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