Filed Under: Fishing, Hiking
Located in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge was established in 1972 specifically to protect and manage the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over 5,600 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon.
The valuable habitat the refuge preserves for the deer also benefits a large variety of wintering birds, a small herd of Roosevelt elk, river otter, various reptiles and amphibians including painted turtles and red-legged frogs, and several pairs of nesting bald eagles and osprey. Today, about 300 Columbina white-tailed deer live on the refuge.
Another 300-400 live on private lands along the river. The areas upstream from the refuge on Puget Island and on the Oregon side of the river are vital to reestablishing and maintaining viable populations of the species. The refuge works with private and corporate landowners to maintain and reestablish deer on their lands.
Directions
From Interstate 5, take the Longview exit. Proceed west on Highway 4 to Cathlamet. Continue on Highway 4 about 1 mile past Cathlamet to Steamboat Slough Road (just west of Elochoman River bridge). Turn left on Steamboat Slough Road. Refuge headquarters is about 0.25 miles to the right.
Hunting, Price, Tenasillahe, and Wallace Islands are accessible only by boat. Public launching facilities are available in Washington at the Cathlamet Mooring Basin, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat launch on State Highway 4 between Cathlamet and Skamokawa, and Skamokawa Vista Park.
Launch facilities on the Oregon shore are available at Aldrich Point east of Astoria. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at Skamokawa. Tidal flows, strong winds, and large wakes from ships can make boating difficult and sometimes dangerous.
Deep channels separate most of the islands at high tide, but during low tides, sandbars and exposed logs may hinder your travel or even ground your boat. Consult navi
References and External Links
Posted by: recreation2 and last modified on Jul 05, 2007 by thoos
Comments
Be the first to leave a comment, advice, or personal anecdote.
Leave a Comment