Outdoor news
Citizen science
The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park will continue its Citizen Science Program this summer, offering free research and learning opportunities for the public. Courses this year include observing mountain goats and pika behavior, training dates are June 7, 18 and 28 or July 3; gather information on the distribution and reproduction of common loons, training date is June 12; and learning to identify five targeted invasive plants and using GPS units to mark their locations, online training at www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/ccrlc-citizen-science_weeds.htm and Annual Weed Blitz on Tuesday, July 23. For more information, call 888-7986.
Park bears
A long-term interagency program to monitor grizzly bear population trends in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem will continue at Glacier National Park this year. Bait stations, automated cameras and traps are used to capture and monitor grizzly bears within the Park. Bait stations and trap sites are marked with brightly colored warning and closure signs. Visitors are asked to respect posted signs and not enter sites where grizzly bear traps or bait stations are present.
Wildlife advice
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials report they receive a large number of calls in springtime about deer fawns and other young wildlife. FWP urges the public not to pick up deer fawns even if they appear sick or in need of help. Often adult deer are close by or will be returning to its fawn soon. Left alone, a fawn might have a chance in the wild, but once it picks up human scent, it’s more likely to be abandoned. FWP also asks the public not to bring fawns into their offices. Because of the danger of spreading chronic wasting disease, FWP is not allowed to accept deer. If a fawn is brought to an FWP office and cannot be returned to its original location, it will be euthanized. Also, FWP notes that it’s illegal to possess and care for live animals taken from the wild, and the agency advises dog owners to control their dogs and not allow them to chase wildlife.