Latest at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area-Central Oregon Coast

Yesterday, while attending a Reedsport Rotary meeting, they had a speaker from the Coos Bay branch of the Bureau of Land Management speaking about the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area.

Here on the Central Oregon Coast, there is a great place to watch a herd of Roosevelt Elk and for birding just eight miles east of Reedsport on Highway 38. More than 100 elk are located on this 1,040 acre parcel that includes 440 acres of pasture and wetland, as well as 600 acres in the foothills. It is maintained by BLM in collaboration with community organizations, private businesses, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Since its purchase in the mid 1980s, many improvements have been made. The O.H. Hinsdale Interpretive Center was constructed with funds raised by the community and includes great pictures of various wildlife species found on site. The swallows that nest in the roof are fun to watch dive-bomb mosquitoes hovering over the marshy areas. Once I saw a beaver at dusk swimming nearby. The red-winged blackbirds sit on the tall marsh grass and the Canadian Geese feed out in the meadow.

In my opinion, the best time to see the elk at Dean Creek is in mid-September and early October when they're getting ready to mate. The large bucks with their huge racks start butting heads. My parents, with their video camera, still talk about their visit to Oregon to see the elk. The spring is also a good time because you can see the calves.

Especially in the early morning or at dusk during the winter, the elk are near the pull-out areas and close photos are easily captured. According to Elaine from BLM, they are currently working on some tide gate repairs and there may be a short traffic delay on Highway 38 next week while the Oregon Department of Transportation replaces one.

Also, she said the Umpqua Soil Conservation will be moving into the "East End Ranch House" in early February. They are currently located in the old W.F. Jewett School in Gardiner. This will be a good partnership for both entities as the Umpqua Soil will help to maintain the site once they move in. The BLM has been working diligently to return the area to its natural, self-sustainable state from the ranch land it once was. Umpqua Soil will aid in that endeavor.