Field reports: Biologists offer bat knowledge

CRITTERS – “Bats of the Inland Northwest” is a hands-on opportunity to learn about some of the marvelous abilities and essential services of bats that fly our skies at night.

Ella Rowan, a Washington Fish and Wildlife Department biologist who specializes in bats, is teaming up with biologists from other agencies to offer the class twice this summer, on Saturday and Aug. 25.

Because of the subject matter – nocturnal creatures – timing is a little later than most classes in the region. Both classes run from 7-11 p.m.

Cost: Adults $17 or $11 for youth ages 7-17 (no children younger than seven). 

The classes include outings in Riverside State Park, where bats will be captured.

Preregistration required through Spokane Parks and Recreation, 625-6200 or http://tinyurl.com/ spokanebats.

Fish, Game Panel in Bonners Ferry

WILDLIFE – Big-game tag quotas will be on the agenda when the Idaho Fish and Game Commission meets Wednesday and Thursday in Bonners Ferry.

A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. on July 11.

Commissioners will consider nonbiological rules for game animals, nonresident deer and elk tag quotas, nonresident deer and elk tag outfitter set-aside and release of bighorn sheep tags for auction and lottery.

Animal damage control funds will be discussed.

Presentations are scheduled on legislative proposals, migratory game birds, sage-grouse, the 2014 preliminary budget and a hunting season for sandhill cranes.

NIC outdoor clinics set at ‘the beach’

OUTDOOR SPORTS – Learn the basics of great outdoor activities this summer – sailing, kayaking, climbing, and stand-up paddleboarding– in reasonably priced skills clinics organized by Outdoor Pursuits of North Idaho College.

The clinics are being offered all summer at the NIC beach on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

For a list of all the clinics, dates and registration info: www.nic.edu/wft, (208) 769-7809.

Women’s workshop teaches skills

OUTDOORS – Women can learn the basics of fishing, hunting and other outdoor skills in the 15th annual September weekend workshop led by certified instructors.

Scheduled for Sept. 14-16 at Camp River Ranch in Carnation, the annual workshop is coordinated by Washington Outdoor Women, a nonprofit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills and natural resource stewardship.

Twenty classes will be offered throughout the weekend on skills such as archery, basic freshwater fishing, fly fishing and tying, kayaking and the basics of big-game hunting.

Workshop participants must be at least 18 years old and must have a current Washington recreational fishing license to participate in the fishing and fly-fishing sessions.

Info: Ronni McGlenn at (425) 455-1986, www.washington outdoorwomen.org.