Out and about: Skiing, hunting and sportsmen's breakfast

SKIING

TELEMARK FESTIVAL THIS MONTH: If you want to try telemark skiing, check out the Tele Fete (telemark festival) Jan. 15 at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.

The evening will feature equipment demonstrations from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and lessons from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost is $25 per person with registration through the Bogus Basin Ski School, 332-5340.

"The Tele Fete is first and foremost a way for folks who want to learn telemark skiing to get to try it with a minimum of hassle," said Lew Peterson, a veteran teleskier and organizer of the event.

It also is a way for teleskiers to get a tuneup under the watchful eye of an instructor.

HUNTING

SPRING HUNT APPLICATION PERIOD TO START: The application period for spring turkey and spring black bear controlled hunts starts Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 15.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting and fishing license vendor; Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling (800) 55HUNT5 or (800) 824-3729; or at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.

The nonrefundable application fee is $6.25 per person, per species. An additional service charge is added for telephone and Internet applications. Do not include tag fees with controlled hunt applications. Applicants must have a valid 2009 hunting license.

Successful spring black bear and turkey applicants will be notified no later than March 10. Drawing results will be available on the Fish and Game Web site. It is the responsibility of applicants to find out whether they were successful in the drawing.

BIG GAME

COMMISSION TO CONSIDER SEASON CHANGES: The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will be considering changes to seasons for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats for 2009 during a three-day meeting that starts Jan. 27 at Fish and Game headquarters, 600 S. Walnut St. in Boise. A public meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 27.

SPORTSMAN'S BREAKFAST

TALK TO FISH AND GAME IN MOUNTAIN HOME: Idaho Fish and Game will host a sportsman's breakfast in Mountain Home from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Jan. 15 at AJ's Restaurant, 1130 U.S. Hwy. 20, just off of Interstate 84 at Exit 95.

Fish and Game staff will buy coffee for attendees, with breakfast available for a nominal fee.

Statesman staff