It looks like some congratulations are due to our osprey pair. Yesterday evening (04/27) we noticed there is an EGG in the nest. We cautiously hope for one more. (2 is the average)

The osprey had an unwanted visitor to their nest. A third bird attempted to scare our pair out of the nest. You can see the bird in the nest get agitated and then quickly move to a defensive position. 

She (we believe it was the female in the nest) almost does a back flip trying to ward off the intruding bird with her talons. The intruder comes back a couple more times. The male (we believe was the bird outside of the nest) comes to her aid and helps chase the intruder away. It happened so quickly, its almost hard to see. 

However, check out the still photos below (click them for a larger image) and watch the short video clip provided.

Kayaks
We have kayaks from 8 foot entry level to 12 foot extended day trip boats. ​Our Kayaks range from recreational 8 footers (Sonic) to 12 foot extended day trip boats ( Sound 120 XE ). We also have the Strike 100X angler, a well equipped sit-on-top fishing kayak.

Boats
The Intruder 12 , a" Jon boat" style, makes a good fishing boat as well and is in stock. An for the traditional, we have the Explorer 14.5 foot canoe and the full 15.5 model as well.

SUP (Stand Up Paddle-board)
Finally, we carry both the Flow 116 and the Baja 100 paddle boards, a great value for a reasonable  price.

By Dax VanFossen

EVERGREEN -A new viral webcam at an Evergreen Sporting Goods store has proven to be more than just entertainment by informing the public of a serious issue.

You don’t have to look very hard to see exactly what problem we are talking about. It’s orange, it’s for hay, and the last place it should be is in the nest of two young Osprey.
Bailing Twine has become a serious issue for nesting birds of all kinds, but every year it kills adults and hatchling Osprey and it’s something that can be prevented.
“It’s pretty lethal in some cases," John Lupton said. "The birds enjoy the softness of the bailing twine, it’s readily available in farmers fields and they pick it up and bring it back to the nest. It gets wrapped around their talons, they get hung up on a tree, or a pole, it can wrap around the chicks and potentially kill the chicks.”
A few weeks ago John and his Father BJ Lupton put their new Osprey roost and camera system online for the world to see and it wasn’t long after that viewers of the camera noticed the bailing twine which now hangs from the nest.
“After you guys ran the news story last week, we got a lot of concerned phone calls and emails about the presence of bailing twine in the nest," John said. "This is our 4th run in with bailing twine with these birds. Three other times we saw it on the birds themselves and they managed to shake it loose. And this is getting woven into the nest now at this point.”
John and B.J. have been in contact with several experts including Project Osprey at the University of Montana and other wildlife organizations. 
They tell us that the camera’s and the nest in their backyard have really illuminated the need for awareness about the bailing twine which can entangle the birds and eventually strangle them.
“You know Project Osprey down at the University of Montana is a project that they are running to kind of create awareness about this.  It’s a pretty easy resolution, if you see it, pick it up, throw it in a can where the Osprey can’t get to it, throw it away, don’t leave it hanging on fence posts. If you see it just pick it up and get it out of the way so they can’t pick it up.“
Lupton tells us that they have been told not to interfere with natural order of the nest to remove the twine, but wants people to know they can prevent this from being repeated elsewhere by making sure the twine ends up where it belongs: the trash. 

Montana Tees
Adults and Children sizes
$14.99​

Snappy's is getting new styles of Sandals, Watershoes and Summer footwear rolling in. Come on in and check them out.

When: April 30th, 2016 5PM
Where: The Elk Lodge Kalispell

When: April 30, 2016  9AM - Noon
Where: Snappy's Courtyard and Fish Pond
​Cost: FREE!

Come join Snappy's and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at the 2016 Kids Fishing Fair. This is the kickoff even for our 2016 Kid's fishing season here at Snappy's Pond. We will have all kinds of activities:

• Free Kids Fishing (12 and Under)
• Educational Booths
• Games
• Contests
• FREE LUNCH