Outdoor Notebook
Weekend storm amps up avalanche danger
The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse issued a Backcountry Avalanche warning on Friday for areas including Lake and Flathead counties.
The avalanche danger for the warning area was elevated to high due to intense precipitation rates in the Swan Range, on and below steep slopes above 5,000 feet in the Swan Range. New snow from last weekend’s storm was expected to overload the snow surface and bury weak layers, resulting in widespread areas of unstable snow and natural avalanches.
To keep up with snow conditions, head to www.flatheadavalanche.org.
Flathead Reservation Fish and Wildlife Board to meet
The Flathead Reservation Fish and Wildlife Board will meet in February and March. A meeting at 1 p.m. Feb. 8 will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams. The board meets again at 10 a.m. March 1 at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 Office in Kalispell.
To view agendas for these meetings, or log in to the online version, head to fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/flatheadreservation-fishandwildlifeboard.
The advisory board is composed of tribal and state appointees and a representative of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The board is responsible for the development of cooperative management plans, which include fishing and bird hunting regulations.
The public is welcome to attend.
Picture Wild photo contest opens Feb. 1
Wild Montana and Wild Montana Action Fund launched the 14th annual Picture Wild Montana photo contest Feb. 1, with prizes offered for the best photos taken on public lands across the state.
Participants are encouraged to submit their best photos of wild public lands and waters in Montana, or memorable moments in those places, such as hiking in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, fly fishing on the Smith River, or elk hunting in the Charles Russell National Wildlife Refuge.
Since 2009, amateur and professional photographers from across the state have participated in the Picture Wild Montana photo contest. Last year, Wild Montana received hundreds of submissions, each highlighting the beauty and wildness found in Montana.
“These photos demonstrate and celebrate our love of wild public lands in Montana and the power those lands have to bring us together," says Ben Gabriel, executive director of Wild Montana and Wild Montana Action Fund.
This year, photographers have through March 12 to submit their photos at wildmontana.org/photocontest. Contestants may submit up to 10 pictures but must submit each image individually.
Judges will choose first-, second-, and third-place winners, with prizes awarded for each. The first-place winner will receive a $300 Visa gift card and merchandise from our sponsors. Prizes also include Mystery Ranch and Patagonia packs, Oboz Footwear gift certificates, and a complimentary yearlong Wild Montana membership.
Benefis Hospital in Great Falls will display photos from finalists throughout their facilities in an effort to help comfort patients and guests.