Staff and wire reports

Twin Falls Optimist Club hosts annual turkey shoot

The Twin Falls Optimist Club will host the 23rd Annual Wayne Kinney Memorial Turkey Shoot on Sunday.

The first shoot begins at 11 a.m.

The event, held at the Twin Falls Gun Club, 230 Federation Rd, will include food, prizes and drawings for two Savage Model Stevens 512 Gold Wing 12-, 20-, or 410-gauge shotguns, donated by Red's Trading Post in Twin Falls.

Red's will give away raffle tickets for the drawing for every gun purchased at the shop, or tickets may be purchased for $5 at the event.

You don't have to be present to win.

Cost to participate in the shoot is $6 for one round, or $30 for a Guarantee Card, which includes five shoots and guarantees the participant a frozen turkey, ham or steaks.

For more information: Dennis at 733-1013.

Jerome Gun Club to hold Sunday shoot

The Jerome Gun Club will hold a sporting clays shoot on Sunday. This is a 100-target event.

If you have never shot sporting clays at the club, your first 50 targets are free. Cost is $20 for adults and $14 for those under 18. There is a $3 charge for non-members.

Sign-up time is 9 a.m. and shooting begins at 10 a.m.

The club is located 11 miles north of the junction of Highway 93 and Interstate 84 at mile marker 64. The next schedule shoot is Dec. 6.

For more information: Kenny at 733-6045.

Snowbird opens for ski season

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort opened the ski season last Friday.

It's the second-earliest startup ever in the resort's 38-year history.

Snowbird President Bob Bonar says this week's winter storm provided enough snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon to open.

Snowbird has already gotten more than 3 feet of snow this month. Last season Snowbird got 611 inches of snow and was open from Nov. 30 to June 22.

The aerial tram and two lifts - Gadzoom and Mid-Gad - are slated to open.

Oregon ski areas hope for early start to ski season

MEDFORD, Ore. - A snowstorm that hit Southern Oregon last week has raised hopes that the Mount Ashland ski area could open on Thanksgiving weekend for the first time since 1999.

The ski area's marketing director Rick Saul says it's also possible ski season could begin on Mount Ashland the weekend before Thanksgiving.

About 5 inches of snow fell on the mountain Wednesday, adding to a 9-inch base already on the ground.

Mount Ashland typically needs 30 to 36 inches of snow to cover brush and rocks on some ski trails.

The Mount Bachelor ski area reported a 22-inch base and 25 inches of snow at mid-mountain Wednesday, and has scheduled its opening day for Nov. 21.

Fish and Game seeks information on poached deer

KIMBERLY - During the last two weeks, Fish and Game officers have investigated several wasted deer in the Indian Springs area, south of Kimberly. Investigations have revealed that mature mule deer bucks are being killed and only their head and antlers are being removed.

The entire bodies of the animals were left to waste. Thanks to information provided by the public, Fish and Game has been able to locate the wasted animals and develop several leads.

Anyone with information should call Citizen's Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999 or the Magic Valley Regional Office at 208-324-4359. Callers may remain anonymous and a reward may be issued for information leading to a conviction.

Survey: Fewer rainbow trout in Snake River

IDAHO FALLS - Idaho fish biologists are reporting a decline in rainbow trout in one of the state's prized trout streams.

A fall survey along a stretch of the South Fork of the Snake River shows a 30 percent drop in rainbows and rainbow-cutthroat trout hybrids compared to a year ago.

The survey yielded 933 rainbows and hybrids per river mile. Numbers for other species were down slightly. The survey reported 1,766 Yellowstone cutthroats and 720 brown trout per river mile.

Dan Garren, fisheries manager for Idaho Fish and Game, says fluctuations are common but within the margin of error.

The change suits fishery managers, who are trying to limit rainbows because they spawn with cutthroats.

Garren attributes the drop in rainbows to lower winter flows, higher spring flows and fishing regulations designed to target rainbows.