Briefs: Moose shot, killed in Montana while charging dog walker

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015

Moose shot, killed while charging dog walker

CRITTERS – In the wake of a moose being shot and killed after charging a man walking his dog, Montana wildlife officials are warning the public to be wary of moose, especially during the active rutting season.

A man and his girlfriend were walking a dog on a popular trail near Victor recently when a moose spotted them. Wildlife officials said the dog ran away, but the man tripped while backing away. As he fell he fired multiple rounds into the charging moose.

State Fish, Wildlife and Parks Warden Aaron Berg says moose can be dangerous, especially in the fall rutting season. He suggests residents don’t let their dogs run off leash, which can agitate moose.

Reforest Spokane Day seeks tree planters

CONSERVATION – The fifth-annual Reforest Spokane effort organized by The Lands Council will channel volunteers to several areas around town for a morning of tree planting on Saturday.

Sites are being selected to provide shade along stream banks to cool water for fish, stormwater absorption for cleaner watersheds and more habitat for wildlife, organizers say.

Wilderness First Aid offered at Mount Spokane

READINESS – The Spokane Mountaineers have openings in a certified Wilderness First Aid course scheduled for Saturday and Sunday based out of the club’s chalet at Mount Spokane.

Wilderness First Aid is an intensive 16-hour course geared especially to people who participate in or lead outdoor activities.

Cost is $150 for Spokane Mountaineer members, $175 for the public, with instruction by Longleaf Wilderness Medicine based in Sandpoint.

A separate CPR course also is available.

Fires didn’t destroy campgrounds near Republic

CAMPING – Wildfires that stormed through the Colville Indian Reservation toward Republic this summer leaped through some prized Forest Service campgrounds and Long Lake, a fly-fishing only trout fishery.

But not all was lost.

“The campgrounds at Swan, Long and Ferry all received low to moderate mixed burn severity, but should be okay to open back up by the spring if we can get everything repaired and the hazard trees down,” said Franklin Pemberton, Colville National Forest spokesman.

The area, along with several others, is still closed to public access, he said.

Also, even though more wildfire-affected areas of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness near Pass Creek Pass were reopened last week, Trails 503, 533, 540, 588 are all in the remaining burned-area closure and are off limits to public use until the closure is lifted.