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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 2017)
FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 Classifieds / Outdoors HELP WANTED BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT 5J is currently accepting applications for a Paraprofessional at Haines Elementary. Closing date is August 3, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. For a complete description of the position go to www.baker5j.org. You may also call Cathy Martin at 541- 524-2261 or email cathy.martin@bakersd.org. 7.28 LAWN / GARDEN PUBLIC EVENTS LAWNMOWER. Craftsman lawnmower. Works great but owner has upgraded to an easier to start mower for herself. Retailed for around $350. Asking $100 OBO. 541.519.0572. Leave a voicemail. LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS. 4 to 6 pm at Geiser Pollman Park Baker City Events presents Powder River Music Review. Public invited, attendance by suggested $5 per person donation. Weekly raffle winner! For complete list of events: www.facebook/powderrivermusicreview or www. bakercityevents.net. THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7 ODFW Weekly Recreation Report Northeast Zone Hunting OPEN: COUGAR, COYOTE, BEAR (opens Aug. 1) Is it really roadkill? roadstruck deer or elk as simple as possible, but that also discourage poaching,’ says Doug Cottam, ODFW wild- life division administra- tor.” This “Free- way to Fork” THE OUTDOOR COLUMN program may or may By Todd Arriola not go as well Not long ago, we learned as planned, that the State Legislature since the Commission will passed Senate Bill 372, undoubtedly have a dif- requiring the Fish and ficult task ahead in drafting Wildlife Commission to “simple” rules to simulta- adopt rules for issuing neously allow the salvag- permits to salvage deer ing of road kill, while and elk accidentally killed curbing poaching. by motor vehicles, subtly In partly addressing this known as “road kill.” balancing act, according to Hearing this news ODFW, the new legislation prompted obvious ques- says that “...deer and elk tions, such as how the can only be salvaged for Oregon Department of human consumption; that Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) antlers must be returned would know if road kill to ODFW; and that people was the result of an ac- will recover the roadkill cident or not. and consume the meat at The Department certainly their own risk.” considered that when it Despite having trav- issued its press release, eled on highways through without really providing country that should have an answer: “Salvaging virtually guaranteed that I roadkill has been unlaw- hit a deer or elk, miracu- ful to discourage people lously, though I’ve come from deliberately hitting close many times, the only a game animal with their animal I ever hit with a vehicle in order to keep the vehicle was a dog. meat or antlers. ‘ODFW I thought I’d killed him, will work to write rules and I informed the rancher, that make getting a permit who was feeding cattle not to legitimately salvage a far from the highway at the time, of the sad news, but, to my relief, I was told later by his wife that I just knocked the dog uncon- scious, without having broken one bone. I nearly added a couple of animals to that record, by Lake Bob, heading north on Old Trail Road one day. As I passed the lake, just for a second, I glanced at some of the birds in the water, and as I turned my attention back to the road, I shot the gap in between two dogs, both of whom I recognized as belonging to a local rancher who lives a few miles from there. Luckily, both had the deer-in-the-headlights look and reaction, rather than being in the sprint-for-the- speeding-truck mode. I’ve seen, and still see, my fair share of road kill, but I can’t say that the idea of salvaging the meat really came to mind whatsoever, since, unless I knew of the circumstances and when the accident (if it was one) occurred, I would just pass on it anyway. Having said that, I can understand the desire to salvage whatever can be, assuming the kill’s still fresh enough, and the carcass doesn’t look like it went through a meat grinder. I mostly have avoided making a habit of thor- oughly “investigating” road kill I happened to come upon, but one recent incident is an exception, though it can’t be strictly labeled “road kill.” One morning, as I was leaving my house, I noticed a small, reddish form out in the road, and I panicked initially, because I thought it was one of my cats, since they all have varying orange and white fur patterns, a few almost completely orange. I got out of my truck, and I was quickly relieved to discover that the animal wasn’t one of my cats, but I was less than thrilled to see that it was a red fox pup, which had been shot with what looked to be a .22 caliber bullet, judging from the hole in approxi- mately its shoulder. Rigor hadn’t set in, and other than the small hole, the fox appeared to be in remarkably good shape, as far as the condition of the hide is concerned. I have no idea who’d shot it, and I didn’t keep any part of it. The fox may have been harassing someone’s chickens— who knows—but I hadn’t noticed any of the foxes posing a threat to my cats yet, though I do hear their “alarm” barks at night, which have a distinctive sound. I don’t personally have any “dog in the fight,” and I can see both sides of the road kill debate, but it will be interesting to see how the topic is addressed in this State, a discussion which I’m sure will con- tinue for some time... Fire danger means increased restrictions on private lands Fuel Conditions and Fire Danger Prompt Fire Man- agers to Increase Restric- tions on Private Lands Recent hot and dry weather has increased fire danger in northeast Oregon. The indices that fire managers use to measure seasonal fire severity are indicating extreme fire conditions across the region. Oregon Department of Forestry- Northeast Oregon manag- ers are instituting addi- tional wildfire prevention measures in the Regulated Use Closure. Effective at 12:01 a.m. July 26, 2017 the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has added addi- tional restrictions to the Regulated Use Closure for lands within the North- east Oregon District. The Regulated Use Closure af- fects private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla and small portions of Mal- heur, Grant and Morrow Counties. The Regulated Use Closure is intended to prevent or minimize human-caused wildfires and to protect natural resources and public health and safety. “The increased restric- tions are put into place to help prevent human caused fires. The fuel conditions have reached the point where we need to try and prevent as many fire starts as possible.” said Matt Howard, Wallowa Unit Forester. So far this year, ODF’s Northeast Oregon District has had seven human- caused fires that have burned 22.6 acres. Ad- ditionally there have been five lightning-caused fires that have burned 1.2 acres. The Regulated Use Clo- sure includes the following fire prevention measures: • Open fires are prohib- ited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated loca- tions. Designated locations within the Regulated Use Closure area includes, but is not limited to, the following Oregon State Parks: Emigrant Springs, Ukiah Dale, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Junction, Red Bridge, Wallowa Lake, Minam and Unity Lake. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed. • Debris burning is pro- hibited, including the use of burn barrels. • Chain saw use is pro- hibited, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chain saw use is per- mitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one 8 ounce or larger fire extin- guisher. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the use of each saw. • Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the wa- ter, or at a cleared area. • Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), is prohibited except on improved roads, except in the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops. • Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Cutting, grind- ing and welding of metal is permitted at all other hours, if conducted in a cleared area and if a water supply is present, unless specifically waived by the State Forester. • Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment is pro- hibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. • Use of fireworks is prohibited. • Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed by a nationally recognized testing labora- tory or be certified by the Department of Consumer Business Services; and 2) Operated in compli- ance with manufacturer’s instructions. Also prohibited during fire season is the use of ex- ploding targets and tracer ammunition. Sky lanterns are illegal in Oregon. Citizens are asked to continue to use caution and adhere to regulations. Possession of the follow- ing firefighting equipment is strongly encouraged (except on state highway, county roads and drive- ways): one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. The public is also re- minded that the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, as well as the BLM are currently under public use restric- tions. Free pheasant hunts for youth hunters – Sign up now Free hunts are being held in Baker City, Irrigon, John Day, and La Grande. These events are only open to youth who have passed hunter education. (ODFW has many hunter education classes and field days available before the events.) An adult 21 years of age or older must accompany the youth to supervise but may not hunt. More info. Wolves in Northeast Oregon: Wolves are pro- tected by state law and it is unlawful to shoot them. Coyote hunters in northeastern Oregon need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall. Please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to La Grande office (541) 963-2138 or online with the Wolf Reporting Form. BAKER COUNTY Cougars can be found throughout Baker County but hunters should target areas with high concentra- tions of deer and elk. Setting up on a fresh kill or using distress calls can all be productive techniques. Hunters are required to check in the hide of any cougar taken, with skull and proof of sex attached. Remember a 2017 cougar tag and hunting license is needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. Coyote numbers are good throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. GRANT COUNTY Scouting in the Murderers Creek Unit? Most of the visitors to Rainbow Gathering have likely left Mal- heur NF by now. Ground Squirrels are starting to emerge. There are some good hunting opportunities on private land along the John Day Valley, Fox Valley, and Bear Val- ley. Most hunting areas on private land so remember to get permission before you hunt. Cougar hunting remains open. Successful hunters should remember that check-in of the hide with skull and proof of sex attached is mandatory; see the regulations for details. Remember a 2017 cougar tag and hunting license is needed to hunt. Coyote numbers are good in most of the district. Coyotes may respond to distress calls. Try calling in the early morning and late evening. MORROW, GILLIAM AND WHEELER COUNTIES Cougar hunting is open. Cougar are well distrib- uted in our forested areas. Calling with distress calls or cougar vocalizations can be effective. However, locating a fresh, naturally made kill has the best chance of success. Remember a 2017 cougar tag and hunting license is needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. The Coyote population is healthy with good numbers of coyotes available for those who wish to pursue them. Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game dis- tress calls can be very successful. UMATILLA COUNTY Cougar are well distributed in forested areas of the Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, and Ukiah units. Hunters will have best success by finding a fresh naturally made kill and sitting on it, or by using predator calls. Some success has come from following tracks until the cougar is located. Remember a 2017 cougar tag and hunting license is needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. Coyote are numerous throughout the County and hunters should have good success calling. Remem- ber to ask permission before hunting on private lands. UNION COUNTY Cougars are common in Union County. Focus on game rich areas with long ridgelines or saddles that cats typically travel. Setting up downwind of a deer or elk killed by a cougar can be productive. Nonresident hunters can include a cougar tag with others tags for only $14.50. All cougars taken must be checked in within 10 days of harvest; call for an appointment before check in. Remember a 2017 cougar tag and hunting license is needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. Coyote numbers are high throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area: Hunting on all lands North and East of Foothill Rd are closed. The Glass Hill portion of the wildlife area is open to hunting during authorized seasons only. Please refer to the ODFW big game and game bird regula- tions for season dates. WALLOWA COUNTY Cougar: Populations are moderate throughout Wallowa County. Most lions are taken incidental to other hunting; however, calling with fawn bleat, or locating a cougar kill and waiting for a cat to return are often successful techniques. Coyote: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling coyotes with rabbit distress type calls has been effective for hunt- ers. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote sign and little human activity.