Outdoors enthusiasts should be excited about 2011, which might be a memorable year for fishing and hunting. Just make sure you participate in these activities legally, because the state Fish and Game department will be cracking down on poaching with its new K-9 unit.

Other things to look forward to in the new year: enhanced GPS units, more RV users and new snowmobiles.

Hooked on hunting

Outdoorsmen, get your gear ready. According to early predictions, 2011 could be a good year for fishing and upland game hunting in south-central Idaho.

Though we won't know until spring, if nesting conditions continue to be good we could see a "boom" in upland game populations, said Gary Hompland, regional conservation officer for Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

"Conditions look to be pretty good with some of the recent settling of snow," Hompland said.

Population numbers likely will be best for quail, gray partridge and pheasant, he said.

It's also still too early to tell about fishing, as a good prognosis depends on spring water levels, said Regional Fisheries Manager Doug Megargle.

"But we're on a good track with the snowfall and moisture we've been getting," Megargle said. If south-central Idaho continues to receives plentiful snowpack and high moisture levels, he said, it should make a good year for fishing.

Something else for 2011: Anglers should check out the new fishing regulations handbook, formatted in a new style and with new rules, including all-year fishing at some waters.

- Andrew Weeks

New snowmobiles

We've got the snow. Where's your snowmobile? If you don't have one yet, you might want to consider a 2011 model.

Polaris, one of the country's best-known snowmobile manufacturers, has released 11 new snowmobiles in its 2011 lineup.

What's new about the manufacturer's Pro RMK series? "Everything," said Rob Glodowski, vice president of Action Cycles ‘N Sleds in Twin Falls.

Features of the RMK models include new suspension, lighter brake discs, adjustable ski stance, freestyle seats, handlebar risers and "over-engine steering that allows the 800cc twin to sit low and centered so the rider can ‘flick' the sled over and around for maximum maneuverability," according to snowmobiling.com. "Wide cutouts in the runningboards make it easier for snow to evacuate in powder running - and since holes weigh nothing, there is a reduction in overall ounces."

Manufacturer Ski-Doo also has something new for 2011: an all-new 600 cc four-stroke.

Locally, the new Polaris machines make for better sales.

"We've sold twice as many snowmobiles this year than we did last year because of the new models," Glodowski said. "Early snow and the new snowmobiles make for a great season."

- Andrew Weeks

Tracking poachers

The chances of catching those who break the law just increased, thanks to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's new four-legged enforcement tool - a 1-year-old black Labrador named Pepper.

Pepper is part of a five-year pilot program to help track poachers and assist in search and rescue. He also will help promote conservation efforts by visiting area schools and other groups, said handler Jim Stirling, a conservation officer with Fish and Game.

The program is funded by donations from sportsmen's groups, he said.

About 18 other states have similar K-9 programs, Stirling said, but Idaho will be the first that he knows of in the West. Pepper was donated in November to Fish and Game by Rich Regnier, owner of Hagerman-based Mill Iron Kennels.

Stirling and Pepper will attend training at the end of January in Indiana. He hopes to have Pepper working at full capacity by early spring.

"If it doesn't pan out, the dog and the program will go away," said Regional Conservation Officer Gary Hompland. "But if it works as good as it has in other states, my guess is it will make some real significant inroads as to how we conduct fish and wildlife law enforcement."

- Andrew Weeks

Enhanced technology

Getting lost just got more fun with 2011 Global Positioning Units.

One GPS manufacturer, Garmin, has released a new program called BirdsEye. Similar to Google Earth, BirdsEye is a detailed, photo-based map of the entire globe. Images are supplied by DigitalGlobe and allow users to overlay them with vector images. Images, at many places in the U.S., can be viewed at zoom levels of 12 miles to 20 feet.

The units are more accurate than anything on the market to date, said Josh Anderson, a sales associate at Sportsman's Warehouse in Twin Falls. He teaches a GPS class on the third Saturday of each month at the store.

"Some of the units are programmed with topo maps," he said. "Some units have an external and internal memory ... it gives me more versatility."

As nifty as these devices are, they'll definitely make a dent in your wallet or purse. Prices start at $299 up to around $599, Anderson said.

"That can be a lot of money for your first unit," he said. "But after you see what they can do and what you want to with them, it's easier to buy a more expensive one next time."

BirdsEye is a harbinger of more technology to come. Technology changes about as fast with GPS units as it does with computers, Anderson said, noting that GPS units are one of the store's top-selling items. He expects the trend to continue in 2011, perhaps more so because of BirdsEye.

Anderson offers one piece of advice: Have a backup plan. He carries along a paper map and compass on his outdoors trips.

"These are electronic devices and can still break down," he said.

- Andrew Weeks

More RV users

More people plan to use their RVs in 2011, according to a marketing analysis prepared for the U.S. Travel Association.

Sales of RVs, which range from towable campers costing as little as $4,000 to bus-like behemoths for $300,000 or more, soared in 2000 through 2007 before slowing in 2008. Slowly, sales are again ticking upward.

"Sales are up in 2010 over 2009," said Steve Brockman of Brockman's RV in Jerome. The family has sold RVs in the area since 1969 and expects 2011 will be an even better sales year.

"Not by leaps and bounds, but better," he said.

Sales, in part, are buoyed by the introduction of eco-friendly RVs that are lighter and more fuel efficient. Nationally, RV shipments were projected to increase 44.8 percent in 2010, according to the marketing analysis. "For 2011," it reads, "the forecast is that shipments will increase 8.2 percent over 2010."

RVs are appealing to young families and retired folks alike because of their convenience, Brockman said. They're cozier than sleeping in a tent or in the back of a pickup.

"There's no better way to spend time with your kids than to go camping," he said. "And in Idaho, within 100 miles in any direction, you'll find great places to take your family camping."

- Andrew Weeks