The Privatization of the Walla Walla River Basin

Sportsmen from outside towns and even those from Walla Walla who are not on the inside will be somewhat surprised to learn that nearly every bit of desirable shooting ground along the Walla Walla river and in the Hudson Bay country has been leased by Walla Walla parties for private shooting grounds. The fact became generally known when a Walla Walla hunter attempted to do a little hunting last Sunday on ground that he had visited often in years gone by. The proprietor met him at the gate and informed him the grounds had been leased by Walla Walla sportsmen for the season and written permits were required. On the Fred Mang place, duck ponds are being constructed by the lessees, who have dammed Mud Creek in several spots. One sportsman explained that the leases were a matter of self-protection. Most of the lessees are businessmen who spend six days a week in the city; when they finally found time for hunting, they discovered the grounds 'literally alive' with other hunters, leaving no game for anyone. Now, they control the access.