Montana Ski Report

Refuge display gains new exhibits

By Michael Howell

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge located a few miles north of Stevensville is a hot spot for bird watchers in the Bitterroot Valley. Over 280 species of birds have been identified using the Refuge’s 2,800 acres. Close to 105 bird species nest there. In addition, the refuge offers an opportunity for up-close inspection of over three dozen specimens in a museum quality display at the Visitors Center. More...

Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Bob Danley (left), accepts three new taxidermy-mounts to be placed on display in the entrance vestibule of the refuge's Visitor Center. The exhibits were produced by Gary Cargille of The Wind and The Wing Taxidermy Studio (center). The taxidermy work was paid for by the Friends of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. President Paul Hayes holds one of the organization's primary fundraising items, a decorative license plate. The license plates may be purchased at the County vehicle registration office in Hamilton. Michael Howell photo.

This taxidermy-mounted Northern Goshawk with a grouse in its talons was only about a year old when it died. The bird's yellow eyes are an indication of its age. According to local taxidermist Gary Cargille, Goshawks (like other Accipiters) are born with blue eyes. By the time they are about a year old their eyes will turn yellow. At two years of age their eyes will turn orange, and at three years of age their eyes iwll finally turn a deep red color and remain that color for the rest of their lives. This hawk and many other taxidermy-mounted birds are on disply at the Visitor Center of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Michael Howell photo.

Commissioners look for input on airport

By Michael Howell

Close to fifty people filled the County Commissioners’ meeting room on Monday to consider options for improving the county airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has informed the county that the airport, located east of Hamilton, does not meet current federal safety standards and may lose federal funding if the safety violations are not corrected. The safety shortcomings include a runway located too close to the taxiway and the encroachment of some hangars into the taxiway space. More...

Wildlife friendly fencing – the wave of the future

By Michael Howell

The Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has published a landowner’s guide to wildlife friendly fences that has proven to be a very popular item not only in Montana, but in other states and even in other countries. More...

A Montana-produced guide for landowners on wildlife-friendly fencing is grabbing the attention of property owners everywhere.

Recycling Services scaling back

By Michael Howell

Ravalli Services Recycling Corporation, a Hamilton-based recycling operation, is stopping its cardboard pickup service and pulling in its roll off collection bins from areas around the valley. More...

Ravalli Recycling plans to pull its roll-off collection bins from various locations around the county and discontinue that kind of collection service by the end of this month as a cost-saving measure. The company is also discontinuing its cardboard collection service. "We are not closing up shop," said company manager Mike Sadowski. "We are just pulling in to make a stand and try to ride out these difficult times." Michael Howell photo.

School calendar sent back to committee

By Michael Howell

A few people at last week’s Stevensville School Board meeting noted that for some reason, every seven or eight years the school calendar wants to begin at the same time as the County Fair. This apparently is one of those years. The committee submitted a calendar for consideration by the Board that would have the students in school at Fair time and a few dozen parents showed up to protest. Many of them have children in 4-H or Future Farmers of America or otherwise participate in the Fair. Without exception (they were polled) they all thought the calendar was, well, not fair. More...

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