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  3. Colockum Tarps Fire threatens elk winter range

Colockum Tarps Fire threatens elk winter range

a group of Colockum Wildlife Area elk stand by confused after one elk was tranquilized by a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife aerial gunner so it could be fitted a radio collar for research on the herd. (Washington Fish and Wildlife Department)
a group of Colockum Wildlife Area elk stand by confused after one elk was tranquilized by a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife aerial gunner so it could be fitted a radio collar for research on the herd. (Washington Fish and Wildlife Department)

HUNTING -- The wildfire -- considred human-caused -- that's already burned 80,000 acres near Ellensburg, is scorching the winter range of one of the state's most important elk herds.

The extent of the impacts is yet unknown, but the Colockum herd almost surely will be impacted this winter.  Beyond that, there's room for hope that the fire could be a net gain.  Assessments will come after the fire's out.

Read details in this story by Scott Sandsberry of the  Yakima Herald-Republic.

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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