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Columbian White-Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge
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National Park Contact Information |
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National Park Overview |
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Located in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge was established in 1972 specifically to protect and manage the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over 5,600 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon.
The valuable habitat the refuge preserves for the deer also benefits a large variety of wintering birds, a small herd of Roosevelt elk, river otter, various reptiles and amphibians including painted turtles and red-legged frogs, and several pairs of nesting bald eagles and osprey. Today, about 300 Columbina white-tailed deer live on the refuge.
Another 300-400 live on private lands along the river. The areas upstream from the refuge on Puget Island and on the Oregon side of the river are vital to reestablishing and maintaining viable populations of the species. The refuge works with private and corporate landowners to maintain and reestablish deer on their lands. |
Nature of the Area |
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The refuge contains over 5,600 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy wood lots, marshes, and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon. The mainland refuge unit, the Hunting Islands, and Price Island are in Washington. Tenasillahe Island, Wallace Island, and several parcels around Westport are in Oregon. The valuable habitat the refuge preserves for the deer also benefits a large variety of wintering birds, a small herd of Roosevelt elk, river otter, various reptiles and amphibians including painted turtles and red-legged frogs, and several pairs of nesting bald eagles and osprey.
The Columbian white-tailed deer is one of 30 subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America, and the only one found west of the Cascade Mountains. These deer once ranged throughout the river valleys west of the Cascade Mountains from the Umpqua River in Oregon, northward through the Willamette Valley to Puget Sound, and westward down the lower Columbia River.
During the 1800s, deer numbers were dangerously low due to overhunting and loss of habitat. By the turn of the century, they had disappeared from nearly all of their range and, in the 1930s, were thought to be extinct. Remnant populations were discovered here and near Roseburg, Oregon.
In 1968, the lower Columbia River population was listed as a federally endangered species because it was in imminent danger of becoming extinct. This population is now found only along the lower Columbia River between Skamokawa, Washington, and Clatskanie, Oregon.
Today, about 300 of these deer live on the refuge. Another 300-400 live on private lands along the river. The areas upstream from the refuge on Puget Island and on the Oregon side of the river are vital to reestablishing and maintaining viable populations of the species. The refuge works with private and corporate landowners to maintain and reestablish deer on their lands. |
Fishing and Hunting |
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Fishing
Waters around the refuge, including the Elochoman River, Steamboat Slough, Brooks Slough, and the Columbia River, are open to fishing in accordance with State regulations. Consult Oregon and Washington regulations for seasons and limits. Bank fishing is permitted along open shorelines. Interior sloughs in all refuge units are closed to fishing.
Hunting
Hunting geese, ducks, coot, and snipe is permitted along the shoreline on the refuge portion of Hunting and Wallace Island in accordance with Federal, Washington, and Oregon State hunting regulations. Temporary blinds may be constructed, but they must be available to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. Use or possession of ammunition containing lead shot is prohibited. Possession of firearms in areas closed to waterfowl hunting is also prohibited. |
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More Info | |
Refuges named for women in the National Wildlife Refuge System. ... Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge Three thousand miles away, on Washingtons ... | |
... acre Tenasillahe Island reserve in the Columbia River, and one on the Columbian White-Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge along the lower Columbia River. The Columbia white-tail thrived under the ... | |
... home of the Columbia River Interpretive Life Center. Just southeast of town is Columbian White-tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is the home of the endangered deer and a number of ... | |
Washington Department of Fisheries and Wildife Weekender Report, Washington State Nature Weekends ... 518, 1998 The Columbian White-Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge near Cathlamet in ... |
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From Interstate 5, take the Longview exit. Proceed west on Highway 4 to Cathlamet. Continue on Highway 4 about 1 mile past Cathlamet to Steamboat Slough Road (just west of Elochoman River bridge). Turn left on Steamboat Slough Road. Refuge headquarters is about 0.25 miles to the right.
Hunting, Price, Tenasillahe, and Wallace Islands are accessible only by boat. Public launching facilities are available in Washington at the Cathlamet Mooring Basin, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat launch on State Highway 4 between Cathlamet and Skamokawa, and Skamokawa Vista Park.
Launch facilities on the Oregon shore are available at Aldrich Point east of Astoria. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at Skamokawa. Tidal flows, strong winds, and large wakes from ships can make boating difficult and sometimes dangerous.
Deep channels separate most of the islands at high tide, but during low tides, sandbars and exposed logs may hinder your travel or even ground your boat. Consult navigation charts and tide tables before venturing out. |
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Columbian White-Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge
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