Take a horse-drawn wagon ride to watch a herd of Rocky Mountain elk

T&T Wildlife Tours give visitors a close up and personal view of Rocky Mountain elk munching hay at a feed site west of North Powder. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr).

By Lisa Britton

Baker City Herald

Susan Triplett and Alice Trindle are awaiting a glimpse Dennis, the massive bull elk that comes each year to munch hay at the Anthony Creek feed site west of North Powder.

Triplett and Trindle own T&T Wildlife Tours, which offers horse-drawn wagon rides that take people within yards of the Rocky Mountain elk that come to feed.

They first noticed Dennis seven years ago and his name was inspired by a famous mischevious comics character.

"If there was sparring to be done, you could count on Dennis to be involved," Triplett said. "It seemed only fitting to call him ‘Dennis the Menace' and the name has stuck."

Since he is a regular visitor at the feed site, Dennis has been photographed for magazines, newspapers, and even been considered for a cameo appearance in a movie, according to a T&T release.

This past summer, Triplett found a six-point elk antler in the mountains above the elk feeding site, and she was certain it belonged to Dennis.

After scrutinizing photos of Dennis' rack, Triplett is pretty sure it came from him.

"I never find them. Everyone else always finds them," Triplett said.

That antler will be on display at this season's tours, which begin Saturday and continue every weekend through the end of February.

Rides begin at 10:30 a.m. and leave every half hour. The last trip is at 2 p.m. (Here's some advice: dress warm.)

Two Belgian draft horses named Jeff and Rye carry visitors to within 10 yards of 100 to 150 head of elk. Narration is provided by Triplett and Trindle, who discuss the life cycles of the elk, the reason for the feed program, and the partnership with the ranchers and hunters of the area.

The Anthony Creek feed site is accessed by paved, plowed roads. To get there, take exit 285 off I-84 (the North Powder exit) and turn right. Head west eight miles and follow the brown "wildlife viewing" signs.

Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and younger. The wagon is handicap accessible.

For more information, call 541-856-3356 or visit this Web site: www.tnthorsemanship.com.