OUTFITTERS

Local companies ‘best on earth’

Two Coeur d’Alene-based adventure travel companies received top international rankings in National Geographic Adventure magazine’s January feature on “The Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.”

Both are operated by local couples who got their grip in the industry while working as whitewater rafting guides in the Inland Northwest.

River Odysseys West: Owned by Peter Grubb and Betsy Bowen, founded in 1979, offers trips ranging from paddle rafting the Clark Fork and fishing the St. Joe to yacht-based adventuring in the Galapagos Islands and a new trip, led by Grubb, to explore the Brazilian Amazon.

Info: (800) 451-6034 or (208) 765-0841; www.rowadventures.com .

Sea Kayak Adventures: Owned by Terry Prichard and Nancy Mertz, founded in 1993, specializes in winter-spring kayak trips to Baja Mexico area geared to seeing gray whales, summer camping or lodge-based tours off Vancouver Island geared to seeing orcas, plus a Galapagos Islands adventure.

Info: (800) 616-1943 or (208) 765-3116; www.seakayakadventures.com .

Depending on your status in this global economic situation, travel is a bargain. Both companies note that in many cases air fares to their destinations in Mexico, Europe and South America are less than half of what they were a year ago.

OUTGOING

Paddlers discuss rescue basics

What: Free presentation on river rescue philosophy, techniques, equipment.

Who: By Ryan Murphy of Spokane

River Rescue for Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club.

When: Monday, 7 p.m.

Where: Corbin Community Center, 827 W. Cleveland.

Info: www.spokaneriverrescue.com .

OUTHARVEST

Wonder where the deer are?

Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources reports that hunters killed 252,000 deer during the state’s 2008-09 hunting season, surpassing the 2006-07 record of 237,300.

Compare those stats with 2007 deer harvest totals for:

Idaho: 54,200.

Washington: 37,900.

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 29

Today: 10:15 a.m., 10:35 p.m.

Monday: 10:55 a.m.,11:15 p.m.

* Tuesday: 11:40 a.m., 12:10 a.m.

* Wednesday: 12:25 p.m., 12:50 a.m.

Thursday: 1:10 p.m., 1:30 a.m.

Friday: 1:55 p.m., 2:20 a.m.

Saturday: 2:45 p.m., 3:10 a.m.

Next Sunday: 3:40 p.m., 4:10 a.m.

See the Hunting-Fishing Report every Friday in Sports