OUTDOOR TRAVEL -- Don't get in a hurry to cross the North Cascades on State Route 20. The Washington State Department of Transportation says avalanche danger on the North Cascades Highway has delayed the annual spring opening of the road. Work crews plan to start…
HUNTING -- Washington's youth wild turkey hunting season is history, and the general spring gobbler seasons don't open until April 15. But Idaho youths under the age of 16 get their special turn at the toms starting Friday and running through April 14. All youth…
HIKING -- It was almost amusing this morning to compare notes of my Sunday hiking trip with the experience of my friend, Dan Hansen, and his experience floating the formidable whitewater on Hangman Creek. Hansen noted that despite some strong eddies and good rapids that…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Science got a boost this winter when about 60,000 bird watchers took part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, a four-day held Feb. 18-21. When tens of thousands of people watch birds and report what they see online, they create a…
FISHING -- Washington anglers are required to have the new 2011-2012 fishing licenses as of April 1, but that might not be all you need -- or want. Possible additions to the basic license include: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Stamp if you plan…
RIVER RUNNING -- Seven canoeists wearing dry suits had a wet and wonderful trip Sunday on Hangman Creek. We all agreed that a flow of 1,200 cfs was about as good as this trip would get," reported Dan Hansen. "I’m really glad I didn’t try…
NATURE -- Butterfly enthusiasts have developed a cool Butterflies and Moths of North America website that produces checklists of butterfly species documented for general or specific areas. For example, by filling in the blanks on the site, one can see the 91 butterfly species that…
FISHERIES -- While most Idaho big-fish anglers are still focused on steelheading, some are turning their attention to chinook salmon. Idaho Fish and Game regularly fields questions on why seasons aren't set sooner or why certain stretches of the state's rivers aren't opened to chinook…
OUTDOOR TRAVEL -- Winter still has a grip on the region's high country. Thick snowpacks are still waiting for spring-like conditions, as I mentioned in Friday's post on the region's avalanche advisory. Access to the mountains for the start of the summer camping and hiking…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
