Winter awakenings
As the new year begins, wildlife adapt to harsh conditions in many ways. Snowshoe hare, ptarmigan and ermine don their white winter coats. Pine squirrels tap their stored food cache, and bears slumber in a state of torpor. Birds of prey that do not migrate vary diets and increase home ranges. The strong, adaptable and savvy will survive in the wild, with a little luck. Homo sapiens also face tough conditions coming into a new year. Many have lost beloved relatives and friends. Some have encountered challenging economic conditions or dealt with illness and health issues. Many may have been betrayed by those once thought of as friends. In a world seemingly devoid of any moral map and compass, unfortunately this type of behavior occurs often.
The coming year gives us all a chance to renew and re-create. Wild creatures that survive the winter challenges will come through in spring much stronger and much smarter. And us humble humans, frail as we may be in so many ways, also have a chance to reach deep inside ourselves, pull out our inner strength, and resolve to give it a whole hearted effort.
One way to do this is through re-connecting with Mother Nature, who restores and strengthens our bodies, fortifies our souls and sharpens our minds. So whatever form of winter recreation you enjoy, get out and do it! Snowmobile, downhill ski, ice fish, cross-country ski, snowboard, alpine ski and snowshoe out in our beautiful winter wonderlands. Be careful, but smile, have fun and enjoy! It will make you feel better, and you may find your smile is an emotional contagion!
On Jan. 7, join Montana Wilderness Association for an outdoor program studying tracks, trails, scat and sign near Kila, Montana. Call 406-730-2006, or see the website wildmontana.org and view winter walks to register.
On Jan. 14, Northern Idaho College in Sandpoint, Idaho is offering a winter wildlife tracking program out of Sandpoint. Call 208-769-3214, or email bthawker@nic.edu to register. In Libby, a group will gather to study animal tracks and sign on Jan. 21 and sponsor for this outing is Montana Wilderness Association. Folks can call 406-730-2006 or see wildmontana.org to register for this class.
On Jan. 28, Kootenai Angler and Kootenai Country Montana will be offering a Saturday hike entitled, “Reading Winter Wildlife Trails.” This is coordinated through the Venture Inn, and includes a weekend package deal through the Venture. Call 406-293-7711, or 406-291-2154 for more information.
Friends of Scotchman Peaks is hosting a program with focus on discovering animal tracks and sign on February 4th in Heron, Montana. Call 208-290-1281, or email sandy@scotchmanpeaks.org to sign up.
A special program out of Libby honoring our veterans will be presented on Feb. 11 and is sponsored by Montana Wilderness Association. This unique winter ecology outdoor educational program has been organized to show appreciation for our men and women of the armed services. Veterans and non-veterans are welcome to attend, so come out and show your love for these folks! This is a free class, and to sign up call 406-730-2006, or see wildmontana.org and view the wilderness walks to register.
And on Feb. 18, Kootenai Angler and Kootenai Country Montana will present another weekend package offering an outdoor program studying evergreen trees, plants, animal and bird tracks of the Kootenai out of the Venture Inn in Libby. To find out more about these new programs call the Venture at 406-293-7711, or 406-291-2154, and let your out of town friends and relatives know about these unique offerings! Also, give a listen to station KVRZ-FM, as they are hosting a new show called Kootenai Outdoors on the second and last Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Our friends at KLCB will also be announcing outdoor programs in our area.
In our attempts at renewal, it may be wise for us fallible humans to remember despite whatever challenges we have faced recently, that there is still a lot of good in this world. There are still a lot of good people in this world as well.
While winter recreating, perhaps it may be somewhat wisdomous for us to contemplate and strive to be as authentic as we can as individuals. We can seek the authentic among us, while still assisting those who may be confused, or may need a helping hand up in recovering from the trials and tribulations of the past year. Somehow, being out there staying in tune with the rythymes of nature, seems to inspire us. We may also come out better than we thought in the spring, renewed and refreshed. With a little luck that is!
Happy New Year.