WDFW exploring placement options Three young cougars that were captured last week in Winthrop are being cared for in Wenatchee while state wildlife officials work to arrange their transfer to an accredited zoo or wildlife refuge. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) law enforcement officers trapped the cougar kittens (also called cubs) last week […]
Washington Department of Fish & WIldlife
Most at Okanogan public meeting oppose grizzlies
500 attend listening session on bear restoration Most people attending a public meeting to comment the proposed restoration of grizzly bears in the North Cascades said the animal would not be welcome. About 500 people showed up Monday evening (Oct. 7) at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds Agriplex to express their opinions on a plan developed […]
RCO grants fund rec projects throughout the Methow Valley, Okanogan County region
State funds support trails, campgrounds, preservation Okanogan County projects will receive more than $3 million in grants through the state Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, the board announced last week. The grants include several major projects in the Methow Valley and adjacent areas. Altogether, the state allotted $126 million for 333 projects throughout the state […]
Property owner appeals stop-work order
County planning says permits are needed for clearing, grading A property owner near the town of Methow is appealing an Okanogan County order to stop clearing and grading work on property near the Methow River. Property owner Mark Miller says this restoration work is necessary to help the riverfront property recover from the 2014 Carlton […]
Prescribed burn closes Upper Bear Creek Campground
WDFW — The Methow Wildlife Area’s Bear Creek #1 campground is closed for a prescribed burn being performed under the direction of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This area is also commonly referred to as the Upper Bear Creek campground. The prescribed burn will continue through the week, weather permitting, and the […]
Oct. 20 shooting incident being investigated by WDFW as an assault
A fundamental rule of firearms safety — knowing your target and beyond — was apparently broken when a hunter sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound in an incident that occurred in the Little Bridge Creek area on the final weekend of deer hunting season.
Hearing set on county ordinance to hike WATV penalties
The Okanogan County commissioners will hold a July 9 public hearing on an ordinance that would increase the penalty for illegal operation of wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATVs) to $500 on a county road not open to the vehicles, and to $1,000 in a posted environmentally sensitive area.
No housing shortage for bluebirds in the valley
As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, Western and mountain bluebirds are migrating back to the Methow Valley, and they’re finding new homes when they arrive.
Local residents volunteered time on a recent Saturday morning to install more than 40 bluebird nesting boxes at several sites …
Gray wolf in Loup Loup pack gets new GPS collar from WDFW
State wildlife officials replaced a GPS collar on a gray wolf in the Loup Loup pack earlier this month as part of an ongoing effort by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to monitor and study wolves throughout Washington.
Using a helicopter on …
State grants will benefit projects in, near Methow Valley
The Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) received $80 million with the recent passage of the state’s $4.3 billion capital budget. Included in the funding are two projects in or near the Methow Valley that are funded under WWRP’s land-restoration and enhancement category.
