BOD MEETING: The Money for Okanogan Deer

[LDennis24]

I still think guys should plant some long lived perennial food plot's on private ground in the area while the bitterbrush gets established around them if that's the route they are going. Winter fat and some Sainfoin would make a pretty good plot for mule deer and even throw out a little alfalfa for the warm months.

[jackelope]

I am relatively new to the forum so I did not donate, but I am familiar with what happened and I know it will be a long time before the area recovers. I am in the agriculture/botany industry and I would like to help in any way I can. I don't live close to the area, but I definitely would be down to schedule a few days this fall/winter to help plant things. I also will try to acquire some things to plant for the cause. Other than that, I am willing to give any advice or answer any questions that might help restore the area (I know a lot about plants, how to plant them, and what they need to survive.)

Great offer!

When it gets figured out when and where, I can help with transportation of equipment or product, up to 10k# ish. And if needed can possibly supply some heavy equipment/tractors.

Another great offer!!

[jackelope]

I still think guys should plant some long lived perennial food plot's on private ground in the area while the bitterbrush gets established around them if that's the route they are going. Winter fat and some Sainfoin would make a pretty good plot for mule deer and even throw out a little alfalfa for the warm months.

I believe the best way to make use of this project would be to keep the planting specific to native plants rehab'ing what burned. The disclaimer to that is that I'm not educated enough on the topic to know if those plants you mentioned are native or not.

[Rainier10]

I am thinking to cut the governmental tape a project on private land that is also "Feel Free To Hunt" would be the best avenue to have the project be available for anyone that donated or helps out to access.

[huntnphool]

I still think guys should plant some long lived perennial food plot's on private ground in the area while the bitterbrush gets established around them if that's the route they are going. Winter fat and some Sainfoin would make a pretty good plot for mule deer and even throw out a little alfalfa for the warm months.

I believe the best way to make use of this project would be to keep the planting specific to native plants rehab'ing what burned. The disclaimer to that is that I'm not educated enough on the topic to know if those plants you mentioned are native or not.

 +1

 Anybody know where we can purchase seedlings?

[Rainier10]

Various nurseries have it.

Here is one that has it in larger 2 gallon pots.
http://www.plantsofthewild.com/

http://plantsofthewild.com/uploads/AVAILABILITY_LIST.pdf

Antelope Bitterbrush, technical name is Purshia tridentata

[LDennis24]

I still think guys should plant some long lived perennial food plot's on private ground in the area while the bitterbrush gets established around them if that's the route they are going. Winter fat and some Sainfoin would make a pretty good plot for mule deer and even throw out a little alfalfa for the warm months.

I believe the best way to make use of this project would be to keep the planting specific to native plants rehab'ing what burned. The disclaimer to that is that I'm not educated enough on the topic to know if those plants you mentioned are native or not.

Sainfoin is not native to the area but I believe winter fat is and it gets it's name from being a good high calorie food for browser's during the winter months. I believe it look's like a small sage bush with a pale green to white colored fuzzy leaf like a lambs ear. I was just thinking of what some folks could do on their own land as a food source. I realize this topic is about what to do with the funds donated by these folks for the good of everyone and the herds in question so private land investment's wouldn't be a good idea for that.

[jackelope]

I still think guys should plant some long lived perennial food plot's on private ground in the area while the bitterbrush gets established around them if that's the route they are going. Winter fat and some Sainfoin would make a pretty good plot for mule deer and even throw out a little alfalfa for the warm months.

I believe the best way to make use of this project would be to keep the planting specific to native plants rehab'ing what burned. The disclaimer to that is that I'm not educated enough on the topic to know if those plants you mentioned are native or not.

Sainfoin is not native to the area but I believe winter fat is and it gets it's name from being a good high calorie food for browser's during the winter months. I believe it look's like a small sage bush with a pale green to white colored fuzzy leaf like a lambs ear. I was just thinking of what some folks could do on their own land as a food source. I realize this topic is about what to do with the funds donated by these folks for the good of everyone and the herds in question so private land investment's wouldn't be a good idea for that.

Supposed to be for the good of the deer herds. Personally I don't think rehab'ing whether it's public or private makes too much difference. Not too much hunting going on at the time the deer are on that winter range anyway.

[EmeraldBullet]

I feel a lot of people are being impatient with the situation because they don't fully understand the technical aspects of replanting here. You can't just dig a whole and plant some bitterbush and expect it to fix everything.

If anyone is interested in taking the time to formulate a real coordinated effort let me know. We can help this land recover, but it wont be easy, it wont be cheap, and it especially wont be quick. If there's interest in doing it right, so the plants will survive and create a full and real habitat let me know and we can work together.

I have a vision of not only planting the things that deer like, but also prepping the soil (adding microrhiza and such), planting plants that will keep the soil in a condition for the bitterbrush (and pines, salal, various ferns, rockrose, etc) to actually grow and thrive. I think in 10-15 years we could make a big difference in the habitat if done correctly.

I have lot's of nursery resources and extensive knowledge on this subject so pm me if you want to help formulate a real plan.

[MtnMuley]

I feel a lot of people are being impatient with the situation because they don't fully understand the technical aspects of replanting here. You can't just dig a whole and plant some bitterbush and expect it to fix everything.

If anyone is interested in taking the time to formulate a real coordinated effort let me know. We can help this land recover, but it wont be easy, it wont be cheap, and it especially wont be quick. If there's interest in doing it right, so the plants will survive and create a full and real habitat let me know and we can work together.

I have a vision of not only planting the things that deer like, but also prepping the soil (adding microrhiza and such), planting plants that will keep the soil in a condition for the bitterbrush (and pines, salal, various ferns, rockrose, etc) to actually grow and thrive. I think in 10-15 years we could make a big difference in the habitat if done correctly.

I have lot's of nursery resources and extensive knowledge on this subject so pm me if you want to help formulate a real plan.

We have no ferns where these fires were, so I doubt planting them is a good idea with our climate.  Never heard of salal and rockrose either around here, but I'm definitely no plant bio.

[JimmyHoffa]

I still think guys should plant some long lived perennial food plot's on private ground in the area while the bitterbrush gets established around them if that's the route they are going. Winter fat and some Sainfoin would make a pretty good plot for mule deer and even throw out a little alfalfa for the warm months.

I believe the best way to make use of this project would be to keep the planting specific to native plants rehab'ing what burned. The disclaimer to that is that I'm not educated enough on the topic to know if those plants you mentioned are native or not.

 +1

 Anybody know where we can purchase seedlings?

There are a few nurseries that grow bulk seedlings for commercial operations like logging or arbor day plant-a-thons.  Those are mostly limited to a handful of conifers though.
If you want seeds, you can collect a good variety out there right now.  I was getting a little bit of fireweed seed today, a lot is still in bloom so there will still be seeds in the near future.

[LDennis24]

http://www.wadistricts.org/plant-materials-center.html

http://www.okanogancd.org/plant-sale

http://derbycanyonnatives.com/
Derby Canyon is a good local place to contact.


Your local soil conservation district will be taking orders for spring planting this winter. Contact them and see what is going to be available. I know you have to pre-order them and the more you buy the better the price. Okanogan has unfortunately discontinued this but the Palouse Rock Lake district around me still does it every year.

[LDennis24]

After looking over thier website I believe Derby Canyon is exactly the place you guys need to contact and place order's with. They have a lot of local native plant's that are used to growing in that environment and should do well when transplanted properly. Sounds like they know thier stuff. They just starting selling plant's TODAY! Time to start planting!

[huntnphool]

http://www.wadistricts.org/plant-materials-center.html

http://www.okanogancd.org/plant-sale

http://derbycanyonnatives.com/
Derby Canyon is a good local place to contact.


Your local soil conservation district will be taking orders for spring planting this winter. Contact them and see what is going to be available. I know you have to pre-order them and the more you buy the better the price. Okanogan has unfortunately discontinued this but the Palouse Rock Lake district around me still does it every year.