Outdoor news

Firewood cutting

The Flathead National Forest has opened about 4 1/2 miles of land in the North Fork along Forest Road 5271 for firewood cutting from Aug. 15 through Sept. 15. The Depuy Creek Connector Road is accessed from McGinnis Creek Road 803. A personal-use firewood permit for up to four cords of wood costs $20. Standing or downed trees with signs or paint are not to be cut, and all vehicles must remain on the road surface. For more information on permits please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/flathead/passes-permits or call 406-387-3800.

Park alumni

The annual Glacier Park Alumni Picnic for past and present National Park Service employees, along with friends and families, will take place at the Community Building in Park Headquarters on Sunday, Aug. 17, from noon to 4 p.m. with a potluck lunch at 1 p.m. Park superintendent Jeff Mow will be the speaker. Attendees are asked to bring a favorite potluck dish to share. Beverages, dishes and utensils will be provided. For more information, contact Sue Buchel at 406-788-8923 or retireinmt@yahoo.com.

Conservation area

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has completed an environmental assessment for the Otter Island Fisheries Conservation Area Additions, a proposal to acquire 19.72 acres of island habitat along the Flathead River. If acquired, these parcels will be added to the existing conservation area along the west side of the Flathead River about 1.5 miles east of downtown Kalispell. Seven comments were received, all in support of the acquisitions. FWP now recommends pursue the acquisition pending FWP Commission and Montana Land Board approval. Copies of documents are available at the FWP Region 1 office, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell and online at http://fwp.mt.gov under “Public Notices.”

North Shore

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Flathead Land Trust, and the Flathead Lakers will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a unique property on Flathead Lake’s north shore on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5-7 p.m. The 189-acre property was added to the North Shore Wildlife Management Area last winter to permanently protect scenic vistas, farmland, bird habitat, hunting opportunities and clean water. The property also contains an historic barn built by homesteader Joseph McClarty that was restored this summer by previous landowner Darrell Worm. RSVP by Aug. 15 to Laura Katzman at 752-8293 or lkatzman@bigsky.net. For more information, visit online at www.flatheadlandtrust.org.

Outdoor photo contest

The Montana Wilderness Association will offer $1,000 in prizes in its sixth annual Picture Wild Montana outdoor photo contest. Categories this year will be divided by the seven MWA chapter areas to help promote regional chapters, specific landscapes and campaign areas. The focus this year is the importance of family (especially children) in the outdoors. Winning photos may be published in MWA’s 2015 calendar or other MWA publications. Photos can be submitted online at http://wildmontana.org from Aug. 15 to 31. Qualifying photos will then be displayed online, and the winners will be determined by popular vote online. For more information, visit wildmontana.org/photocontest on Aug. 15 or call Amanda Hagerty at 406-443-7350 ext. 108.

Bat viewing trip

Flathead Audubon’s Lewis Young and Alissa Anderson and Kaitlyn Farrar of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will lead an evening field trip to view, listen and capture bats on Friday, Aug. 15. Participants will learn about bats, put out capture nets and bat detectors and then wait until dark to capture both bats and bat sounds. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Foy’s Bend fishing access near the junction of U.S. 2 and Highway 35 to carpool to the site. The field trip will end about 11 p.m. Bring headlamps, insect repellent and footwear for wet areas. Participation is limited. For more information and to sign up, contact Lewis Young at 889-3492.

Families outdoors

The Glacier Institute will offer a free family-oriented outdoors course called “Babies in Backpacks” on Monday, Aug. 18, with a two-hour hike along the west shore of Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald to learn about fire ecology, the 2003 Robert Fire and the history of the Lake McDonald area 100 years ago. The trip will end around 11:30 a.m. To register, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.

Bear fair

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation will host the 2014 Bear Fair at the Northern Lights Saloon, in Polebridge, on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring presentations by wildlife biologists, bear spray demonstrations, electric fencing tutorials, bear proof storage, educational booths and a free lunch will be provided. In the past, more than 200 people have attended this event. The family-friendly event will provide a good opportunity for the public to learn about Montana’s bears and how to responsibly live in bear country. For more information, contact FWP grizzly bear conflict technician Lindsey Stutzman at 406-212-1803 or Lindsey.a.stutzman@gmail.com.

Wolf trapping

Registration has opened for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ wolf trapping certification class to be held at the FWP Region 1 offices, 490 North Meridian Road, in Kalispell, on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This one-time certification is required for all wolf trappers in Montana. Individuals who have been certified in years past do not need to take the class again. Another wolf trapper certification class will be held at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell on Saturday, Dec. 6. Classes are taught by FWP staff and experienced wolf trappers. In addition to specifics on equipment and techniques, participants will learn about the history, ethics, management, regulations and requirements of wolves and wolf trapping. Register online at http://fwp.mt.gov under “Education.”