Outdoors briefs

Moonlight hike slated at Canyon Ferry

The Montana Discovery Foundation and the Helena National Forest will offer a moonlight hike on April 17 on the east side of Canyon Ferry Lake.

This hike is an easy four-mile hike around a pond with great birding opportunities.

The hike takes place on a dirt road with little to no elevation gain. The family-friendly hike will be from 7-9 p.m. and should allow us to enjoy the stunning view of Boulder Baldy in the sunset.

For reservations call Sam at 495-3718 or Debbie at 495-3711.

MWA 50th anniversary events this month

The Montana Wilderness Association will mark its 50th anniversary with a weekend of events April 25-27 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls.

On April 25, the Island Range Chapter is hosting an evening of entertainment at the History Museum, 422 2nd St. South, Great Falls. Performers are Philip Aaberg, renowned composer and pianist from Chester, and Greg Keeler, poet, musician and humorist from Bozeman.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.wildmontana.org.

On April 26, there will be four different hikes in the Great Falls area led by MWA volunteers. Following the hikes, guest speaker Ed Zahniser, writer and son of the primary author of the 1964 Wilderness Act, will speak.

That evening is the banquet dinner with keynote speaker Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Events are also planned all day April 28.

All events are open to the public. Registration is available online (www.wildmontana.org) or by calling 443-7350.

Sharpshooter tourney at Paws Up planned

Sharpshooters nationwide are invited to participate in the inaugural Montana Master Marksmen Sporting Clays Tournament April 19-20, 2008.

NSCA Shooters and hunter-class shooters are welcome.

The 12-station, fully automated mountain course is designed by National Champion Sporting Clays Shooter, Andy Duffy. It will feature a mix throwing of registered-standard, mini, midi, battue and rabbit targets.

Registration is $120 per shooter. Advance registration is available by calling 406-244-5363. Onsite registration starts at 7:30 a.m. each day. Shooting will start at 10 a.m.

The Shooting Club at Paws Up is located just west of Clearwater Junction in Greenough.

Outdoor club lists events for April

The Helena Outdoor Club has announced its schedule of trips for the month of April.

- Every Tuesday night, starting in April, the group will have hikes on the trails around town Call Jo Anne at 449-7971.

- On April 18, there will be a hike on the Wakina Sky/Stairway to Heaven Loop off Grizzly Gulch Road. It's a four-mile hike partly on road, partly trail. Leaving town about 11 a.m.

Call Barb at 443-1159.

- April 20: Walk on the Helena Ridge Trail. There is a possibility of seeing purple pasque flowers, budding bitterroots and pink carpets of phlox.

The moderate, eight-mile hike will take about four hours. The trail may still be muddy or snow-filled in places. Leaving at 8:30 a.m. Call Monique for meeting place. 495-9206.

- April 19-20: Blackfoot River weekend trip, starting from Cedar Meadows, camping at River Junction and continuing to Scotty Brown Bridge. Some whitewater experience preferred.

Call Jo Anne at 449-7971. Weather dependent.

- Saturday April 26: Dearborn River all-day 19-mile adventure through a spectacular canyon. The trip is weather-dependent and for intermediate kayakers and rafters.

Call Jo Anne for details 449-7971.

MWF holding 73rd banquet and auction

The Montana Wildlife Federation will hold its 73rd Banquet and Auction April 19 at the Best Western Great Northern.

Doors open at 5 p.m. at the Best Western Great Northern in Helena with a no-host social hour, silent and live auctions for a long list of outdoor gear and home furnishings, gun raffle, trip getaway raffle, fly rod raffles, dinner and door prizes.

The live auction featuring auctioneer Steve Mandeville will include artwork, outdoor gear and accessories for anyone who likes hunting, fishing or just being in the great outdoors; gift baskets; getaway weekends; household accessories and so much more. Come enjoy the evening and support MWF efforts to stand up for hunters, anglers, public access and wildlife.

Call 458-0227 for reservations.