4-O Ranch Wildlife Area dedicated

Guests arriving at the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area dedication reception in May 2016 reported marking bass and steelhead fishing hot spots along with spotting elk, deer, bighorn sheep, black bear, cougar, golden eagles, wild turkeys, chukars and more. And that was just driving to the event at the old townsite of Mountain View above the Grande Ronde River.

Section:Gallery

Sat., June 4, 2016

Wintering elk move through a field on the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area above the Grande Ronde River.

Paul Wik Washington Fish And Wildlife Department
A sign along the Grande Ronde River Road designates the 10,502-acre 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area, which was dedicated by the Washington Department of Wildlife in May 2016.

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The 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area bordering the Grande Ronde River includes 10,502 acres in Asotin County acquired over decade of effort by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Justin Haug Washington Fish And Wildlife Department
Guests assemble for the dedication of the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area on May 26, 2016, at the site of the former community of Mountain View. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife purchased 10,502 acres for $19.1 million from the Mike Odom family to protect the land rising from the Grande Ronde River for wildlife and public access.

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Rancher Mike Odom receives an gift from Washington Fish and Wildlife Department Eastern Region manager Steve Pozzanghera during the dedication of the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area on May 26, 2016. The agency purchased 10,502 acres from Odom in five phases to protect the land rising from the Grande Ronde River for wildlife and public access.

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Elk race across one of the fences volunteers eventually will remove from the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife purchased 10,502 acres of the property above the Grande Ronde River for a state-managed wildlife area that was dedicated on May 26, 2016.

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Kim Thorburn, center, Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioner from Spokane, was among guests at the May 26, 2016, dedication of the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area in Asotin County.

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Marmots are common around old buildings on the 10,502-acre 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area, which was dedicated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in May 2016.

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Bob Dice, Blue Mountains Wildlife Area Complex manager based in Clarkston, looks over the mix of farm, ranch and wildlands he stewards in the 10,502-acre 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area, which was dedicated on May 26, 2016.

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A mule deer moves past a cattle shed along the Grande Ronde River on the 10,502-acre 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area dedicated in May 2016.

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Asotin County Commissioner Brian Shinn, left, visits with rancher Mike Odom at the dedication of the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area on May 26, 2016, at the site of the former community of Mountain View. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department purchased 10,502 acres from Odom to protect the land rising from the Grande Ronde River for wildlife and public access.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area bordering the Grande Ronde River includes 10,502 acres in Asotin County acquired over a decade of effort by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Justin Haug Washington Fish And Wildlife Department
Guest explore the views and wildlife on the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife purchased 10,502 acres above the Grande Ronde River for a state-managed wildlife area that was dedicated on May 26, 2016.

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Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, was among guests at the May 26, 2016, dedication of the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area in Asotin County.

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A bighorn sheep runs up from the Grande Ronde River onto the 10,502-acre 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area, which was dedicated by the Washington Department of Wildlife in May 2016.

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The Grande Ronde River winds below the 10,502-acre 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area, which was dedicated on May 26, 2016.

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The 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area bordering the Grande Ronde River includes 10,502 acres in Asotin County acquired over decade by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Justin Haug Washington Fish And Wildlife Department
While the Mountain View school that closed in 1952 has collapsed, the teacher's quarters still stands on the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area in Asotin County.

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Public access is allowed to the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area in Asotin County, but motorized vehicle use is not allowed off county roads and hunting big game is restricted to permit holders.

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