A10
SPORTS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Contributed photo
Baldemar Vargas with his 2020 private land cougar.
SHOOTING THE BREEZE
Cat scratch fever
Contributed photo/Acentric Rodeo
Bailey McCracken, a freshman at Grant Union High School, competes at the National High School Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska, last
month. She placed 51st out of 187 riders in barrel racing.
D
espite my chron-
ally killed.
ically habitual cli-
It is
chéd column titles, I
believed
hope you’ll stay tuned in —
that one
I think at least in this case
adult cou-
gar eats
that Mr. Ted Nugent would
between
approve. Recently I read a
Dale Valade
one and two
study taken in one of the
Western states wherein white- deer per week. That’s roughly
tail deer revealed something
50-100 deer each year, per
of a 50% death loss with their cougar. The average hunter
would be hard pressed to take
fawns. After collaring and
that many game animals in a
extensive study the follow-
ing year, black bears proved
lifetime. The latest estimate
to be the culprit in most cases, I’ve heard from the Oregon
yet wolves and cougars were
Department of Fish and Wild-
life is that there are some-
partly to blame. Ray Charles
where in the neighborhood
could see that here in Oregon
of 8,000 cougars in the state
we have been experiencing
of Oregon alone. Even at one
a steady decline in our once
legendary mule deer numbers. deer a week per cougar, that
works out to over 400,000
Don’t get me wrong, I’m
deer per year at 8,000 cats.
not merely trying to knee-
Legislative
jerk place the
blame solely
RAY CHARLES changes in 1994
have in effect
upon preda-
COULD SEE hamstringed
tors. The prob-
lem, as usual, is THAT HERE IN hunting efforts
far more com-
by prohibiting
OREGON WE the use of dogs
plex and mer-
its a more com-
pursue and
HAVE BEEN to
plex answer
tree mountain
than to merely EXPERIENCING lions and bears.
Still, each year,
grab your gun
A STEADY
many Oregon
and shoot some-
thing. That
con-
DECLINE IN hunters
being said,
tinue to punch
of the many
OUR ONCE tags on both
complexities
species simply
LEGENDARY by being out in
involved with
our declining
hills.
MULE DEER the Whether
deer population,
or
one we hunt-
NUMBERS. not you agree
ers can have a
with the moral-
ity of hunting these crea-
direct effect upon is predator
tures, it is permitted with the
populations.
proper licensing and is nec-
Both black bear and cou-
gar have general season (over essary to maintain the proper
predator-prey balance in the
the counter, no lottery) tags.
ecosystem. And as a hunter I
Each costs a mere $16, and
encourage you, our readers,
you can buy a second tag for
each species after filling your to do some research, buy tags
first tag. Spring bear is a draw and hit the hills.
These additional hunt-
hunt, but fall black bear gen-
eral season starts Aug. 1, and
ing opportunities are more
cougar general season runs
good excuses to be outdoors,
year around.
and you’ll be helping to fur-
ther perpetuate the existence
Coyotes, which require
of our deer and elk herds for
no tag (you still need a hunt-
ing license on public land) to
future generations.
hunt, too play a smaller role
How do you feel about
in the lessened survival rate
the cougars and black bears?
of deer fawns and elk calves
Write to us at shootingthe-
each year. Yet, unlike cougars, breezebme@gmail.com!
Dale Valade is a local
coyotes will eat whatever car-
rion they encounter; a moun-
country gent with a love for
tain lion will typically not eat
the outdoors, handloading,
something it has not person-
hunting and shooting.
IN THE FINALS
McCrackens compete at National
High School Finals Rodeo
“IT WAS EXCITING TO BE THERE WITH ALL
OF THOSE PEOPLE, TRAILERS AND HORSES
EVERYWHERE. AND THERE WAS
A REALLY BIG CROWD.”
—Bailey McCracken
Contributed photo/Acentric Rodeo
Sam McCracken, a senior at Grant Union High School, competes at the National High
School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska, last month.
Debbie Ausmus
245 South Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845
OPEN WED. & THUR.
9 am - 5 pm
541-575-1113
S254312-1
BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND
CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE
2
15 % & 10 %
A
OFF
OFF
FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!
+
Promo Code: 285
1
Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
CALL US TODAY FOR
A FREE ESTIMATE
5 % OFF
LIFETIME
WARRANTY
1-855-536-8838
877-557-1912
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
FREE
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE
A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Off er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency
conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac-
tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License#
7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License#
2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905
Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration#
PA069383 Suff olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114
Special Financing Available
*Off er value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately.
S256390-1
Your home is only as smart as your Internet.
40
$
/mo.
when bundled,
plus taxes &
equip. fee.
12 mo agmt, other qualifying service (min
$19/mo) & combined bill req’d. $10/mo equip.
fee applies. Incl 1TB data/mo. $10 chrg for
each add’l 50GB (up to $100/mo). †
Cut cable internet
and switch to AT&T
Internet. Call now!
Blazing Fast
Internet!
‡
• Plans up to 100 Mbps.
19 . 99
$
/mo.
• The bandwidth to power multiple
devices at once.
where available
Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
Limited availability. May not be available in your area.
Call to see if you qualify.
Iv Support Holdings LLC
888-486-0359
Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T Internet services. Not all speeds available in all areas. Call to see if you qualify.
$40 INTERNET OFFER: Price for Internet (768k - 100) for new residential customers when bundled with another qualifying AT&T service (DIRECTV, U-verse TV, AT&T TV or AT&T Phone or postpaid AT&T wireless). Prorated ETF ($180) applies if
Internet is disconnected before end of 12 months. Must maintain all bundled services to receive advertised pricing. Additional Fees & Taxes: Excludes cost-recovery charges, where applicable and $10/mo equipment fee. Activ/Installation: $35
activation fee (self-install) or $99 installation (full tech install) may apply. Credit restrictions apply. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. † Unlimited data allowance may also be
purchased separately for an add’l $30/mo., or maintain a bundle of TV & Internet on a combined bill and receive unlimited internet data at no add’l charge. For more 1 info, go to att.com/internet-usage.‡ Internet speed claims represent maximum
network service capability speeds. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. For more information, go to att.com/speed101. AT&T Smart Home Manager is available to AT&T Internet service customers
with a compatible AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway. Features limited to home Wi-Fi network. 2 Parental Controls and Data Usage features available with BGW210, 5268AC and NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateways. 3 AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a BGW210,
5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole-home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately. Offers may not be combined with other promotional offers on
the same services and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Other conditions apply to all offers. ©2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks
contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.
S256394-1
Subject to Credit Approval
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase,
install and activate the generator with a participating dealer.
Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
S256389-1
One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel
Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
• Free Smart Home Manager App 1
with Parental Controls. 2
• Get a seamless whole-home Wi-Fi
experience with AT&T Smart Wi-Fi. 3
7-Year Extended Warranty*
A $695 Value!
Limited Time Off er - Call for Details
(844) 989-2328
S256391-1
AT&T Internet
www.canyoncreekclinic.com
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
WE INSTALL
YEAR-ROUND!
TO THE FIRST 50
CALLERS ONLY! **
Accepting new Patients! Go to:
Prepare for unexpected
power outages with a
Generac home standby
generator
A Smarter
Way to Power
Your Home.
SENIORS &
MILITARY!
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
1
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm • Sat 9am-5pm
234 NW Front St., Prairie City • 541-820-3675
2-YEAR
TV PRICE
GUARANTEE
64
$
99 190 CHANNELS
MO.
Local Channels!
for 12 Mos.
America’s Top 120 Package
Including
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
1-866-373-9175
No more tanks to refi ll. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN
ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom
for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and
portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even
on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances!
Reclaim Your Freedom And
Independence NOW!
Offer ends 11/15/21.
All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more.
Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.
S256393-1
R GU
RD
GU
TE
’S
TH
N
T
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!
1
235 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, Oregon 97845
S254309-1
debbie.ausmus@
countryfinancial.com
NATIO
541-575-1263
FAIR TIME & BACK TO SCHOOL APPAREL
BOOTS * JEANS * SHIRTS * HATS
24 hrs/7 days wk
E
Shawna Clark, DNP, FNP
S254307-1
Last month, two siblings from
Grant Union High School competed
at the National High School Finals
Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Bailey McCracken, a sophomore,
finished in the top third overall in bar-
rel racing, an event where a horse and
rider attempt to run a pattern around bar-
rels in the fastest time.
In Bailey’s third performance on her
horse, Chex, she clocked a time of 18.412,
and came back in the eighth with a time of
18.162. Overall, Oregon’s Rookie of the
Year finished in the top 51 out of 187 rac-
ers in the aggregate.
In her other event, girls cutting, she
finished 59th overall.
Bailey said it was “really exciting”
just to compete at the national level.
“It was exciting to be there with all of
those people, trailers and horses every-
where,” she said. “And there was a really
big crowd.”
Sam McCracken placed 72nd in boys
cutting, an equestrian competition where
a horse and a rider demonstrate both the
horse and rider’s ability to handle cattle
before a panel of judges.
Sam made his best run on his horse
ever at nationals, but, in his third perfor-
mance in the pattern, he turned the wrong
direction, which cost him a mandatory
40-point deduction, and he was too far
behind to catch up.
If he could have gotten the points
back, he would have finished 37th over-
all. Nevertheless, Sam came back in his
sixth performance and scored a 181.
Sam has taken the top spot in the state
in boys cutting the last two years and sec-
ond place in 2019. This was the third time
he has competed at the national level.
Additionally, because of his accom-
plishments, Sam, a senior this year, was
nominated by his peers in the National
High School Rodeo Association to “Team
Cinch,” for how he has carried himself
both in and out of the arena.
Call Inogen Today To
Request Your FREE Info Kit
1-855-839-0752
© 2020 Inogen, Inc.
All rights reserved.
MKT-P0108
S256392-1
By Steven Mitchell
Blue Mountain Eagle