OUTDOORS ROUNDUP: Today's the last day to participate in FWP online fishing survey

| March 31, 2016 7:15 AM

Today is the last chance to take a survey concerning Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ online fish information and the development of a new fish and fishing information project.

The current fishing guide and MFISH applications are the primary means the agency disseminates fish and angling data for water bodies, accounting for more than 230,000 page visits per year.

Weekly prizes, including a one-year subscription to Montana Outdoors and fish T-shirts, will be awarded to survey participants. Priorities identified from this effort will be used to inform development of the new application, which may be available in 2017.

To participate, visit fwp.mt.gov/fishing/publicComments/fishPortalSurvey.html.

Turkey hunt on way

Montana’s spring male turkey hunting season begins April 9.

Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license in a general area at Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices, license providers or online.

The application deadline for Western Montana’s spring gobbler season permits has passed.

The 2016 spring turkey regulations are available at Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices and license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov.

Hunters should remember when transporting a spring turkey within the state of Montana, one leg and foot must be left naturally attached for evidence of sex.

Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land.

Birding course set

Flathead Audubon’s spring adult education birding course, “Beauty of Birds,” will be taught Wednesday evenings on April 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Classes run from 6-8 p.m. in the large lecture room at Flathead High School. The series of four classes is $10.

Audubon volunteers and local bird experts will offer hints on field marks, songs and calls, habitats and local birding hotspots. Each class features a lesson and guest speaker. The final class takes students into the field to practice their skills. The course is designed for both beginning birders and seasoned experts.

This year’s speakers and their topics are:

• April 6 – Birds of Glacier National Park by Steve Gniadek.

• April 13 – Raptors and Owls by Kari Gabriel.

• April 20 – Bird Calls by Denny Olson.

• April 27 – Field Trip with Bob Lee and Leslie Kehoe.

For more information, contact Lisa Flowers at (406) 781-1721 or by email at auduboneducator@gmail.com.

To sign up for the course, call Flathead High School at (406) 751-3500.

Cabela’s holds Outdoor Days event

The Cabela’s store in Kalispell is wrapping up its annual Spring Great Outdoor Days event this weekend with sales, seminars and other family-friendly activities.

• Turkey calling 101: April 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Safe shooting at the BB gun range: April 2, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Downrigger tactics for western waters: April 2, noon

• Archery 101: April 2, 1 p.m.

• Campsite Dutch oven cooking with Becoming an Outdoors Woman: April 2, 2 p.m.

• Turkey hunting tactics, calls and more: April 3, 11 a.m.

• ‘Be Bear Aware’ presents safe bear-aware campsite setup: April 3

For more information, call (406) 203-5200 or visit www.cabelas.com/kalispell.

Bob Marshall public meeting is in Choteau Saturday

The annual Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex public meeting is Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at the Stage Stop Inn in Choteau.

Historically the participants at the annual meeting have helped with solutions or ideas for land managers to incorporate. Specific updates will be shared from the fire season of 2015, the wilderness stewardship performance program, specific trail needs, wilderness issues and more.

Managers also will be asking how people value the wilderness they have today and what the expectations are for the future.

To view the annual wilderness newsletter, visit www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/flathead/specialplaces.

Wilderness Speaker event at FVCC features Rick and Susie Graetz

The Montana Wilderness Foundation presents the final Wilderness Speakers series program by University of Montana instructor Rick Graetz and his wife, Susie, titled, “This is the Crown of the Continent, Our Home,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the theater of the Arts and Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.

The Graetzes have explored almost every corner of the Crown of the Continent, from the Yellowstone Valley to the Canadian Rockies. Their adventures have generated many stories, over 30 co-authored books and thousands of photographs. Through the lens of their cameras, the Graetzes will explore the geologic and natural history of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem, a swath of elevated geography on a colossal scale in Northwest Montana, and southern Alberta and British Columbia

This is a free event and is open to all ages. For more information, contact Grete Gansauer at ggansauer@wildmontana.org or find the event listed at www.bmwf.org/events.

There’s still time to register for some hunter and bowhunter education courses in Northwest Montana.

By state law, all first time bowhunters must pass the bowhunter education course in order to purchase an archery license in Montana. Hunter education courses are available for those who are 10 and older.

To view the schedule of classes and to register online, log on to fwp.mt.gov, click “Education” and then click “Hunter Education.” You will be able to search the list of active classes and register.

For more information, call FWP at 752-5501.