Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife preserve, one of the National Wildlife Refuge
s operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
. The 42594 acres (172.4 km²) refuge is located east of Colville, Washington
along the west slope of the Selkirk Mountain Range
. It lies mostly in eastern Stevens County, but a small part extends eastward into western Pend Oreille County. It is the only mountainous, mixed-conifer forest refuge outside of Alaska
and the largest in Washington state.
Wildlife found in the refuge include numerous songbirds, bald eagles, elk, black bears, moose and white-tailed deer.
Public uses include hunting
, fishing
, hiking
, and horseback riding.
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
s operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
. The 42594 acres (172.4 km²) refuge is located east of Colville, Washington
Colville, Washington
Colville is a city in Stevens County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,673 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stevens County.- History :...
along the west slope of the Selkirk Mountain Range
Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains are a mountain range spanning the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia. They begin at Mica Peak near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and extend approximately 320 km north from the border. The range is bounded on its west,...
. It lies mostly in eastern Stevens County, but a small part extends eastward into western Pend Oreille County. It is the only mountainous, mixed-conifer forest refuge outside of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and the largest in Washington state.
Wildlife found in the refuge include numerous songbirds, bald eagles, elk, black bears, moose and white-tailed deer.
Public uses include hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, and horseback riding.