Bid on the "Wild" Side

Have you ever dreamed of fishing the Florida Everglades? How about the chance to help biologists work with Idaho wildlife? If these sound like great opportunities, then tune into the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation's thirteenth annual radio auction. This event, co-sponsored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, is the foundation's largest fundraiser and is sure to attract hunters and anglers as well as hikers and wildlife watchers. Radio listeners phone in bids to compete for the trips. There are 13 trips scheduled in the first hour, 12 the second and 13 in the third hour. This year's adventures include: * three days of guided fishing in Florida Everglades National Park * a day of trapping and collaring fawns to measure deer survival rates * an early morning adventure to survey sage grouse as they do their mating dance * a float trip in north Idaho with two nights at the upscale Coeur d'Alene resort * a day trip to monitor spawning salmon * a two-night stay at Ball Creek Ranch Preserve in beautiful Bonners Ferry The auction, hosted by Chris Kelly and Doug Raper, will be broadcast throughout southern Idaho. You can tune in Tuesday, March 4 from 6 -9 p.m. Mountain Time on: * Boise (KIDO-AM 580) * Idaho Falls (KID-AM 590) * Pocatello (KWIK-AM 1240) * Twin Falls (KLIX-AM 1310) The number to call to enter a bid in the Treasure Valley is 580-5436. Outside the Boise area, call 1-888-580-5436. A list of all trips is available at www.ifwf.org. Radio Auction Benefits Wildlife and Habitat The 2002 radio auction raised more than $7,000 for Idaho habitat and education projects in keeping with IFWF's mission to protect and sustain Idaho's fishing, hunting and wildlife heritage. A portion of those proceeds helped fund a new interpretive sagebrush sign to be installed at the Cherry Springs Visitor Center near Malad. Proceeds from the 2003 radio auction will also support a habitat or educational project. The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1990 to protect and sustain Idaho's fishing, hunting and wildlife heritage. Board members represent each region of the state.