This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. On Earth Day, April 22 the first of the refuge’s “Wilderness” events for this year kicks off. Join Refuge Manager Andy Loranger at in the commons at Kenai Peninsula College at 7 p.m. for a viewing of “Wild by Law: The Rise of Environmentalism and the Creation of the Wilderness Act.” Loranger will give a presentation prior to the film.
Surplus drawing permits for moose hunting in Interior Alaska will be issued on a first come, first served basis to hunters whose faxed applications are received at the Fairbanks Fish and Game office beginning 8:00 a.m. Alaska time on April 15 until 5:00 p.m. June 7.
Faxes received before 8:00 a.m. Alaska time on April 15 cannot be considered.
Permit applications are available from any Fish and Game office, and on the internet at “http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.undersubscribed”, but the website does not allow hunters to apply online at this time. Applications must be downloaded, completed, signed and then faxed to the Fish and Game office in Fairbanks at 907-459-7332. Hunters must complete and sign the application themselves.
Specific information for these hunts can be found in the “2014–2015 Alaska Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement” available at Fish and Game offices, or online at “www.hunt.alaska.gov” at “Undersubscribed Draw permits available.” Hunters with questions about the application process for these hunts can call 907-459-7272.
F3T, The Fly Fishing Film Tour, the very popular annual national film series, will be back on the Kenai Peninsula April 26, at the Kenai Convention and Visitor’s Center. This series features clips of the most exciting fishing footage filmed over the previous year. Once again this year’s event is a fundraiser for the newly formed Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Tickets for this year’s F3T are currently available from event organizer Mark Wackler of Fishology Alaska (394-8378) or they can be purchased online at https://www.ticketriver.com/event/8879.
A Safe Kids Kenai Peninsula water safety event is planned for May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skyview High School. The event is for children ages 4-14 (parents/caregivers must attend with children). Participants must bring a swimsuit and towel and will rotate through dry-land and water safety stations. Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours to complete stations. A proper fitting Mustang lifejacket for your child may be purchased upon completion for $15. Contact safekids@cpgh.org or Jane at 714-4539.
Raft through the Grand Canyon with Robert Ruffner, walk the Great Wall of China with Lisa Beranek and hike through exotic Brazil with Dan Pascucci without leaving the Kenai Peninsula. Join Kenai Watershed Forum staffers for a night of pictures, stories and laughter on Friday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kenai River Center. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Josselyn O’Connor at 907-260-5449 or josselyn@kenaiwatershed.org.
Beginners can learn how shoot the games of Trap and Skeet at clinics held on the first Sunday of the month in May and June at the Snowshoe Gun Club from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Clinics will introduce gun safety, gun fit and handling, explain the games of Trap and Skeet and then shoot a round of each. This is a good way for new shooters to learn and get comfortable on the fields. For more information call Alice Kerkvliet at 398-3693.
The Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Sportsman’s Warehouse present Bar Flies, Tie One On: An Evening of Free Fly tying Instruction and Demonstration. The presentation will be hosted by Mark Wackler, KPTU Board member and Kenai Guide at the Mainstreet Grill in Kenai Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Kenai Peninsula Birding Festival’s PEEPs Young Artist Exhibit is seeking submissions. All bird-themed submissions will be on display the month of May at the Kenai Fine Arts Center with an Opening Reception May 2, 6-8 p.m. Awards will be announced at the Birding Festival Kickoff May 15 at the Kenai Visitors Center. The deadline for submissions is April 26. For more information on the PEEPs Exhibit or the May Kenai Peninsula Birding Festival, visit www.kenaibirdfest.com.
The Kenai Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct its monthly meeting on April 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Nikiski Fire Station No. 1, 44800 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai. The public is cordially invited to share ideas and information about boating. For more information, contact the Flotilla Commander, 776-8522 or the Vice Flotilla Commander, 776-8457.
Alaska State Parks is looking for a group of volunteers consisting of four or more individuals who are interested in learning about river restoration and concerned about the impacts imposed on the river banks each season. Get a first hand look at damage done by bank fisherman on public lands and give back by conducting a spruce tree revetment projects. If you or your organization is interested contact Ranger Jason Okuly with Alaska State Parks at 907-262-5581 ext. 28.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will host four black/brown bear baiting clinics on the Kenai Peninsula. Hunters may establish bait stations in certain areas, including areas within Game Management Units 7 and 15, after successfully completing a Fish and Game-approved bear baiting clinic. Hunter who already have been certified are not required to re-certify. The clinic is 3 hours long and provided free of charge to the public.
Clinic dates, times and locations:
— Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building, 40610 Kalifornsky Beach Road in Kenai;
— May 2 at 6 p.m. during the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec and Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
An online bear bait clinic is available for anyone 16 and older wishing to become certified to register a bait station. Visit www.adfg.alaska.gov for more information or call 907-262-9368 in Soldotna or 907-235-8191 in Homer.
The Clarion is seeking information for its annual Just Kidding section with listings of summer events for youth. Organizations, businesses, individuals or churches planning summer events open to area youth May through August may submit activities.
Information needed: Name or group or organization; age of youth who may attend; time of activity; date of activity and deadline for registration; place activity will be held including address; cost of activity and/or fees; contact name and phone number for people to call; email address (optional); Web address (optional); and a brief description of the activity. The deadline to submit information is April 30.
Emailed submissions are required. Email Just Kidding information to news@peninsulaclarion.com.
In the subject line write Just Kidding. For more information, call Will Morrow at 907-335-1251 or email will.morrow@peninsulaclarion.com.
