Area outdoor happenings

Owls of the Mission

A wildlife course titled "Owls of the Mission Valley: Hoots and Haunts" is offered by The Glacier Institute on April 4. Spring is the best time to see the many species of silent winged predators as they breed in the vast expanses and hidden tree holes of the Mission Valley.

This two-day program includes day and night field trips to learn about the habitats, adaptations for silent flight, hunting breeding and life histories of these impressive creatures. Field excursions involve short hikes through level but brushy terrain into owl habitat to investigate snags and look for nests.

Course attendees will stay at the Ninepipes Lodge for this overnight excursion. Call 406-755-1211 or www.glacierinstitute.org for more information. The $275 fee includes lodging, transportation, materials and some meals. Participants are required to register for lodging on their own.

Send you park art

Montana's fifth graders will have an opportunity to test their artistic skills this spring and compete for some exciting prizes by participating in the 2009 Montana State Parks poster contest.

The deadline to enter is April 4, and the theme is "Montana State Parks: Who Lived There First?" Prizes include lodging in a Montana State Park, backpacks, equipment and field guides. Students and teachers without access to the Internet may request an information packet from FWP by phoning: 406-444-3818, or by writing: FWP, Parks Division, 1420 East 6th Ave., Helena, MT, 59620-0701.

For contest materials, go to the FWP Web page at fwp.mt.gov.

Ski for Bozeman

Bridger Bowl will hold a fundraiser on April 5 to raise money to assist Bozeman residents and employers impacted by last month's explosion. Bridger Bowl will donate 50 percent of all lift ticket revenue from that day to the HRDC Downtown Relief Fund.

Season pass holders are encouraged to make a tax-deductible contribution as well. Checks should be made payable to: "HRDC-Downtown Relief Fund".

Operating hours are from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Half-day rates begin at 12:30 p.m. Food and beverages offered on the deck with live music at the Deer Park Chalet from noon until

3 p.m.

Hike to Strawberry Lookout

On April 7, the Montana Discovery Foundation will lead a moonlight hike to the Strawberry Lookout in the Elkhorn M0untains south of Helena. There is a 1.25 mile hike along a maintain Forest Service road. Call 495-3718 or 495-3711 for more information.

Wildflower warmup

On April 8, the Montana Discovery Foundation and Kesley Chapter of the Native Plant Society will host a wildflower warm-up with a slide show by Drake Barton at the Lewis and Clark Library at 7 p.m. Drake will focus on the local species that should bloom very soon. Call for 495-3718 for more

information.

Sustainable ecosystems

On April 9, the Wilderness Society Environmental and Resource Economist Joe Kerkvliet will lecture on creating sustainable communities and ecosystems for future generations through the contributions of ecosystem services. The public lecture takes place at 7 p.m. at the Helena Middle School auditorium and is free to the public.

Blackfoot River

Ducks Unlimited

On April 18, the Blackfoot River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual banquet at the Lincoln Community Hall. This enjoyable family evening is your opportunity to help support wildlife habitat conservation in Montana -- and maybe take home a new shotgun.

Event includes a wide selection of auction and prize items, including shotguns and rifles, a pair of Ole Olson's world renowned decoys and other wildlife art. The social hour begins at 5 p.m., a buffet dinner is served at 6, and the live auction starts at 7.

Dinner and a year's membership in Ducks Unlimited costs $45 for one person, $65 per couple, and $20 for kids under 18.

To be entered in this year's Early Bird Shotgun Drawing, register by April 2. Call Ernie or Renee Lundberg at 362-4072 for more information.

Readers: The deadline to submit an event for Thursday's outdoors section is now on Monday. Please send event information to the outdoors editor at mkidston@helenair.com.