Elk Feeding Tours on N. Oregon Coast Canceled Due to Virus

Published 12/20/21 at 5:42 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – A longtime (but somewhat unknown) favorite tradition among north Oregon coast visitors is getting cut for awhile due to the new pandemic surges. The elk feeding tours at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area are suspended as of now, which normally run between December 1 and the end of February.

While the public will not be able to participate in the usual manner for the rest of this season, they can still watch the feeding of the Roosevelt Elk from a distance.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) said many state offices will remain closed after January 1, including this one.

The tours allow participants to ride on wagons to several sites and help feed Roosevelt elk on the wildlife area.

Visitors would get to ride on these wagons as park crew dropped chunks of hay for the elk to chow down on. This would leave them distracted and yet put visitors in an up-close position to check out the herds. It's been a prime viewing opportunity that provides memorable experiences for those heading to the north Oregon coast.

Wildlife area staff will continue to provide supplemental feed to elk during the winter months to enhance viewing opportunities for visitors. Feeding times are between 9 - 10 a.m. daily and should continue through mid-March.

Visitors should be prepared to maintain social distancing, wear face coverings and take all usual Covid-19 precautions.

While the wildlife area is still open for public use, all ODFW office buildings will remain closed to visitors including the office at Jewell Meadows.

Other viewing possibilities still remain at the wildlife area and north Oregon coast attraction. A host of creatures will still be found, including coyotes, bobcats, weasels, river otters, beaver, bald eagles, numerous species of owl, red tailed hawks, black-tailed deer, stellar's Jay, tree swallows, black-capped chickadee, mallards, violet-green swallows, and many more.

For more information, call Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area at (503) 755-2264 or see the Visitor Guide at https://myodfw.com/jewell-meadows-wildlife-area-visitors-guide.

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MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Photos above courtesy Seaside Aquarium

Below: elk at Gearhart, courtesy Seaside Aquarium

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