NWTF members roll up their sleeves at Klickitat WMA

Consider the squirrel. It is sometimes regarded as either the poor man’s table fare or a fledgling hunter’s first prey. Yet, considering what a squirrel, aka “a rat with good PR,” needs for good habitat and consequently accommodating for it with oak habitation restoration projects also yield benefits to larger game animals — like turkeys and black-tailed deer.

In the 14,700-square-foot Klickitat Wildlife Area, near Goldendale, Wash., NWTF volunteers began a springtime tradition of camping, hunting for turkeys and working on habitat projects in April 2009. They returned in April 2010.

Their work goes beyond big game; it also benefits the grey squirrel. Even more important, by including JAKES members in the mix, these volunteers demonstrate how to be good land stewards.

In 2009, NWTF volunteers from four chapters joined forces with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to thin white oak stands, chip and mulch trees, then bag the mulch for future use in habitat projects. Thinning the forest promotes development of larger trees and reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

In 2010, members from 11 NWTF chapters lent sweat equity to the Soda Springs Unit, which is 33.2 acres.

The crew also found time to hunt for Merriam’s and, of course, for campfire conversation later in the day.
According to Kurt Beckley, president of the Tri-Cities Regional Chapter, not only can you hunt there, but also wet a hook in some of the best steelhead and salmon fishing streams and rivers in the area.

The towns of Goldendale, Lyle, Klickitat, Bickleton and White Salmon all offer excellent lodging and eating. Loaded with destination wineries, this area also touts the “Best Winery in Washington 2009” award, given to The Maryhill Winery. Beckley recommends either a steak pannini at The Glass Onion or the best carne asada in the region at Ayutlas Mexican restaurant in Goldendale.

MORE PLACES TO HUNT (AND PARK) IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

In most cases, to hunt, you have to park your vehicle — you know, the one that brought you, your calls, vest, turkey seat, blind, bow or shotgun to the hunting spot. Thanks to the NWTF’s More Places to Hunt project and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Capay Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (SRNWR) will construct a gravel parking area for up to 10 vehicles.

Approved in early February, the funding means hunters can access four properties and 666 acres on the SRNWR that allow hunting. All the other hunting properties in the 4,800 acres of natural and restored riparian, grasslands, wetlands and managed agricultural lands are only accessible by boat or private road.

“I am excited about opening up additional acres for turkey hunting in California,” said NWTF Senior Regional Biologist Ryan Mathis. “One of the California State Chapter’s top priorities is providing more places to hunt. The NWTF values our partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In fact, the staff at SRNWR is great to work with; they’re turkey hunters and NWTF members. We look forward to working with them for years to come.”

Located in northern California, about 50 to 90 miles north of Sacramento, the SRNWR is home to black-tailed deer, turkey, quail, dove and waterfowl. Bluegill and largemouth bass fill Packer Lake, and the river teems with four runs of Chinook salmon annually.

A quick visit to www.sacramentoriver.org will help decide if you want to rough it at a primitive gravel bar, or stay in one of the many resorts and cabins nearby. Located five miles south of Hamilton City, a tiny hamlet with a big old grain elevator, you won’t feel like you’ve landed in Cosmo California. In fact, after you tag a Rio Grande, you may want to head over to nearby Chico, home of the National Yo-Yo Museum and the National Yo-Yo Contest, held annually in October. The museum displays the world’s largest yo-yo, weighing 256 pounds and designed by a local resident. — Barbara Baird