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.

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.

UnCommon Sense

Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Company recently graduated from the UnCommon Sense Business Leadership for a Sustainable Future program in Bozeman hosted by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The West Glacier business was one of seven businesses that graduated from the two-year program, including two others from the Flathead — Crown Of The Continent Geotourism, and Citizens For A Better Flathead. The UnCommon Sense program helps businesses work toward becoming environmentally responsible.

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.