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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Field reports: Washington takes action on new hunting rules

HUNTING – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will take action on proposed changes in hunting rules for the 2012-14 seasons at a public meeting Friday and Saturday in Olympia.

New rules proposed for adoption include allowing electronic decoys for waterfowling and illuminated knocks for bowhunting. Landowner hunting permits also are on the meeting agenda.

The commission also will:

• Consider guidelines for enacting the state’s wolf plan.

• Consider approving purchase of 1,144 acres along Asotin Creek in Asotin County and 49 acres on the Methow River in Okanogan County to protect fish and wildlfie habitat.

Rich Landers

Bush pilot brings film to Tekoa Empire Theatre

FLYING – Larry Whitesitt of Fairfield, a former bush pilot in Canada, will present his film “Northern Flight of Dreams,” depicting his last great trip, in a program set for Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Empire Theatre in Tekoa.

The film starts in Spokane at Felts Field and follows Whitesitt across the vast northern wilderness of British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories with cultural stops, plus flights over the South Nahanni River and Kluane Park.

A film on wolves also will be shown.

Rich Landers

Spokane DU event raises funds for wetlands

CONSERVATION – The Spokane Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual fundraising banquet April 19 at The Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St.

The national organization is celebrating its 75th anniversary of wetlands conservation.  

The event, which encourages couples with some special prizes, starts with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., a steak and prawn dinner at 6:15, and fundraising activities follow.

Tickets:  $50 single, $75 couple, plus options for sponsors, include DU membership and magazine.  

Info: ducks.org/washington.

Contact: Gordon Hester, 755-7565.

Court orders removal of wilderness lookout

FORESTS – A fire lookout has sat precariously on top of Green Mountain in the North Cascades near Darrington since 1933, surviving winter snows and recently serving as a hiking destination with historical significance. Now it must go.

A federal judge has ordered the Forest Service to remove it from the 6,500-foot peak because the structure violates the law governing the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

The judge ruled March 27 in favor of the Wilderness Watch group of Missoula, which filed the lawsuit. The judge agreed that restoring the abandoned lookout in 2009, using 67 helicopter trips, violated the Wilderness Act and environmental law.

Forest Service spokeswoman Renee Bodine says the agency is looking at ways to comply and may appeal.

Fire lookout advocates say the ruling might affect the historic structures in other wilderness areas.

Staff and wire reports

River bank clean-up starts at Meenach Bridge

RIVERS – Spokane Riverkeeper Bart Mihailovich is organizing volunteers to pick up trash, meeting just upriver of TJ Meenach Bridge Saturday, 9 a.m.