It is offical the WDFW is buying 4-O Ranch

[B.G.hunter]

The 4-O cattle ranch in Asotin County will be bought by the Fish and Wildlife over the next 10 years.  12,000 acres over the next 10years. The property is on the breaks of the Grande Ronde River.

[400out]

  first I'm hearing of this! Maybe they want less ranchers bitching about the wolves so they are just going to buy them out from now on!

Did anyone hear how the tags went this year in there 

[buckmaster_wa]

I am also curious how the late tags went in there this year.

[B.G.hunter]

Actually the Odoms will still retain the rights to farm and graze the ranch.

[B.G.hunter]

I am also curious how the late tags went in there this year.

I saw pictures of two of the bulls which were taken there both were non-typical and pretty nice.

[400out]

Actually the Odoms will still retain the rights to farm and graze the ranch.

that could be cool if they were willing to work with the hunters! Be curious to see how this goes

I am also curious how the late tags went in there this year.

I saw pictures of two of the bulls which were taken there both were non-typical and pretty nice.

it's a wonder nothing made it on here 

[TheHunt]

When I was over there I chatted with the Oregon and Washington Fish and Game officials. They said that the ranch held some nice animals.  I would think that if the state now owned that property the hunting would be available with limited input from the rancher who has grazing rights.  I would think if one of their animals were killed by a  hunter the state would pony up the tab for the loss.

Hopefully, this will allow more access on the property.

[B.G.hunter]

I am not sure how the whole agreement will go but the game department will buy 2200 acres to start and more every year until they own the whole thing.  I have just got bits and pieces of the agreement from the land owner and now it is in the Lewiston Morning Tribune today.  I will see if I can link the article. 

[kckrawler]

Here's a different article:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/11/state-acquiring-land-near-grande-ronde/

[high country]

My understanding is that there were two tags filled, one landowner tag sold for $12k and one general draw tag. Bot tags were filled on nice bulls.

[B.G.hunter]

There was 2 landowner tags (which I saw the pictures of) and 3 draw tags.  I saw the pictures from the guide.  He also said one of the draw hunters shot the first 6 point bull he saw and was done in an hour or two.

[mulehunter]

Washington has $2billion in debt.  How can they afford buying it.  Wolves will move in quick wipe all Elk.

[halflife65]

I don't know how they are going to afford it - good question, Mulehunter.

But I'm not sure that changing ownership to WDFW is a bad thing and why it would change where the wolves went.  The area is still being grazed and will continue to be, evidently, so people will be around.  As far as I can tell wolves can't read, or maybe just don't care about, No Hunting/Trespassing signs.  If wolves are going to show up there then they are just going to show up, no matter who owns the property.

[rtspring]

They aren't buying it... WE are.........the hunters

[halflife65]

How are the hunters buying it, rtspring?  (I mean that as a question and not as an attack - just want to make sure that my question is interpreted correctly.)