The Nugget Vol. XLIII No. 7 P OSTAL CUSTOMER News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon www.NuggetNews.com PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15 Wednesday, February 20, 2020 Hoodoo Winter Carnival celebrates season Limited wilderness entry starts this spring By Cody Rheault Correspondent Hoodoo9s premiere annual event kicked off on Saturday, February 8, amid winter9s fury, but that didn9t deter the crowds. Festivities began at 9 a.m. where families participated in a number of activities ranging from face-painting, pie-eating contests, axe throwing, tub- ing, and the famous Dummy Downhill contest. For those seeking the plea- sures of the mountain, skiers and boarders enjoyed a fresh powder day after the previ- ous night9s and early morning snowfall. Experienced powder- chasers and first-time ski- ers took to the mountain and more than a dozen free events entertained the crowds. Kids ran around in their fluores- cent ski suites with hand-tied balloon animals and fresh- spun cotton candy hang- ing from their hands. Adults either congregated at the fire pit or folded a hand at the poker table over a glass of Three Creeks Knotty Blonde and laughter with friends or strangers. PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT A bonfire lit up the slopes during Hoodoo’s annual celebration of the spirit of winter. The much-anticipated Dummy Downhill contest took place late that afternoon. Participants flung unmanned contraptions off a jump, draw- ing hundreds of people to the north slope to watch the ensu- ing carnage. Fat snowflakes came in thick, hindering the speed and descent of most See CARNIVAL on page 22 Beginning this May, the Deschutes and Willamette national forests will imple- ment the limited-entry permit system for day and overnight use in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters wildernesses. Permits will be available on Recreation.gov beginning April 7. The two forests hosted a public comment period on an associated special recre- ation permit fee that began in October 9, 2019 and ended January 10, 2020. A wide range of public comments was received on the special recreation permit fee. The forests have decided at this time, though the limited- entry system will be imple- mented, no special recreation permit fee will be charged. See WILDERNESS on page 29 Shooting is major forest Awards mark high achievement recreation activity By Jodi Schneider Correspondent By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief Recreational target shoot- ing is an increasingly popu- lar activity on the Deschutes National Forest. That popu- larity has an impact on local residents who are not happy hearing frequent gunfire. Shooting is allowed across the Sisters Ranger District, except within 150 yards of residences or developed campgrounds and across roads. The Forest Service does not maintain shooting ranges or even recommend specific shooting areas 4 but it has identified numer- ous areas as suitable for safe, responsible shooting. A good backstop is the top Inside... criteria for a safe shooting environment, District Ranger Ian Reid told The Nugget.