[ODFW-News] White River Wildlife Area reopens March 15

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009
	

For Immediate Release	Tuesday, March 9, 2004

White River Wildlife Area reopens to all public access March 15


TYGH VALLEY - The White River Wildlife Area in central Oregon will
reopen to all public access on Monday, March 15, now that winter
conditions are improving. 

Extreme weather conditions with deep snow forced the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife to close public access to many portions of the
White River Wildlife Area in January. The wildlife area is located south
of The Dalles.

At the time of the closure deer, elk and pronghorn that winter in the
area were struggling to survive the deep, crusted snow, which hindered
access to feed and made travel difficult. Staff at the wildlife area
documented an increasing number of animal deaths. The concentration of
animals living on wildlife area lands attracts people seeking to view
and photograph the animals and to pick up shed antlers. Human
disturbance leads to increased stress and loss of body condition for
animals that already are struggling to survive.



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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002