Oak Creek Elk

Elk Feeding Station -- The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife runs an elk feeding station through the winter in the Oak Creek Wildlife Area west of Yakima. They feed the elk alfalfa on a daily basis, because most of the herd's original winter range is now farmland and orchards, and they don't have too many places to go when the snow is deep. The operation is paid for by hunting license revenue, and several volunteers give tours and help out in the visitor center.

Their count for the day was over 1,200 animals, with around 350 branched antler bulls. It's entertaining to watch the smaller animals scatter when the big bulls walk through. They'll start dropping their antlers in the next month.

Sheep Feeding Station -- Down the road a couple miles from the elk feeding station, is a sheep feeding station. California bighorn sheep were relocated here in the 60's and the state feeds them through the winter. A handful of deer were mingling with the sheep, looking for free lunch.