DEER I CAN do without. That mindset is the product of a Port Townsend upbringing that continues to see their growing population in that city as a potential threat to public health (diseases, predators, hooved attacks) and not a cute photo opportunity for charmed visitors.
Elk, though, I’ll stop what I’m doing and indulge in watching a herd go about its business.
I think seeing them in the wild is good luck.
That’s why the recent bull elk spotted with a herd of domestic cattle near Quilcene spurred my attention.
Two weeks back I saw the Doseywallips elk herd hanging out in Brinnon, a normal sight, as those elk source the tidal flats for salt.
But an elk in Quilcene, particularly one spending time with dairy cows, is an unusual spectacle.
Quilcene’s Ward Norden, a former fisheries biologist and owner of Snapper Tackle Company, sent me a couple photos of the elk late last week.
And a crop of Facebook posts appeared in the “I’ve heard of Quilcene” group expressing surprise on seeing the animal and speculating on its reasons for coming (close) to town.
Norden thinks “this little bull probably got kicked out of the Dosewallips herd by the big bulls during the rut two weeks ago.”
Others thought it could be from a herd living on the nearby Coyle Peninsula, or had wandered southeast along the Bonneville power lines after being separated from the Sequim elk herd.
Some warned the elk was not long for this world if it continued to stay in a high-visibility location.
And those folks were correct. As the elk has since been harvested, apparently by a disabled U.S. veteran.
Anglers meeting
Bob Kratzer of the Forks-based Angler’s Guide Service is the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the North Olympic Peninsula chapter of Puget Sound Anglers.
The group will meet Thursday, Oct. 19 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., in Sequim.
The evening begins at 6:30 pm for viewing the raffle prizes and fish stories. A short club business meeting begins at 7 p.m. and includes fishing reports from members, followed by Kratzer.
Kratzer and Angler’s Guide Service specialize in exciting river salmon, steelhead and sturgeon trips on the Olympic Peninsula, the Columbia River and Nushagak River in Alaska.
He will share his best techniques on twitching for salmon.
Refreshments will be served and a raffle for fishing gear will be held. A special membership drawing (for those present) also will be held.
The public is welcome to attend.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
Ward Norden A smaller bull elk feeds among domestic cattle near the mouth of the Little Quilcene River in Quilcene.
