PUBLIC LANDS -- Looking back at 2015 is especially eye-pleasing by checking in on the U.S. Department of Interior's Instagram account to be inspired by the gorgeous nature photos visitors have made in America's national parks. America's public lands are some of the most beautiful…
TREKKING – A range of winter group treks, from easy to strenuous, is being offered by the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness based in Sandpoint. The hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing treks are led by volunteers to introduce people to portions of the 88,000-acre proposed…
MOUNTAIN BIKING -- As we enter the freeze-thaw cycle of winter, many cyclists won't be putting away their mountain bikes. But consider this from local fat-tire enthusiast Dave Nelson, who forwarded the photo above of a sign posted by cyclists in southern Utah mountain biking…
FISHING -- Idaho fishing licenses expire this week and 2016 licenses are required starting Friday, Jan. 1. A few recently adopted rules also will take affect on Jan. 1. The state's 2016-18 Fishing Pamphlet is online and should be available at license dealers this week....
INVASIVE SPECIES -- Underwater barriers in Crater Lake are being floated as one idea to slow the invasion of millions of non-native crayfish that are threatening a salamander known as the Mazama newt. The crayfish also threaten the Oregon lake's famous water clarity. “It’s still...
RIVERS -- Avista Utilities will start the annual drawdown at Lake Spokane (Long Lake Reservoir) on Thursday, Dec. 31. Operators expect to lower the reservoir's water level up to a day over a two-to-three week period, until it reaches its winter elevation of 13 to…
WINTERSPORTS -- Resourceful cross-country skiers have been bringing their headlamps to negotiate the dark restrooms at powerless Selkirk Lodge. No problem there. Nothing seems to be deterring hundreds of skiers and snowshoers from enjoying the bountiful depths of powder snow gracing Mount Spokane State Park…
PRAIRIE GROUSE -- Ranchers could get some help in modifying operations to steer sage grouse off a course toward endangered species protections. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture recently announced it will invest $40 million in FY 2016 to help ranchers and other partners restore and...
WINTERSPORTS -- The team that rescued two snow campers when they got trapped by the weather this past week say the pair was missing at least one vital piece of equipment, and they neglected a vital element of pre-trip planning. They did not check the...
HIKING/SNOWSHOEING -- Get 2016 off on the right foot with a group winter hike or snowshoe trek on Jan. 1 at a Washington state park. First Day Hikes are catching on across the country, some among friends and a growing batch organized by America’s State…
FISHING -- Looks like some angler's Christmas-gift wish was granted.
WINTERSPORTS -- Road crews expect to reopen Highway 206 to Mount Spokane around 9:15 a.m. today, Dec. 25, after the road was closed early Wednesday morning by falling trees and downed power lines. Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park will be open today, according to...
WINTERSPORTS -- Don't get in a rush to make tracks in the fresh powder at Mount Spokane State Park. Here's a message posted by Spokane Nordic at 8:15 a.m.: Travel Alert State Route 206 heading up to Mt. Spokane State Park is closed in both...
FISHING -- I just received my holiday greeting from Silver Bow Fly Shop as seen through the camera lens of Michael Visintainer. Always inspiring. Bring on 2016.
WILDLIFE -- They've tried trapping and removing the menacing deer. That didn't work. Neither did an effort to get everyone in the Coeur d'Alene-area bedroom community to stop luring the deer and adding to the problem. The next plan? Birth control for town-tamed whitetails. Dalton...
POACHING -- An Idaho judge has gone beyond the county prosecutors recommendation to put an elk poacher in the slammer. David S. Wallace, 19, of Culdesac, was sentenced Tuesday for killing a 5-by-6 bull elk out of season near Reubens, Idaho, and wasting the meat,…
FISHING -- The idea of reintroducing salmon runs upstream from Grand Coulee Dam moved ahead a notch last week as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council sent a proposal for evaluating upriver habitat to the Independent Science Review Panel. Is it possible to restore the...
HUNTING -- To avoid penalties next time they try to buy a Washington or Idaho hunting license, sportsmen must report their 2015 hunting activity for big-game and turkey. The information is compiled to help wildlife manager see trends in game populations and hunter activity. The...
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The 25th annual Eagle Watch Week sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Fish and Game is set for Dec. 27-31 based out of the Mineral Ridge boat launch and the Mineral Ridge trailhead parking areas along the eastern...
SPORTSMAN ACCESS -- More evidence is coming out of Montana this week to shed light on Ducks Unlimited's controversial decision to dump a long-time DU magazine columnist in order to protect a rich donor who's fighting the state's stream access laws. James Cox Kennedy of...
TRAILS – Idaho Trails Association is offering an incentive for its membership through December: New and renewing members will be given a chance to win a guided day trip for up to 4 people with the Sawtooth Mountain Guides out of Stanley, ID, valued at...
HUNTING -- A hunter who pleaded guilty to poaching a well-known and well-liked buck in Twin Falls last winter has been sentenced to jail. The Times-News reports that Jacob Frederick Pool, 34, was sentenced Monday to 90 days in county jail and a therapeutic and…
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- I don't know who conceived this campaign, but it's as noteworthy as any in the effort to preserve wildlife. Humans who breed like bunnies are crowding critters off the planet. The Center for Biological Diversity is raising awareness by distributing 40,000 free...
OUTDOOR RECREATION -- Spokane City Councilman Jon Snyder has been appointed Washington's first director of outdoor initiative, a post created by Gov. Jay Inslee. Snyder, a bicycle and pedestrian advocate in the middle of his second term on the Spokane City Council, announced his resignation...
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
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