Outdoor news
Wolf meeting
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host an open house on the proposed 2012-13 wolf hunting and trapping season at the Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology Building on Wednesday, June 13, at 7p.m. Attendees will break into groups to discuss details and work on comments regarding the proposals. For more information, visit online at www.fwp.mt.gov, click on Hunting and then 2012–13 Wolf Hunting Seasons, Quotas and HD Boundaries – Proposed. The deadline for comments is June 25. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will make a final decision in July.
Wolf talk
Jay Mallonee will give a free presentation on wolves at the Central School Museum in Kalispell on Tuesday, June 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The talk will cover wolf behavior and intelligence and the controversy over wolf hunting. For more information, call 756-8381.
Campground concessions
The Flathead National Forest is seeking bids for two prospectus packages for campground operation and maintenance of campgrounds. One prospectus will include Big Creek, Doris Point Boat Launch, Doris Creek, Devil Creek, Emery Bay, Lid Creek, Lost Johnny Point, Lost Johnny Camp, Murray Bay, Riverside, Holland Lake, Owl Creek Packer Camp, and Swan Lake Day Use and Campground. The second prospectus is for Tally Lake Campground. Proposals must be received at the Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell MT 59901 by Oct. 1. Awarding of a 5-year special use permit is anticipated in January. For more information, visit online at www.fs.usda.gov/flathead.
Reservoir road work
Gravel resurfacing work began on Eastside Hungry Horse Reservoir Road No. 38 on June 4. The work will take place between the Desert Mountain intersection near Martin City and the Spotted Bear District Office. Drivers need to be alert for heavy equipment operating along the roadway and are asked to use extreme caution and slow down when in construction zones. Weather will dictate the actual timing of activities.
Hallowat road open
Hallowat Creek North Road No. 315, in the North Fork area, is now open. Debris on the road was removed, drainage restored and the roadbed is now dry enough to allow safe passage. The road provides access to Moose Lake, but access to Moose Lake Campground is blocked by snow about 1 1/2 miles before the lake.
Outdoor courses
Marking its 29th year of educational programs, the Glacier Institute offers family programs, youth science adventure camps, Discovery School at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center and adult educational programs. To register or request a complete listing, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org. This June’s offerings include: June 8 Spring Wildflowers; June 9-10 Bears in Many Glacier; June 13 Glacier Through a Naturalist’s Eyes; June 15 Orchids: Glacier’s Precious Beauties; June 15-17 Birding by Ear; June 16 Glacier Through a Naturalist’s Eyes; June 16-17 Natural and Cultural History of Many Glacier; June 19 North Fork Natural and Cultural History.
Festival of the Fly
Glacier Anglers will host a full day of free flyfishing lessons, competitions, product demos, raffles and presentations at the Glacier Outdoor Center on U.S. 2 in West Glacier on Saturday, June 16. Two showings of the 2012 Fly Fishing Film Tour will take place at Glacier Outdoor Center’s Bear’s Den. Tickets for the film are $10. For more information, visit online at www.glacierraftco.com or call 888-5454.
Wilderness walks
The Montana Wilderness Association will offer its 50th Wilderness Walks program in 2012 with 150 statewide outings, including 37 in Northwest Montana. The walks are for hikers of all ages and experience levels and range from day hikes and field trips to overnight backpacking trips and trail maintenance projects. All outings are free, but reservations should be made. The complete list is available online at www.wildmontana.org for free at the MWA office in Kalispell. For more information, call the MWA office in Helena at 406-443-7350.
Outdoor classes
The Glacier Institute will offer the upcoming adult courses: June 20 Wolves of the North Fork, June 21-22 Landscapes in Watercolor, June 22 The “Uncommon” Loon, June 22 Glacier’s Birds of Prey Along the Rocky Mountain Front, June 23-24 North Fork River Ecology by Raft, June 23-24 Summer Mushrooms and Lichens, June 24 Nature’s Healers: Wild Medicinal Herbs, June 25 Making Wild Herbal Medicines, and June 27 Railroad History. To register or request a complete listing, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.