Monday, April 14, 2008

04/11/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

Hi Everyone
I met with Kevin at ODFW this morning and we headed for the Siletz trap. After stopping by the storage unit and picking up some tools, and then fueling up we were off. Our first stop was the Palmer trap where we cleared out a bunch of blackberries and brush so that the stocking truck would be able to get down to the pond and stock the pond. We then checked out Palmer trap which was empty, and cleared some debris from the front gate.
Then we were off to the Siletz trap. After arriving at the trap we stopped a moment to see what, and how they were doing at repairing the Cable way, not so well. After looking at the problem and seeing where 2 of the 3 cable securing points broke off it was scary. We could have lost one of our wonderful members so very easily if the last point had broken also. When the trap is repaired and up and running again we all need to pay extremely close attention to all safety aspects of moving the bucket. Upon going into the trap we found that we had fish, as it turned out we had 5. There were 3 native bucks, and 1 native hen which we turned around and put back into the ladder. There was 1 hatchery hen which was given last rites, and dispatched then placed back into the river. We buttoned up the Siletz trap and headed back, at the 10 1/2 mile mark as we came around a corner there were 6 deer crossing the road, 3 does and 3 fawns. This was our major game sighting for the day. I did see a very fast ground squirrel. There was also an eagle in a tree at south beach on the way back.
After we left the Siletz trap we went to the Bohanon trap. The trap was empty as it has been recently. Kevin and another volunteer dug and set some posts going down into Bohanon. This will help when the rails are installed getting into and out of the trap. We had a 6 1/2 hour day today, pretty light duty for a change.
Electric Bill

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