Burned out, ranchers still work for wildlife after fire

While searching for cattle in the North Star burn, a lot of wildlife were found dead or dying, including bear, moose, elk and deer. Because of a very limited food supply, a large herd of deer and some elk migrated to our green hay meadows.

Even though our cattle range was limited (because of the fire), we did everything we could to provide food for the wildlife. We were very protective of the wildlife on private property so they would survive and not be molested by hunting. At home, the deer ate all the apples and some pears.

In our big garden, potatoes were eaten; all the beets, carrots and onions were consumed, and the potato vines. What was left of our corn stocks were stripped.

Hopefully, these animals will be in good enough condition to survive the winter; most of them have gone near the Columbia River winter range.

Don McClure

Nespelem