Outdoor news
Elk poached
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens are seeking information about an elk found poached near Holland Lake, south of Condon in the Swan Valley. Bigfork area game warden Chuck Bartos said the poaching occurred either Monday night or Tuesday morning, Dec. 15-16. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Bartos at 253-2934. Callers can also anonymously report information to 1-800-TIP-MONT. Callers who provide information leading to a conviction may be eligible for a reward.
Icefishing derby
The 44th annual Kalispell Sunriser Lions Family Ice Fishing Derby on Smith Lake will take place Saturday, Dec. 27, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prizes include $100 gift certificates for the largest perch and pike. There will be hourly drawings and hot drinks, chili, hot dogs, hamburgers, a warming fire and S’mores. The first 75 kids that catch a fish will receive a fishing rod. Cost is adults $5, kids $2 and families $10. Proceeds will benefit the Sunriser’s kids fish pond projects.
Christmas trees
Christmas tree cutting permits are available for $5 for one tree at Forest Service offices in Kalispell, Hungry Horse and Bigfork and vendors across the valley. A complete list can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/flathead. Maximum is two permits per household. Commercial permits are not available. For more information, call the Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 758-5204, the Hungry Horse-Glacier View and Spotted Bear Ranger Districts at 387-3800 or the Swan Lake Ranger District at 837-7500.
Fly tying
The Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will offer free fly tying classes in the Kalispell Middle School library for five consecutive Mondays starting Jan. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Beginning and advanced classes will be available. Students should provide their own tools, although loaner tool kits will be available. All materials and fly hooks will be furnished. For more information, call Jim Johnson at 837-3210 or visit online at http://flatheadtu.org.
Winter classes
The Glacier Institute has added three new courses for the winter season: “North Fork Animal Tracking and Sign Interpretation” on Saturday, Jan. 10, with experienced tracker Brian Baxter, cost $65; and “Winter Birds of Prey” on Saturday, March 7, with rough-legged hawks, golden eagles and great gray owls during the winter months, cost $65. For more information, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
State parks
Montana State Parks is seeking volunteers to serve on three citizens advisory committees. Members will meet about three times per year and will be reimbursed for travel expenses. The Snowmobile Advisory Committee advises the state on distribution of about $430,000 in grooming funds. The State Trails Advisory Committee provides advice on distribution of about $1.5 million for motorized and non-motorized projects. The Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee provides advice on distribution of $150,000 for motorized trail-related issues. Applications can be sent to Trails Advisory Committees, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701 or by e-mail to bshumate@mt.gov. Deadline is Dec. 15.