MWA offers free guided hike with instruction on tracking and signage

Submitted by Brian Baxter

Enjoy a day in the field with seasoned wildlife tracker Brian Baxter observing, identifying and reading the tracks, trails, scat and sign mammals and birds leave as clues to their winter behaviors. We will investigate several habitats, so please come prepared with proper clothing, good boots, snowshoes (MWA has a few pairs to loan out, if needed), lunch, binoculars and a tracking book if you have one.

This is a free, guided hike sponsored by Montana Wilderness Association’s Winter Wilderness Walks program. The hike will leave on Saturday Jan. 21, 2017 at 9 a.m. from the Venture Inn in Libby. It will be approximately three miles long with less than 600 feet of elevation gain.

Participants must sign up at wildmontana.org by clicking “sign up” on the 2017 Winter Walks banner on the homepage. From there, sign up instructions will follow for all of MWA’s Winter Walks. Participants interested in this hike should select #7: “Animal Tracking and Sign Interpretation”. Participants will get information about specific meeting time and place after registration. Children over 10 years of age with genuine interest are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Montana Wilderness Association works with communities to protect Montana’s wilderness heritage, quiet beauty and outdoor traditions, now and for future generations.

Established in 1958 by Montanans who were instrumental in the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, Montana Wilderness Association has since worked for the designation of virtually every wilderness area in the state, as well as Wild and Scenic designations for suitable stretches of the Flathead and Missouri rivers.

For additional information about Montana Wilderness Association please visit: www.wildmontana.org.

For more information or for questions regarding registration, please contact Brian Baxter at b_baxter53@yahoo.com or at 291-2154.