But that's not the only thing that puzzles Loman's friends. None of the camping gear was taken from the back of his truck. Loman was a big, strong man, about 6 feet 3 inches tall and 275 pounds. Friends don't believe one man, or even two, could have taken him down. The Seep Lakes area, well stocked with trout, is a popular fishing spot, said Bob Flores, manager of the Columbia Basin National Wildlife Refuge.
Vandalism is common, and the remote site attracts drinking parties.
The refuge is not regularly patrolled, Flores said, and the refuge law enforcement officer generally gets out only in response to complaints. The time is ripe for one. That such an incident could happen shows there's a need for patrols, he said. This is another milestone. The politicians tangled last Congress over the same issue and neither passed a bill.