FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7
Outdoor Rec / Local
FARM / RANCH
12 yr.-old
sorrel mare.
14 hands high.
$1000.
541-519-5035.
HELP WANTED
BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT is currently accepting
applications for two Paraprofessionals for the sum-
mer program “The June Experience.” For a complete
description of the position and the application process, go
to Job Openings at www.Baker5J.org. You may also call
Cathy Martin at 541-524-2261, or email at cathy.martin@
bakersd.org. 4.28
BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT is currently accepting ap-
plications for two Paraprofessionals for the Jump Start
Summer Program. For a complete description of the
position and the application process, go to Job Openings
at www.Baker5J.org. You may also call Cathy Martin at
541-524-2261, or email at cathy.martin@bakersd.org. 4.28
HERBACIDE GIVEAWAY
For 2017, Baker County Weed District will again be
giving out herbicide on the following locations, dates,
and times. This fully mixed, ready-to-go herbicide will be
targeting whitetop and scotch thistle. Folks need to bring
chemical-resistant containers, preferably gas or oil cans,
and a pair of chemical-resistant gloves. Please, no food
containers. There will be a five gallon limit imposed for
each residence.
Note location for Baker City Giveaways!
Where
Huntington Lions Park
Richland/Halfway
Wildflower Corner
Baker City
Old ODOT Building
1050 S. Bridge
Baker City
Old ODOT Building
1050 S. Bridge Street
Hereford Hall
Unity Hall
Date
May 5
Time
9:00 - 12 AM
May 12
7 - 12 Noon
May 20
7 - 12 Noon
May 27
7 -12 Noon
June 2
June 2
9 - 10:30 AM
11:00 - Noon
5.26
— SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH —
Suicide Prevention
BY SUNNY WERNER
Sunny@TheBakerCountyPress.com
According to the World
Health Organization,
800,000 lives are lost to
suicide annually.
Suicide is a major public
health concern. According
to the National Institutes of
Mental Health, over 40,000
people die by suicide each
year in the United States; it
is the 10th leading cause of
death overall.
Almost everyone has
been affected by the loss of
friends or family members
to suicide. In rural areas
the losses affect the whole
community whereas, in
densely populated towns
and cities, the families
often mourn alone.
Anyone can be a victim
of suicide. From famous
stars to tragically young
preteens, from isolated
and lonely elders to those
who appear to have not a
care in the world, the news
and social media keep us
apprised of the mounting
numbers.
The reasons for some-
one to end their life are as
varied as the individuals
who suffer, but some of the
most common issues are:
• Depression, other men-
tal disorders, or substance
abuse disorder
• Certain medical condi-
tions
• Chronic pain
• A prior suicide attempt
• Family history of a
mental disorder or sub-
stance abuse
• Family history of
suicide
• Family violence, in-
cluding physical or sexual
abuse
• Having recently been
released from prison or jail
• Being exposed to oth-
ers’ suicidal behavior, such
as that of family members,
peers, or celebrities
(National Institutes of
Mental Health)
It is important to re-
member that, while many
people have one or more
of these issues present, that
doesn’t mean they will be
victims.
Teen suicides caused
by bullying, both online
and in person, continue to
increase.
Suicide is the second
leading cause of death
among young people aged
15-34 resulting in about
4,400 deaths per year, ac-
cording to the CDC. For
every suicide among young
people, there are at least
100 suicide attempts. Over
14 percent of high school
students have considered
suicide, and almost 7 per-
cent have attempted it.
Studies by Yale Univer-
sity have determined that
victims of bullying are
between two to nine times
more likely to consider
suicide.
The 22-per-day veteran
suicide statistic issued by
the Veteran’s Administra-
tion has recently been
found to not be an ac-
curate representation; the
numbers may be even
higher. New research has
found that the statistics
were drawn from a smaller
reservoir of facts than
previously published.
Researchers found that the
risk of suicide for veter-
ans is 21 percent higher
when compared to civilian
adults. From 2001 to 2014,
as the civilian suicide rate
rose about 23.3 percent,
the rate of suicide among
veterans jumped more than
32 percent.
The problem is par-
ticularly worrisome among
female veterans, who saw
their suicide rates rise
more than 85 percent over
that time, compared to
about 40 percent for civil-
ian women.
Women veterans are
more likely to be success-
ful in a suicide attempt
than non-veteran women
because they tend to use
more lethal methods.
The actual numbers of
women veterans lost to
suicide are under-reported
and underestimated, most
often because they are
not identified as veterans.
Because these numbers
are not accurate, there is a
severe lack of treatments
and interventions that are
gender-specific.
Elder suicide rates are
also climbing dramatically.
Whereas the population of
those 65 and older com-
prises 13% of the total
population of the U.S.,
elder suicides account for
18% of the total suicides.
Suicide in the elderly is
most commonly precipitat-
ed by untreated depression,
according to Suicide.org.
To make matters worse,
approximately one-third
of the elderly suffer from
untreated depression.
Many seniors have the
belief that depression is a
normal part of ageing.
This is most certainly
not the case and, with the
necessary medical care
and interventions, seniors
can expect to live the rest
of their lives as fully as
in their younger years.
There are several medical
issues which may increase
the danger of experienc-
ing depression. These
include thyroid disorders,
diabetes, Parkinson’s
disease,multiple sclerosis,
strokes,tumors and some
viral infections
There is also a num-
ber of commonly used
medications that can cause
Stock Photo.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Starting
in February month and ending in this issue, The
Baker County Press has run a series on the subject
of mental health, two articles per month leading up
to May. Written in installments by various report-
ers, the series has addressed both well-known and
lesser known mental illnesses, their symptoms, how
they affect individuals and families, and methods for
treatment.
symptoms of depression,
and these are frequently
the very medications
most often prescribed to
seniors. These medica-
tions are blood pressure
medication, arthritis
medication,hormones and
steroids.
Often, family and friends
are the first to recognize
the warning signs of
suicide. It is vital that they
recognize that suicide is
not a normal response—
suicidal ideation or
attempts are not harmless
bids for attention. They
are a very serious sign of
extreme distress and must
not be ignored.
If a family member or
friend is exhibiting any of
the following behaviors
it is extremely important
that they obtain help, both
medical health and mental
health are components of
treatment.
•Talking about wanting
to die or wanting to kill
themselves
• Talking about feeling
empty, hopeless, or having
no reason to live
• Making a plan or look-
ing for a way to kill them-
selves, such as searching
online, stockpiling pills, or
buying a gun
• Talking about great
guilt or shame
• Talking about feeling
trapped or feeling that
there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable pain
(emotional or physical)
• Talking about being a
burden to others
• Using alcohol or drugs
more often
• Acting anxious or
agitated
• Withdrawing from fam-
ily and friends
• Changing eating and/or
sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking
about seeking revenge
• Taking great risks that
could lead to death, such as
driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking
about death often
• Displaying extreme
mood swings, suddenly
changing from very sad to
very calm or happy
• Giving away important
possessions
• Saying goodbye to
friends and family
• Putting affairs in order,
making a will
The National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline has
these suggestions:
Ask: “Are you thinking
about killing yourself?” It’s
not an easy question but
studies show that asking
at-risk individuals if they
are suicidal does not in-
crease suicides or suicidal
thoughts.
Keep them safe: Reduc-
ing a suicidal person’s ac-
cess to highly lethal items
or places is an important
part of suicide prevention.
While this is not always
easy, asking if the at-risk
person has a plan and
removing or disabling the
lethal means can make a
difference.
Be there: Listen care-
fully and learn what the
individual is thinking and
feeling. Findings suggest
acknowledging and talking
about suicide may in fact
reduce rather than increase
suicidal thoughts.
Help them connect: Save
the National Suicide Pre-
vention Lifeline’s number
in your phone so it’s there
when you need it: 1-800-
8255 (TALK).
SEE MENTAL HEALTH
PAGE 9
Man arrested
in shooting of
25 elk
On April 8, 2017, at about 9:30 a.m., the Oregon State
Police Fish and Wildlife Division arrested Larry Harsh-
field, age 69, of Wallowa, following a search warrant and
concluding an extensive investigation into locating 25
elk carcasses in various states of decay. Twelve of the elk
carcasses were located on the Harshfield property and 13
more were located on adjoining property. None of the elk
carcasses appeared to have had any attempt to salvage
meat from them.
Harshfield was arrested for 12 counts of Unlawful Take
of Elk in a Closed Season, and 12 counts Waste of Elk
for the dead elk found on his property. He was lodged at
the Wallowa County Correctional Facility and additional
charges for the 13 dead elk found on the adjoining prop-
erty have been referred to the Wallowa County District
Attorney for consideration.
A violation of any provision of the wildlife laws (such
as the unlawful take of elk), or any rule adopted pursu-
ant to the wildlife laws, is a Class A misdemeanor if the
offense is committed with a culpable mental state in
Oregon. If convicted, a person can be charged with the
maximum penalty of $6250, have their hunting privileges
suspended and forfeit weapons or other items used in the
commission of the crime(s).
Anyone with information regarding wildlife violations
is encouraged to report the information to the Oregon
State Police Turn in Poacher (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-
7888. Information can remain anonymous.
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 (24/7)
TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM
- 5:00PM)
(Please use the TIP Hotline for Weekend and Evening
Reporting)
Information on the T.I.P. Reward Program:
The Oregon Hunters Association offers rewards to per-
sons, through their T.I.P. fund, for information leading to
the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made
of a person(s) for illegal possession, killing, or taking of
bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope,
bear, cougar, wolf, furbearers and/or upland game birds
and water fowl. T.I.P. rewards can also be paid for the
illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of
game fish, and/or shell fish, and for the destruction of
habitat.
In addition rewards may be paid for information lead-
ing to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest
made of a person(s) who have illegally obtained Oregon
hunting/angling license or tags. People who “work” the
system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are
not legally hunting or angling and are considered poach-
ers.
Rewards:
Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose $1,000
Elk, deer, antelope $500
Bear, cougar, wolf $300
Habitat destruction $300
Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or
tags $200
Game fish, shell fish $100
Upland birds, waterfowl $100
Furbearers $100
Hunting tags
reduced due
to winter loss
Temperatures never reached freezing for 28 consecu-
tive days and hit as low as -23 in Baker County this past
winter. The snow depth exceeded 18 inches throughout
the county.
District Wildlife Biologist Brian Ratliff compared this
year’s winter to 1993-94. “It came early, it lasted long
and the snow kept accumulating,” he said. “We have had
winters like this historically but not in the last 10 years.”
Early spring flight surveys of mule deer showed the win-
ter took a toll on mule deer. Usually, surveys count fawn
ratios (fawns per 100 adults) in the mid-30s. This year, 11
fawns per 100 adults on average were counted across the
county with some units being as low as 8 per 100 adults.
While the average winter loss of adult radio-collared does
being studied in the Blue Mountains is around 8 percent,
Baker County lost 32 percent.
The region’s Rocky Mountain elk fared better due to
their larger size, so there are no reductions in elk tags.
“We saw some elk mortality, as we always do, but it was
not significant,” Ratliff explained. “Due to their size, elk
can generate more body heat at less energetic cost and
they can get thru crustier snow easier than smaller ungu-
lates like deer and pronghorn.”
ODFW is reducing pronghorn and mule deer controlled
tags in the units effected to conserve wildlife populations.
Hunters in these units should expect to see fewer yearling
animals (spikes and 2-points) this fall. (These age classes
made up about 33 percent of Baker County’s harvest last
year.)
Baker County pronghorn and buck tags will be reduced
by 50 percent, and two doe hunts on agricultural lands
will be cancelled. Union County tags will be reduced
35 percent. Malheur County tags will be reduced by 40
percent in the Beulah Unit and 25 percent in the Owyhee
Unit.
A table with this press release and the breakdown
of reductions is here: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/
news/2017/04_apr/041417d.asp.