A heard of 60 to 100 Roosevelt elk are year round residents. Numerous birds can be seen in the area and waterfowl are visible in the wetlands. The 440 acres of bottomland consist of pasture and wetlands, and the 600 acres of woodlands contain hardwood and coniferous forest.
Dean Creek is managed to provide optimum viewing opportunities.
Pastures are mowed, grazed, and fertilized to improve the nutrition and palatability for the elk. Portions of the wetland have been enhanced to provide more standing water for a variety of waterfowl. The best times to view elk are early mornings and before dusk. Elk roam in the area freely, and their numbers fluctuate with the seasons. The cows seek seclusion in the uplands to calve in mid-May to June.