Outdoor Digest.

Byline: The Register-Guard

MEETING ON WOLVES MONDAY: Lane County area residents will get their opportunity Monday to speak out on how Oregon should deal with wolves migrating into the state. One of 14 "town hall" meetings being held around the state by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be held Monday at Lane Community College, 4000 E. 30th Ave. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Forum Building. Comments recorded at the meeting will be provided to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, which has heard from experts in recent months about the potential for wolves to become established in Oregon.

Currently, there are no confirmed examples of wolves establishing territories in Oregon, although two wolves have been killed in eastern Oregon and a third radio-collared animal was captured and returned to Idaho. Monday's meeting will include a brief introductory presentation about the history of wolves in Oregon and their current biological and legal status, and the issues surrounding their migration into Oregon. More information on wolves is posted on the ODFW's Web site:www.dfw.state.or.us.

FOREST, PARK PASSES DISCOUNTED: The U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon State Parks Department are offering $5 discounts on annual passes purchased before the end of December. The USFS's Northwest Forest Pass for 2003 is "on sale" for $25 rather than the usual $30. The discount, however, is good only on passes purchased at Forest Service offices, through the toll-free number (800-270-7504), or via the Nature of the Northwest's Web site. For holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports, the cost will only be $12.50. The Northwest Forest Pass allows its holders to park at participating trailheads, rustic camping areas, boat launches, picnic areas and visitor centers in Oregon and Washington National Forests and the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

State park day-use passes good through Dec. 31, 2003, are on sale at a $20 holiday discount price. The passes allow holders to park their vehicles at 26 day-use fee parks throughout Oregon. Visitors without passes must pay a daily $3 per vehicle fee. Discounted passes may be purchased from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department offices, Oregon G.I. Joe's stores, and 30 local businesses across the state. Passes also may be purchased by phone and charged to a VISA or MasterCard by calling the State Parks Information Center, [phone].

WREATH, DRAWING WORKSHOPS SET: Learning to make evergreen wreaths and to draw mammals are the topics of separate workshops to be held Saturday at Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Local florist Ken Gillespie teaches the 11 a.m. wreath-making workshop, an annual fund-raiser for the arboretum. Participants learn to create seasonal wreaths using native evergreens, cones, and other natural materials. The $25 fee includes materials. Kris Kirkeby teaches the Drawing Mammals Workshop, part of the Arboretum's Art in Nature series. It begins at 1 p.m. and costs $20. Preregistration required for both workshops. Call [phone].

HUNTING, FISHING BIG BUSINESS: According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's latest "National Survey of Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation," there are more than 38 million sportsmen and women in the U.S. and they spend more than $70 billion annually on their pastimes. If this industry were a company, it would rank No. 11 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest corporations.

SNOWSPORTS GUIDE AVAILABLE: The Oregon Snowsports Industries Association's annual Oregon Snowsports Guide for 2002-2003 is now available. The publication includes information on everything from winter driving tips to environmental issues, ski/snowboard lessons, and accomodations. There are also maps and a calendar of snowsports events. For a copy of the guide or a brochure on the association's "1-2-3, Learn to Ski/Ride" program, call [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail].