New food storage rules for forests

COEUR d'ALENE - The Idaho Panhandle National Forests will require visitors on the Priest Lake, Bonners Ferry and portions of the Sandpoint ranger districts to store food items in a "bear resistant manner" and to properly dispose of wildlife attractants.

The food storage order is intended to reduce human/bear conflicts resulting from readily available food sources and other attractants.

The new rules will be enforced from April 1 through Dec. 1.

Food storage requirements differ slightly depending on location. In "backcountry" locations the order allows animal and fish entrails to be left in place in some situations while food items and other attractants must be packed out.

In "front country" locations the order requires that all food items must be appropriately stored and all attractants including animal entrails must be packed out or disposed of in bear resistant garbage containers.

The new order also defines appropriate methods for acceptably storing and acceptably possessing food, refuse and other attractants, including animal carcasses.

Info: www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf

Book signing at Hastings Saturday

COEUR d'ALENE - Self-published author Fred S. Scott will be signing books from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Hastings book store, 101 Best Ave.

Scott, a Kellogg native, has written two books about hunting in North Idaho's back country, "Memories of Hunting Idaho's Golden Era" and "Reflections From the Golden Age of Hunting."