Outdoor news

Kids camps

Glacier Institute’s Big Creek Outdoor Education Center will offer kids camps for ages 7-16 this summer. They include Soaring Eagle Backcountry Wilderness Camp, June 30-July 5, ages 14-16, cost $400; Soaring Eaglet Backcountry Wilderness Camp, July 8-2, ages 11-14, cost $325, Woolly Bugger Fly-fishing Camp, Aug. 4-7, ages 12-14, cost $200; Bear Paw Young Naturalist Camp, Aug. 11-16, ages 9-11, cost $325; and Wolf Pup Mini Camp, Aug. 18-20, ages 7-8, cost $125. For more information, call 755-1211.

Board members needed

The Glacier Institute, now in its 30th year providing outdoor education to children and adults, is seeking qualified individuals to serve on its board of directors. For more information, visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org, call 755-1211 or e-mail register@glacierinstitue.org.

Naturalist course

The Glacier Institute will host a Montana Master Naturalist Certification Course from July 6-11 in Glacier National Park with experienced naturalists Brian Williams, from the Montana Natural History Center, and Greg Peters, from the University of Montana’s Biology and Botany Department. The course will take place at the Glacier Institute Field Camp Cost is $675, including lodging, meals, education, transportation and certification. For more information, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.

Fishing Day

The 20th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day is on Flathead Lake on Thursday, June 13. Anglers with disabilities are hosted for free fishing trips on charter boats and other boats provided by volunteers. The event is sponsored by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Crossing the Barriers Committee, and the Montana Charter Boat Association. Woods Bay Marina and Hidden Harbor provide boat launching and picnic facilities. More than 60 anglers are already registered, but there are still slots available for anglers with disabilities under 18 years of age. To register, call FWP at 752-5501.

Grizzly euthanized

A 3-year old, 177-pound female grizzly bear was euthanized on June 1 after being captured by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists in the Glenn Lake area near Eureka. The grizzly was captured after receiving numerous complaints of a bear getting onto porches to seek food in the Glenn Lake and Crystal Lake area. Earlier, the bear entered the Crystal Lakes subdivision and had gotten a beaver carcass off a back porch and dog food that was left outside. The bear was originally captured three years ago as a cub with her mother and sibling at a pig farm in the Pinkham Creek area, where they had gotten into pig feed. They were released in the Whale Creek drainage. FWP reminds folks they need to secure all attractants off porches and near homes, including garbage, pet feed and bird feeders.

Weed rodeo

Start your summer out with a feel great barbecue, and cash in your pocket.  It’s the 11th annual noxious weed pulling rodeo along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.  Each year government agencies, boaters, and anyone looking for a great experience, gather to hand pull weeds along our beautiful river corridor. Meet at Wild River Adventures in West Glacier at 4 p.m. on Friday June 21, where Dawn LeFleur, from Glacier National Park, gives a short educational talk on weeds.  Then folks jump on a bus and head to Moccasin Creek river access to pull weeds.  After the work is done, head back to the raft company for a free barbecue, with cash and prizes given out.  The event is sponsored by Wild River Adventures, Montana Raft Company, Great Northern Whitewater, Glacier Raft Company, Glacier Park, U.S. Forest Service, G.N.E.S.A., Flathead County Weed Control, Rocky Mountain Outfitters, and Sportsman Ski Haus.

Lena Lake fishing

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has approved the proposed rule to temporarily remove the combined trout daily and possession limits for Lena Lake in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, effective immediately, and extending through Aug. 31, 2013.  Lena Lake is scheduled for chemical treatment in September. The proposed bag limit waiver would allow more opportunity for anglers to harvest trout before they are subject to removal through chemical treatment. Lena Lake is 74 acres and is located at the headwaters of the Big Salmon Creek drainage. It is moderately popular with backcountry anglers, who have asked for bag limit waivers prior to previous rotenone treatments to allow more harvest of fish that would otherwise be wasted.  This project is part of the South Fork Cutthroat Conservation Plan.

Ulrich slideshow

Renowned photographer Tom Ulrich presents “The Pantanal of Brazil” at 7 p.m. June 22 at the Montana House in Apgar. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call 888-5393. A reception and book signing will be after the talk.