Page 21 - Flathead Beacon // 1.8.13

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS JANUARY 8, 2014 | 21

Of the Blogs

A weekly look at the best from the Beacon blogs

It’s time for
of a Washington-based public strategy
MOUNTAIN EXPOSURE
irm called Mercury Public Afairs and

he says he and his wife are opening a
VIDEO OF SNOWBOARDER Burger King in Billings.
CHASING MOOSE GARNERS Rehberg says people started contact-
CITATION
ing him to ask him if he would consider
A 52-second video posted online of a running for his old seat.
snowboarder chasing a moose at White- Four Republicans have announced
ish Mountain Resort went viral and gar- their candidacy for the House seat,

2014
nered a citation by the U.S. Forest Ser- which U.S. Rep. Steve Daines is vacating
vice for harassing wildlife.
to run for Senate.
The video, posted Dec. 19 on Face-
book, shows a snowboarder approaching MAIN STREET WIRE
a moose on a ski run on Big Mountain
and continuing to chase the animal as
it darts down the mountain. The video WORLD SKIJORING
is accompanied by a description, “Just CHAMPIONSHIPS SLATED FOR

chasing a moose while snowboarding . JAN. 25-26
no big deal.”
The World Skijoring Championships
The clip spread quickly, with web- are once again returning to Whiteish
sites like Deadspin and Yahoo Sports as a signature event of the Winter Car-
reposting it. It caught the attention of nival. Combining two of Big Sky Coun-
law enforcement and after reviewing try’s favorites — riding horses and skiing
the footage, the Forest Service decided — this Montana-style winter extreme
The culinary event of the year!
to cite the snowboarder $200, plus a $25 sport attracts competitors from around
processing fee, according to Flathead the nation. Now in its 11th year, compe-
National Forest spokesperson Wade titionfeaturesanexcitingcombination 18 Mouthwatering
Muehlhof.
of horses (and mules), riders and skiers,
The citation fell under federal regu- mixed with speed, jumps, and of course,
lations prohibiting the harassment of snow.
wildlife, Muehlhof said.
This year’s event is scheduled for Lobster Dishes!
Forest oicials hope the widely pub- Jan. 25-26. Competitors will race for
anuary
licized video and citation will raise their share of more than $20,000 in J
awareness about the dangers and trou- four separate classes, plus compete in
bles of harassing wild animals.
the Murdoch’s Long Jump. In the timed
“The citation is a tool to get the mes- competition, horses pull skiers around a
sage out that the better decision is to not U-shaped, 800-foot-long course at high 16,17 & 18
engage the wildlife. During the winter, speeds, with the skier required to navi-
wildlife are already stressed. They have gate over jumps and around slalom gates.
reduced food sources, harsh environ- Last year, more than 3,000 reveling

ment and chasing it further stresses it. spectators witnessed 70 teams compete.
It can be unhealthy for the wildlife,” The competition takes place at the n
Muehlhof said.
municipal airport grounds with open- The fu
There’s also the serious danger that ing ceremonies beginning on Saturday, rts at Save the date!
wild animals present, he said.
Jan. 25 at 11:30 a.m. featuring Whiteish stam.
“Obviously we don’t want that to Winter Carnival Royalty. The skijoring 3p.
have a bad outcome. We were very happy events start at noon on both Saturday,

that the snowboarder was not injured,” Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26.
he said. “What we want to prevent is a Multiple local establishments ofer a
See the menu on montanaclub.com
diferent outcome.”
wide variety of food and beverage selec-
tions throughout the event. There is a
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
nominal $5 per vehicle parking fee, but
spectators are free. A portion of the pro-
ceeds are donated to the nonproit Hu-
REHBERG SAYS HE’S man Therapy on Horseback.

CONSIDERING POLITICAL The registration party is Friday, Jan.
COMEBACK
24, from 6-9 p.m. at Casey’s Pub and
Former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg Grill. The big money Calcutta on Satur-
says he is considering a political come- day, Jan. 25, overseen by professional
back with a potential House campaign.
rodeo announcer Joe Warner, ofers the
The Republican told Lee Newspa- chance to win a 75 percent payback and
pers of Montana last week he is keeping starts at 7 p.m. at Casey’s Pub and Grill.

his options open and he thinks he has a The awards party is also held Sunday,
lot to ofer.
Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. at Casey’s Pub and Grill.
Rehberg left the seat he held for six For more information, visit www.
terms after a failed attempt to unseat whiteishskijoring.com.
Huge Breakfasts to Certiied Angus Beef Steaks • Cocktails • Montana Microbrews
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in 2012.
®
After that, he became a co-chairman
1301 S. Main St. | (406)260-4401

If you’re nearby, visit us in Great Falls, Butte and Missoula!
www.montanaclub.com

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