining on display through the afternoon.

Where: North Idaho Fairgrounds.

Details: Free antler and trophy measuring by certified scorers for the Boone and Crockett Club (animals taken with modern firearms), Pope and Young Club (archery), and the Longhunter Society (muzzleloader).

Info: Idaho Fish and Game Department in Coeur d’Alene, (208) 769-1414.

OUTSKI

Notorious run at White Pass

In a story about nefarious downhill ski runs across Washington, the Seattle Times recently singled out one heinous pitch at White Pass, a double black diamond called Execution.

The signature steep of White Pass is where the gold medal was created, locals say, referring to the Olympic medal-winning Mahre bros, Phil and Steve, who lived in Yakima, but grew up on The Pass.

The run is said to be a big factor in the Mahres learning to race and win world championships.

Execution is the only way through the middle of a cliff band above the base area, and it’s right under the area’s old double chair.

“Historically, you had to have some guts and confidence because there were 50 people above you watching,” says marketing director Kathleen Goyette.

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 Feb. 25

Today

1:20 p.m. 1:45 a.m.

Monday

2:10 p.m. 2:35 a.m.

Tuesday

3 p.m. 3:25 a.m.

Wednesday

3:50 p.m. 4:15 a.m.

Thursday

4:45 p.m. 5:15 a.m.

Friday

5:40 p.m. 6:10 a.m.

* Saturday

6:40 p.m. 7:10 a.m.

* Next Sunday

7:40 p.m. 8:05 a.m.

See the Hunting-Fishing Report

every Friday in Sports