Out & About

OUTFIELD

Elk buffs nudge Pennsylvania bid

Pennsylvania’s first special elk tag raised $28,500 for wildlife conservation recently during the National Wild Turkey Federation convention in Nashville.

The tag appeared seconds away from selling for $8,500 when Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation representatives jumped into the bidding.

“We knew what we thought was a fair-market value for that tag and we wanted to make sure it brought at least that amount,” said David Allen, RMEF president.

In addition to the Pennsylvania hunter who bought the special tag, other hunters will pay a $10 fee to enter a drawing for another 59 elk tags the state is offering this year.

OUTCATCH

Mack Days derby at Flathead

Anglers can cash in on their fishing prowess during the Spring Mack Days at Flathead Lake, Friday through April 26.

More than $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in various divisions for fish caught Fridays-Sundays during the derby sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials sanction the derby to help decrease the non-native lake trout in favor of native bull trout and westslope cutthroats.

Info: (406) 883-2888, ext. 7294; www.mackdays.com .

OUTLIVE

Be prepared for ocean survival

This week’s tragedy involving a capsized sportfishing boat off the Florida coast spurred BoatUS Foundation to issue these tips for boaters heading offshore:

•File a float plan with reliable family or friends and adhere to it.

•Use Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radio and ensure it’s connected to a GPS receiver. (With the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Rescue 21” system operational in much of the country – including the lower Columbia River and the coasts of Oregon and Washington – anyone aboard a boat can press the mayday button that gives rescuers a precise location.)

•Purchase or rent an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). These satellite beacons are used for passages 20 miles or more from shore, beyond VHF radio range.

Info: www.BoatUS.com/foundation .

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 March 15

* Today

11:40 p.m. –

Monday

– 11:40 p.m.

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

1:20 a.m., 1:40 p.m.

Thursday

2:05 a.m., 2:25 p.m.

Friday

2:50 a.m., 3:15 p.m.

Saturday

3:40 a.m., 4:05 p.m.

Next Sunday

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