Dickshooter

42°23′30″N 116°30′06″W / 42.39167°N 116.50167°W / 42.39167; -116.50167[1] Dickshooter is the name of a trailmarker and also of at least three features in Owyhee County, Idaho: a ridge, a reservoir, and a creek. These are in close proximity to each other in the southwestern corner of the state, in a wilderness area approximately 24 miles (39 km) northwest of Riddle.[2]

The trailmarker is between Battle Creek and Deep Creek. The area is popular for its year-round recreational activities, which include hiking, camping, hunting, fishing,[3] swimming, bird watching, all-terrain vehicle riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Surrounding areas are inhabited by bighorn sheep, elk, antelope, deer, bear, bobcat, mountain lion, grouse, and birds of prey.[2][4] The place is isolated, being a few hours drive from passable roads.[5]

Dickshooter Creek is listed in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It flows south into Deep Creek and dries out in the summer months. The gorge cut by the creek is a popular site for hiking and backpacking.[2][6]

Dickshooter Creek
Map
Location
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
CountyOwyhee County, Idaho
Physical characteristics
MouthConfluence with Deep Creek
Length9.3 mi (14.96 km)

Dickshooter Ridge is a wilderness area that provides a habitat for sage grouse and bighorn sheep. It was once proposed to be used as an "enemy village" target for Air Force bombing exercises.[7] Dickshooter Ridge Road was once used to travel from Silver City, Idaho to Salt Lake City in Utah, and to Humboldt County, Nevada, and offered "spectacular views of vertical walled gorges and vistas of the surrounding desert plateaus."[8]

The United States Congress adopted the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which is designated to protect wilderness states and includes the area around the Creek and the Ridge.[9]

Origin of the name

Dickshooter was named for Dick Shooter, a pioneer settler.[2][4] Dickshooter has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Dickshooter". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Dickshooter, Owyhee County, ID. Internet Accuracy Project. 2011.
  3. ^ Parker, Q. (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. F+W Media. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-4405-0809-7.
  4. ^ a b Parker, Quentin (August 18, 2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-4405-0454-9.
  5. ^ Oxley, Chuck (November 28, 2004). "Cowboys Blend Old, New". Los Angeles Times. p. 2.
  6. ^ "Dickshooter Creek". www.rivers.gov. May 25, 2010. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  7. ^ Allen, Edwina (January 2007). "Owyhee Canyonlands Legislation Introduced" (PDF). Ridgelines (1). Northern Rockies Chapter of the Sierra Club: 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 20, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  8. ^ "Wilderness Bills Pending in Congress". Sema Action Network. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "H.R. 146" (PDF). United States Government. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 20, 2011.
  10. ^ "13 Town Names We Can't Stop Laughing Over". Cosmopolitan. April 18, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2014.