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Spotting scopes stolen from wildlife viewing blind

Katie Krauss views birds next to fixed spotting scopes in a blind at the Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area wildlife viewing area. The scopes were stolen in November 2016. (Washington Fish and Wildlife Department photo / Washington Fish and Wildlife Department photo)
Katie Krauss views birds next to fixed spotting scopes in a blind at the Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area wildlife viewing area. The scopes were stolen in November 2016. (Washington Fish and Wildlife Department photo / Washington Fish and Wildlife Department photo)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

A pair of public-use spotting scopes have been stolen from the permanent wildlife viewing blind at Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area adjacent to Reardan, Washington.

The two scopes were cut off steel posts sometime in the week of Nov. 14, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department officials said. A Reardan resident reported the theft on Nov. 16.

The 80-acre lake and associated wetlands just north of US 2 were purchased and secured as a state wildlife area in 2006, said Madonna Luers, department spokeswoman.

The pair of all-weather, fixed focus scopes were purchased for $6,000 and donated by the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy as a gift to the site for use by casual wildlife viewers, she said.

Experienced birders would usually have better quality optics, she said.

Someone used a hacksaw to cut the mounting bolts and remove the scopes from the steel pedestals in the north viewing blind, Luers said.

Another pair of scopes still remained in the south viewing blind, but have been removed for the winter, said Mike Finch, wildlife area biologist.

“They’re heavy, steel fixed-focus scopes and have no real resale potential,” Luers said.

The agency and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department are looking for tips from the public regarding the case. Report tips to the Sheriff’s Office, (509) 725-3501.

“We need the public’s help in keeping an eye on public lands and public facilities,” Luers said.

The nonprofit Northwest Land Conservancy stepped up in 2015 to expand the wildlife area by securing more wetlands important to migrating waterfowl and other birds in Lincoln County.