Hunters, watch out for pot farms

YAKIMA — Hunters may encounter more than their prey this season.

Authorities say hunters might stumble across marijuana plantations in remote, difficult-to-access areas of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The hunting season begins later this month and continues through December.

Last month, police found an estimated 74,000 marijuana plants throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee forests, which stretch from Central Washington to the Canadian border. If hunters find marijuana plants, they should leave the area immediately, said Robin DeMario, Forest Service spokeswoman.

 Signs that a marijuana plantation may be in the area include extensive terracing of land and damage to the forest, presence of rat poison, bags of fertilizer, plastic pipe used for irrigation, wire fencing surrounding the grow site and large amounts of litter.

Visitors finding such activity should notify law enforcement personnel as soon as possible, the Forest Service said.