OUTDOORS & REC B2 — THE OBSERVER & BAKER CITY HERALD SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022 ODFW warns people to leave baby animals alone EO Media Group SALEM — Offi cials from the Oregon Depart- ment of Fish and Wild- life (ODFW) have issued their annual reminder to people to leave deer fawns, elk calves and other young wild animals alone rather than try to “rescue” them. These babies are rarely actually abandoned, according to ODFW. In most cases the mother is out foraging or is nearby and will return. In the rare cases when a person actually sees the parent killed, or if the young animal is injured, ODFW recom- mends calling the agency, the Oregon State Police or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Each year during spring, ODFW offi ces receive an infl ux of calls from people who picked up a fawn, calf, fl edgling bird or other young animal, believing it had been aban- doned or orphaned. When these animals are taken out of their nat- ural habitat, they can miss the chance to learn how to avoid predators, forage or hunt for food, and other vital skills, according to ODFW. Because of the damage it can do to both wildlife TURKEYS Continued from Page B1 What appeared to be jet- black body feathers shone marvelous emerald, ruby, and bronze when rolled in the orange glow of the evening sun. His beard was twice the circumfer- ence and immaculately full compared to the other toms I had been watching. His spurs were short, only a half-inch or so, but as big around as a dime. His tail fan and rump feathers were Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife A mule deer fawn follows its mother into the underbrush. and people, removing an animal from the wild is illegal under Oregon wild- life laws, specifi cally ORS 487.308. Agency offi cials also urge people to keep pets and other domestic ani- mals away from wildlife. Deer and elk see dogs as a threat to their young so may act aggressively in response to disturbance from a dog. Birds Oregon’s deer and elk give birth from May through July. It’s nat- ural for mother animals to leave their young alone and hidden for extended periods of time while they go off to feed, so never assume a young animal is orphaned when you see it alone. The mother will return when it’s safe to do so — when people, pets or predators aren’t around. Some baby birds, called fl edglings, may become separated from their par- ents as they learn to fl y. These are sometimes mis- taken as abandoned birds. Unless obviously injured, fl edglings should be left where they are or lifted carefully back into the nest or onto a branch to avoid predators, so they have the best chance at survival. Ducklings and goslings frequently become sepa- rated from their mothers due to disturbance from fl awless, possibly because he was a younger bird who avoided tussles with the older toms. “I’m going to pre- tend that bird came to my calling,” I mentioned to my buddy Dean, who had fi lmed the hunt, knowing that the screeching from the box call would likely have cost me that bird had it been later in the season. Had I not called at all, it’s a safe bet that his evening routine would have brought him to me regardless. I had watched this fl ock from the point of a lower ridge for two days and knew where and how they moved. The fl ock was roosting and sheltering in the canyon conifers and traveling the logging road morning, noon, and night. Thirteen toms were vis- ible from my vantage and the seven that called that canyon home would take turns strutting in pairs in the opening at the end of the logging road. I set my hen decoy at the mouth of the road and slipped in behind the brush pile 30 Deer and elk humans or predators. If you spot young waterfowl without a mother, please leave them alone and leave the area so the mother can return. With the recent detec- tions of highly patho- genic avian infl uenza (HPAI) in Oregon, it is more important than ever to avoid close con- tact with waterfowl (ducks and geese) this spring and summer. Do not feed ducks and geese. Feeding congregates susceptible birds and enables the dis- ease to spread between birds more easily. Also, note that Oregon’s wildlife rehabilitators are not cur- rently accepting sick ducks and geese to protect other avian patients and educa- tion birds in their care. Marine mammals The advice to leave ani- mals in the wild applies to all wildlife — including adult and young marine mammals that are com- monly seen alone resting on rocks or the beach in spring and summer. Beachgoers should stay away from resting seals and sea lions and keep dogs away from these animals as well. Marine mammal strandings should be reported to OSP’s hotline at 1-800-452-7888. yards adjacent while the birds loafed in the timber. It was a slam dunk. Whether you are new to the game of gobblers or you have mastered sweet- talking the wisest old toms, scouting and patterning Rios can be an ace in the hole for bagging spring long-beards in the Blues. █ Brad Trumbo is a fish and wildlife biologist and outdoor writer in Waitsburg, Washington. For tips and tales of outdoor pursuits and conservation, visit www. bradtrumbo.com. Tom Claycomb/Contributed Photo The camp cook is going to get fi red. Sardines, vanilla wafers and peanut butter is a prison-diet meal. HUNT Continued from Page B1 But despite the low numbers, I did get enough shooting to make it fun so I’d highly recommend you go this week. Due to the ammo shortages/exorbitant prices the last couple of years hunting with airguns is the perfect way to go and almost makes the Umarex slogan, 2022, The Year of The Airgun, prophetic! If you’re a kid on a paper route budget all you need is an airgun and a tin of pellets. But like all of our outdoor endeavors, if you can aff ord them, these items will enhance the hunt and make you more suc- cessful. Here’s some gear I’d recommend. Airguns On this hunt I took the Umarex .25 caliber Gauntlet and .22 caliber Origin. I like PCP airguns but they are more expen- sive and complicated. The cheapest airguns to shoot are the break barrels. I have a Ruger Blackhawk. I’d recommend using a .22 or the .25 is even better. The .177 doesn’t have as much whoomph. Optics A lot of airguns come with a scope. My Origin didn’t so I put a Burris Droptine 4.5-14x on it. I like higher magnifi cation because you’ll be shooting small game. Make sure your scope is airgun com- patible. Spring action break barrels can be tough on scopes. You’ll want bin- oculars to help fi nd the little prairie rats. I like 10x binoculars. Miscellaneous gear • You’ll want a bipod to shoot off of. I use the Bog Adrenaline. If you’re a kid, get two half-inch dowel rods and tape them together six inches from one end and spread them out to shoot off of. • Take a pad to sit on. Or better yet a lightweight backpacking chair so you’re elevated and can see over the brush. • All pellets are not cre- ated equal. I’ve tested a mil- lion brands and JSB are the most accurate. Check out their Hades or Knock-Out pellets. Or their Diabolo Dome shaped pellets work great too. And lastly, while you’re out in the high desert country, slow down and enjoy your surroundings. I saw a boatload of white- faced ibis on this hunt. One time my 87-year-old buddy Roy shot a whistle pig. I was watching through my binoculars and said you got him. About that time a hawk swooped down and snatched him up so I cor- rected myself and said “You had one!” Once a badger ran out and grabbed one. Badgers are beautiful but they’re the Mike Tyson on the high desert. Stay away from them. Now’s the perfect time to grab an airgun and get out and enjoy nature. Have fun. 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