Deer relocation to Ridgefield scheduled to begin this week
RIDGEFIELD — Relocation of up to 50 Columbian white-tailed deer from Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is to begin this week.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final environmental assessment on the move on Monday.
The deer are being moved to save them from potential loss due to the impending failure of a dike between the Hansen refuge and Columbia River. If the dike fails, much of the refuge will be flooded.
Columbian white-tailed deer are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The Fish and Wildlife Service will capture and move the deer with help from the Washington and Oregon departments of Fish and Wildlife and the Cowlitz Tribe.
Portland sportsmen’s show to open on Wednesday
PORTLAND — Dozens of hunting and fishing experts will offer tips, a youth trout-fishing pond will be available and a huge number of guides, outfitters and manufacturers will display their services and wares at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show Feb. 6-10 at the Expo Center.
Admission will cost $12 for adults and $5 for juniors age 6-16. There is an additional $1 charged if payment is by credit card.
Show hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 6-8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 9 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 10.
Tickets available for Elk Foundation annual event
Firearms, hunting trips, home accent items and more will be auctioned and raffled on March 2 at the 27th annual banquet of the Vancouver chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The event begins at 4 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia St.
Tickets cost $80 per person or $125 for a couple.
Among the firearms available will be a Winchester Model 70 rifle, and a Remington Model 1911 R1 stainless .45 Auto handgun.
The chapter also is interested in additional donations for the banquet.
Tickets are available online at https://events.rmef.org/!AF9 or by calling Stacey Kinnan at 360-576-8103.
Vancouver Wildlife League meets Wednesday
The Vancouver Wildlife League will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2108 Grand Blvd..
Jeff Azerrad, a state biologist, will be the guest speaker. The public is welcome.
