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Mark Freeman Commentary Denman gate hit by vandals By MARK FREEMAN WHITE CITY -- Vandals have destroyed a locked metal gate meant to curb access to poachers, illegal dumpers and other riffraff on the Denman Wildlife Area. Neither authorities nor Denman users want the vandals to get away with it. The gate that helped restrict access into Denman's Modoc Unit to only legitimate wildlife-area users was ripped from its posts by vandals sometime Feb. 13. The damaged gate has Denman leaders looking to replace it, as well as a similar adjacent gate, with more rugged versions that can withstand vandalism attempts, Denman manager Mark Vargas says. The two gates eyed for replacement were installed last winter at a cost of $4,500. "It's a bummer," Vargas says. "You finally get something that everybody's happy with, then some crazies come out there and ruin it for a whole bunch of people. It's a shame." A $500 reward has been offered by the Oregon State Police's Turn In Poachers program for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved. The TIP program is run by the OSP in conjunction with the Oregon Hunters Association, which is a major sponsor of the program. Leupold-Stevens Inc. is also a sponsor. TIP tipsters can remain anonymous. To tip police to this or other fish and wildlife cases, telephone the TIP line at 1-800-452-7888. The TouVelle Road gate was locked last month as part of an innovative access program by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to reduce rampant illegal dumping, graffiti and other problems at the 1,860-acre wildlife area. The gates, and a similar one off Agate Road on the wildlife area's south side, are locked at all times, but free keys are distributed to anyone who signs up for one at the ODFW's Denman office. The program has been successful because it allows legitimate users -- who log about 49,000 visitor days engaged in fishing, hunting, bird-watching and other activities -- unfettered access. People without keys who have used the wildlife area as a dumping ground have primarily stayed away. The vandalism occurred at the gates restricting access to Denman's Modoc Unit off Modoc Road north of the Rogue River. At that location, there are two side-by-side gates spanning the dirt roadway. One gate is operated electronically, while the second gate is locked manually via a key lock and chain. The electronic gate is used by two private landowners who access their property on the same TouVelle Road used by hunters and anglers. The manual gate is used by Denman visitors. Some time Feb. 13, vandals cut a portion of the electronic gate then pushed through it with a vehicle, Vargas says. It was destroyed. Now the landowners and the ODFW want to install heavy iron gates, one manual and one electronic. But the cost would likely prohibitive, necessitating donations of material and labor, Vargas says. Outdoor Journal main page Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA