State Biologists Try To Treat Bighorns After Several Deaths

Washington biologists air-dropped medicated feed near the Grande Ronde River on Friday to treat bighorns suffering from a disease that appears to have spread despite a massive helicopter rescue before Christmas.

Of the 72 bighorns captured in December, 22 have died in holding facilities in Caldwell, Idaho, where they are being treated, said Madonna Luers, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman. Several more are very sick, she said.

However, some appear to be recovering and could be returned to Washington for release within a month if biologists can be sure they’ve stopped the spread of the disease in Asotin County, Luers said.

The original rescue was executed Dec. 2 in an attempt to curb the pneumonia-like disease. At least 34 bighorns had died in the field before a second roundup was ordered.

Last week, aerial surveys found another dead ram in the field and about 10 bighorns were coughing, which is a symptom of the disease, Luers said.

One of bighorns found dead in the field was a world-class trophy ram, which biologists measured for an unofficial Boone and Crockett score of 192 points.

Officials warn that it is illegal to take the head of a bighorn ram found dead in Washington.

Council’s building ready

The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council is moving into its new building this weekend at 6116 N. Market. The building will be the new site for club offices, activities and the monthly public programs on hunting, fishing and other wildlife activities.

The council is one of the region’s most active wildlife conservation groups. The group’s new telephone number is 487-8552.

Public to be heard

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Saturday to take public input on criteria for the director of the state Fish and Wildlife Department.

The commission regained the authority to appoint the director in a November referendum vote. The commission has not made any announcement on whether the members intend to replace current director Bob Turner.

The workshop session is set for Friday and Saturday in Olympia at the Aladdin Motor Inn. Other topics for discussion in the two-day meeting include land acquisitions, emergency winter steelhead regulations and reports on the transition to assuming authority over commercial fishing.

The next regular commission meeting, at which decisions are made, is set for Feb. 3 in Olympia.

More elk input due

A second round of 1996 elk hunting proposals for Idaho’s Clearwater Region will be presented by the Idaho Fish and Game Department at public meetings.

Controversial proposals presented last fall by the department and a citizens committee to help stop the region’s decline of mature bull elk drew 1,600 comments.

The new recommendations have been drawn up after reviewing those comments, department officials said.

The open house meetings allow the public to discuss the revised proposals with agency officials and provide written comments on the 1996 elk and deer seasons.

The meetings are set for 3 p.m.-8 p.m. as follows:

Jan. 15, Lewiston Ramada Inn.

Jan. 16, Orofino National Guard Armory.

Jan. 17, Latah County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Moscow.

Info: (208) 709-5010.

, DataTimes