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PHOTO COURTESY ANNA MARIE KUHN
LIKE A
Hunting
OUTDOORS
IN GRANT COUNTY
GRANT COUNTY IS A POPULAR SPOT FOR BOW AND RIFLE HUNTERS, WITH
EIGHT OF THE NORTHEASTERN BIG GAME UNITS LOCATED EITHER PARTIALLY
OR FULLY WITHIN ITS BORDERS
If there is one thing outdoorswoman
Anna Marie Kuhn loves about living in Grant
County, it’s the ability to hop in her truck
and be at a hunting spot in a short period of
time.
“I like the closeness of the mountains to
the recreation,” she said. “And the variety of
animals to hunt — the turkeys, antelope,
deer, elk, cougar and bear. I also do a lot of
horn hunting.”
Kuhn added she’s been hunting since
she was a young girl and enjoys hunting on
public property, without the help of guides.
A 10-year resident of John Day, she
works as a corrections deputy at the Grant
County Jail.
When she’s not working, she looks for
opportunities to hunt, sometimes alone
with her dog and 4-wheeler, other times
with her partner Doug Story.
Two years ago, she and Story had a
memorable deer rifle hunt in Grant County.
After seeing four bucks cross the road in
their hunting area, they waited for the rain
to let up and followed their fresh tracks to
see if they’d moved under a rim.
“We were both able to get a buck, one
after the other,” she said. “It was so neat
being able to share a moment like that
because that kind of luck doesn’t happen
very often. Needless to say, we were soaked
to the bone when we finally got both bucks
down to the pickup!”
Kuhn mostly hunts deer and elk, and
she said the best part is “the reward of filling
your tag after a long hike, after not seeing
anything — having to glass, and having
patience.”
She said when they hunt, they enjoy
camping off the roadside in the forest, and
they prepare for unpredictable weather,
bringing a camp trailer if the weather is
snowy.
“All of the Malheur Forest in Grant
County is awesome,” she said. “The scenery
is going to be beautiful no matter where
you go.”
TANNI WENGER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS PHOTO
ANNA MARIE KUHN
At certain times, the Phillip Schneider Wildlife Area is also a hunting setting. Controlled hunting seasons are staggered
throughout the year. Tag drawings determine when and where hunters may hunt.
There are controlled seasons for bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, black bear, pronghorn antelope, deer and elk. There
are also general seasons for deer or elk bow hunting, and black bear and cougar hunts.
Bird hunters take part in pursuit of upland game birds, including grouse, chukar, California and mountain quail and migratory
game birds, such as ducks and geese.
For more information: See the Oregon Big Game and Game Bird regulations booklets, or view them at www.dfw.state.or.us
SHOOTING RANGES
Enjoy target shooting? Need a place to safely sight in your
rifle? Enjoy competitive shooting events? Various shooting
events take place throughout the year. The ranges also offer by-
permission use of their facilities.
SENECA TRAP RANGE - At the south end of Seneca,
turn west on Camp Creek Road a short distance.
Facility includes two trap ranges, one skeet range and a 100-
yard small arms range. Restroom facilities are on site.
Almost every Sunday beginning at 10 a.m., all are welcome
to join in. It’s $4 for 25 bird shoots, and $2 for 10 practice bird
shoots. The pot is split, depending on what is taken in. Weather
permitting, barbecues are fired up; otherwise, finger foods are
brought.
For more information: Call Dean Nodine, 541-575-1918.
BEAR CREEK RIFLE RANGE - Located .9 mile north
of Highway 26, 10 miles east of John Day, between John Day
and Prairie City.
This site features a covered, eight-bay firing line and one
of the best rifle ranges in the West.
The 1,000-yard range has become popular with many
shooting enthusiasts, including black powder fans. Set in a small
valley, with targets scattered throughout, the range also
accommodates pistol shooters. An archery range is planned.
The site features year-round portable toilets.
A scorekeeper’s booth was completed in spring 2011, built
in an old-west style with a false front.
Those using the course at other times must be with a trained
safety officer who is a member.
For more information on Bear Creek Rifle Range: Call
president Don Mooney, 541-575-0064. Heading up the black
powder group is Jim Sproul, who can be reached at 541-620-
0231.
For more on the shotgun enthusiasts group: Call Carroll
Walton, 541-820-4624.