Wolf comments

Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are seeking additional comment on a recent court-challenged decision to close the wolf hunting and trapping seasons in two areas north of Yellowstone National Park. The FWP Commission closed the area on Dec. 10, 2012, in response to concern about the harvest of wolves with collars that supply scientific information to Yellowstone Park researchers. The commission will meet via conference call on Jan. 29 to reconsider its closure decision. Comments can be submitted online at www.fwp.mt.gov, click “Hunting ” or mailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Attn: Wolf Comments, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701. Deadline is Jan. 25.

Ice-fishing for women

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will sponsor an ice-fishing workshop as part of its Becoming an Outdoors Woman program at Peterson Lake near Bigfork on Feb. 8-10. This class is for beginning or intermediate anglers who want to learn the basics or improve their fishing skills. The workshop setting is a modern camp located on the shore of Peterson Lake. The $100 fee includes all equipment, meals and two nights lodging. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact Liz Lodman at 406-444-9940 or llodman@mt.gov. Registration forms are available online at http://fwp.mt.gov under “Beyond BOW” and at the FWP office at 490 North Meridian Road in Kalispell.

Ice-fishing derby

The Babb/St. Mary Volunteer Fire Department’s annual ice fishing derby at Duck Lake will take place Feb. 9 and 10 with hourly prize drawings, 50/50 ticket drawings, coffee and food at a concession stand. Fee is $20 with fishing on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. Tickets will be available at the lake on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday starting at 7 a.m. and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Cash prizes for longest fish are $700 first, $400 second, $200 third and $100 fourth. Children 12-and-under fish for free. Donations can be dropped off at the Babb/St. Mary VFD or mailed to P.O. Box 69, Babb MT 5941. For more information, call 406-732-9292.

RAC openings

The Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee has openings for seven members and three alternate members. The committee reviews and recommends projects for funding that will benefit National Forest System lands within Flathead County. Members are appointed volunteers serving four-year terms. Applications must be submitted to the Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office, at 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell MT 59901 by March 31. Applications are available from the supervisor’s office or by calling 758-5252.

Birding trip

Flathead Audubon will sponsor a joint winter birding trip with the Mission Valley and Five Valleys Audubon chapters on Sunday, Jan. 20, to look for snowy owls, hawks, waterfowl and other birds in the Mission Valley between Polson and Saint Ignatius. Space is limited so people are advised to sign up early. For more information, e-mail Leslie at kehoes11@centurytel.net or call 837-4467 after 5 p.m.

Road closure

The Forest Service will close part of Hay Creek Road, in the North Fork, to all vehicle traffic on Monday through Friday from now until March 31. Logging trucks will be operating there as part of the Hay-More Stewardship project and is closed to snowmobiling. The closed section is on Forest road No. 376 (Hay Creek) from the intersection of the North Fork Road to Forest road No. 909 (Cyclone Creek Road). For more information, call 387-3800.