Outdoors briefs
Osprey cruise July 12
The Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's 28th annual osprey cruise is set for 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, aboard the Mish-an-Nock at The Resort Boardwalk Marina.
"Wings Over Water" offers an opportunity to explore Cougar Bay and observe ospreys and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Participants are treated to up-close sightings of migratory ospreys, as well as resident eagles, cormorants, geese and ducks.
Onboard wildlife experts and habitat specialists will provide educational experiences, including bird mounts, eggs and talons.
Representatives from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Bureau of Land Management, Inland Northwest Land Trust and other agencies will be aboard to offer insights into the region’s natural and cultural history.
Tickets are $25 for adults, free for kids 12 and younger with a paying adult. The family package for two adults and up to three kids 18 and younger is $60, while seniors and students are $20.
Coffee and water will be available. It is recommended to bring camera, sunscreen, binoculars, sunglasses and a sun hat.
The cruise is presented by the Chamber’s Natural Resource Committee, in partnership with Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises and Captain Carl Fus.
Info: 208-664-3194, register: bit.ly/4n6rK4I
— The Press
Yearling moose relocated out of residential neighborhood
A yearling moose was safely captured and relocated Tuesday after it wandered into a residential neighborhood in Burley.
Local law enforcement in Cassia County received multiple reports of the moose in a backyard during the early afternoon. Deputies quickly responded and notified nearby residents, advising them to avoid approaching the animal.
Idaho Fish and Game wildlife staff, with assistance from local law enforcement, safely anesthetized and captured the moose. It was then relocated to more suitable moose habitat in the southern portion of the region.
Wildlife in urban areas can create stressful situations for both the animal and nearby residents. In cases where relocation is necessary, the public is encouraged to maintain a safe distance and keep pets secure to ensure the safety of both the animal and the capture team.
It's fawning season for town deer, too
Every year, in mid-June or early July, Fish and Game staff in the McCall office start to receive reports of aggressive deer. Right on time, Fish and Game received its first report up Warren Wagon Road last week. Now, staff are reminding area residents to give deer space and keep dogs on leashes to avoid potential conflicts.
“There are a couple of areas where we know of does that tend to become pushy or threatening when they have fawns hidden nearby,” says Nathan Borg, regional wildlife biologist. “For the last few years, there’s been one up Warren Wagon Road and another near the Woodlands.”
Although it can seem like strange behavior, it’s pretty normal for does to become aggressive, especially in a place where deer have fawns right in town. All wildlife have a choice between fight or flight when they feel threatened, and even typically docile animals like deer will sometimes choose fight.
According to Borg, deer can be particularly aggressive when they encounter domestic dogs, which they see as predators.
Kill, keep, report any walleye found in salmon and steelhead rivers
Walleye expansion in salmon and steelhead waters are a continued concern for Idaho Fish and Game's and anglers, so the department asks anglers to kill, keep and report any walleye found in waters where salmon or steelhead are present.
Reports from anglers have helped fish managers keep tabs on where walleye are spreading, how often anglers are encountering them and the size of walleye being caught. Anglers are also helping to remove those they catch from the rivers. Anyone who catches a walleye in the Lower Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers is asked to kill it, take a photo and contact Fish and Game Biologist Marika Dobos at the Lewiston Regional Office by email at [email protected], or call 208-750-4228.
In 2024, 80 walleye were caught and reported in the Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to the confluence area in Lewiston, and the Salmon River from Riggins to the mouth. Most of the walleye caught ranged between 15 and 18 inches, and a few were between 25 and 30 inches. Walleye are effective predators that can feed on wild juvenile salmon and steelhead in large rivers, as well as salmon/steelhead hatchery smolts that have been released to migrate to the ocean.
F&G closes Chinook salmon fishing on Little Salmon River
Idaho Fish and Game officials closed Chinook fishing on the Little Salmon River the afternoon of June 24 after the sport fishery met the allowable harvest share. There are still open Chinook salmon fisheries remaining in parts of the Clearwater River basin, the Snake River, the South Fork Salmon River and the Upper Salmon River.
— Idaho Department of Fish and Game
CSKT issues fish consumption warning for three rivers
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are advising all tribal members to avoid consuming all species and sizes of fish harvested from the lower Clark Fork River from the Bitterroot River near Missoula to the Flathead River near Paradise.
Recent testing has confirmed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans in fish at levels that are unsafe for consumption by tribal peoples, according to a press release sent Tuesday.
“This is a precaution rooted in science and our responsibility to protect tribal health and well-being. We urge our people to stay informed and make safe choices,” said Tom McDonald, CSKT Council vice-chair.
— Daily Montanan