Outdoor news
DREAM fundraiser
Dream Adaptive Recreation Inc., the nonprofit that helps disabled people enjoy skiing and other activities at Whitefish Mountain Resort, will hold its annual dinner, dance and auction at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Kalispell, on Friday, Feb. 17, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. There will be live and silent auctions, a raffle, door prizes and Big Band music by the Swingin' On High band. Tickets are $50 per person available at Montana Coffee Traders, by calling 862-1817 or visiting online at www.dreamadaptive.org.
Wilderness artists
The Flathead National Forest, Hockaday Museum of Art, Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and the Swan Ecosystem Center invite Montana artists to apply for the 2012 Artist-Wilderness-Connection Program. In the program, professional working artists of various disciplines, media and styles spend up to two weeks in a remote forest cabin on the Flathead Forest to focus on their respective art. Applications are available online at www.hockadaymuseum.org or by calling the Hockaday Museum at 755-5268. Deadline is Feb. 28. For more information, contact Teresa Wenum at 758-5218 or Liz Moss at 755-5268.
Park hike
Jake Bramante, the Kalispell man who hiked all 734 miles of trails in Glacier National Park last year, will present photos and talk about his trip during a fundraiser for the Glacier National Park Fund at the O'Shaughnessy Center, in Whitefish, on Thursday, March 1, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Armed with a Canon 7D camera, Bramante captured sweeping panoramas, birds, wildlife and alpine lakes across the Park. Tickets are $10 in advance at Montana Coffee Traders and Park Side Federal Credit Union or $15 at the door. The Glacier National Park Fund is the nonprofit fund raising partner for Glacier Park. For more information, call 892-3250 or visit online at www.glaciernationalparkfund.org.
Elk Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will hold its 27th annual banquet and auction in the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Feb. 18 beginning at 5 p.m. There will be a prime rib dinner at 7 p.m., raffles, silent and live auctions, and entertainment. Tickets are $70 per person or $105 per couple available by calling Kim Wold at 257-9110 or visiting online at www.events.rmef.org.
Horsemen meet
The Beartooth Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Montana will host the outdoor group's 2012 statewide convention at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, in Billings, on Friday through Sunday, March 30 through April 1. With a theme of "Back Country Horsemen in the 21st Century," there will be silent and live auctions, entertainment, a banquet and a photo competition. Donations for the auction can be made by contacting Audrey Harrison at 406-962-9146. Registration forms are available in advance at BCHMT.org or by contacting Carolyn Eucker at (406) 322-4752 or horseqtrsranch@aol.com. For more information, visit online at www.bchmt.org/flatbch.
Park trips
The Glacier National Park Fund will offer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing outings in Glacier National Park this winter. Outings include Feb. 24, snowshoeing; March 9, skiing; March 16, snowshoeing; and March 23, skiing. All outings are weather dependent, take three hours and take place on the west side of the Park. For more information, call 892-3250 or visit online at www.glaciernationalparkfund.org.
Hunter education
Registration for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' local spring hunter education class will take place at the Columbia Falls Fire Department on Tuesday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 27, from 6-8 p.m. Classes will be held at Columbia Falls High School on April 12, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26 and 30 from 7-9 p.m. The field course will be held Saturday, April 28. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 must complete the hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Montana. To become certified, a person must be at least 11 years old. The hunter education course is also available online for anyone 18 years and older for $15. Students born after Jan. 1, 1985 must also take a field course. For more information, call Wade or Penny Fish at 862-6359 or visit online at www.fwp.mt.gov.