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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 2015)
B8 Sports/Outdoors Blue Mountain Eagle WOLVES Continued from Page B1 “There’s no other species we would delist when it’s absent from almost 90 percent of its habitat,” Weiss said. Oregon’s ranchers, who had urged the ODFW commission to follow the guidelines of the wolf plan and the recommendations of the department’s biologists, cheered the decision. “I’m relieved,” said Todd Nash, wolf committee chairman for the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association. “This sends a message to cattle producers that the ODFW Com- mission will stand by its commit- ment.” Nash said ranchers would not have supported a partial delisting. “When we were paying the price (of livestock attacks) in Eastern Or- the +27 egon, we fully believed we were doing it for the whole state,” Nash said. “And we were proud to do it.” The decision does not bring major changes to the way Oregon manages wolves, which migrat- ed to the northeast corner of the state 15 years ago following their reintroduction in Idaho and Wyo- ming by the U.S. Fish and Wild- life Service. Oregon’s first pack was confirmed in Wallowa County in 2008; the state now has at least nine packs, defined as four or more wolves traveling together. The state wolf management plan remains in force with the commis- sion’s decision. It allows ODFW-ap- proved “controlled take,” or killing, of wolves in cases of chronic live- stock attacks or if wolves cause a decline in prey populations, chief- ly elk and deer. Ranchers, as they can now, are able to shoot wolves caught in the act of attacking live- stock or herd dogs. None have been killed in that manner. corn e r’s 6+ 7 EEK OF THE W 6 $5$+ E 11,6 Oregon’s wolf plan does not al- low sport hunting of wolves. More than 150 people packed the ODFW hearing room and 106 signed up to testify. Activists op- posed to delisting wolves, many of them wearing matching orange T-shirts, made up a majority of the audience. A sprinkling of men in cowboy hats — Eastern Oregon cattle ranchers who have borne the stress and cost of wolf attacks on livestock — clustered on one side of the hearing room. The testimony echoed the argu- ments that have been made since Oregon’s wolf population reached the number of breeding pairs that trigger consideration of delisting under the management plan. Conservation groups and their allied argue that the state’s bio- logical status report on wolves was flawed and should have been peer-reviewed by other scientists. ODFW staff belatedly circulated the report to biologists they knew, Wednesday, November 18, 2015 but conservationists said that was insufficient. “If this commission chooses to delist it will make a very sad and powerful statement about who and what it serves,” said Jonathan Jel- en, development director for the conservation group Oregon Wild. Livestock producers, however, argued they’d followed the wolf plan in good faith and expected the ODFW Commission to do the same. “Oregon ranchers honored their obligation to follow the plan,” said Jerome Rosa, executive director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Associ- ation. “This is one of the reasons wolves multiplied in our state.” Paul Henson, state supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in Portland, was invited by the commission to testify. Henson said he’s “very confident” wolves will continue to recover, calling it “one of the easier scientific ques- tions” he’s considered. “As long the management plan is followed, wolves will expand into their historical range and be successful,” he said. To take wolves off the endan- gered list, ODFW commissioners had to make five findings: Wolves aren’t in danger of ex- tinction in any portion of their range; their natural reproductive potential is not in danger of failing; there’s no imminent or active dete- rioration of their range or primary habitat; the species or its habitat won’t be “over-utilized” for scien- tific, recreational, commercial or educational reasons; and existing state or federal regulations are ade- quate to protect them. Commissioner Chair Michael Finley and commissioners Holly Akenson, Bruce Buckmaster and Bob Webber favored delisting. Commissioners Gregory Wolley and Laura Anderson voted against it. Commissioner Jason Atkinson was unable to attend. S ENECA YOUTH BAGS BIG ONES Girls 1A volleyball players honored Blue Mountain Eagle School: Prairie City Grade: 11 Parents: Glen and Andrea Ennis Sport: Volleyball What I like best about my sport: “I like how it’s a team sport, and you get to work with everyone. I like everything about it – it’s fun.” Coach’s Comment: “Sarah is a team player with a positive attitude who is a pleasure to work with. She makes the team better when she leads by example, taking advice and working hard on improving every day.” – Coach Louanne Zweygardt Contributed photos Proud sponsor of Grant County athletes 100 E. Main ¬6WRSOiJKW in -RKn 'a\ 10 02997 Seneca resident Rylee Browning, 13, shot this 4x4 bull elk, left, while hunting with her mom and dad, Winnie and Brad Browning, earlier this month. She took down the elk with her Ruger 7mm-08 Remington with a Murderers Creek tag on private land. She also brought home a 4x4 deer during hunting season. GRANT COUNTY – Prai- rie City and Dayville/Mon- ument girls volleyball All- League honors for the 1A-8 High Desert League have been announced. For the Prairie City Pan- thers, coached by Louanne Zweygardt: Brianna Zweygardt, soph- omore, Setter of the Year. Amaya Zweygardt, se- nior, ¿rst team. Cassie Hire, sophomore, second team. Sarah Ennis, junior, hon- orable mention. For the Dayville/Monu- ment Tiger, coached by Tiff- nie Schmadeka: Emma Hettinga, senior, second team. Kendall Hettinga, junior, honorable mention. Seventh Street facelift progressing Seventh Street will soon sport mile-long trail By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle JOHN DAY – New up- grades are taking shape at Seventh Street Complex in John Day. The John Day-Canyon City Parks and Recreation Department was awarded $347,000 from the Oregon Parks and Recreation, with a $90,000 match, for the im- provement projects. Call the John Day Golf Course Clubhouse at 541-575-0170 and ask for Jessy or Ronda Office manager Kimberly Ward said workers should finish the Jimmy Allen Me- morial Trail this week. The path, which was par- tially paved, will be extend- ed to create a full loop and a full mile. Rough spots on the existing trail are also being repaired. A concrete slab was poured for a picnic shelter under construction near the tennis and basketball courts and skate park. Ward said new restrooms for that area will be deliv- ered in early December. Iron Triangle is the con- tractor, with Tidewater pav- ing the trail, Mike Voigt building the picnic area, and other help includes An- dy’s Plumbing and electri- cian Ty Parsons – all local businesses. B REAKING N EWS A LERTS myeaglenews.com/breakingnews 02991 “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” - President Harry S. Truman Whether at home or abroad, active duty or reserve, living or deceased, let us help you honor your friends and loved ones in uniform. In the months ahead, Doug’s Motor Vehicle Repair will be highlighting members of the armed forces in the Blue Mountain Eagle. Featured individuals will also receive a $50 gift certificate from Doug’s Repair. Stop by the Blue Mountain Eagle or Doug’s Motor Vehicle Repair to submit a photo and brief history of their time of service. To those who gave their lives, and those who bravely fought today, thank you. Warning: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. Polaris Industries Inc. 02992 02981
