Outdoors news

Much left unsettled

Some years stand out for accomplishment, but 2008 seems to be notable for unfinished business in the great outdoors.

Strange snow year forced adjustments

Unlike the huge dump of snow in Spokane last week, the snow in the 2007- 2008 winter came more gradually and steadily, and it disappeared the same way.

Gray wolf leaves its mark throughout the Northwest

The 2008 Critter of the Year for the Inland Northwest had no rivals at the top of the food chain — except for man.

Highlights from the field

Anniversaries
100, Seven northwest national forests, including the Clearwater in Idaho and Umatilla in Oregon-Washington.

2008 was an exceptional year for Inland Northwest anglers

2008 delivered a stream of fine fishing to Inland anglers. Oregon's saltwater salmon fishing was closed for lack of fish and seasons were shortened off the Washington Coast. Yet big numbers of fish came to greet Inland anglers.

2008 SPOTLIGHT

Upper Clark Fork free at last
Breaching of Milltown Dam in March, part of a $120 million Superfund project, allowed the upper Clark Fork River near Missoula to flow freely for the first time in 100 years.

Winning writers

Ferris grad slogs in race to South Pole

Out & About

Life's A BEACH

PDO County gets wildlife officer

Bitter-sweet evening

Sheltered Child

Rock 'n' roll no-no

Answering the call

Stevens County search was a lost cause

Out & About

Search on for rescue funds

Air Force unit vital asset

Teen gives his best shot

Puget Sound club gets top award

SHOOTING

Grin, bear it

OHVers need new license to ride

Out & About

Idaho's new OHV licensing

Wolves targeted despite hunt ban

The Gear Junkie: Outdoor gear put to test on Utah's highest peak

Life of fly fishing ends for Gerlach

Agents busy on poaching cases

Death mountain

McManus humor era ending at Outdoor Life

Out & About

Survival situation not for picky eaters

Nut butters an outdoor staple

Bighorns in rut are smash hit for wildlife watchers

BIRDWATCHING