Byline: The Register-Guard

NEWS & NOTES

Telemark ski, snowboard film to be screened this week

Two snow sport films will be shown in separate Eugene screenings this week. Absinthe Films' "Ready," featuring more than a dozen snowboarding heavy hitters, will be shown Wednesday

"The Pact," a film about some of the world's best backcountry skiing, will be shown Thursday at the University of Oregon. Backcountry powder skiing in Alaska, Oregon, Utah, British Columbia and Japan is featured. Sponsored by the UO Outdoor Program, Berg's Ski & Board Shop and Backcountry Gear, the show begins at 7 p.m. in Room 177 in Lawrence Hall. Tickets are $5 for UO students and Outdoor Program co-op members, and $10 for the general public.

Outdoor equipment `Swap' scheduled next week

The UO Outdoor Program will host its annual "Fall Equipment Swap" Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the ballroom of the Erb Memorial Union on campus. Doors open at 7 p.m. The flea market for outdoors buffs provides an opportunity to buy, sell and trade rain and snow gear, skis and snowboards, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and just about anything else useful to outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Limited table space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details: 346-4365.

State park camping rates lowered for offseason

Discounted "Discovery Season" rates are now in effect at Oregon's state park campgrounds. The offseason rates - good through April 30, 2009 - represent savings of $4 to $5 off summer rates for full hookup, electrical hookup, tent and primitive campsites. Save $21 to $22 on rentals of group tent areas, deluxe cabins and deluxe yurts. Rates for standard yurts and cabins remain the same year-round. Of the 52 Oregon state parks that have campgrounds, 28 - representing about 3,500 campsites - stay open all year. For reservation details, see www.oregonstateparks.org or call (800) 452-5687.

Fish and wildlife department has `host' openings

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for volunteer hosts willing to get close to nature for extended periods of time. The agency is taking applications from potential volunteer hosts at 46 wildlife areas, fish hatcheries and field offices around the state. Volunteer hosts must have a self-contained recreational vehicle and be interested in staying at ODFW sites for one to three months starting in January 2009. Most host sites offer full RV hookups and, in some cases, showers and laundry facilities, at no charge. In return, hosts commit to working 20 hours a week doing various chores around the facilities and serving as goodwill ambassadors to visitors. Details, application forms and a list of sites available are available at www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/volunteer/host_program.asp. Or, contact Jennell Hohne (971-673-6008 or jennell.hoehne@state.or.us).

Fishing, hunting & Wildlife viewing

Rivers and streams: Fall chinook salmon fishing is spotty on the Siuslaw River. Some chinook and coho salmon are being caught by anglers off Osprey Point and Half Moon Bay in the Umpqua River estuary. Tillamook Bay salmon fishing is slow. October is prime time for summer steelhead in the McKenzie and Middle Fork Willamette rivers; the upper McKenzie is also producing very good catch-and-release fly-angling for native trout.

Lakes and ponds: Dexter Reservoir was stocked last week with 5,000 legal-sized trout. Trout fishing in the high Cascade Lakes should be good.

Marine zone: Razor clam season is again open on Clatsop beaches, and favorable tide series will come at mid-month. Crabbing has been good in Winchester Bay.

Wildlife Viewing

Best bets: Many species of birds are starting their southward migration, so look for species congregating at roosts and feeders or in the air just before or during migration. Some migratory species to watch are: ospreys, turkey vultures, swifts, swallows, cedar waxwings, and some species of flycatchers, warblers, finches and shorebirds.

Hunting

Timely tips: Remember to check with Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Service, BLM or other land managers about fire restrictions before going hunting; restrictions can change suddenly.

- Compiled from ODFW and Register-Guard reports.

CALENDAR

To submit events

Submit listings to: outdoors@registerguard.com. Unless otherwise noted, events are free.

Astronomy

FRIDAY

Eugene Astronomical Society: "Star party," 7 p.m., College Hill Reservoir, 24th and Lawrence streets in Eugene. A variety of telescopes will be available to look through.

FRIDAY

Mount Pisgah Arboretum: Astronomy slideshow and evening of stargazing with members of the Eugene Astronomical Society, 7:30 p.m. until late, Arboretum Visitor Center, 34901 Frank Parrish Road, Eugene. Bring a flashlight covered with a brown paper bag. Fee: $5 per adult and $3 per child. Cancelled if rain or cloudy skies; call 747-1504 the day of the event to listen to a recorded update.

Biking

SATURDAY

GEARS: 26- and 40-mile Junction City and Applegate Trail breakfast rides, 9 a.m. for faster riders, 9:30 a.m. for slower riders, North Eugene High School. Info: www.eugenegears.org.

SUNDAY

GEARS: 43- and 62-mile rides to Harrisburg and beyond, 9 a.m. for faster riders, 9:30 a.m. for slower riders, Alton Baker Park.

Birding

THURSDAY

Birds of Oregon and General Science: Birdwalk at a local hot spot; carpool from Campbell Senior Center, 155 High St., Eugene, at 9 a.m. Open to ages 50-plus. Details: 682-5318.

Hiking

SATURDAY

Altair Ski & Sports Club: Sign up for hiking, biking, ski and other outings at a general meeting of the outdoor recreation club, 6 p.m., upstairs at the Vet's Club, 1626 Willamette St., Eugene. Details: Laurie 302-2644.

SATURDAY

Altair: Helen Martz will lead a 5.5-mile Clear Lake hike. Details, RSVP: 345-6229.

The Obsidians: Barbara Revere will lead a 10-mile McKenzie River Trail hike. Details, sign-up at the YMCA, 2055 Patterson St., Eugene.

SUNDAY

Obsidians: Jim Pierce will lead a 3.8-mile Black Butte hike and Barbara Revere will lead a 6.6-mile Duffy Lake hike. Details, sign-up at YMCA, 2055 Patterson St., Eugene.

Mushrooming

THURSDAY

Cascade Mycological Society: Annual "Mushroom Identifest" - bring in specimens and get them identified by experts, 7 p.m., Room 115, Building 16, Lane Community College, 4000 E. 30th Ave., Eugene. Details: www.cascademyco.org.

SUNDAY

Mount Pisgah Arboretum: Workshop on finding and harvesting edible mushrooms. Meet at the Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Road, Eugene at 10 a.m. and be prepared to carpool to a mushrooming location 45 minutes away. Fee: $20 (MPA members $18).

Nature

SATURDAY

Native Plant Society of Oregon: Rob Weiss will lead a 4-mile lichen identification tour at Clear Lake Dunes Park near Florence; meet at 9 a.m. at South Eugene High School or 10:30 a.m. at the Fred Meyer gas station in Florence. Bring lunch, raingear and hand lens. Details (541) 752-1362.

Navigation

TODAY

Eugene Recreation: Learn to use GPS and how not to get lost in a two-session class. First session: 6 to 9 p.m. today at Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Second session 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $25. Details, registration: 682-5813 or browse www.eugene-or.gov/recenroll.

Walking

TODAY

Mossbacks Volkssport Club: Carpool to Florence for 3.1- or 6.8- mile walk, 7:30 a.m., Willamalane, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Details: 747-6470.

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

Altair Ski & Sports Club: 5- to 6-mile Hendricks Park walk, 9 a.m. Details, RSVP: 726-8154.

SATURDAY

Altair: 4.5-mile riverside walk, 9. a.m. Details, RSVP: 343-7893.

Mossbacks: Carpool to Buxton for 6.2-mile walk in Stub Stewart State Park, 7 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St. Springfield. Details, www.mossbacks.org or 726-7169.