I wanted to let Outposts readers know that I have not abandoned this blog. I appreciate every follower I get, and enjoy the interaction, conversations and comments that come from readers.

I plan to continue to work diligently at keeping it fresh and active in the coming days and weeks, but have suffered a tremendous loss -- my father, Donald Burgess, passed away Saturday morning at age 83.

My father was a kind, gentle and unassuming person. And though he had people such as Louis Armstrong and Wolfman Jack as his friends, he was always unpretentious.

My Dad was a New Yorker his entire life, even though we moved to California when I was quite young. He worked at Harper's Bazaar and Vogue magazines -- and even had Andy Warhol as a contributor (Dad would mention how he wished he had saved some of the drawings Warhol did for him). During the '70's, my father started Campaigns magazine, an internationally distributed publication on military miniature model soldiers, uniforms and history.

It was from my mother, Cherie, that I believe I picked up my love of fishing and the outdoors. My father helped instill in me the interest in the proper use of language and grammar. He enjoyed pointing out grammatically incorrect phrases, such as, it is not "I could care less, but I couldn't care less" and that there really isn't such a term as first annual -- at that point it's still a hope to be a yearly event, and doesn't really warrant the "annual" moniker until the second time -- and should always be referred to as inaugural.

It was also my Dad who made me aware of possible jobs at the Los Angeles Times, where he worked as an award-winning design director. I have him to thank (I think) for helping me get in the door as a copy messenger 27 years ago. After leaving The Times, my father remained busy, involved with designing programs and souvenirs, and helping with other creative aspects of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.

When I said my goodbye, it wasn't really that, but more of a see you later. I told him that I know I'll see him again, hope he visits me from time to time and says hi to Mom for me, for they are together again. I love them both very much.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Donald and Cherie Burgess. Credit: Allison Ramsey / Allison Ramsey Photography

Had enough of winter? Don't head to the beach just yet. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks still have plenty of snow for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing — about 6 feet right now in the Wuksachi Village area — but it might not last long.

About 4.5 hours from L.A., Sequoia is a perfect weekend getaway for skinny-ski types. I headed up a few weekends ago and arrived during a mini-sleet storm. Carrying chains was required, and even though the road was wet but clear, with temps in the 40s, some drivers were chaining up. This made the last few miles to Wuksachi agonizingly slow. Note to lowland warm-weather drivers: You don't need chains simply because the pavement is wet!

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column.

Question: Will California ever introduce white-tailed deer here? If not, why? If we did we could possibly sell more tags and have a hunt later in the season. Also, why not have a draw for special late-season archery hunts in the D7 area that would run into the rut or even pass the rut or a doe hunt in this area? I know several people who have said if they were offered a doe tag or buck tag and could only get one of the two, they would take a doe tag. And wouldn’t this help with the doe to buck ratio? (Jarrod D., Fresno)

Answer: No. White-tailed deer are not native and would be competing with native deer for already-limited habitat. According to Department of Fish and Game Deer Program Manager Craig Stowers, if native deer are on the decline, introduced white-tailed probably would not do any better. Also, white-tailed deer carry diseases and parasites that native deer have no defenses against. They also would have a hugely negative effect on agriculture in this state. Given that, farmers in the Central Valley probably would not be too pleased with us for introducing that species here.

While DFG generally authorizes them, antlerless hunts are often determined by county jurisdiction. For more on doe hunts, please see the August 28, 2008, California Outdoors column.

Q: I have caught trout in many different lakes and streams and found that sometimes there may be one trout that has really pink meat while the others are white. Can you tell me why some trout will occasionally have pink meat? (Sam M.)

Outposts will attempt to post the most recent ski report for California, courtesy of SkiReport.com, each Thursday:

Attention anglers: Outposts will attempt to post the daily Southern California saltwater fish count, courtesy of 976-TUNA, each evening. Hope you find it useful:

Here's this week's Irvine Lake fishing report, written by veteran angler Steve Carson:

The big 17-0 fish caught last week at Irvine Lake was determined to be a steelhead, reported general manager Dave Noyes. "After further analysis, we have determined that the huge fish caught by little 8-year-old Daniel Morelos was a steelhead, easily topping our old lake record of 10-6 for the species. The angler who originally hooked the fish, Daniel LeBoef, graciously handed it off to little Daniel, and wants to make sure that the youngster receives full credit for establishing the new record."

Noyes added, "The batch of steelhead we stocked three weeks ago definitely contained several fish this size or larger, so it is possible that the lake record could be broken again."

Overall trout action this week was mixed, according to Daniela Gavaldon at the Pro Shop. "The trout bite was hit or miss, probably due to the hot weather," observed Gavaldon. "Some people limited out easily, while others caught very little."

With temperatures warming, plants abloom and birds merrily chirping for mates, it's obvious that spring is here -- a time when one's thoughts may turn to getting outside to enjoy the change of season by taking a camping trip.

The "Camp-California! Guide -- the Camper's Guide to California" now includes all federal, state and locally run parks as well as privately owned campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts.

The additions have increased the database to more than 1,000 campgrounds throughout the state, said Debbie Sipe, executive director of the California Assn. of RV Parks and Campgrounds, which compiled the information.

"We think consumers will love what we've done because we're creating a one-stop-shop for people looking for camping opportunities in California in both public and privately owned campgrounds, RV parks and resorts," said Sipe.

Next year, the association plans to also include the nearly 1,000 U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the state.

"Consumers want complete content. They want to get all the information they need in one spot," said Sipe. "But until now, there was no single source for all camping information in California."

The complimentary guides are available at visitor and welcome centers statewide as well as at RV shows. They can also be requested sent via mail on the Camp California website or by e-mailing info@camp-california.com. Those in a hurry can also view a digital copy and/or download the guide on the website.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Barbara and Erik Jan Gerke, from The Netherlands, enjoy camping out in Yosemite Valley near Half Dome. Credit: Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times

To follow this blog on Twitter, please visit @latimesoutposts

Attention anglers: Outposts will attempt to post the daily Southern California saltwater fish count, courtesy of 976-TUNA, each evening. Hope you find it useful:

A recent online auction of extraordinary Idaho trips netted nearly $17,000 for the state's Watchable Wildlife programs, designed to promote education, wildlife viewing and photography, and instill an appreciation for what the state has to offer outdoors.

With more than 100 bidders nationwide, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation reports that this is the most successful auction since it moved to an online-bidding format five years ago.

Ranging from day trips to overnight excursions, 42 outdoor adventures were on the auction block. Trips included guided fly-fishing, youth-mentored duck hunting, patrolling the Salmon River by jetboat and helping biologists capture and radio-collar elk calves.

The top-three highest-bid items were the Selway Wilderness fishing and trail riding trip, which sold for $950; the wolf pup count in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest, $900; and the Hells Canyon white sturgeon research trip, which netted $875. Other trips, such as the white-fronted geese survey and the rooster pheasant release, sold for less than $100 each.

Co-sponsored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the 20th annual auction offered such a unique variety of outdoor adventures that perhaps other state's might consider hosting such an auction, as a way to provide some much needed revenue to bolster education programs and interest in the outdoors.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Children participate in the songbird banding and raptor trapping trip, one of 42 outdoor opportunities up for auction. Credit: Idaho Fish and Game

To follow this blog on Twitter, please visit @latimesoutposts

The final musher crossed under the burled arch in Nome, Alaska, at the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday, marking the official end to the 2010 competition. 

Rookie musher Celeste Davis, 37, was awarded the Red Lantern, given to the last team to finish the race.

Davis, from Deer Lodge, Mont., finished in 13 days, 5 hours, 6 minutes and 40 seconds, the fastest Red Lantern time in the race's 38-year history.

"To stand there and watch that last team come in, I'll tell you, is the highlight of my veterinarian career," chief race veterinarian Stuart Nelson said. "I think it's a pretty safe assumption that this is a first."

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of March 22 by the Department of Fish and Game:

ORANGE: Centennial Regional Park Lake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Trabuco Creek, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake.

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir and Santa Fe Flood Control Basin.

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Reservoir.

RIVERSIDE: Lake Evans and Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park Lake, El Prado Regional Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake  and Seccombe Park Lake.

INYO: Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Creek,  Independence Creek, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Shepherd Creek, Symms Creek and Tuttle Creek.

Attention anglers: Outposts will attempt to post the daily Southern California saltwater fish count, courtesy of 976-TUNA, each evening. Hope you find it useful:

Attention anglers: Outposts will attempt to post the daily Southern California saltwater fish count, courtesy of 976-TUNA, each evening. Hope you find it useful:

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: Is it legal for a dog to grab a wounded duck on the way to the blind before shooting time? Last duck season a buddy and I were at Wister and at 4 a.m. we started for the blind and the dog was ahead of us going in and out of the water canals. When my buddy called him back, he showed up with a wounded duck that was still alive. Was it OK to keep that duck? (Bill S)

Answer: A dog is considered a legal method of take by DFG regulations. Dogs may be used to locate, retrieve and may actually "take" game by catching live game. According to DFG Northern California chief Mike Carion, although it is legal for the dog to take game, you have to remember that any game it takes becomes part of the bag. In the scenario you have described, the dog’s take was done before legal hours and would be a technical violation of the law. In addition, if the hunter were to discard the bird it would be a violation of waste of game laws. In order to avoid issues of illegal take (for instance take before or after season, or before or after legal hours of take), your dog should be on a leash and under control so this scenario does not happen to you!

Q: Occasionally, I see a few knuckleheads who after a great day of fishing will decide to clean their fish and toss the remains into the lake, thus bringing the sea gulls in. You can probably imagine what the fishing is like for the rest of us then who want to continue fishing. Is there a regulation regarding fish cleaning in lakes and streams? (George L.)

The Golden State Shootout, the second of eight events in the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series, begins today at Clear Lake in Lakeport, Calif. Top bass anglers will be in action through Sunday, fishing for the four-day high weigh-in total to bag the $100,000 first-place prize.

The Series-opening Duel in the Delta last weekend came down to only a 1-ounce difference deciding first and second place.

Reese, who finished second at Clear Lake in 2007, looks for entirely different fishing on the lake compared with the shallow California Delta. The 19-mile-long, 8-mile-wide lake has an average depth of 27 feet, and with the air and water temperatures heating up, so should the bite.

Outposts will attempt to post the most recent ski report for California, courtesy of SkiReport.com, each Thursday:

	BASE	LIFTS	SURFACE	24 HR	72 HR
Alpine Meadows	100-161"	6 of 13	SC	0"	0"
Badger Pass	84-106"	4 of 5	PP	0"	0"
Bear Mountain	48-72"	8 of 12	HP	0"	0"
Bear Valley	108"	9 of 9	PP	0"	0"
Boreal	90-131"	8 of 8	SC	0"	0"
Dodge Ridge	75-85"	8 of 10	PP	0"	0"
Donner Ski Ranch	90-148"	6 of 8	PP	0"	0"
Heavenly	69-101"	28 of 29	PP	0"	0"
Homewood	82-165"	5 of 7	SC	0"	0"
June	72-120"	7 of 7	SC	0"	0"
Kirkwood	136-190"	12 of 12	PP	0"	0"
Mammoth	121-160"	28 of 29	PP	0"	0"

Attention anglers: Outposts will attempt to post the daily Southern California saltwater fish count, courtesy of 976-TUNA, each evening. Hope you find it useful:

Here's this week's Irvine Lake fishing report, written by veteran angler Steve Carson:

After further photo analysis, it has been determined that the monster 17-0 fish caught last weekend is indeed a steelhead that sets a new lake record, reported general manager Dave Noyes. "We have determined that the huge fish caught by little 8-year-old Daniel Morelos was a steelhead, easily topping our old lake record of 10-6 for the species," observed Noyes. "It is also the largest trout of any species for the season so far, and is a phenomenal catch for this young angler."  

Noyes continued, "The big fish was hooked on a Gulp! Salmon Egg and nightcrawler combination, and was handed off in a magnanimous gesture by Irvine Lake regular Daniel LeBoef. The batch of trophy steelhead we stocked three weeks ago definitely contained several fish this size or larger, so it is possible that the lake record could be broken again."

Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop added, "The overall trout bite has been very good for both bait dunkers and trollers, and the bass bite has been as good as it gets -- totally off the hook!"

The schedule for the sixth season of the Dew Tour has been announced and will include the action-sports tour's first visit to Las Vegas.

"I'm excited that the Dew Tour is going to be in Las Vegas this year," said three-time Dew Cup champion Ryan Sheckler. "I love Vegas, so to be able to compete there seems almost surreal."

Top skate and BMX athletes are vying for part of a $2.5-million purse based on overall tour standings in each of the five disciplines -- skateboard park, skate vert, BMX park, vert and dirt.

The first two events kicking off the season are sport-specific, with a park and vert skate event in Boston, followed by a park, dirt and vert BMX stop in Chicago.

The five-city tour also visits Portland, Ore., and Salt Lake City for multi-sport competition and culminates with the championships at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

"All five of our host cities for this upcoming year have shown tremendous support," said Chris Prybylo, Alli Sports vice president of events and Dew Tour general manager. "We look forward to what this season will bring, and the addition of Las Vegas to the slate will make the final event of the year that much more dynamic and dramatic."

June 25-26       Skate Open/ISF Skateboarding World Championships         Boston

July 23-24      Nike 6.0 BMX Open                                                                     Chicago

Aug. 12-15        Wendy's Invitational                                                                  Portland, Ore.

Sept. 16-19       Toyota Challenge                                                                         Salt Lake City

Oct. 14-17        Dew Tour Championships                                                           Las Vegas

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Bob Burnquist competes in the skate vert finals during the 2009 Dew Tour Playstation Pro. Credit: Alli: Alliance of Action Sports

Note: To follow this blog on Twitter please visit @latimesoutposts

With about two weeks left in the inaugural wolf hunting season in Idaho, a seventh zone reached its quota and was closed.

The limit of 16 wolves in the Salmon zone was reached Monday, ending hunting in that central Idaho area.

As of Tuesday, 178 wolves of the 220 statewide quota have been reported to Idaho Fish and Game, leaving 42 for this season, which runs through March 31.

Hunters are required to report a wolf kill within 24 hours, and must present the skull and hide to a regional office or a Fish and Game conservation officer within five days.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Gray wolf. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Note: To follow this blog on Twitter please visit @latimesoutposts