Big Elk In Big Numbers This Year At Feed Station

It's been a busy winter at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk feeding station on Highway 12. Manager Ross Huffman says unlike last year they're seeing and feeding elk in big numbers. "We've had over 1200 elk here at the headquarters feed site this winter and we've been holding steady around a thousand to 1100 the past couple of weeks." And Hunter says he's seen more visitors and elk at the feed station this year than he's seen in the last 6 years. He says they started feeding in early December and haven't stopped yet. They offer a chance for visitors to ride the feed truck on the weekends. The visitor center at the Oak Creek headquarters is located 2 miles west of the junction of Highways 12 and 410 on Highway 12, about 20 miles west of Yakima. The aim of the daily feeding is to keep the elk in the area to prevent them from wandering into farm fields and private property where they could cause trouble or onto highways where they could be struck by vehicles. Remember a Discover Pass is required to park in the parking lot at the station.