Life

Spraying downward and in front of a charging bear is good technique for using bear deterrent spray. Bear spray only works if you keep it handy so wear the holster on your belt or attached to a pack shoulder strap, but don't stuff it in a pack. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Tips for using bear spray

Bear spray is a weapon. Just like any weapon, you’ve got to know how to use it so it stops what you want it to… Continue reading

Spraying downward and in front of a charging bear is good technique for using bear deterrent spray. Bear spray only works if you keep it handy so wear the holster on your belt or attached to a pack shoulder strap, but don't stuff it in a pack. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Fish board

I was disappointed Sunday when state legislators voted against confirming Soldotna resident Robert Ruffner’s appointment to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. It would’ve been so… Continue reading

Young swimmers and their teachers swim in a pool during a swim lesson in the Bronx borough of New York, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. They are in swim swim swim I SAY, one of 65 programs around the country to receive grants from the nonprofit Autism Speaks to provide the personal attention and patience if often takes to help children on the autism spectrum learn to swim. Many are prone to wander and many are drawn to water.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Autism Speaks offers grants for lifesaving swim lessons

NEW YORK — “Ian, Ian, Ian,” squeals 8-year-old Anna as she spots her friend across a pool in the South Bronx. She splashes with excitement… Continue reading

Young swimmers and their teachers swim in a pool during a swim lesson in the Bronx borough of New York, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. They are in swim swim swim I SAY, one of 65 programs around the country to receive grants from the nonprofit Autism Speaks to provide the personal attention and patience if often takes to help children on the autism spectrum learn to swim. Many are prone to wander and many are drawn to water.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In this April 8, 2013 photo, these old hard-sided suitcases at the Ball Horticultural Co.'s field trials near Ventura, Calif., make an innovative plant bed idea for space-starved gardeners. They also can be moved from one location to another, even if it's just to follow the sun across a balcony or patio. Adaptable planters with wheels or handles can be inexpensive yet attractive and capable of being used indoors or out. (Dean Fosdick via AP)

Gardeners on the move make their plants portable

People on the move often spurn gardening as a hobby because they have to leave their plants behind. But new innovations and creative ideas are… Continue reading

In this April 8, 2013 photo, these old hard-sided suitcases at the Ball Horticultural Co.'s field trials near Ventura, Calif., make an innovative plant bed idea for space-starved gardeners. They also can be moved from one location to another, even if it's just to follow the sun across a balcony or patio. Adaptable planters with wheels or handles can be inexpensive yet attractive and capable of being used indoors or out. (Dean Fosdick via AP)
This undated photo shows an electric set of smart hearing protection for hunters, from Sound Gear in Spokane, Wash. But technology has erased the shortcomings of the standard ear plug. Excuses for neglecting hearing protection in the field are obsolete. (AP Photo/The Spokesman-Review, Jesse Tinsley) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS

Hunters often overlook hearing protection

SPOKANE, Wash. — While most shooters would never walk onto an active gun range without ear plugs or muffs in place, hunters who use firearms… Continue reading

This undated photo shows an electric set of smart hearing protection for hunters, from Sound Gear in Spokane, Wash. But technology has erased the shortcomings of the standard ear plug. Excuses for neglecting hearing protection in the field are obsolete. (AP Photo/The Spokesman-Review, Jesse Tinsley) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS
Poking things with a stick is a rite of passage for kids as they learn about Mother Earth. (Photo by Matt Conner)

Refuge Notebook: Poking at Earth Day with a stick

Earth Day is next Wednesday. It reminds me of a program I taught last year to a fourth-grade class in Minnesota before transferring to the… Continue reading

Poking things with a stick is a rite of passage for kids as they learn about Mother Earth. (Photo by Matt Conner)

An Outdoor View: On feeling free

Unless you’re still hibernating, you’ve probably heard the story about the boy, 10, and his sister, 6, who the police picked up in Silver Spring,… Continue reading

A short hike with a float tube can open up a whole new world of fishing possibilities. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Tight Lines: the beauty of the belly boat

I have to smile to myself as I watch a line of buddies negotiating the trail in front of me. There’s nothing beautiful about it,… Continue reading

A short hike with a float tube can open up a whole new world of fishing possibilities. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)
Word clouds are a fun way to show words, where the most important ones are bigger than the others. This cloud shows the responses that participants at a recent workshop on climate change gave when asked what they value about living on the Kenai Peninsula.

Refuge Notebook: What do you value about living on the Kenai Peninsula?

The League of Women Voters recently hosted a “Climate Change in our Backyard” workshop. Over 100 people gathered to learn about climate change impacts on… Continue reading

Word clouds are a fun way to show words, where the most important ones are bigger than the others. This cloud shows the responses that participants at a recent workshop on climate change gave when asked what they value about living on the Kenai Peninsula.

An Outdoor View: That got me thinking

My dentist loves to fish. Like me, he also likes to talk about fishing, which he often does while he has me in a position… Continue reading

This 2006 photo provided by ArcticCycles.com shows Arctic Cycles guiding a fat-tire biking trip in the summer in south central, A.K. Fat bikes are the ultimate year-round adventure bikes. (AP Photo/ArcticCycles.com, Erica Koitzsch)

Stability, extra grip make fat-tire biking a hit

There’s a new trend in mountain biking: Fat is in.Not the riders. The tires.Big, puffy tires that look like something NASA developed in case someone… Continue reading

This 2006 photo provided by ArcticCycles.com shows Arctic Cycles guiding a fat-tire biking trip in the summer in south central, A.K. Fat bikes are the ultimate year-round adventure bikes. (AP Photo/ArcticCycles.com, Erica Koitzsch)
Mosaic of high-resolution aerial photographs of 110,000 acres of the Funny River Fire was captured in less than eight hours of flying. The inset shows the clarity of one segment of the Kenai River. (Image courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: New aerial photography technology – little camera, big picture

There are myriads of ways to measure and describe an area, but as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” At work I… Continue reading

Mosaic of high-resolution aerial photographs of 110,000 acres of the Funny River Fire was captured in less than eight hours of flying. The inset shows the clarity of one segment of the Kenai River. (Image courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Proper care of dead fish

Author’s note: Second of a two-part series, this column was first published by the Clarion on Sept. 10, 2004. Last week in this column, I… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A rack of gear hangs at Redoubt Rock Climbing in Nic and Natalie Larson's home on Wednesday April 1, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Larsons offer climbing lessons and open gym periods in their Soldotna home.

Getting a grip: Soldotna couple share love of climbing

For one Soldotna couple, climbing is more than just a business.“It’s like an art form,” said Nic Larson, who along with his wife Natalie opened… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A rack of gear hangs at Redoubt Rock Climbing in Nic and Natalie Larson's home on Wednesday April 1, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Larsons offer climbing lessons and open gym periods in their Soldotna home.
Does climate change affect bluff erosion on the Kenai Peninsula? Find out this Saturday at a free workshop on climate change and what to do about it at the Kenai Peninsula College. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Living with climate change in our backyards

Here on the Kenai Peninsula we can all agree that this winter has been strange. The effects of a changing climate are becoming obvious in… Continue reading

Does climate change affect bluff erosion on the Kenai Peninsula? Find out this Saturday at a free workshop on climate change and what to do about it at the Kenai Peninsula College. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Handle with care

Author’s note: First of a two-part series, this column was first published by the Clarion on Sept. 3, 2004.A common mistake hereabouts is to freeze… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 21-22 AND THEREAFTER - In an undated photo provided by BearSpray.com, Tim Lynch sprays the Bear Attack Pack backwards out of a backpack in a demonstration. The canister can be discharged much like pulling the ripcord on a parachute. The pack fits any size can of bear spray. (AP Photo/courtesy of BearSpray.com)

Movie stuntman hopes bear spray backpack will save lives

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) — It may sound contradictory, but the people taking the biggest risks are usually the most safety conscious.Take Billy Lucas, for example.… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 21-22 AND THEREAFTER - In an undated photo provided by BearSpray.com, Tim Lynch sprays the Bear Attack Pack backwards out of a backpack in a demonstration. The canister can be discharged much like pulling the ripcord on a parachute. The pack fits any size can of bear spray. (AP Photo/courtesy of BearSpray.com)
Silhouette of the Steller's Jay, one of five corvid species found on the Kenai Peninsula. Georg Steller, its namesake, was the naturalist who accompanied Commodore Vitus Bering on his exploration of Alaska in 1741-42. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Ode to Crows, Ravens, Jays and Magpies

I recently co-authored an article in Bird Conservation International on the demographics of Mariana Crows. While always pleased to have a paper published in a… Continue reading

Silhouette of the Steller's Jay, one of five corvid species found on the Kenai Peninsula. Georg Steller, its namesake, was the naturalist who accompanied Commodore Vitus Bering on his exploration of Alaska in 1741-42. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Fishing 2015

With early-run king salmon and razor clams pretty much out of the picture for the coming season, let’s take measure of what’s left.Below are some… Continue reading

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo provided by Lee Reich, having a few tricks to conserve water, this aloe plant can go months without a drop of added water in New Paltz, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

Jade plants (and other succulents): Go easy on watering

A friend phoned me a few weeks ago concerned about the sunken, blackened areas on the trunk of her jade plant. When I suggested that… Continue reading

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo provided by Lee Reich, having a few tricks to conserve water, this aloe plant can go months without a drop of added water in New Paltz, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)