State seeks comments on 2008, 2009 seasons
Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment at a meeting Tuesday in Polson on several proposals for the 2008 and 2009 hunting seasons. Jim Williams, wildlife manager for Region 1, will be on hand to explain the tentative hunting regulations, answer questions and provide opportunities to comment on the proposals. The meeting begins at 7 at the Polson Middle School Library. For more information, contact Matt Bishop at (406) 883-3279. The commission will adopt final regulations at its February meeting in Helena.
Missoula Parks and Recreation will offer the following classes in the coming weeks. Call 721-7275 to sign up for these programs:
Frost Fever Flag Football Tournament - Jan. 26-27; $140 per team; ages 18 and up. Snowshoe treks and classes - Jan. 19 or Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; ages 13 and up; $35. Clinics include snowshoe selection, clothing, where to go, safety, snow conditions, what to bring and an outing to try some snowshoes. Transportation provided, snowshoes provided by Pipestone Mountaineering. Meet at Currents in McCormick Park. Map and Compass Class - Jan. 16, Feb 20 or March 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.; ages 12 and up; $10. Learn the basics of map and compass reading through hands-on activities. Meets at Currents in McCormick Park. Fly-tying class - Jan. 22, Feb. 19, March 18 or April 15 from 7 to 9 p.m.; ages 12 and up; $12. All skill levels are welcome. Meets at Missoulian Angler Fly Shop, 401 Orange St. Ski, Sun & Soak Cross-Country Ski Tours - Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; ages 16 and up, $35. Meets at Currents in McCormick Park for transportation to the Lubrecht Experimental Forest, returning to Currents to enjoy a soak in the spa. Provide own equipment, water and snacks. Rentals available at Pipestone and The Trailhead. Backcountry Avalanche Awareness - Jan. 29-30 from 7 to 10 p.m. with field sessions on Feb 2 or Feb. 3. No fee. Geared for skiers/ snowboarders/backcountry travelers and snowmobilers. For more information visit www.missoulaavalanche.org. No pre-registration required.Hear all about new cave discoveries in the Bob
The Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto of the National Speleological Society in Missoula will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Pipestone Mountaineering, 129 W. Front St. Tina Oliphant will discuss “Caving on Una Mountain - Three Decades Later,” addressing new cave discoveries in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Learn how to track carnivores in the snow
A wildlife course titled “Stories in the Snow: Tracking Forest Carnivores on Snowshoes” will be offered by The Glacier Institute on Saturday, Jan. 26. This course focuses on forest carnivores that remain active in winter, such as the lynx, fisher, pine marten, mountain lion and wolverine. The three- to four-mile roundtrip snowshoe expedition will head into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Register by calling (406) 755-1211 or online at www.glacierinstitute.org. The course is rated at a moderate skill level and is suitable for ages 12 and up. The $65 fee includes the use of snowshoes.
Avalanche awareness workshop set for Jan. 26
An avalanche awareness and safety workshop will be held Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the U.S. Forest Service's Condon Work Center. Flathead National Forest avalanche specialist Leah Taylor will discuss snow characteristics, weather and other factors that contribute to avalanches and provide a review of equipment, safety and rescue procedures. Following a lunch break, participants will work in the field recovering rescue beacons. To sign up for this free workshop call the Swan Ecosystem Center at (406) 754-3137 by Jan. 21.
Raffle tickets being sold for Divide extravaganza
The Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club is selling raffle tickets for an epicurean extravaganza for four atop the Continental Divide. The dinner and night at the Gordon Reese Cabin, located near Chief Joseph Pass, will be Feb. 23. Tickets are on sale until Feb. 1, when the drawing will take place. One does not need to be present to win.
Raffle tickets ($1 each or six for $5) are available at Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club meetings, Chapter One Book Store, Gas & Grub, Slope & Spoke and Valley Bike & Ski in Hamilton, and Caffe Firenze in Florence. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit volunteer trail-grooming expenses.
For mail-order tickets or more information, contact Linda Stoudt at 777-5958 or Earl Philips at 961-0101, philips@montana.com.
Global warming organizer to give presentation
Bitterroot Audubon's January program will feature a presentation by Amy Cilimburg, global warming grassroots organizer for Montana Audubon at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Visitors' Center north of Stevensville. The program is free and open to the public. Contact Kay Fulton at 642-3794 for more information.
Free cross-country ski lessons slated for Jan. 26
WISDOM - Free cross-country ski lessons will be offered at Chief Joseph Pass on Saturday, Jan. 26. Participants should plan to be in the parking lot by 12:30 p.m. so they have time to get to “Picnic Meadow” using the Continental Divide trail, about one-half mile from the parking lot, before lessons begin at 1 p.m.
Chief Joseph Pass has a 24-kilometer cross-country-ski-trail system, along the Continental Divide, that's open free to the public with a warming hut located one mile from the parking lot. For more information, call the Forest Service in Wisdom, at (406) 689-3243.
Ski under the moonlight at Lubrecht Forest
Moonlight cross-country ski at Lubrecht Forest under a (nearly) full moon Saturday, Jan. 19. Ski the gentler trails as they wind through this beautiful local forest. Plan on taking a long break at the midway shelter, so bring hot tea and snacks. This is an easy ski for people who are not accustomed to low-light skiing. Harsh weather will cancel the trip and no pets please. For the late afternoon meet-up and ride-sharing information, call Steve Schombel at 721-4686.
Compiled by Mary Gerber, Missoulian
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