Joseph Creek is nestled in the steep, basalt cliffs of South East Washington. The ranch is located at the confluence of Joseph Creek and the Grande Ronde River, five miles from the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Snake River, famous for "Hells Canyon". The Grande Ronde is becoming known as one of the better fly fishing rivers and the Snake offers an abundance of recreation to white water rafters, jet boaters and fisherman. Both rivers supply fisherman with Small Mouth Bass, Trout, and Steelhead.

Some of the largest Rocky Mountain Big Horns were located on the ranch. The herd was planted by Fish & Game in the mid 70's and had a massive die off in the mid 90's due to disease. Several state records were taken in this area during that time. Now when we see rams, half curl or bigger it's very exciting.

Rocky Mountain Elk and Mule Deer exist in good numbers. The Elk herd grows year after year and continues to come back to the ranch because they are not hunted nor harassed and food is plenty. The 20 acres of irrigated ground that once grew premium hay is now irrigated wildlife habitat. The elk and deer are very comfortable here and not alarmed when ranch vehicles approach.

We can't forget the American Wild Turkeys. Not native to this area Washington Fish & Game planted the Rio Grands in 1992. Since then they have cross bred with the Merriams that Idaho Fish & Game had planted earlier. Grain feeders have been placed around the ranch to supply plenty of feed for the Turkeys, Quail and Chukar besides what has been planted in the irrigated wildlife habitat. The Turkeys are in good numbers and we have many that stay close to our house. When the Turkeys fly over the barn in the morning they look like a flock of B52 Bombers and sound like it too.

Other animals also exist! Ones that make the hair on your neck stand up. Cougars, Black Bears, Bobcats & Rattlesnakes make up the list that I would rather avoid.

In the early 90's when Frederick was very small a Black Bear was taken by a female bow hunter out of a tree behind our house. That Bear made the record book. We have had Bears since then that have made themselves at home in a popular pear tree within feet from our back door.

The Bobcats really don't bother me. One summer Frederick and I had a chance to view one in broad daylight up close and personal after the Bobcat had finished off a dozen or so of my chickens within a week. We don't have anymore chickens and the 4-H ducks stayed penned.

We have been lucky enough to only have had one Rattlesnake in the yard or surrounding pastures since this writing. Maybe it was because I just haven't seen them. Snakes are common in the evening after the sun goes down and they lay in the road for warmth. During the snake season we walk with our eyes "down"!

Now Cougars! My husband always told me if you see a Cougar in the wild consider yourself lucky. I guess I'm lucky because I've seen several in broad daylight. I had never heard a Cougar scream until one summer night I was laying in bed wide awake, with the window open, because our stock dogs were barking hysterically. Almost ready to jump out of bed to give them a few words, I heard it! The Cougar was in a tree outside our bedroom window. Immediately the dogs became quiet and I was scared to death the whole next week. When I see the Elk and Deer, I know the "big cats" are close by.

There is a certain type of wildlife that we get quite a bit of on the weekends. I believe they are called "Tourists"! Joseph Creek offers lots to see that it is enjoyed by many people. Though were off the beaten path for our Paint Horses, there is no other place we would rather live, that is why we have chosen to add photos to our web site of the ranch wildlife.