Field reports: Boat access planned for North Fork of CdA River
FISHING – Area fly-fishing groups are working with Idaho Fish and Game to improve boat access to the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, one of the best cutthroat trout fishing streams in the West.
The project will improve access roads, turn-arounds and launch sites for trailers to launch drift boats and rafts at two sites.
The North Idaho Fly Casters seeded the effort with a $1,000 donation combined with $1,500 from the Federation Fly Fishers, and $500 from Spokane Fly Fishers to purchase gravel and materials, said Edward Lider of the North Idaho club.
“Idaho Fish and Game is covering all the equipment and personnel costs for construction,” he said.
The Forest Service has approved the sites and the North Idaho club is working with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Watershed Advisory Group to complete the river access projects, Lider said.
Work is scheduled for fall so the sites can be used next year.
High routes closing for visitor season
PUBLIC LANDS – The Route of the Hiawatha rail trail near Lookout Pass is scheduled to close for the season today. The popular bicycling route runs 15 miles with seven trestles and 10 tunnels.
Info: (208) 744-1301.
• Mount Spokane State Park’s Summit Road, with vehicle access to the upper trailheads and the Vista House, is set to be gated for the season Oct. 12.
Texas man charged for firing gun in Glacier
PARKS – A 57-year-old Texas man faces a federal misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm in a national park after he reported shooting a charging bear with his .357 revolver.
Brian R. Muphy’s attorney is scheduled to plead not guilty on Murphy’s behalf during a court hearing in West Glacier, Montana on Friday. Murphy is scheduled to appear via video.
Charging documents say Murphy was hiking on the Mount Brown Lookout Trail on July 26 when a grizzly bear charged him. He told rangers he discharged his bear spray and fired a shot when the bear continued toward him. The wounded bear fled and could not be located.
It is legal to carry a gun in Glacier National Park but it is illegal to discharge it. A conviction carries a $500 fine.
Harassed moose dies in Grand Teton Park
CRITTERS – Wildlife watchers in Grand Teton National Park have been getting too close to moose during mating season, likely contributing to the death of an agitated cow moose near the Gros Ventre campground outside Jackson, Wyoming, park officials said.
Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said the combination of a rutting bull moose, park visitors and photographers led a moose to run, stumble over a picnic table and land in a fire grate, where her hind leg was nearly severed. Rangers euthanized the female moose Wednesday. She left behind a yearling calf.
Park rules prohibit people from getting closer than 25 yards to a moose. The limit is 100 yards for bear and wolves. Not everyone follows the rules.