Two bird-watching events, which are more like tailgating parties for birders, are scheduled this weekend in the Treasure Valley.

The Boise-area Big Sit! is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Preserve in Boise. It is located at 5301 N. Maple Grove Road.

For information, contact Robert Mortensen, 794-7906 or BirdingIsFun@gmail.com.

A Big Sit! also is scheduled at 7 a.m to 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 14, at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa.

For information and to register, contact, Cheryl Huizinga, 880-5687 or bchuizinga@cableone.net.

The Big Sit! is an international bird-watching event for beginner to expert birders.

Local avid birders will be on site to share their knowledge about identifying birds and bird behavior.

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Outdoor writer and former whitewater rafting guide Jo Deurbrouck will talk about wild rivers, the necessity of adventure, and her new book, “Anything Worth Doing,” at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at the SunRay Cafe, 1602 N. 13th St., in Boise.

“Anything Worth Doing,” concerns the lives of two raft guides who decide that “anything worth doing is worth overdoing,” and spend 10 years trying to prove it on the rivers in the West.

The program is sponsored by Idaho Rivers United and Hyde Park Books. Pizza and beverages will be available for purchase.

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Waterfowl season opens Saturday, Oct. 13, over most of Idaho.

The season for dark geese — Canada and white-fronted — is the same as the duck season.

Pheasant season opens Oct. 20 in southwest Idaho. The season runs through Dec. 31.

Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; except on the Fort Boise, C.J. Strike, Montour and Payette River wildlife management areas, where shooting hours are from 10 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset.

Hunters 17 and older need a wildlife management area upland game bird permit ( $23.75 for resident hunters and $51.75 for nonresidents) to hunt on the nine Idaho Fish and Game wildlife management areas where pheasants are released, including the Fort Boise, C.J. Strike, Payette River, Montour, Sterling, Market Lake, Mud Lake, Cartier Slough and Niagara Springs wildlife management areas.