Our History

1944 – The Club is concerned about a decrease in game. Begin research to determine the number of cattle and sheep grazing the Wenatchee and Snoqualmie National Forests. Contact the 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 the Naneum Elk Herd. The Club presses for a game management plan to ensure game have adequate habitat in the face of ranchers’ grazing. The club sells indoor rifle club property.

1945 – Ask Game Department to purchase the site known as Tjossem’s Mill Pond and maintain it as a permanent game refuge for migrating birds. District Fire Warden reports to the club 25% of past fires were caused by hunters. Too often, hunters build warming fires and then leave them. The Club hosts a predator drive to decrease the 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 the Yakima River: raw sewage from South Roslyn and washers at coal mines using a chemical that is killing fish. Ask the Game Department what they intend to do to prevent deer and elk from drowning in the Highline Canal. The club creates two committees to take care of shooting needs: the Trap Club and the Rifle Club. The club opposes a special season on cow elk in Kittitas and Yakima Counties set by the State Game Commission. Work with the 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 that more deputies patrol county roads to stop pheasant poaching before hunting season. The 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 the area a stronger voice at the Washington Sports Council. Contact the Stream Pollution Commission to survey conditions on the branch of Wilson Creek that flows through Ellensburg. Magpie bounties continue to reduce preying on gamebirds. Reverend Eugene Duffy captivates the 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 the 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 the Game Commission that 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 the Wenas-Taneum special hunt or, if necessary, to file charges against the Game Commission for the destruction of the elk herd. Kittitas Club requests a Game Commission lease of suitable land exclusively for big game. Cascade Field & Stream visits the Club and expresses views regarding the possible extermination of the 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. The Big Game Committee follows stockmen/Game Department meetings regarding the 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 the herd. Poor duck hatched this year. The club is considering what can be done.

1950 – Potato farmers visit the Club and explain their support request.  Club favors an open season on Sage Hens within: Hwy 10 on the North, Hwy 97 on the West, and the county line on South and East. Roden Trophy presented to the 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. The winner has their name engraved and possesses the trophy for one year.  The club donates a prize to the local fishing derby. Petition the Game Department to reconsider open season and set aside some areas for a refuge during hunting season. Also recommend opening the Wenatchee and Snoqualmie National Forests to bull elk only.  The club joins the Washington State Big Game Council.

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

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

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.”  The club joins the 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 based on 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 – The Club continues predator control program to reduce magpie numbers, thereby improving gamebird populations.   Contact the 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. The Game Department responds that they will wait to tally winter kill. 

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

1956 – Chukar and quail are not doing well during winter. The club looks into setting up a feed station. Game Protector Anderson speaks to club. deer’s 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 Commerceto 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 – Club organizes the Farmer-Sportsmen Relations Committee. Dr. R.R. Pinkard honored as a Life Member. 25 students sign up for Junior Firearms Safety Course. Club purchases a project or firearms course training slides.

1961 – The Club invites the Washington State Sports Council to hold a meeting in Ellensburg.  They come in June. Support “Keep Washington Green.” Purchase mower blades for State Game Farm.  123 students attended Firearms Safety training this year. Club purchases two .22s for Firearms Safety class. 1960—25 students sign up for Junior Firearms Safety Course. Club purchases projector for firearms course training slides.

1962 – Draw up an 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 and Possee hold joint Crab Feed. Some members join Boat Flotilla No. 9 at Vantage as the Wanapum Dam pool is forming to kill rattlesnakes. The club supports opening the watershed to recreation. Requests State Highway Department install an 8-ft cyclone fence on the west side of the new Interstate 90 between Cle Elum and Taneum Canyon as a drift fence for big game.   

1964 – Sponsor a boy to attend Junior Sportsmen’s Conservation Camp on Orcas Island.  Hilltop Parking begins when the Club oversees Craig’s Hill for the Rodeo Board during rodeo weekend (income shared by the Rodeo Board and the Club).  Plant 140 trees in Whiskey Dick.

1965 – Members clean up some camps left littered by hunters.  Sponsor a boy to attend Junior Sportsmen’s Conservation Camp. According to the Washington Game Bird Club, Kittitas County 1964 upland bird harvest was 10,870 pheasants, 1,340 quail and 6,190 chukars.

1966 – Club opposes proposed site of new city dump near Thrall. Crab Feed was a big success. The club continues sending a rep to the monthly State Game Commission meetings with Club input.  The club cleans up two hunting camps left littered. To strengthen the area voice at the state level club joins the North Central Washington Sportsmen Council. Joe Watt opens to public to view elk feeding. Very successful. Cattlemen attend the Club meeting to discuss solutions to hunting problems they face. Ask the Sports Council to extend Hwy 10 game fence to control elk migration. The club purchases a Life Member Plaque, displayed at meetings. George Pence, Leonard Pease, Art Munz, and Guy Ballard honored as Life Members.

1967 – Club hosts Washington State Sportsmen’s Council meeting.  Club objects to Quilomene Cattle Company diverting 2 cu. ft of Quilomene creek water for irrigation and another rancher grazing Whisky Dick. The club boasts 365 members.  Much clubhouse work completed: roof, siding, grounds; waterline replaced; trap; remove cement slabs; hot water heater repair; burn weeds; graveling.

1968 – Post Sorenson’s Ponds as bird refuges in an attempt to hold ducks in the valley. The pond is still open for fishing. The club begins the Big Game Trophy program. Address the carrot peels polluting Wilson Creek. Good year for upland birds.  Red leg plant disappointing. Best pheasant season in years. Sink brush in Taneum Lake to improve fish habitat. Quite a few quail in the valley. The club sends thank-you letters to the following for opening their lands to sportsmen during the last hunting season: Boise Cascade, High Valley Ranch, and the WA Cattlemen’s Association. Install cisterns in Hansen Canyon area Firing Range. Volunteer at Forest Service Info booths in Teanaway and Taneum during early hunting season. Chelan Fire destroys 35,000 acres of prime winter deer range. 132 youths attended the 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.  State Representative Bledsoe responds, “if the Department of Game expands its land holdings in the Yakima-Kittitas area, then perhaps a greater elk population should be allowed.”  He mistakenly refers to the limit as an agreed-upon number between cattlemen and sportsmen.  The Pollution Committee reports that Schaake will trench the silage pit so it will not drain into the pond.  Club contacts the Pollution Control Office in Yakima regarding the dumping of sewage in Wilson Creek.  The club supports making the upper Taneum and North Fork Taneum roadless areas.  Donate to “Keep Washington Green.”  Winter is hard on birds.  Grain available from Game Farm.  Erwin Billeter honored as a Life Member.

1970 – Submit input to USFS for Alpine Lakes forest management.  Lengthy dialogue begins. 1,300 elk are fed in Kittitas County. Bought radios and a battery charger for Search and Rescue. Club member counts 532 elk in Watt, 32 bulls. Continue sending a delegate to Washington State Sports Council monthly meetings with Club recommendations for hunting seasons and resolution instructions.  Oct 4-5 Cowlitz Game and Anglers and the Castle Rock Jaycees hold the first annual Evergreen Big Horn Show. A hunter survey conducted by the Yakima Sportsmen Association and Club shows 82% against overlapping deer and elk seasons. Begin the project of improving springs between Manastash and Robinson Canyon.  Club cleans up firing range on McManamy property. Members pick up rubbish at Mattoon.  The club holds the Dennis Farrell Memorial Shoot. Keith Williams honored as a Life Member.

1971 – The Club requests better information flow from the Game Dept.  Also wants more sportsmen’s input, less being expected to accept Game Dept take-it-or-leave-it policy presentation. Art Munz, the club’s chief cook, is featured in the Daily Record with tips on cooking for up to 500 people.

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

1973 – Sponsored the first annual Yakima River Cleanup.  The club was honored by the Game Department with a Special Award for Outstanding Firearm Training.

1974 – Club hosts May Game Commission meeting in Ellensburg. Sponsors BBQ at Yakima River Cleanup. The club becomes a member of the Animal Control Citizens Advisory Committee. Members begin a program to maintain springs, water tanks on Game Dept Land. People eat 1000 pounds of clams at the Club’s Clam Feed.

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. The club ceases trap shooting activities.

1976 – Scholarship program begun: $150. The club sponsors two boys to attend the Junior Sportsmen’s Conservation Camp.

1982 – Working with the Game Dept and landowner, Ken Swedberg, members installed 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 – The McCabe Pond fence and parking lot began. The Goose Tub Program started with the cooperation of landowners. Provide input to the Milwaukee Road Property Right of Way to maintain as a reserve for wildlife. Encourage the Game Dept to review lease arrangements for oil exploration on all game lands. 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.  In memory of Louie Bender, the Club donates a park bench for the downtown Rotary Pavilion.

1984 – Install gabians Whiskey Dick Creek. Build a fence on LT Murray Range in Tamerac Springs Area.  McCabe Pond fence and parking lot finished.   Members build and place wood duck nest boxes. The 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 the elk winter range.  Responsible parties agree to install cattle guards, and with the club’s help, the area can be restored. The club participates in the annual mountain sheep count. Due to severe winter, the club encourages the Game Dept to close the upland bird season. The club works extensively, and several private citizens and local businesses donate money, goods, or time to purchase or distribute feed to wildlife. Members volunteer every day to feed elk.  Hydraulics permit controversy to erupt when a local farmer diverts Nanum Creek to the edge of his property. Interested in having good wildlife and fish habitat, Club Board members volunteer labor and materials to help farmers meet Game Department permit requirements. Members help the Game Dept capture and mark 13 deer on the Bud Dunning Ranch.  Data will provide migration routes, habitat and forage preferences, harvest rates, and population estimates.  Dr. Don Childress and Lowell Rogers honored as Life Members.

1986 – Game Dept acquires Mattoon Pondand Club picks up litter.  Bob Parsons, Steve Shaw, and Bob Arnold do an outstanding job of feeding wildlife during this especially severe winter. Club members cut down and haul away nearly 100 trees damaged by elk in Wanapum Park. Efforts ensure the safety of the park camping area and help rangers begin the replanting program immediately. The club builds and sets out bluebird boxes.  Continue Firearm Safety Classes.  The club donates $500 toward the purchase of panels to help fence off some farmers’ haystacks and barns.  Members lease and clean up Sorenson’s Pond for Kids Fishing. 

1987 – The Club begins the Game Bird Enhancement Program, donations and club funds get the project going.  Club members raise 1050 chukars and 900 pheasants at the Game Farm.  The club holds its first Chukar Run Banquet to earn money for next year’s program.  Goose tubs and wood duck boxes continue to be successful.   Most of the 50-plus boxes were made by Carl Fischer, who not only donated time but also most of the materials (he also built 100 bluebird boxes that the Club placed).  This year, 70% of tubs and 95% of duck boxes are being used.

1988 – The club begins extensive efforts to ensure acquisition of Club begins extensive efforts to ensure acquisition of Knudson Ranch for wildlife habitat.  The 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. The club participates in the Yakima River Clean Up for wildlife habitat. The 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. The club participates in the Yakima River Clean Up.     

1989 – The club participates in “Ellensburg Clean Up.” The club works with the Cascade Field & Stream Club to save their clubhouse and shooting range from being sold by Plum Creek. The club continues working toward the acquisition of the 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 a local chapter of RMEF.  The club opposes a 63,000-acre expansion of Yakima Firing Center, mostly into Kittitas County.  Members support keeping the Nanum watershed land open to the public for recreation.

1990 – The club begins the Canal Rescue Project, installing escape grids for elk and deer trapped in irrigation canals. Hunter Safety and Education classes are ongoing. The club leases Sorenson’s Pond for kids fishing; Boy Scouts help clean up the area. The club’s extensive efforts come to fruition when Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation purchases the Knudson Ranch, providing additional elk habitat for the 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. The club donates $1200 to improve pheasant habitat along the Yakima River. 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. The club leases 22 acres of Dan Brunson’s 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 – The Club helps procure funds for the improvement of Olmstead Park. The club begins litter patrol at Mattoon and other ponds to keep them open to the public. The club leases local property for bird habitat enhancement. The club works on RMEF property to clean ditches and blowdown along the creek. The club continues purchasing nature videos for its collection at the public library. 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. The club administers the Paul Hart, Jr. Memorial Fund to improve habitat along the John Wayne Trail.

1992 – The club donates its Game Farm facilities and members care for 1200 seriously ill pheasants seized by the Department of Wildlife from an illegal game farm operation. The club raises 2,500 chukars and 1,500 pheasants for its bird program after rescued pheasants were released. The club continues supporting RMEF and has a seat on the Advisory Board. Members install a guzzler in the sheep range in the LT Murray. The club begins its Yakima River Map Project. Caribou Road gate locked—The Club is wondering how a private landowner locks a public road. Members participate in the Yakima River Clean Up.

1993 – The Club works with farmers/ranchers on the north side regarding elk trespass. WDW and Fisheries merger passes legislature. Funded by a Wallace Trust grant, members provide labor to restore springs, including Garrison. The club plants about 400 trees and shrubs to rehab Fairview. Bird program strong with 1,600 chukars and 2,000 pheasants. Robert A. McBride and Elmer Stampfly honored as Life Members.

1994 – Reports indicate the Club’s canal project reduced mortality by more than half (1980-90, 62 deer and 21 elk; after ramp install, 32 deer and 7 elk).  The club distributes its first newsletter. Another year of successful bird raising: 1,500 chukars and 1,500 pheasants.  Wilma Dlouhy and Paul Rogers honored as Life Members.

1995 – Battle of Beacon Ridge Road begins. Wyatt is attempting to close the road but does not right to do so; John Cartright has grazing rights there. DFW gets permanent campers off 26.2 acres of their land in Yakima Canyon. The club works with the Kiwanis Club to rehab Courier Creek. Members operate scare-away guns for two weeks, mornings and evenings, to keep elk from Sam Kaiser’s land. The bird program raises and releases 1600 chukars and 1800 pheasants. 

1996 – Beacon Ridge Road closed. The club begins its campaign to keep public roads open to the public. Members raise 1,700 chukars and 2,000 pheasants. Article in Outdoor Life mentions Kittitas County as best for chukar hunting. Floyd Bailes and William E. Wilson honored as Life Members.

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

1999 – Members dismantle flight pens at Fairgrounds. The club continues to work road closure issue. District Attorney, Commissioners, and Sheriff each say he can do nothing without approval from…(pick one of the other guys). Members continue monitoring the Big Horn access site in Yakima River Canyon. The club and Worley Bugger Fly Shop worked together to get the site cleaned up and reopened after squatters that trashed the place were evicted. The club completes the first Durr Road Clean Up project.

2000 – Donate $1,000 toward purchase of Driver’s House, now the Ellensburg Rodeo Office and Chamber of Commerce.  Donate to the National Wild Turkey Federation; 300+ birds released in the area this year. The club earmarks $5,000 to hire an attorney regarding the road closure issue. Purchase 800 chukars.  Release 1,200 pheasants for WDFW. The Chukar Run Banquet was very successful. Members cease raising their own birds and dismantle pens at the Game Farm.  Robert Dlouhy honored as a Life Member.

2001 – Assist WDFW by placing water tanks in Quilomene and LT Murray. Donate $100 to the National Wild Turkey Federation. Winter feeding programs continue to be successful.  Members continue the bird program by purchasing mature chukars for release.

2002 – The Club restores Table Mountain habitat. The bird project releases 800 pheasants and 700 chukars. A member gets lost while hunting. He’s sleeping by a cozy fire while rescue teams are searching for the 87-year-old. At daylight, he wakes and hunts on his way back to the road, then finds a bunch of people hanging around his truck…he still gets ribbed about it.

2003 – Club joins WDFW “Go Play Outside” program. Winter Wildlife Feed project distributes 20 tons of feed during the 02-03 season. Members volunteer at Rodeo City Kiwanis Kids’ Fishing Derby. The club works to get deer crossing signs posted on Hwy 97. Donate $150 to the Children’s Activity Museum.  Members release approximately 2,000 gamebirds. Members remove trash from the Durr Road shooting area during the second cleanup. Gordon Blossom and Ed Ruehle honored as Life Members.

2004 – Club purchases youth shotguns and rifles for use in Hunter Education classes. Donated $1200 to support the Big Game Management Roundtable.   Members release 1,300 chukars and pheasants.  The club completes the third Durr Road Clean Up and removes almost 2 tons of trash.

2005 – Donate $350 to Morgan Middle School for “Salmon In The Classroom,” a WDFW project to teach kids about wildlife.  Help fund Big Game Management Roundtable efforts to resolve human-elk conflict. Start a new website. Award Life Member Scholarship to Miss Rose Shriner, Kittitas High School. Members build and install two escape grids for the Canal Rescue Project. Buy a big combo TV/DVD/VCR to improve lesson presentation in Hunter Education classes. Complete the fourth Durr Road cleanup and remove two tons of trash.  Members release 625 chukars. WDFW does not provide pheasants for release.  The club hosts first “Eyes In the Woods” training to protect wildlife and wildlands from resource crimes.  The 19th Annual Chukar Run Banquet is a rousing success. Ray Wheeler honored as a Life Member.

2006 – Purchase 14 tons of wheat to feed gamebirds for the Winter Wildlife Feed program. Donate $350 to Ellensburg High School Environmental Club“Salmon In The Classroom” project. Host “Eyes In The Woods” training.  Sponsor Central Washington Sportsmen’s Show Photo Contest. Graduated 93 students in three Hunter Education classes. Sponsor “Cougarwise” meeting in Cle Elum where Walter Strom Middle School students brief cougar habits, life-cycles, etc, and the effects of people feeding deer in their yards. Share tips with two dozen kids and their families during the second annual Free Fishing Weekend camp-out. Sponsor two kids to attend the Washington State Youth Conservation Camp. Award our $1,000 Life Member Scholarship. 50 volunteers gathered two and a half tons of trash at the annual Durr Road Clean Up.  Hold the first Youth Angler Education Class, offering classroom instruction and hands-on practice at Mattoon Lake.

2007 – Begin “A Sportsman Leaves a Clean Camp” campaign.  Support 4H On Target Shooting and Archery Club.  Sponsor a youngster to attend the Washington State Youth Conservation Camp. Aid WDFW in replacing Green Dot signs in Skookumchuck. Habitat Partnership with Rocky Mountain supports DNR’s Central Cascades Land Exchange and acquires 55,000 acres of privately-owned lands for public use. Support two Yakima River Cleanups organized by local fly shops. Join the cooperative effort to restore Gladmar Park. Sponsor the BGMR meeting in Cle Elum to educate the public on big game issues. Begin work with county and state agencies to eradicate Eurasian Watermilfoil from Mattoon, Fio Rito, and Lavender Lakes. Continue Hunter Education classes for the 47th year.  Award Life Member Scholarship to Mr. Hunter Slyfield, Kittitas High School. After a rocky start, our Winter Gamebird Feed program distributed nearly 15 tons of wheat.  Sponsor Central Washington Sportsmen’s Show Photo Contest. Complete 6th Durr Road clean-up with the most volunteers ever.

2008 – Participate in Earth Day tree planting at Helen McCabe State Park, and regular watering for their survival.  At the Durr Road Clean Up, volunteers pick up 3,420 pounds of litter. Winter Gamebird Feed program distributes 6.12 tons of wheat free of charge.  Hunter Education classes are packed; 102 students taught this year.  Biggest Eyes In The Woods CORT class yet–94 pairs of eyes get trained up.  Sponsor Worley-Bugger’s Yakima River Clean Up BBQ.  Participate in the first e3 Conference promoting environment, education, and economy.

2009 – Winter Gamebird Feed program distributed 9,905 lbs of wheat from Arnold’s Ranch & Home and Shaw’s Furniture.  Sponsor e3 Winter Fair advertising education, economy, & environment efforts of dozens of groups in the county.  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.  Assist DNR in placing signs in the new Naneum Ridge State Forest.  Recognized by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for exceptional support in protecting elk habitat.  Windy conditions (even by Ellensburg standards) reduce Free Fishing Weekend event attendance to about 60–many first-time anglers. 

2010 – Winter Gamebird Feed program distributes 6,480 lbs of wheat. Organize Round table 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. Support Salmon in the Classroom at Mt Stuart Elementary School.  Donate $5,000 to “Save 5th Grade Camp,” a week-long outdoor experience for Ellensburg School District students.  Sponsor E3 Winter Fair.  Enter 5th year of hosting Eyes in the Woods classes. Volunteers pick up 2.12 tons of litter at the 9th Durr Road Clean Up.  Life Member Scholarship awarded to Spencer Slyfield of Kittitas
High School.

2011 –Hunter Education classes graduate 96 students.  Host”Outdoor Survival for Kids”taught by Ken Matney, Search and Rescue volunteer.  Continue representing sportsmen and women at state and local levels. 7,695 pounds of wheat distributed for Winter Gamebird Feed program. Sponsor Central WA Sportsmen Show Photo Contest–first year for digital display.  Support Big Game Management Roundtable efforts to educate public and halt elk depredation of cultivated lands.  Contribute $500 to “Save 5th Grade Camp.”  Volunteers remove 2.5 tons of litter from LT Murray during 10th Durr Road Clean Up.  $1,500 Life Member Scholarship awarded to Ryan Sprecher of Ellensburg High School. Participate in E3 Winter Fair.  Bird whisperer Deborah Essman conducts bird walks at Get Intimate with the Shrub Steppe event.  Adopt an Access partnership with WDFW to maintain Fio Rito lakes continues; poll public for ideas to ease trash/vandalism issues.  Host Eyes in the WoodsCORTclasses. Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway Initiative partner.

2012 – Ninety-three years of working for wildlife!  Actively opposing WDFW’s Colockum Wildlife Area road closures.  Participate in Environmental Education Summit
connecting with other state and local E3 (economy, environment, education) organizations to further all our efforts.  Shaw’s Furniture and Arnold’s Ranch & Home support our Winter Gamebird Feed program for another year.  Co-sponsor Central WA Sportsmen Show Photo Contest to encourage people to share their outdoor experiences.
Our volunteer, certified instructors teach Hunter Education classes; the club’s first class was in 1960.

2013 – Support Eagle Scout project at McCabe Pond installing info kiosk.  AwardLife Member Scholarshipto Mr. Carson Briski.  Sponsor, with Puget Sound Energy, Hunter Breakfastat the Wild Horse Wind Farm.  Contribute to On Target 4H Shooting Club.  Deborah Essman leads bird walks for Get Intimate with the Shrub Steppe.  After 60 years of teaching Hunter Ed our club ceased classes following major disagreements with new WDFW policies; our instructors join others across the state working with the department to change the policies.

2014 – Life Member Scholarship awarded to Mr. Nicholas Browitt; our first scholarship was awarded in 1976.  Major contribution to Boy Scouts of America to improve shooting range at Camp Fife.  Contribute to 5th Grade Camp.  Support Yakima Scenic Byway info seminar.  Host Eyes in the Woods CORT classes.  Annual Durr Road Clean Up.  Join KEEN for Grow the Grove tree planting at McCabe Pond.  Donate 300 pounds of apricots, peaches and bananas to wildland firefighters. Our instructors plan to restart Hunter Ed classes after convincing WDFW to improve some polices; plan put on hold while department assesses effect of new state firearm laws.

2015 – Join KEEN to improve recreation at Helen McCabe Park constructing fishing platforms and graveling paths. Life Member Scholarships awarded to Miss Abigail Ernest-Beck and Mr. Eric Wilson, so equally qualified the selection committee chose both.  Deborah Essman co-leads bird walks for the annual. Get Intimate With the Shrub Steppe event by KEEN.  CWU adds CORT to the Law & Justice curriculum.  We joined Eyes in the Woods and began hosting CORT classes 10 years ago.  Hunter Ed returns!  WDFW revised Hunter Ed policies and our sponsored team of instructors returned in April to a full classroom.  We hosted our first Hunter Ed class in 1960.  Donate $1,750 to Save 5th Grade Camp Campaign.  Club Prez Deborah Essman has taught Wildlife Tracks at 5th Grade Camp for over 20 years.  Organize annual Durr Road Clean Up; volunteers remove 2.1 tons of litter from the Wenas Wildlife Area; the first Clean Up was in 1999.  Spearhead efforts to create and pass State Senate Resolution 8613, celebrating Washington State families’ outdoor heritage.  Participate in creating Naneum Ridge to Columbia River Recreation and Access Plan. Joine 3 Winter Fair promoting environment, education and economy of Kittitas County.  Co-host Central WA Sportsmen Show Photo Contest. Buzz Chevara honored as Life Member.

2016 – Sponsored 4H member Grant Hollar to attend National 4H Shooting Sports Championships. Thank you Arnold’s Ranch & Home and Shaw’s Furniture for continuing to partner with us to distribute feed for our Winter Gamebird Program, to support gamebirds when the snow is deepest. Continued our support of quality Hunter Education and sponsored three classes. Partnered with KEEN on Get Intimate with the Shrub Steppe bird walks. Club officers testified before the state Senate Natural Resources Committee in support of the Teanaway Community Forest. Annual Photo Contest at Central Washington Sportsmen Show. For our 12th year, we partnered with Eyes in the Woods to protect public lands and wildlife from illegal activity. Continue to represent sportsmen and women on various local and state committees, including the Kittitas County Public Lands Advisory Committee. Attended Washington State Sportsmen’s Caucus at Evergreen Gun Club. where dozens of legislators listened to concerns from members of the hunting community. Award Life Member Scholarship to Mr. Charlie Donahue.  Club President taught Wildlife Science classes at 5th 5th-grade camp. As member of Game Management Advisory Council join user groups from across Washington state to address issues and make recommendations to WDFW. Financed Fio Rito Lake Eagle Scout Project for discarded fishing line holders. Co-sponsored annual Hunter Breakfast at Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center. Recogized 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. Club members shared stories and tips at the club’s booth during Cabela’s Outdoor Days event in Union Gap.

2017 – Sponsored On Target 4Her Grant Hollar to attend National 4H Shooting Sports Championships. Thank you Arnold’s Ranch & Home and Shaw’s Furniture for continuing to partner with us to distribute feed for our Gamebird Winter Feed program, to support gamebirds when the snow is deepest. Sponsored three Hunter Education classes. Partnered with KEEN on Get Intimate with the Shrub Steppebird walks. Club officers testified before the state Senate Natural Resources Committee in support of the Teanaway Community Forest. Annual Photo Contest at Central Washington Sportsmen Show. For our 13th year, we partnered with Eyes in the Woods to protect public lands and wildlife from illegal activity. Continue to represent sportsmen and women on various local and state committees, including the Kittitas County Public Lands Advisory Committee. AwardLife Member Scholarship to Miss Abby Beck. Club President taught Wildlife Science classes at the 5th Grade Camp. As member of the Game Management Advisory Council join user groups from across the state to address issues and make recommendations to WDFW. Co-sponsored annual Hunter Breakfast at Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center. Financed Eagle Scout Project installing information board on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area. Durr Road Clean Up removed over 2 tons of trash. Served on Wenas WLA Target Shooting Committee. Installed another ADA fishing platform at Helen McCabe State Park. Deborah Essman honored as Life Member.

2018 – Join PSE to co-sponsor annual Wild Horse Hunter Breakfast. Sponsor Grant Hollar’s repeat trip to National 4H Shooting Sports Championships. Donate to Washington State Youth Conservation Camp to sponsor one camper. Fund and help construct new LT Murray info board at Joe Watt Canyon. Sponsor of KEEN’s Yakima River Bird Fest. Instruct students at Mt. Stuart,Valley View, and Mattawa in Wildlife Science during the annual 5th Grade Camp. Contribute to Soren Lundquist’s Eagle Scout Project. Sponsor Central Washington Sportsmen’s Show Photo Contest. Continue the Gamebird Winter Feed project to help birds through the end of winter. Sponsor three Hunter Education classes and purchase a new projector for the instructors. Continue formulating the Washington Kids Outdoor Bill of Rights.  Participate in Skookumchuck road repair on Jackknife Ridge Road. Award Life Member Scholarship to Miss Madison Arlt. Volunteers remove 1.67 tons of litter from Durr Road. Sponsor Washington Outdoor Women scholarship, enabling one adult to participate in a WOW program. Continue representing sportsmen and women at state and local levels, including the Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee and Kittitas County Public Lands Advisory Committee. Join Instagram. Leta Davis honored as Life Member.

2019 – Celebrating our 100th year!  Purchase 1.25 tons of cracked corn for our Gamebird Winter Feed program. Join other volunteers classifying collected forest grouse wings/tails for WDFW research and population database. WDFW-certified instructors conduct three classes for our 59th year of sponsoring Hunter Education. Coordinate with Park Rangers to repair guzzlers on Wanapum State Park. Represent sportsmen and women on various local and state committees, including Kittitas County Public Lands Access Committee and WDFW Game Management Advisory Council.  Sponsor Central Washington Sportsmen Show Photo Contest. Begin planning Let’s Go Outdoors! event for May 2020, showcasing outdoor organizations and recreation opportunities in Kittitas County.  Get Intimate with the Shrub Steppe Early Bird Walk and Ewok Trail Day Hikeco-led by club volunteer Deb Essman.  Partner with state Ruffed Grouse Society for two projects: Whiskey Dick green dot road repair and abandoned barbed-wire fence removal on LT Murray. AwardLife Member Scholarship to Mr. Zach Gabriel. Club member Deb Essman teaches Wildlife Science at three 5th Grade Camp events. Durr Road coincides with many other Earth Day and Easter events, and our hardy volunteers pick up nearly one ton of litter. Sponsor one camper to attend Washington State Youth Conservation Camp on Orcas Island. Attend legislative session in Olympia to educate lawmakers on the importance of funding state agencies mandates for managing wildlife and public lands, especially the Teanaway Community Forest.  Fund volunteer working to GIS map trails within the Teanaway Community Forest to enhance recreation planning.  Aaron Kuntz honored as Life Member.

2020 –

Our Hunter Education team taught classes in January and February. As always, classes filled almost as soon as we posted them. Forty-nine students graduated. Our March class was cancelled (as was most everything else in 2020) due to the Covid pandemic. We were able to do some outdoor volunteer work however (with many restrictions). In July our members, along with the Ruffed Grouse Society, removed derelict barbed-wire fencing from The WDFW L.T. Murray WLA up Robinson Canyon.  We awarded our Life Member Scholarship to two deserving Ellensburg High School seniors—Grady Case ($1,500) and Blake Willard ($800). In October we were saddened by the loss of one of our most beloved members—Gordon Blossom. He lived to be 103 years old and was still successfully harvesting deer and elk! He was a Life Member of the club and will be missed.  At the end of the year (November and December 2020 and January 2021) we gathered over 100 volunteers to reseed the Umtanum and Durr Road areas that were horribly burned in the Evans Canyon fire that burned over 70,000 acres of timber and precious shrub-steppe habitat in the WDFW Wenas WLA. This included packing in over 4,000 pounds (2 tons!) of native grass seed and hand-disbursing it on the blackened landscape. Volunteers included club members, Master Hunters and Kittitas Environmental Education Network. Club members were also active on many committees (“Zooming” became a thing): Club president Bill Essman was on The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioner Public Lands Committee and also the WDFW  L.T. Murray and Wenas Wildlife Area advisory committees. He also serves on the PSE Wild Horse Wind & Solar Facility Citizen Technical Advisory Committee. Board member Kevin Clements serves on the WDFW Colockum WLA advisory committee and the Eastern Cascades Recreation Partnership, along with Deborah Essman and Crytal Smith. Kevin is also president of the Washington State Ruffed Grouse Society and has organized many volunteer work parties for both RGS and our club. Member Deb Essman is on the Teanaway Community Forest advisory committee. This year she also presented 3 videos for the Nature Conservancy.

2021 – COVID restrictions again prevented us from achieving as much as we would have liked. No Chukar Run Banquet, no Durr Road Clean-Up, no Hunter Education classes, and no Elk Hunters Breakfast. We were able to award our $1,500 Life Member Scholarship to Cameron Sattler, a graduating senior from Cle-Elum/Roslyn High School. The Ellensburg Rodeo did happen this year, so our club hosted the 57^th annual Hilltop Parking on Craigs Hill (“Freeloader Hill”). This was the only fundraiser for the year and was highly successful. Club board member Kevin organized another volunteer event to remove more old fencing, this time off the WDFW Whiskey Dick WLA. Removing old fencing protects both wildlife and recreationists who come to these wildlife areas. Club president was reappointed to represent us on the WDFW Game Management Advisory Council.

2022 – Several club meetings and events were once again cancelled due to COVID including Hunter Education. We were able to present our Treasurer Gloria Sharp with Life Member award. We finally got to hold our annual Durr Road Clean-up—club members removed 1.35 tons of trash of this WDFW wildlife area. It was our 19^th annual cleanup! We also were able to co-host our annual Elk Hunters Breakfast with PSE at their Wild Horse Wind and Energy visitor center the Friday before the rifle elk season opener.

2023 – Hunter Education is BACK! We taught classes in January, February and March. Classes filled as soon as we posted them online, 30 per class. The 20^th Annual Durr Road Clean-Up was successful in removing 1.54 tons of trash. Steve Douglas was awarded our coveted Esteemed Life Member award for his many contributions to the club. Our high school senior Life Member Scholarship was given to Jessica Copp from Cle Elum/Roslyn High School. In June our volunteers, along with other community members, removed more derelict barbed-wire fence from the WDFW Whiskey Dick WLA along the Vantage Hwy. Hilltop Parking during the Ellensburg Rodeo was a fundraising success as was the Chukar Run Banquet. We resumed co-hosting the Elk Hunters Breakfast at the Wild Horse Wind Farm, over 200 hunters dropped by for a free breakfast!

2024 – Our Hunter Education instructors, Neal Houser, Aaron Kuntz, John Entwistle, Bill & Deb Essman, Steve Douglas taught three classes- January, February and March. The classes were full as always. Many thanks to the City of Kittitas for allowing us to use their council chambers for our classroom instruction at no cost! Our $1,500 Life Member Scholarship was awarded to Ellensburg High School senior Briar Wilson. We mourned the passing of former club President and Life Member Steve Douglas, a tireless volunteer and amazing advocate for hunting. The Hilltop Parking during the Ellensburg Rodeo was successful. Thank you especially Jim Huckabay, Buzz Chevara and Roger Barney. And we got to co-host the annual Elk Hunters Breakfast at the Wild Horse Wind Farm on October 25^th. Volunteers joined WDFW to plant hundreds of sagebrush plugs and other native shrubs in the WDFW Whiskey Dick WLA.

2025  update soon!