Our History

1944 – Club concerned about decrease in game. Begin research to determine number of cattle and sheep grazing Wenatchee and Snoqualmie National Forests. Contact State Sports Council asking that “there be no open season on cow elk in Kittitas County for the duration of the war, to protect our elk so that our boys in the service may have some game when they get home.” Bill introduced by state Senator McCarran to kill Naneum Elk Herd. Club presses for a game management plan to ensure game have adequate habitat in face of ranchers grazing. Club sells indoor rifle club property.

1945 – Ask Game Department to purchase the site known as Tjossem’s Mill Pond and maintain as a permanent game refuge for migrating birds. District Fire Warden reports to club 25% of past fires caused by hunters. Too often hunters build warming fires and then leave them. Club hosts predator drive to decrease number of magpies preying on gamebirds. Magpies trapped and released carrying a War Bond payable to the hunter.

1946 – Club joins Cascade Field & Stream Club to stop polluting of Yakima River: raw sewage from South Roslyn and washer at coal mines using a chemical that is killing fish. Ask Game Department what they intend to do to prevent deer and elk from drowning in the Highline Canal. Club creates two committees to take care of shooting needs: Trap Club and Rifle Club. Club opposes special season on cow elk in Kittitas and Yakima Counties set by State Game Commission. Work with US Soil Conservation Service on a reseeding program. Speak with Schaake about fish below the slaughter house being caught or found dead with hog hair puncturing their stomachs and intestines. Meet with County Commissioners and request more deputies patrol county roads to stop pheasant poaching before hunting season. Club incorporates.

1947 – Club joins Yakima, Benton and Klickitat County groups to form South Central Washington Sports Council, to deal with local issues and give area a stronger voice at Washington Sports Council. Contact Stream Pollution Commission to survey conditions on the branch of Wilson Creek which flows through Ellensburg. Magpie bounties continue to reduce preying on gamebirds. Reverend Eugene Duffy captivates February Club meeting with tales of his hunting experiences in Kittitas Valley. September meeting preceded by showing of “two reels of colored film.” About 90 boy scouts, scout officials and parents attended. After films all enjoyed ice cream and soda pop. Then scouts were “excused so that they might get home by 9:30p.m.”

1948 – Lease airport property and buildings to create a clubhouse and trap grounds. Half of the funds come from members who either personally loan the club money or sign a $100 bank note. Stan Peterson loaned the Club $1000 to purchase targets and ammunition. All loans were repaid on schedule. Recommend to Game Commission there be a closed season on upland birds and no cow elk season north of Manastash Creek. Cascade Field & Stream files an injunction to prevent Wenas-Taneum special hunt or, if necessary, to file charges against Game Commission for the destruction of elk herd. Kittitas Club requests Game Commission lease suitable land exclusively for big game. Cascade Field & Stream visits Club and expresses views regarding possible extermination of Colockum herd and Taneum area elk trouble.

1949 – Club helps Game Department with winter (48-49) feeding of birds and elk, and helps with elk count. Big Game Committee following stockmen/Game Department meetings regarding number of elk to be taken from certain areas. Squaw Creek antelope herd causing much damage in Badger Pocket. Club votes to recommend Game Commission abolish herd. Poor duck hatch this year. Club considering what can be done.

1950 – Potato farmers visit club and explain request for support. Club favors an open season on Sage Hens within: Hwy 10 on north, Hwy 97 on west and county line on south and east. Roden Trophy presented to Club on March 27, 1950, by Walt Roden, a regular member and ardent rifle shooter. Trophy awarded annually to Kittitas County Field & Stream Club member winning the trophy shoot course of fire: 20 shots kneeling, any approved NRA position, and 20 shots NRA standing. Winner has name engraved and possesses trophy for one year. Club donates a prize to local fishing derby. Petition Game Department to reconsider open season and set aside some areas for a refuge during hunting season. Also recommend open Wenatchee and Snoqualmie National Forests to bull elk only. Club joins Washington State Big Game Council.

1951 – Gamebirds scarce in valley. No quail seen, few chukars. Concerns regarding cattle overgrazing public lands to the detriment of big game ongoing. Members continue sending representatives with recommendations to Game Commission meetings.

1952 – December sees a large holdover of gamebirds. Members hope for good brood stocks.

1953 – Trap Club enters Spokesman Review Shoot. Special season in Teanaway nets 30 bulls, 50 cows. National Parks Association Executive Secretary corresponds with Washington State Big Game Council regarding “efforts of certain interests to freeze grazing “rights” on the public domain, and to emasculate the federal agencies that administer these lands.” Club joins Washington State Sports Council. Recommends repel of Sec 35G chapter 238 Laws of
1949, “The present leasees of such state owned lands shall be allowed to graze without cost such number of livestock as shall be determined by the Game Commission, Commissioner of Public Lands and a representative of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association on the basis of the capacity of such lands for this purpose, that the population of elk will not be more than 3,000 west and south of the Yakima River in Yakima and Kittitas Counties.”

1954 – Club continues predator control program to reduce magpie numbers, thereby improving gamebird populations. Contact Game Department regarding elk and deer damage to Knudson Ranch. Recommend: bull only elk season; 300 doe permits between Reecer Creek and Colockum; 1,000 in Teanaway. Game Department responds that they will wait to tally winter kill.

1955 – Trap shooting participation down. Some cite the $5 per year as too expensive, other members have moved away or retired. Club working to increase interest in the sport. Game Department reviews doe damage on Knudson Ranch and determines animals were yarding up for winter and would spread out again. Club sponsors a boy to Junior Conservation Camp at Orcas Island. Game Protectors report 1,406 head of elk in the county. Club buys a loading
tool to reduce shooting costs. Interest revived. Club President attends Seattle meeting of Big Game Council and Stockmen Committee, but meeting was closed-door and Wilkins was not allowed in.

1956 – Chukar and quail not doing well during winter. Club looks into setting up feed station. Game Protector Anderson speaks to club. Deer winter range degraded by grazing cattle. Long winter is threatening a terrific loss. Water spectre laid to rest. Club refused to pay for irrigation neither wanted nor used. County Commissioners finally paid bill and in return Club repairs buildings. Win-win. Club sets up Advisory Group at Chamber of Commerce to assist outside hunters. Advise where to hunt, best places to hunt, and asks they foster good hunter-farmer relations. Dale Chinn, new Game Farm Superintendent speaks to Club about improving conditions and methods to produce more and better birds for sportsmen.

1958 – Club recommends Aksel Pederson as State Game Director.

1959 – Club places 18.26 acres of its leased property into Soil Bank as a Conservation Bird Refuge. Trap shooting is a big activity at the Club.

1960 – 25 students sign up for Junior Firearms Safety Course. Club purchases projector for firearms course training slides.

1961 – 123 students attend Firearms Safety training this year. Club purchases two .22s for Firearms Safety class.

1962 – Draw up emergency resolution to State Sports Council opposing a commercial company leasing state land in the Quilomene and allowing hunting only when a fee is paid.

1963 – Club supports opening watershed to recreation. Requests State Highway Department install an 8-ft cyclone fence on west side of new Interstate 90 between Cle Elum and Taneum Canyon as a drift fence for big game.

1964 – Hilltop Parking begins when Club oversees Craig’s Hill for Rodeo Board during rodeo weekend (income shared by Rodeo Board and Club). Plant 140 trees in Whiskey Dick.

1965 – According to Washington Game Bird Club, Kittitas County 1964 upland bird harvest was 10,870 pheasants, 1,340 quail and 6,190 chukars.

1966 – Club continues sending a rep to the monthly State Game Commission meetings with Club input. Club cleans up two hunting camps left littered. To strengthen area voice at state level club joins North Central Washington Sportsmen Council. Joe Watt open to public to view elk feeding. Very successful. Cattlemen attend Club meeting to discuss solutions to hunting problems they face. Ask Sports Council to extend Hwy 10 game fence to control elk migration.

1967 – Club objects to Quilomene cattle company diverting 2 cu.ft of Quilomene creek water for irrigation and another rancher grazing Whisky Dick. Club boasts 365 members.

1968 – Club sends Thank You letters to following for opening their lands to sportsmen during last hunting season: Boise Cascade; High Valley Ranch; WA Cattlemen’s Association. Chelan Fire destroys 35,000 acres of prime winter deer range. 132 youths attended Firearms Safety Class this year.

1969 – Club celebrates 50th Anniversary. State dedicates Hi Valley Ranch purchase and Club sponsors LT Murray Wildlife Area dedication BBQ picnic. Club requests repeal of 3,000 limit on elk population. State Representative Bledsoe responds “if Department of Game expands its land holdings in the Yakima-Kittitas area, then perhaps a greater elk population should be allowed.” He mistakingly refers to the limit as an agreed
upon number between cattlemen and sportsmen.

1970 – 1,300 elk fed in Kittitas County. Club member counts 532 elk in Watt, 32 bulls. Hunter survey conducted by Yakima Sportsmen Association and Club show 82% against overlapping deer and elk seasons. Begin project of improving springs between Manastash and Robinson Canyon.

1971 – Club requests better information flow from Game Dept. Also wants more sportsmen input, less being expected to accept Game Dept take-it-or-leave-it policy presentation.

1972 – Club concerned about elk hunting in 4K, 4A areas.

1973 – Club honored by Game Department with a Special Award for Outstanding Firearm Training.

1974 – Members begin a program to maintain springs, water tanks on Game Dept Land.

1975 – More than 3,000 have attended the Club’s Firearms Safety Training courses. Club donates $2150 to help Game Dept purchase Fio Rito Ponds.

1982 – Working with Game Dept and landowner, Ken Swedberg, members install the first beaver pipe in the county. The pipe allows water to continue flowing for irrigation while preserving the beaver and its habitat, and attracting other forms of wildlife. Members also work with the Game Dept planting trees to regenerate habitat along a barren portion of Whiskey Dick Creek to support beavers, gamebirds, big game and fish.

1983 – Express concerns to District Forest Rangers regarding logging roads left open when operations are complete and subsequent public use causing direct or indirect harassment of game. Members volunteer with Game Department wildlife agents in manning elk check stations.

1984 – Install gabians Whiskey Dick Creek. Build fence on LT Murray Range in Tamerac Springs Area. Members build and place wood duck nest boxes. Club assists with Game Dept sage grouse surveys. Plant willows in Whiskey Dick.

1985 – Cattle trespass in Whiskey Dick Wildlife Range. Grazing caused considerable damage to elk winter range. Responsible parties agree to install cattle guards and with club’s help, area can be restored. Club participates in annual mountain sheep count. Due to severe winter Club encourages Game Dept to close upland bird season. Club works extensively, and several private citizens and local businesses donate money, goods or time to purchase or distribute feed to wildlife. Members volunteer everyday to feed elk.

1986 – Game Dept acquires Mattoon Pond and Club picks up litter.

1987 – Club begins Game Bird Enhancement Program donations and club funds get project going. Club members raise 1050 chukars and 900 pheasant at the Game Farm.

1988 – Club begins extensive efforts to ensure acquisition of Knudson Ranch for wildlife habitat. Club donates $1500 for land appraisal to get the ball rolling. 265 people attend Game Farm Open House to see the Club’s 2500 chukars and 1000 pheasants.

1989 – Club continues working toward acquisition of Knudson property. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) expresses interest in helping WDW purchase Knudson Ranch and Club begins correspondence with them. The Club, in cooperation with Cascade Field & Stream Club, begins local chapter of RMEF. Club opposes 63,000 acre expansion of Yakima Firing Center, mostly into Kittitas County. Members support keeping Nanum watershed land open to public for recreation.

1990 – Club begins Canal Rescue Project installing escape grids for elk and deer trapped in irrigation canals. Club’s extensive efforts come to fruition when Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation purchases the Knudson Ranch, providing additional elk habitat for adjacent LT Murray Area. It is important to note that
Lowell and Necia Knudson generously accepted less than market value to keep the land intact for wildlife habitat. In its 4th year the bird raising program includes 2500 chukars, 500 bobwhite quail and 1000 pheasants. Loan clubhouse and properties to Tahoma Chapter Backcountry Horsemen of Washington for lodging following their first annual Ride From The Coast to Ellensburg to appear in the Rodeo. Club leases 22 acres of Dan Brunson property on Riverbottom Road for pheasant habitat. Brunson cleared and cultivated 5 acres to various grains, irrigated, but did not harvest. Land provides food and cover for wintering gamebirds.

1991 – Club helps procure funds for improvement of Olmstead Park. Five Club proposals for WDW co-op funding are approved: green dot maps, green dot billboards, canal ladders, habitat improvement, and John Wayne Trail gamebird feeders.

1992 – Club raises 2500 chukars and 1500 pheasants for its own bird program after rescued pheasants were released. Club continues supporting RMEF and has a seat on the Advisory Board. Members install guzzler in sheep range in the LT Murray.

1993 – Club works with farmers/ranchers on the north side regarding elk trespass. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries department merger passes legislature. Bird program strong with 1600 chukars and 2000 pheasants.

1994 – Club distributes first newsletter. Another year of successful bird raising: 1500 chukars and 1500 pheasants.

1995 – Wyatt attempting to close Beacon Ridge Road but has not right to do so; John Cartright has grazing rights there. Members operate scare-away guns for two weeks, mornings and evenings, to keep elk from Sam Kaiser’s land. Bird program raises and releases 1600 chukars and 1800 pheasants.

1996 – Beacon Ridge Road closed. Club begins efforts to keep public roads open to the public. Members raise 1700 chukars and 2000 pheasants. Article in Outdoor Life mentions Kittitas County as best for chukar hunting.

1998 – Members release 1,380 chukars and 1,350 pheasants during this year’s bird program. Club helps WDFW by building more bird feeders.

1999 – Members dismantle flight pens at Fairgrounds. Club continues to work road closure issue. Club completes first Durr Road Clean Up project.

2000 – Club earmarks $5,000 to hire attorney regarding road closure issue. Purchase 800 chukars. Assist WDFW by releasing 1,200 pheasants for their pheasant program. Members cease raising their own birds and dismantle pens at Game Farm.

2001 – Assist WDFW by placing water tanks in Quilomene and LT Murray.

2003 – Club joins WDFW Go Play Outside program. Winter Gamebird Feed project distributes 20 tons of feed during 02-03 season.

2004 – Club purchases youth shotguns and rifles for use in Hunter Education classes. Donated $1200 to support Big Game Management Roundtable. Members release 1300 chukars and pheasants.

2005 – WDFW does not provide pheasants for release. Club hosts first Eyes In the Woods CORT (Crime Observation and Reporting Training) class to protect wildlife and wildlands from resource crimes.

2007 – Aid WDFW in replacing Green Dot signs in Skookumchuck. Habitat Partnership with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supports DNR’s Central Cascades Land Exchange and acquires 55,000 acres of privately-owned lands for public use.

2008 – Winter Gamebird Feed program distributes 6.12 tons of wheat free-of-charge. Hunter Education classes are packed; 102 students taught this year. Continue efforts to secure suitable property for a public shooting range.

2009 – Club faces what could be the single most important wildlife management issue of our future: WDFW’s Draft Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, which proposes a requirement for 15 successful breeding pairs to delist the species. Largest CORT class to date with 113 pairs of eyes getting trained to watch for violators. Durr Road Clean Up cleared 5,680 lbs of trash from the LT Murray. Recognized by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for exceptional support in protecting elk habitat.

2010 – Winter Gamebird Feed program distributes 6,480 lbs of wheat. Organize Roundtable with WDFW Director, Phil Anderson, and various outdoor agencies. Hunter Education classes graduate 93 students; this year we celebrate 50 years of teaching Hunter Ed.

2016 – Club officers testified before the state Senate Natural Resources Committee in support of the Teanaway Community Forest. Recognized by WDFW as “Volunteer Organization of the Year” for our 15 years of sponsoring the Durr Road Clean Up, which removed 1.5 tons of litter in 2016.