Page C2 THE DAILY INTER LAKE Thursday, July 26, 2001 OUTDOORS Roundup Wildlife class teaches tracking Wildlife tracker Jon Young has created a system of wildlife tracking that he will share at an upcoming class in Bigfork. Young will present "The Language of the Birds: Unraveling the Secrets of Invisibility" Aug. 3-5 at the Meadow Creek Center. Cost is $165 and no prior experience required. This weekend workshop will shed light on the mystery of bird language and demonstrate how it can be used to detect the movement of the animals.
For more information, log on to www.natureoutlet.com, or call Jim at the Meadow Creek Center at 837- 2345 or e-mail Comments sought on upland bird planting program The Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks Commission is seeking public comment on proposed rules that would regulate Montana's upland game bird release and habitatenhancement programs. The proposed rules define how FWP will authorize participation in release projects for upland game birds, including turkeys and ring necked pheasants. The rules define the requirements for new upland game bird releases, emergency supplemental feeding, and acres of habitat needed and acres of habitat needed to support releases. In addition, the rules set a minimum age of birds to be released at 10 weeks, and sets FWP payment for released pheasants at a rate equal to the average cost of 10- 14 week old pheasants raised by certified hatcheries or game bird growers in Montana: The rules also define requirements for participation in FWP's upland game bird Parks primer State parks offer It's time to visit your lakeshore property in northwest Montana, where nearly all Montana State Parks are located on water. The northwest corner of the state is home to 71 percent of the recreational waterways, and more than a third of all registered boats in the Big Sky Country.
A feature of the Flathead Lake state park system that is gaining popularity is the Flathead Lake Marine Trail. The marine trail is a network of access points and stopover areas for kayaks and sailboats. The trail is designed for boaters with small, beachable. craft who want to explore part or all of the 28-mile length of Flathead. Lake, and maybe enjoy some fishing along the way.
Marine campsites are available for users of the marine trail at each of the Flathead Lake State Park sites except for Wild Horse Island; call FWP at 751-4577 for reservaTrespass case A civil-trespass case in Colorado could test the fate of recreational boating in that state. According to website outsidemag.com, Josi Lutwak, a Lake City ranch owner, is suing raft company owner Jack Nichols for trespass. Unlike Montana, which allows recreational use of rivers and streams within the high-water marks, Colorado doesn't give the public that same right. But in a 1983 criminal case, Colorado boaters were given free reign as long as they remained on the surface of the water, ruled public domain. Before next season the issue will be put to the test again in civil court.
A fund has been started to help pay the legal fees involved in the latest case, which could wind up in Colorado Supreme Court. "And if we lose this one, landowners across the state who have never thought twice about rafts floating by could come out of the woodwork," Bill Dvorak, habitat enhancement program, including placing a $200,000 cap on any individual habitat enhancement projects and requiring projects in excess of $100,000 to be autho-: rized by the FWP Commission. Participation.i in either the upland game bird release program or the upland game bird habitat enhancement program would require free public hunting access. The proposed rules are available on-line atfwp.state.mt.us; or by writing to: FWP, Wildlife Division; Attn: Upland Game Bird Rules, Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620- 0701. Comments will be accepted through Aug.
17. For information call 444-2612. Drought forces adjustments on elk quotas The Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks Commission may. adjust the tentative elk quotas due to become final at its August acknowledged meeting. The landowner Commisconcerns about drought and the impact it may have on game damage this year in making this announcement.
Individuals who wish to comment may call 406-444-2612 or submit their comments by email to: Grants available for trail projects Funding to create, complete, renovate or maintain recreational trails in Montana is available from Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks. Montana's portion of the Recreational Trails Program funding over the next two years totals $1.4 million. FWP's Parks Division administers these federal funds with advice from the cit- izen's State Trails Advisory Committee. Recreational Trails funds can be used for all types of trails including nonmotorized, motorized, multiple use, community, rural and backcountry. Private trail clubs and public agencies are eligible to receive money from lakefront tions.
Landing areas are designated by a diamond shaped sign, and tent pads, tables and fire grills are provided. Private campsites are also widely available. Boaters can visit Cedar and Bird Islands as well as Wild Horse Island as part of their tour. Boaters who paddle the trail should be prepared; weather can change quickly and storms can create dangerous conditions on a lake the size of Flathead. A Leading the way are the six sites along the shores of Flathead Lake, the West's largest natural lake, located between Kalispell and Polson.
Five Flathead Lake State Park sites feature camping with a total of 129 campsites, and they offer picnic areas near the lakeshore. Swimming and fishing are popular at each site. Wild Horse Island, one of the largest islands in the inland U.S., is a primitive park known for its bighorn sheep and wild horses. The tests river rights founder of Bill Dvorak Kayak Rafting Expeditions, told Outside magazine. He said this program.
Earlier in 2001, FWP provided $714,000 to 41 trail projects. Grant applications can be downloaded beginning July 30 from FWP's web page at an www.fwp.state.mt.us. To request a copy, call FWP at 444-4585 or 444-7642 and leave a message with your name and address. Applications must be submitted to FWP by Nov. 23, 2001.
The state also announced that $150,000 in state grant funding is available to maintain existing off highway vehicle (OHV) trails, including education, and noxious weed Federal and state agencies, organizations and clubs may apply for the grant money which is generated by gasoline taxes and registration fees for OHV's. Grant applications should be submitted to a professional state biologist by Sept. 28, 2001 for their evaluation. The deadline to submit completed grants is Nov. 23, 2001.
Information about the OHV Trails program or a grant application packet may be obtained by calling 444-7317 or by e-mail at us. Grant applications can be downloaded beginning July 30 from FWP's web page at www.fwp.state.mt.us. Council discusses private lands, public wildlife The Private Wildlife Council will meet Aug. 1 in Helena. The 15-member council of landowners, hunters, and outfitters is appointed by the governor to offer recommendations for resolving issues regarding public hunting access, private land impacts, and outfitting industry issues.
The council will meet at Jorgenson's Inn from 8.a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but During the August meeting, council members will review recent legislative actions related to Council activities, and begin the process of identifying, prioritizing, and developing a strategy for addressing issues during coming months. The public is invited to attend the Council meeting and to property: at a Big Arm Bay State Park site is a popular spot to access the island. Finley Point, a secluded park near the south end of the lake, offers a 16-slip marina for boats up to 25 feet long and campsites with electric and water hook-ups.
WHITEFISH LAKE STATE PARK is located 15 miles north of Kalispell and provides excellent picnicking and camping on the shores of 6- mile long Whitefish A popular boating and swimming spot, this park offers views of Big Mountain Ski Area and is an excellent base: camp for people wishing to visit the ski area, hike the Danny On Trail to the top of the mountain, then ride the gondola back down. Boat launches can be found other northwest Montana State Parks where fishing is the prime summer activity. Lake Mary Ronan State Park between Kalispell and Polson is known for kokanee salmon and trout fishing. It offers an. in Colorado waterways could either be closed to the public or boaters could be required to pay fees.
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Interested anglers can register at the FWP Headquarters on North Meridian Road, or they can call FWP at 752-5501. Fishing gear, lunches, and beverages will be supplied for the anglers. The float is free of charge. Interested anglers should contact FWP to get their names on the registration list. Disabled anglers of all ages and level of fishing experience are encouraged to register.
Learn how to fly fish at Glacier Institute class Beginning and intermediate anglers are invited to participate in the Glacier Institute's adult field course "The Art and Science of Fly Fishing" on. Aug.4 in the North Fork ValIT ley. Avid fly fisherman R.J. Devitt will instruct students in the basics of fly fishing, including lessons on aquatic insects, equipment, casting, and fly tying. Participants will get an" opportunity to put their new knowledge to the test on the North Fork River.
Cost of the course is $45. Fly fishing gear is available at no extra cost to those who don't. have their own, and fishing licenses are not necessary for the purposes of this course. For more information, or to register, call the Glacier Institute at 755-1211. fraction of the cost excellent boat ramp, campground and picnic area.
Logan State Park located west of Kalispell is a prime site for accessing the Thompson Lake chain, where anglers can catch rainbow trout, kokanee, and perch: For those who like flowing water, Thompson Falls State Park is located on the banks of the Clark Fork River. Across northwest Montana, state parks offer something for everyone interested in getting on the water. As the summer heats up, consider bringing the family to visit your lakeshore property in this 7 water-rich corner of the state. John Fraley, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks IN THE FIELD Nine-year-old Jordon Penney of Kalispell was fishing for bass in Many Lakes when he hooked this 16-pound, 37.5- inch northern pike. (To submit your outdoors photo to the In the Field section, bring them the Inter Lake or send them to Outdoors, Box 7610.
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