Research at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch

By: Jacqueline Snow

This summer, my research focuses on collecting data from trail cameras and TrafX counters at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch in Bellevue, Idaho. I made my first of three trips in early June and I'm eager to return!

Spanning 20,000 acres, the ranch includes our 10,400 acres of working rangeland, combined with surrounding BLM and state grazing allotments.

On my first morning at Cow Camp, I was awakened by the sound of mooing cattle being moved to another grazing site. Rinker Rock has a cattle intern, Matt, who has been learning the intricacies of cattle management for a few weeks now. The ranch intern, Courtney, assists RRCR Operations Manager, Cameron.

I thoroughly enjoyed collecting data around the ranch, taking in the natural beauty, and meeting other graduate students conducting research. Walker and Kirby, from the University of Idaho, will be spending their entire summer at the ranch, and I can't wait to see how their projects progress!