FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7
Outdoor Rec / Local
The drawing for those tags ...
regardless of
how many
applica-
tions were
received dur-
ing the last
year, versus
the number
of tags is-
sued.
This is
simple eco-
nomics, i.e.,
I don’t feel
like travel-
THE OUTDOOR COLUMN
ing a great
distance,
if I
By Todd Arriola
don’t have to.
As
Last month, I reeled in
evidence,
I
provide
the
horror at the site of the
following
unsuccessful
computer screen, which
applications: 100 Series
revealed the results of this
Buck Deer, Sumpter (151);
year’s drawings, for con-
400 Series Antelope, South
trolled hunting opportuni-
Sumpter (451B); 500 Se-
ties: one success, out of
ries Bighorn Sheep, Burnt
nine total applications.
River Canyon (551A);
I noticed a similar
900 Series Rocky Moun-
pattern with numerous
tain Goat, Elkhorn No. 1
others, sometimes a whole
(951A1—okay, I admit,
family’s hopes dashed, by
I didn’t have high hopes
a supposedly somewhat
for either the sheep, or the
random formula.
goat); 600 Series Anterless
This inspired me to ask,
is the game rigged, or did I Deer, Sumpter Unity Agri
(651A); Premium Buck
derail my own gravy train
Deer, Sumpter (L51); Pre-
of game meat?
mium Elk, Sumpter (M51);
First, I should start out
by saying, I appreciate that and Premium Pronghorn
Antelope, Sumpter (N51).
I did successfully draw a
All of these locations are
South Sumpter Wildlife
Management Unit (WMU) within a reasonable dis-
tance of where I call home.
tag, for a 200 Series anter-
This brings me to the
less elk. The season runs
subject
of “preference
from October 15, through
points,”
a factor I didn’t
December 31, and I have
always
take
into consid-
no doubt, should I also be
eration
when
applying for
successful in harvesting an
hunts.
elk, the meat will also be
I had applied for the 100
much appreciated.
Series
Buck Deer, for the
I’m a bigger fan of
Sumpter
WMU, as my
jerky than steaks and burg-
fi
rst
choice
(I’ve added a
ers from elk or deer, but
second,
and
a third choice
either way, the feeling of
for
different
WMUs in the
pride and accomplishment
past),
but
I
didn’t
draw it,
would be the same.
which
means,
a
preference
Second, I should also
point was added to my
point out, in general, I
total points for 100 Series
apply for tags for game
Buck Deer for future draw-
animals in units which
ings.
are closer to where I live,
I didn’t draw my fi rst
choice for 400 Series
Pronghorn Antelope, and
so, a preference point was
added also to that total,
plus a preference point
to the total for 600 Series
Anterless Deer, since I was
also unsuccessful there.
According to the Oregon
Department of Fish and
Wildlife (ODFW), each
application is assigned a
random, 10-digit number.
Members of the public are
invited to ODFW head-
quarters to pick a random,
10-digit start number for
each hunt series (call 503-
947-6108 to participate),
and a computer uses those
random starting numbers
to select successful ap-
plications.
A far as hunting parties
are concerned, the leader’s
10-digit number is the only
one used in the drawing.
The drawing allocates
75% of fi rst choice avail-
able tags for a hunt to
those applicants with
existing preference points,
and the remaining 25% are
drawn from a random pool
of all applicants, which,
according to ODFW,
ensures all applicants have
a chance to draw a tag each
year they apply.
Applicants are grouped
by preference points, ar-
ranged by 10-digit num-
bers within the groups,
and tags are awarded fi rst
to those applicants whose
10-digit numbers are clos-
est to the start number.
This process continues
with the applicant having
the second closest number,
and so on, until 75% of the
available tags are awarded,
or until all fi rst choice ap-
plicants have received tags.
The rest of the appli-
cants are rearranged by a
10-digit random number,
and awarded the remaining
25% of tags.
A few things to consider,
when trying to decide
on application methods:
according to ODFW, a
party applicant’s points
are determined by total-
ing the preference points
of all members, and then
calculating the average;
new preference points, for
next year’s drawing, show
up on January 1st ; if there
is a non-resident in your
party, the entire party is put
in non-resident status; and
only 3% to 5% (depending
on the species) of the total
tags available for each hunt
go to non-residents.
The point summary re-
ports on ODFW’s website,
and the Oregon Tag Draw
Percentages website are
two resources ODFW
recommends in order to
determine draw odds, but
I ignored that advice this
year, since I opted to apply
for hunts located near me,
in familiar units.
If I decide to apply more
of a formula to my applica-
tions the next time, and
use more than familiarity
and economics as a basis
for applying, I’ll take into
consideration factors such
as this year’s fi rst choice
applicants, versus tags is-
sued, for a particular hunt,
and the point summary
reports.
I did pay a total of $72
for my nine applications,
at $8 each, so, it would
seem I’ve wasted $64,
but that’s how the random
game goes, I guess, and I
did contribute to ODFW’s
funding, about 40% of
which comes from licenses
and fees.
I think it may have been
just the “luck of the draw,”
sans any conspiratorial
connection.
Plus, I still have two
cougar tags, and a possible
deer bowhunting opportu-
nity, among other potential
adventures this year...
Comment on proposed changes for disabled hunters
ODFW is looking for
input on potential changes
for Oregon hunters with an
Oregon Disabilities Hunt-
ing and Fishing Permit.
The Commission will
consider these changes at
The
their Sept. 2 meeting in
Welches.
Permits are given to
people who provide
written certifi cation of a
permanent disability from
a medical professional and
to veterans of the Armed
Forces with at least a 65
percent service-connected
disability rating. Permit
holders get an expanded
bag limit during certain
hunting seasons. Hunters
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with a disabilities permit
may also shoot from a
parked vehicle and get
assistance from an able-
bodied companion.
For more information on
the program or comment-
ing, visit http://www.dfw.
state.or.us/resources/hunt-
ing/disability.
Hells Canyon
Motorcycle Rally
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Miller said that while the weather could have been bet-
ter resulting in a larger turnout, vendors and business still
did well.
He said motels were fi lled to capacity throughout the
region—John Day, La Grande, and other surrounding
communities, and the Truck Corral has seen a spike in
business during past rallies of up to 35%.
A buffalo burger fundraiser in Halfway to pay for
fi reworks for next year’s 4th of July celebration, relies
heavily on the motorcyclists’s business, Miller said.
Folkestad, whose company produces all of the materi-
als for the rallies, jokingly made note of the weather:
“They moved the rally to July (from June) to escape the
rain, and it didn’t work out that well.”
He’s heard many positive comments regarding the rally,
and he said that Baker County has geographical sites al-
ready appealing to visitors, without needed enhancement.
“People are never disappointed (with the region)...”
He said that May 19, 2006 marked the beginning of the
fi rst “big” rally, attracting about 4,000 motorcyclists to
the area, and since that time, the organizational team has
been holding the same type of event every year.
The rallies were held on Main Street, with the excep-
tion of a few years, when they were held at the Sunridge
Inn.
Support then came from Historic Baker City (HBC),
and the City, and the event was again moved downtown,
back to Main Street, he said, where it’s currently held.
“It doesn’t really matter where it’s held; what matters
is that we have well-thought-out routes, and we’ve got
plenty of stuff for the riders to do, besides just sitting
around town ...Our focus is on motorcycling, and not on
partying ...”
Each year, Folkestad said, there’s ongoing effort to
expand routes, in order to be able to include all types
of motorcyclists. Current routes reach as far south
as Owyhee Dam, as far north as Joseph, as far east as
Cambridge, Idaho, and as far west as Ukiah. “It’s very
diverse; we send them out all over the place, and they just
have a great time,” Folkestad said.
The rally included music performed at six different
venues, for the fi rst time “...since I’ve been in Baker,”
Miller said. “I think people really enjoyed that. A lot of
locals came out, as well.”
Among these locations were the Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW) Hall, Lefty’s Taphouse, Barley Brown’s,
Lone Pine Cafe, Corner Brick Bar & Grill, and the Eagles
Lodge.
The music provided at Lefty’s was courtesy of the Best
Western/Sunridge Inn, he said.
Jerry Peacock, Director at Baker Technical Institute
(BTI), said that Baker High School (BHS) hosted around
150 motorcyclists, as part of a camping fundraiser, held
on the grounds north of the High School. The accom-
modations included outside showers and porta-potties
(campers brought their own tents, gear, and other sup-
plies), and Peacock said, “We provide large quantities of
Baker County hospitality, and they appreciate that ... It’s
been a good fundraiser ...We’ve been doing it for around
six to eight years.”
The money, around potentially $4,000 raised, (still be-
ing calculated at the time of this writing) helps to support
BHS’s athletic programs, he said, because the general
budget falls short of coverage.
He said that with a boost in business for area restau-
rants and motels, “These are things that are good for
the community ... I’ve never had anything but positive
interactions with these folks (the motorcyclists). They’re
polite, they’re respectful, they’re here to have fun, in a
good way ... It’s a good event for us.”
The average age of the
attendees/motorcyclists
is around 52, 80% are
married, 80% are college
educated, and the aver-
age income is well over
$100,000, Miller said,
and, “It couldn’t be a
better demographic,” for
an economic boost to the
community, and for the
potential of long-term resi-
dents to migrate to Baker
City, as he explained that
the rally makes an excel-
lent marketing tool, in
addition to other benefi ts.
Miller said that the
planning for next year’s
rally is well underway,
and the timing of the event
is expected to remain the
same, along with a large
number of vendors already
signing on, plus the ex-
pected reappearance of the
CMA.
The VFW’s breakfast on
Saturday and Sunday is
the biggest fundraiser for
that organization of the
year.
Speaking about the rally
itself, Miller said, “It’s the
largest economic event of
the year, not just for the
City of Baker, but really
the whole region.”