Outdoor news

by Hungry Horse News
| February 10, 2015 6:19 AM

Park bike ride

The Glacier National Park Conservancy is looking for 30 individuals who will ride bikes for five days and whitewater raft for one day around Glacier Park to raise funds for the Park projects. The Climate Ride event will take place July 7-12 around the West Glacier, East Glacier and Waterton areas. For more information, call 406-892-3250 or e-mail amy@gnpcconservancy.org or visit online at http://glacierconservancy.org.

Native plants talk

The Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society will host a free talk by Mike Keefer on “Connecting the past to the future with native plants at the Teakettle Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. A general meeting to discuss Native Plant Society business and projects will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sack dinners are welcome.

Hunter education

All students taking Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ hunter education classes must register online by visiting http://fwp.mt.gov and clicking on “Education.” Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 must complete the course to buy a hunting license in Montana. Students must be at least 11 years old. In Columbia Falls, all students must attend a brief mandatory orientation at the Columbia Falls Fire Hall on Tuesday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m. Students must have their permission slip. Classes will be held at the Columbia Falls High School from 7-9 p.m. on April 9, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 23. The field course will be held April 25. The test night will be April 27. For more information, call lead instructor Ray Garth at 862-9100.

Sled dog race

The Flathead Classic Sled Dog Race will take place off U.S. 93 in Olney on Feb. 28-March 1. Volunteers are needed, including dog handlers, start chute assistants, parking, bag checker, trail help, snowmobile help, mutt-pull organizers, timers, set-up and more. For more information or to pre-register for the race, visit online at www.flatheadclassic.org.

Summer camps

F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. will host Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center Day Camps this summer on its forest lands between Columbia Falls and Whitefish. The camps serving children ages 6 to 16 include Wilderness Kids Club day camps, Camp Night Hawk, a week-long overnight camp for 10-12 year olds, a Volunteer and Mentor in Training program, and a Teen Overnight Camp for 13-16 year olds. For more information, call Brooke at 406-282-4737 or visit online at www.RavenwoodOLC.org.

Wildlife talk

Wildlife biologist and local author Doug Chadwick will speak of his experiences exploring ecosystems from Siberia to the Congo, and Canada to Northwest Montana at the Museum at Central School, 124 Second Avenue East in Kalispell, on Sunday, Feb. 22, starting at 2:30 p.m. Chadwick received a master’s in wildlife biology from the University of Montana. He is the author of 11 books and produced hundreds of articles for publications for National Geographic, Reader’s Digest and the New York Times Review of Books. Tickets are $9 available at the museum or at the door. For more information, call 756-8381.

Kids avy class

A two-day avalanche awareness class designed for kids will be offered at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Feb. 21-22 and possibly a second time in March. The Big Mountain Ski Patrol was able to support an Avalanche 1 course for kids from 12 to 18 years old that will cost $60, which includes lift access to the top of Big Mountain. Kids will learn the basics of safe mountain travel, introduction to snow science and basic rescue skills. Avalanche beacons, shovel and probes will be available for loan to those who don’t have them. Participants must be able to ski or snowboard. Register online at http://bigmountainskipatrol.org under “Courses.” Space is limited to 12 participants.

Photo fee comments

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission is seeking public comment on fees charged at wildlife management areas for commercial and non-commercial uses. The proposal would eliminate the per-day and statewide fees charged to an individual commercial photographer. This proposal reflects an earlier rule change that exempted individual photographers from the commercial use rules and a decision to eliminate the statewide film permits. Public comments are due by Feb. 21. For more information and to comment, visit online at http://fwp.mt.gov and Click “Public Notices” or e-mail FWPfsh@mt.gov or mail to FWP, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701.

Winter lectures

The Glacier Institute will host wildlife lectures at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell on Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. Former Glacier Park ranger Dave Shea will talk about wildlife encountered by Lewis and Clark on their “Voyage of Discovery” on Feb. 26. Glacier Institute education director Justin Barth will talk about Glacier Park’s fire lookouts on March 19. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit online at conradmansion.com or call 755-2166.