Who will respond?
Dear Editor:
I was relieved to see that Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office will be providing temporary police services in Twisp and I’m sure they will do their best within the limits of their resources. This summer, however, when it’s all hands on deck to deal with a wildfire, standoff, or search and rescue emergency (which may be two plus hours away considering the size of our county), who is going to respond to the domestic violence victim or vulnerable elder or child in Twisp when they call 911 for help? Too slow may be too late.
Heidi Appel
Twisp
OK to feed deer
Dear Editor:
I read the Feb. 1 article in which the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) told us not to feed or help the struggling deer. I disagree strongly and know from experience that feeding the deer in a safe area does nothing but help more deer survive the harsh winters and lack of bitterbrush due to the fires.
The really harsh winter of 1968 killed 80% of our largest herd in the U.S. The deer are very slowly recovering but at only about 35%; we have the hard winter of 1996 that knocks the number down to 25%. This is when the WDFW shows its true colors. In 1996, after losing many deer to the harsh winter, WDFW comes up with the three-point or better law. So since 1996 we have been targeting the breeder bucks that would help the population recover if given a chance.
I have witnessed does chasing off small bucks many times because the last seven years I hunted was the late archery hunt in November, the breeding time.
I then phoned Oregon, Idaho and Montana departments telling them what our WDFW was doing. They didn’t believe me and said the only time a law like that would be instituted is when the breeder bucks are causing extreme over-population.
I’ve lived in the lower Methow Valley all of my 68 years and hunted, hiked, dirt biked and horse-backed from Pasayten to Pateros. I still drive the backroads two or three times a week, all year long, mostly looking for mule deer and the habitat. I have never run into any WDFW employee doing the same thing in 45 years.
I’m thankful for the neighbors that feed the deer and it helps many deer survive a harsh winter like we just had.
Randy Moore
Methow
Paying it forward
Dear Editor:
It happened again. I traveled down-valley to Hank’s for groceries and left behind my wallet and the more important charge card. I did it several years ago and didn’t realize it until I was already in the hands of the checker. They were very kind and let me take the groceries home by putting it on the store account. I squared that up the next week.
But today, same scenario, though this time, I realized the gaffe while still in the car and was able to pick through the console and glovebox to find enough for the essentials without wasting the 21 miles traveled. I thought. So I went over by 61 cents and the checker said that was fine as she picked through the change dish. But I was off by $2 more when I got the total.
I asked Carlan to pull off the chips or soda but she said that was fine, she would cover it. I thanked her and said I’d pay it next time in. Nope, she said to just pay it forward.
As I got my receipt, I got the wooden nickel, so I asked her who I should give it to. She said she suggested Classroom in Bloom as her daughter was in the program, so I dropped the nickel in their jar on the way out of the store. I’ve also sent Classroom in Bloom a check as well, doing as I was asked by the fine folks at Hank’s. Another good reason to shop at Hank’s, but we already know that from the Konrads’ longtime community support.
Mike Shirley
Mazama
