OUTDOORS & REC
B2 — THE OBSERVER & BAKER CITY HERALD
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2021
Meat of hunting season underway
Archery season
begins today, with
controlled hunts for
deer in all units
EO Media Group
Oregon’s big game
hunting season is already
underway, with bear, ante-
lope and some other hunts
ongoing, but the meat of the
season begins today with
the start of archery season.
The 2021 season is note-
worthy for one signifi cant
change — all archery deer
hunting in Eastern Oregon
is controlled this year.
The Oregon Fish and
Wildlife Commission
decided last year to end the
general archery season for
Eastern Oregon, in which
there was no limit on tags,
and archers could hunt in
any legal area. But this year
bowhunters had to apply
for a deer tag for a specifi c
unit, the same system that
applies for rifl e seasons.
Eastern Oregon con-
trolled archery deer tags
are not valid in the Western
Oregon general archery
season. Eastern Oregon
controlled archery deer tags
are valid only in the unit
or units identifi ed for each
hunt.
The Fish and Wildlife
Commission is considering
making a similar change for
archery elk hunting starting
in 2022, although some
units would retain gen-
eral seasons based on the
current proposal. Another
change aff ects bear hunters.
Due to COVID-19-re-
lated offi ce closures, bear
hunters are temporarily not
required to check-in their
animal at an Oregon Depart-
ment of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW) offi ce, though they
do still need to report basic
information about their har-
vest within 10 days. Hunters
need to call the fi eld or dis-
trict offi ce closest to their
house and report their name,
ODFW ID number, date of
harvest, location of harvest
(wildlife management unit),
sex of animal and confi rma-
tion number for electronic
tags. Or, they can email all
the above information to
ODFW.WildlifeInfo@state.
or.us.
ODFW has released a
hunting forecast for this
fall.
The agency predicts that
hunters might see a few
more yearling bucks thanks
to a mild winter and good
overwinter survival. Early
season hunters will be chal-
lenged by the dry condi-
tions, however.
Beulah, Sumpter,
Keating, Pine Creek,
Lookout Mt. units
Fire conditions are
extreme and hunters should
check with local land man-
agers to fi nd out the latest
conditions, as they can
change rapidly. The Wal-
lowa-Whitman and Uma-
tilla national forests eased
public use restrictions to
Phase B starting today.
That means campfi res are
allowed in campgrounds
and other designated rec-
reation areas, as well as in
wilderness areas.
On the Malheur National
Forest, Phase C restrictions,
which prohibit all camp-
fi res, remain in eff ect.
DEER
Overwinter survival was
fair in Baker County with
an average fawn ratio of 30
per 100 adults counted in
the spring of 2021. Animals
will be the most active early
in the morning and late in
the afternoon when tem-
peratures cool off . Hunters
should concentrate their
eff orts in areas of good
forage near north slopes
that provide good bedding
cover.
The Beulah unit is still
recovering from the winter
of 2016-17 with a fawn
ratio of 24 per 100 adults.
The buck ratio is 14 per
100 does, which is just
below the buck manage-
ment objective of 15 per 100
does. As a result, tag num-
bers will remain at lower
levels into the future to
allow population to recover.
With last year’s tag cuts,
hunter success was 35%,
which was down 10 per-
cent from the previous year.
There will be a few more
yearling bucks available for
harvest this year, but only a
small increase.
ELK
Elk herds in Baker
County came out of the
winter in good shape. Bull
ratios are at or near man-
agement objective and
calf ratios were good in all
units. Elk populations in
the Keating, Pine Creek
and Lookout Mountain
units continue to grow and
off er good opportunity for
hunters. For the best chance
at tagging an elk, get as far
away from roads as pos-
sible, perhaps by hunting
in one of the cooperative
Travel Management Areas.
Dry conditions can make
hunting diffi cult. Animals
will be the most active early
in the morning and late in
the afternoon when tem-
peratures cool off . Hunters
should concentrate their
eff orts in areas of good
forage near north slopes
that provide good bedding
cover.
Wenaha, Sled
Springs, Chesnimnus,
Snake River, Minam,
Imnaha units
DEER, ELK
While mule deer popu-
lations are still low, white-
tailed deer have had better
fawn survival and buck
season is expected to be fair
in all units. Elk populations
are doing well, and hunters
can expect good prospects
for bull hunting in all units.
Deer populations are below
management objective in all
units, while elk populations
are above in all units except
the Wenaha and Snake
River.
Archery season is
expected to be warm and
dry, making hunting con-
ditions a little diffi cult.
Archers in the Sled Springs
unit need to be aware of
motor vehicle restrictions
and no camping restrictions
on Hancock Timber prop-
erty during fi re season.
The district has not
detected any drop in deer or
elk populations as a result
of wolf activity.
Starkey, Catherine
Creek, East Mt. Emily
units
Deer populations are
below management objec-
tive in all units. Cath-
erine Creek buck ratios are
climbing and have been
over the past three years.
Hunters may encounter
more yearling bucks this
season due to an increase
in fawn survival over the
winter. Starkey unit buck
ratios are below manage-
ment objectives and have
been for several years; fawn
survival over winter was
average. East Mount Emily
buck numbers are stable
and above management
objectives.
White-tailed deer num-
bers remain stable across
the county. A disease out-
break (EHD) in North-
eastern Oregon had little
impact on the white-tailed
deer in Union County.
The Grande Ronde muz-
zleloader hunt is a great
opportunity for hunters to
harvest an animal.
ELK
Elk numbers area
stable throughout Union
County. Over winter sur-
vival was high with good
calf numbers overall. Bull
ratios have been low in the
Starkey Unit but are above
average in the Catherine
Creek Unit. Mt. Emily Unit
continue to provide trophy
quality hunting opportunity.
The Starkey Unit Travel
Management Area is a
great place to start for big
game hunters new to the
area; maps are available
online or at the La Grande
offi ce. General spike season
is a great time to elk hunt
in the Starkey unit without
the crowds of fi rst season.
Look for elk in the steep
terrain of the Starkey and
Catherine Creek units. The
Access and Habitat pro-
gram continues to provide
genuine hunting oppor-
tunities within Union
County and should not be
overlooked.
La Grande’s
Certified Master Arborist
Upgraded certification striving
to deliver the best care
Starting a list for
Dormant Pruning
Season
M ICHAEL
Master Certified Tree Care
Planting • Pruning • Removal
M. Curtiss PN-7077A
541-786-8463
CCB# 200613
michaeltcurtiss@yahoo.com
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114 Self-Help
Group Meetings
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Monday, Thursday, & Friday
at 8pm. Episcopal Church
2177 First St.
Baker City
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2021
110 Announcements
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DEADLINES:
LINE ADS:
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Thursday: 8:30 am Wednesday
Saturday: 8:30 am Friday
DISPLAY ADS:
2 Days Prior to
Publication Date
114 Self-Help
Group Meetings
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
Please email your contact information and
the content to be included in the ad to:
Calvary Baptist Church
Third & Broadway
Baker City, OR
EVERY THURSDAY
6:15 - 8:00 PM
classifieds@bakercityherald.com
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
If you are unable to email please call:
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Deadlines for Classified Ads
4:00 PM two days prior to publication
Tuesday Publication..........Friday by 4 PM
Thursday Publication.....Tuesday by 4 PM
Saturday Publication....Thursday by 4 PM
110 Announcements
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Hospice & Pallative Care, LLC
“Affirming life......every day, every time”
THE DEADLINE
for placing a
CLASSIFIED AD
is 4:00 P.M.
TWO BUSINESS DAYS
BEFORE PUBLICATION
Publication Days:
Tuesday,Thursday,Saturday
VOLUNTEER
doing what you love!
Volunteering is so rewarding
and a great way to contribute
to your community.
If you would like to volunteer
a little, a lot, or once in awhile,
go to www.gohospice.com
and fill out a volunteer application
If you need assistance contact:
Lori at 541.524.7688
PULL TABS
ACCEPTED
AT THE FOLLOWING
BAKER CITY LOCATIONS
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Baker City Herald
Dollar Tree
Black’s Distributing
Ryder Bros
VFW
Baker Elk’s Lodge
Main Event
Lefty’s Tap House
Little Bagel Shop
Baker City Fire Dept.
Haines Sell-Rite
Idle Hour
Salvation Army
Check out our classified ads.
114 Self-Help
Group Meetings
AA MEETINGS
Wednesday Nights, 7-8:15pm.
Fort Union Grange Hall, corner
of McAlister & Gekeler Lanes.
For more info, call 541-786-1222
Eager buyers read the Classified
ads every day. If you have some-
thing for sale, reach them fast
and inexpensively.
AL-ANON Attitude of Gratitude.
Wednesdays, 12:15-1:30pm.
Faith Lutheran Church.
12th & Gekeler, La Grande.
541-786-2051
AL-ANON
Keep Coming Back Family Group
Mondays, 7 pm
at NKWest, 1208 Adams,
La Grande, OR
Drug Problem?
We can help!
Narcotics Anonymous
Phone: 541-805-2229
www.neo-na.org
T.O.P.S.
Meets every Tuesday Morning
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
LDS Church in Island City.
Fragrance Free Group
Calvary Baptist Church
Third & Broadway
Baker City, OR
EVERY THURSDAY
6:15 - 8:00 PM
DO YOU HAVE....
HURTS, HABITS
and/or HANG UPS?
12 Step Biblical Support
Harvest Church
3720 Birch St. Baker City
Thurs., 6:30 - 8:30 PM
CRUISE THROUGH classified
when you’re in the market for a
new or used car.
LA GRANDE NOW HAS A
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
MEETING!
Every Friday Night @5pm, 2107
Gekeler Ln, LG, Church of Christ
basement. For more info please
call 971-219-8411
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Goin’ Straight Group
Meetings:
Mon., Tues. Thurs. & Fri.
Start at 8 PM
Episcopal Church Basement
2177 1st Street, Baker City
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
Would you like to
stop compulsive eating?
For Information Call
541-523-5128
Leave a Message
Email: ecapoa@live.com
Someone’s
drinking a problem?
AL-ANON
Meetings available by phone
Info for Baker City Meetings
Call: 541-523-5851 or
541-239-7323
PEOPLE with PARKINSON’S
Caregivers, Family, Friends
SUPPORT GROUP
Contact Judith at
208-855-9199
Meetings resume @GRH
when restrictions ease.
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUP
(Support for family & friends of
Alcoholics)
Tuesday evenings
Joseph Methodist Church
(basement on northside)
Joseph, OR
6-7pm. Contact 541-398-1398