Outdoor news
Teachers recognized
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks honored 49 hunter and bowhunter education teachers from across the Flathead at its March 1 workshop. From Columbia Falls were David Yeats, 25 years teaching bowhunter classes; Lonny Quimby, 20 years teaching hunter classes; Carol Manley, 10 years teaching hunter classes; and John Kropp, five years teaching hunter classes. More than 300 volunteer instructors in Region 1, Northwest Montana, train about 2,000 students each year in safety, ethics and handling of firearms and archery equipment.
Birding at the mansion
The Glacier Institute will host “Winter Birds in the Flathead” at the Conrad Mansion Museum, 330 Woodland Avenue, in Kalispell, on Tuesday, March 13, beginning with wine and desserts at 6:10 p.m. and a presentation by Denny Olson at 6:30 p.m. Tours of the mansion will follow. The suggested donation is $10 per person. Seating is limited, so RSVPs are required by calling 755-1211 or 755-2166.
Moonlight skiing
Whitefish Mountain Resort will host Moonlight dine and ski event at its Summit House on Saturday, March 10, as a fundraiser for the Glacier National Park Fund. Participants will ride up Chair 1 at 5 p.m. and dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. Participants later can ski down or take Chair 1. Advanced reservations are required by calling 862-2900. Cost is $49.95 adults and $25.95 12-and-under. For more information, visit online at www.skiwhitefish.com/winter_events.php or www.glaciernationalparkfund.org.
Bowhunter ed
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer a bowhunter education class at the North Valley Community Center, on Nucleus Avenue, on June 12, 14 and 18 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. A field course is scheduled for June 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. A youths-only class for students 11-17 years of age will be held at the Flathead Valley Trap Club, north of Kalispell, on April 12 and 13 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and April 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students 18-or-older can take the bowhunter education course online at www.bowhunter-ed.com/mt/index.htm. All first-time bowhunters must pass the bowhunter education course in order to purchase an archery license in Montana. Courses and field days must be completed by July 31. Registration for each class must be done on the FWP online Web site at http://my.register-ed.com/event/studentchooseevent. For more information, call Columbia Falls area instructor Dave Yeats at 892-4527 or FWP at 752-5501.
Hunter ed
Registration for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ local spring hunter education class will take place at the Columbia Falls Fire Department on Tuesday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 27, from 6-8 p.m. Classes will be held at Columbia Falls High School on April 12, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26 and 30 from 7-9 p.m. The field course will be held Saturday, April 28. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 must complete the hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Montana. To become certified, a person must be at least 11 years old. The hunter education course is also available online for anyone 18 years and older for $15. Students born after Jan. 1, 1985 must also take a field course. For more information, call Wade or Penny Fish at 862-6359 or visit online at www.fwp.mt.gov.
Park trips
The Glacier National Park Fund will offer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing outings in Glacier National Park this winter. Outings include March 16, snowshoeing, and March 23, skiing. All outings are weather dependent, take three hours and take place on the west side of the Park. For more information, call 892-3250 or visit online at www.glaciernationalparkfund.org.