SNOWMOBILING
Cougar Mountain Fun Run Saturday, Jan. 19
The Cougar Mountain Snowmobile Club will host a poker-style fun run at the Wellington Snow Park off Idaho 55 at Smiths Ferry.
Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon. There’s a $5 donation per hand for the fun run with 60 percent of proceeds going back to riders as prizes. Riders must return to Wellington Snow Park by 3 p.m.
Loops will be on groomed trails suitable for all skill levels. The short loop is about 35 miles, and the long loop is about 50 miles. Routes will be determined by conditions.
There will also be a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are sold separately, and drawings start at 3:30 p.m.
Cascade High School students and parents will be selling food at the event to raise money for a graduation party. The Wellington warming hut at Smiths Ferry will be open and the fire will be going, so people can get indoors and stay warm.
For more details about the fun run, call 463-9139 or 466-6096. To learn more about the Cougar Mountain Snowmobile Club, go to cougarmt.com.
Email your events to outdoors@idahostatesman.com
WILDLIFE
Family day Saturday, Jan. 19 at Birds of Prey
The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey is planning family field trip from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the interpretive center at 5668 W. Flying Hawk Lane in Boise.
Kids and adults participating will be given a passport to guide them through a variety of activities, and when completed, they will receive a free 2013 Birds of Prey calendar.
The regular admission price will be reduced by $2 per person — $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 4-15, and free to members.
Visitors can see live bird demonstrations, tour the Archives of Falconry, and enjoy spending time outdoors on the scenic interpretive trail.
To get there, from Interstate 84, take the Cole Road exit and continue south on Cole Road for 6 miles to Flying Hawk Lane.
For details call 362-8687, or go to peregrinefund.org/world-center.
Idaho Junior Duck Stamp art contest under way
Young artists and wildlife enthusiasts from kindergarten to high school can visit the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for Junior Duck Stamp Art Days, from 1 to 3 p.m., Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 17, Feb. 23 and March 2.
Participants will learn about Idaho waterfowl and may create their own Junior Duck Stamp art contest entry. All supplies will be provided from “how to draw a duck” instructions, waterfowl specimens, field guides and art supplies. Students must submit their artwork by March 15.
Entries are judged in four categories: grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The winning artwork in Idaho will be submitted to the national contest. The first-place winner in the national contest will receive a $5,000 cash award and a free trip to Washington, DC.
Second- and third-place winners in the national contest receive $3,000 and $2,000.
For more information or directions to the visitor center, go to fws.gov/deerflat, call 467-9278 or email deerflat@fws.gov.
COOKING
F&G’s chili cook-off in Jerome
Idaho Fish and Game’s Jerome regional office will host the fourth annual Sportsmen’s Chili Cook-Off at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, at 324 South 417 East, Highway 93 Business Park in Jerome.
Those attending can bring their favorite chili or just come and taste what others offer.
“It is a great event,” said Jerome Hansen, F&G regional supervisor. “Last year we had over 20 chili entries and more than 60 sportsmen attended. Every year it just continues to get bigger and better.”
Chef Kirk Martin of the Snake River Grill in Hagerman will give a wild game cooking demonstration. Prizes will be awarded for the two best chilies, the people’s choice and the chef’s choice.
For more information on the Sportsmen’s Chili Cook-Off, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at 324-4359.
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