FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7
Outdoor Rec / Local
Bow hunting after the big fires
how last year
went. This
was before
the current
fires, and I
felt optimis-
tic, too, but I
replied with
something
smart, like,
“Well, there
isn’t much
left to burn.”
We both
knew there’s
THE OUTDOOR COLUMN
certainly
plenty
left,
By Todd Arriola
and the season
I drove south over Dool-
of wildfire
ey Mountain this week
danger is far from over.
toward Bridgeport, and
Plenty of people, includ-
as I reached the peak and
ing me, have played the
I thought about scouting
blame game regarding
around prior to deer hunt-
the management, or the
ing season, I had mixed
mismanagement, of federal
emotions, as I noticed the
public lands, but that effort
devastation caused by last
seems to be eclipsed by
year’s wildfires, and I cal-
our County Commission-
culated my odds of filling
ers, who are engaged in
big game tags.
a continuous fight with
This trip up and down
the U.S. Forest Service
the mountain via High-
(USFS), and the Bureau of
way 245 didn’t reveal any
Land Management (BLM),
surprises, as I’ve become
in an attempt to have all
used to the view—the very entities getting along and
distinct difference in the
playing well with each
way the north side looks,
other at some point, and
compared to the south side. accomplishing the end
Looking north, I thought,
goal—proper management.
“It doesn’t look great, but
To their credit—including
it might be okay, given
the USFS, and the BLM--
time.” Looking south, I
there is constant dialogue
thought, “This looks like a
and small victories, so,
nuclear testing ground that
there may yet be hope.
was used recently.”
When I reached Bridge-
I stopped at my favorite
port, I was glad to be clear
gas station the other day,
of the charred remains of
and the attendant com-
the south side of Dooley,
mented that, given the tim- and I was able to check
ing, we seem to be doing
out my “sweet spots” for
fairly well in the County,
signs of deer activity,
regarding the avoidance
later in the day. I may
of wildfires, considering
have been too early in the
day with my timing, or I
may have been too early
in the year, or I may see
a totally different picture
this year, because I didn’t
see much activity, or at
least, not as much. That’s
not surprising, because,
with hunting, anything can
happen, including nothing
at all. I made the remark
to someone once that that’s
why it’s called “hunting,”
and not “shooting,” and
why “fishing” is not called
“catching.”
As far as my odds are
concerned, I don’t know
quite how to calculate
them. General bow season
for deer and elk is coming
up at the end of the month,
and I already have a rifle
tag for elk, so I only have
deer on the menu this sum-
mer. I checked some of
my “sweet spots” already,
but since about all of
eastern Oregon will be fair
game for a bow shooter
(with some exceptions)
once the season starts,
there are plenty of oppor-
tunities to harvest one. If I
purchase a tag, and I don’t
get the job done, I’ll have
only myself to blame.
Most likely, I’ll avoid
the wide open spaces, i.e.,
the ones that used to be
not so wide open, before
the fires. I can see much
farther through a forest
with no leaves, grass, or
brush, but deer can see me,
too, though I’ll worry more
about positioning myself to
avoid detection with their
ears and noses. Anyway,
the point is, I’ll probably
set still in a spot from
where I can ambush one,
ideally from above.
I’ve learned a couple of
new tricks this year, which
may help with the bow
hunting. Actually, I meant
to say that I’ve decided to
try a couple of things, and
to avoid some stubborn
habits. One of them is the
change in the way I grip
my bow, while drawing the
string. I used to grip it like
I was holding on for dear
life, with all of my fingers
wrapped around the front,
because I couldn’t quite
trust that it would stay in
my hand, when I let the ar-
row fly. When I started to
allow my fingers to point
straight out and down,
and my thumb to point the
same direction without a
death grip, I noticed that
I was more relaxed. The
second change involved
shortening my string
release, so that I could
trigger it with the middle
joint of my index finger,
instead of the tip of it.
That helped, too.
Wildfires have changed
the landscape, and the way
we hunt and where we
hunt, but we’ve always
adapted to those changes,
because there really was no
choice. We can continue to
voice our concerns about
the way public lands are
managed, but somewhere
in there, we need to get
some hunting done, too,
along with the discussions.
“Just get to it,” as some
say.
Like my grandfather,
Segundo, said sometimes,
when he noticed someone
pondering over their next
move: “Do something,
even if it’s wrong...”
City Council hears Justice Court
updates, 6 of 7 seats open
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The August 9, 2016
regular City Council Meet-
ing began with Councilor
Abell leading the pledge of
Allegiance and giving the
invocation, where she ac-
knowledged the fire season
already in full swing said,
“I would ask that each of
us to reach out a helping
hand if we are able to do
that.”
City Recorder Julie
Smith called role to which
all councilors answered be-
ing present with the excep-
tion of Mayor Mosier.
Vice Mayor Downing
conducted the meeting and
he quickly moved forward
with the meeting calling
for a motion to approve
the consent agenda, which
consisted of minutes from
the June 28 and July 26
Council meetings.
He asked if there were
any corrections. With none
noted, Councilor Thomas
made a motion to approve
with a second by Councilor
Lowe.
Council voted to unani-
mously pass the motion.
Vice Mayor Downing
called for Citizen Partici-
pation in which members
of the Public Arts Commis-
sion Mary Miller, Corrine
Vegter and Damon Rose
came forward.
Miller addressed council
advised, “The Public Arts
Commission would like
to announce to the City
Council that we’ve used
funds from our budget to
purchase eight pieces from
‘Little Big Show’ that took
place on First Friday.”
Miller went on to note
charities that benefited
from the purchase of
pieces sold during the First
Friday event and the local
businesses the pieces were
purchased from. Among
those mentioned were
Short Term Gallery, they
donated 25% of the pro-
ceeds to The Baker Middle
School Backpack program.
Peterson’s Gallery
donated to YMCA youth
sports programs to keep
costs low for children.
Earth and Vine Wine Bar
donated 25% of their pro-
ceeds to the Ronald Mc-
Donald House at OHSU in
Portland. Dot and Rosie’s,
25% to the Baker High
School Art Department for
the purchase of need art
supplies.
The Castle Gallery (The
Pythian Castle, home of
Historic Baker City) 25%
of their proceeds went to
purchase art banners for
Resort Street as part of
Historic Baker City.
Miller speaking to the
success of First Friday,
said, “50% of available
pieces of art were sold.
There were about 560
pieces available each sold
for $40 apiece. That was
quite huge turnout.”
The eight pieces that the
Public Art Commission
purchased were donated to
the City and will be hung
in City Hall. After briefly
viewing the pieces and
thanking them the Council
moved forward with the
agenda.
Boards and Commis-
sions Appointments
Smith advised Council
one position on the Tree
Board was vacant due to
term expiration. She stated
that George Wheaton had
completed an application
for the three-year term
empty position.
She then moved to
Historic District Design
Review Commission. One
position on that commis-
sion was available due to a
resignation.
This term expires in Jan-
uary 2019. Carly Anabele
successfully completed the
application. Smith recom-
mended to the Council that
both applicants be appoint-
ed to the position in which
they had applied.
Councilor Lowe moved
to appoint both candidates
with a second by Councilor
Abell.
Council voted unani-
mously to appoint them
both.
Council Representative
Appointment to Sam- O
Swim Committee
City Manager Warner
advised council that he had
spoken with Mayor Mosier
earlier in the day and she
advised that Councilor
Joseph had approached
her with interest in the ap-
pointment.
Councilor Langrell
moved to appoint Joseph
as the Council representa-
tive to the commission
with a second by Councilor
Thomas.
With a unanimous vote
Joseph was appointed to
the Sam-O Swim Com-
mittee.
SEE CITY COUNCIL
PAGE 8
Snake River fee
proposal
comments
sought
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (WWNF) is
extending the public input period associated with the
proposed Special Recreation Permit Fee on the Wild and
Scenic Snake River to September 30, 2016.
“Since being published in the Federal Register on June
22, we have received significant input associated with the
fee proposal,” said Wallowa Mountains Office, Deputy
District Ranger Jake Lubera. “We have heard ideas as-
sociated with; alternative fee structures, the use of the
facilities and the willingness from many individuals and
groups to help address the stewardship needs of the river.
Other boaters have commented on their limited use in
the Scenic river section, and concerns about the impacts
of a permit fee for families. To honor this active public
process as well as provide additional time, we would like
boaters and other interested publics to continue to com-
ment until the end of September,” said Lubera.
Public input can be submitted at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/
SnakeRiverPublicInput . Following the close of the public
input period on September 30, remarks will be made
available for review on the WWNF website. After that
time, the WWNF will analyze the input for presentation
to the Resource Advisory Council. No decision regarding
the fee proposal has been made at this time.
This proposed Special Recreation Permit Fee ranges
from $5 to $10, depending on public input received. If
implemented, it would be, a per-person, per-trip that is
collected from all boaters and passengers during the pri-
mary river season. Exemptions to the proposal would be
outfitters and their employees, travel by land owners and
guests to private land inholding; and any person who has
right of access for hunting or fishing privileges under spe-
cific provisions of treaty or law. The proposed fee would
be used to help provide a sustainable funding source for
stewardship of the Wild and Scenic Snake River such as
improving maintenance of developed facilities and his-
toric sites used for recreation, expanding interpretation,
addressing health and safety concerns and providing extra
river patrols.
For more information, questions or to submit input
about any of these new fee proposals, please contact Jake
Lubera, Deputy District Ranger, Wallowa Mountains Of-
fice at 541-426-5581 or jlubera@fs.fed.us or Mike Ball,
River Manager, Clarkston Office at 509-758-0616 or and
comments-pacificnorthwest-wallowa-whitman@fs.fed.us
Please visit the 2016 Wild and Scenic Snake River Fee
Proposal website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/WildScenicS-
nakeRiverProposedFee to submit input and thank you for
participating in this public sensing process.
Swimmers
compete in CA
Submitted Photo.
Jared Miller.
Submitted by Noel Scott
Jared Miller and Riana Scott completed their season by
qualifying for and competing at championship meets in
California. The following are their results.
Jared Miller competed in the USA Swimming Futures
Championship held August 4-7 at Stanford University.
He swam personal best times in all of his events.
400 IM 37th
100 Back 33rd
200 Back 7th
Riana Scott competed in the Western Zone Senior
Championship meet held August 2-6 in Clovis, CA.
There were over 940 athletes entered in this meet. She
swam personal best times in almost every event.
100 Free 154th
200 Breast 68th
200 Free 162nd
400 IM 39th
200 IM 80th
50 Free 251st
100 Breast 100th
She was also a member of the Inland Empire All Stars
relay teams.
800 Free relay 39th
400 Medley relay 28th
400 Free relay 27th