Out & About

OUTPEDAL

Got spring fever? Go ‘parking’

Bicyclists looking for a road of their own in Glacier and Yellowstone national parks get a once-a-year window of opportunity during spring plowing before the parks are opened to motor vehicles.

A deep snowpack this winter could delay the openings slightly, but be alert for bare pavement announcements on park Web sites.

Yellowstone usually sports open roads for bikers starting around the first week of April from the Mammoth and West Yellowstone entrances, although construction will limit access from West Yellowstone this year. The roads are scheduled to open for motor vehicles on April 18.

Glacier Park’s spring cycling begins sometime in April when plows open roads to Avalanche Picnic Area. The biker’s dream period ends in early June when Logan Pass opens to vehicle traffic.

OUTGOING

Out of the dog house

Here’s a sure-fire recipe bird hunters can use to end the winter blues and warm up chilled relationships.

Book a half-day of spring hunting at one of the area’s private game preserves, such as Squaw Canyon Shooters near Rosalia (509) 523-4833 or Miller Ranch southwest of Cheney (509) 370-5535 (open into mid-April).

Prepare in advance all the fixings for a game-bird dinner – a colorful stir-fry, perhaps – plus a bottle of, say, fume blanc.

Give the family bird dog its first good workout since the state seasons ended in January, and bring home the exotic main course of chukar and pheasant. Cook it up right and savor the magic.

Dog’s tired. Spouse’s happy. You’re fulfilled, and banking valuable points for fall seasons.

(Technique field-tested by S-R Outdoors Department staff.)

OUTDO

‘Buttercup Hike’ blooms in the Hills

The annual “Buttercup Hike” through the Dishman Hills Natural Area is set to begin Saturday at 1 p.m. Some hikers picnic earlier the starting area at Camp Caro, just off Appleway on Sargent Road.

Michael Hamilton, natural area association president and geologist with keen insights to the area and a dry sense of humor, will lead the two-to-three-hour ramble through the Hills.

Info: (509) 747-8147.

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 April 6

Today: 7:50 a.m., 8:15 p.m.

Monday: 8:40 a.m., 9:05 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:30 a.m., 9:50 p.m.

Wednesday: 10:15 a.m., 10:40 p.m.

Thursday: 11:05 a.m., 11:25 p.m.

* Friday: 11:50 a.m., 12:15 p.m.

* Saturday: 12:40 p.m., 1:05 a.m.

Next Sunday: 1:35 p.m.,2 a.m.

See the Hunting-Fishing Report

every Friday in Sports