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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2016)
24 Wednesday, August 10, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon gOATS: Restoration seems to have expanded territory Continued from page 1 Regional Office. After a discussion with Heath about the possibility of a unicorn or polar bear on Three Fingered Jack, Heath said, “We’re too far south for a polar bear, and don’t ask me about unicorns, I know noth- ing about them.” Then, with a broad grin, he added, “But if you want to talk about mountain goats, I’m your man.” According to Heath, the first attempt to reintroduce mountain goats (aka Rocky Mountain goats) to Oregon was a small release back in the early 1950s, into the Wallowas of Eastern Oregon. (Biologically speaking, mountain goats are not true goats, but they are close rela- tives—more properly known as “goat-antelopes.) Up to the early 1980s things were sort of in limbo. Then a release was made into the Elkhorns and the Mt. Adams areas in 1983, and a couple of years later a small group of mountain goats was Easier Fly Fishing with Tenkara-style rods spotted in the Strawberries, near John Day (most thought they had made it from the Elkhorns). Then in March of 2010 a lone billy appeared at Horse Ridge, 20 miles east of Bend, in Dry Canyon. It was hard to miss, that beautiful white coat set against the dark basalt lava rock cliffs on Dry Canyon. He was captured and a radio collar was placed on him, and he was released. Wildlife biologists are of the opinion that he wan- dered cross-country all the way from the release in the Elkhorns way over by Sumpter. After being radio-tagged, he eventually meandered over into the Mt. Newberry area where he met up with a sweet little radio-collared nannie — placed there by Heath and members of the ODFW mountain goat crew — who eventually gave birth to a kid. the fate of the kid is unknown, as the nannie was found dead last spring. In 2013, combined efforts of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and ODFW biologists trapped 24 moun- tain goats from the Elkhorns group and released them in tribal lands on the lower slopes of Mt. Jefferson. Historical literature and archeological evidence tells today’s biologists that Rocky Mountain goats occurred on Mt. Jefferson prior to the appearance of European Americans, and the region still appears to be a good fit for the species. ODFW last surveyed the area in mid-July, and counted 29 goats during the aerial survey, including two sets of twins. Brady Wessel of Sisters emailed to say he spotted a mountain goat nannie feed- ing on grasses on the side of Forest Road 2076, near Link Lake. Heath thinks this could be one of the goats from the group the Eshrick family spot- ted on Three Fingered Jack. Wessel said, “I was driving back from Link Lake, when I saw a white animal emerge from the bushes on the left of COLD LASER THERAPY Helps accelerate healing and eliminate pain. We welcome all patients, Workman’s comp., and auto accidents too. Three Sisters Chiropractic & Pain Management Dr. Inice Gough, DC | 541.549.3583 — Since 1997 — photo Courtesy odFW Mountain goat mom and kids in the high country of oregon, thanks to the restoration efforts of oDfW. the road. I was a bit shocked when I realized it was a goat! It had small, pointy horns and hooves, and looked a little scruffy, perhaps from shed- ding its winter coat. It ran up the road when it saw me and veered off to the right, going back up into the bushes.” Those who sight a moun- tain goat should give them lots of room. Don’t chase it, or follow it. Just stop and let the animal (any wild animal) leave your presence in its own time and space. No P Pretzel-ing r etz ze l i n g Come stretjh in a fun jlass. Enjoy improved health, strength, energy, mood & fl exibility. Dejrease your stress and pain — without feeling like a pretzel. Wednesday 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Taught by Karen Kassy, MS in Integrative Medicine life.love.yoga. 164 N. Elm St. CORK CELLARS FREE WINE TASTING WED. & FRI. 5-7 FRIDAY & SATURDAY • Learn in minutes • A fun way to fl y fi sh • Great for adults & kids • Take backpacking or hiking • Aff ordable 151 W. Main Ave., Sisters 541-549-FISH | Open 7 days a week SPECIALS: Seafood Pasta LIVE MUSIC SAT., 8/13, 7-9 P.M. DENNIS MCGREGOR C O R K Tues-Sat 12-8 p.m. 391 W. Cascade Ave. 541-549-2675 Lazy days of summer are a great time to SCHEDULE KIDS’ DENTAL APPOINTMENTS We’re committed to your family’s dental health! Featuring fantastic food from Sisters’ restaurants Live Music & Dancing by Beatles cover band JuJu Eyeball Performance by Central Oregon Aerial Arts FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 · 6 PM EUROSPORTS FOOD CART GARDEN 223 E. Hood Ave. · Sisters, OR Sliding-scale admission $20-$60 • Limited tickets available Purchase in advance at Eurosports or bendticket.com Ben Crockett, D.D.S. p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters, Oregon 97759 Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. PROCEEDSBENEFITSISTERSKIWANISFOODBANK ANDFURRYFRIENDSFOUNDATION
