Out & About

OUTCLASS

Learn to ski and snowshoe

What: Introductions to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, each with an evening indoor class followed by an on-the-snow clinic.

When: Snowshoe, Dec. 17 and 21; ski Dec. 18-19.

Where: Indoor sessions in Spokane, field sessions at Mount Spokane.

Who: Sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation.

Cost: $22-$29, plus $7 rentals if needed.

Preregister: 625-6200; www.spokaneparks.org .

OUTSEE

Eagles feast at Lake CdA

Bald eagles once again are homing in on the Wolf Lodge Bay area of Lake Coeur d’Alene to feast on spawning kokanee.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management surveyors counted 35 eagles in the area before Thanksgiving, compared with 33 during the same week in 2007. The number increased to 59 for the weekly survey on Tuesday.

Counts should peak in December, unless cold weather gives kokanee refuge under a layer of ice.

Last year’s high count was 83 birds, but BLM wildlife biologist Scott Robinson said snow clinging to trees last December made the birds difficult to spot and count and he’s sure he missed some birds.

The best way to spot a mature eagle (older than three years) is to look for the white head against the dark backdrop of the forest along the shoreline.

A record 156 eagles were counted in the Wolf Lodge Bay area in December 2004. On average, the highest counts occur the week before Christmas.

Eagle Watch Week is set for Dec. 26-Jan. 1, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., off Interstate 90 at Wolf Lodge Bay. Experts will have spotting scopes and info about the wildlife spectacle. Drive east from Coeur d’Alene on Interstate 90 and take Wolf Lodge Exit 22 to reach good eagle viewing spots around the bay.

Eagle boat tours will run between Dec. 20 and 28 through Spokane Parks and Rec. Info: 625-6200.

A few seats are still available to join a live eagle onboard the Mish-An-Nock on a Dec. 7 fundraising cruise to see Wolf Lodge Bay eagles. Info: Birds of Prey NW, (208) 245-1367; www.birdsof preynorthwest.org.

OUTLOOK

Best fishing times

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

(* indicates best days.)

Through Dec. 14

* Today: 7:40 p.m., 8 a.m.

Monday: 8:30 p.m., 8:55 a.m.

Tuesday: 9:20 p.m., 9:50 a.m.

Wednesday: 10:25 p.m., 10:55 a.m.

Thursday: 11:30 p.m., 11:55 a.m.

Friday: 12:35 a.m. –

Saturday: – 1:05 a.m.

Next Sunday: 1:40 a.m., 2:10 p.m.

See the Hunting-Fishing Report every Friday in Sports