Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1980)
KKIHT-The Hpppner GaaeMe-Timps. Ileppmr, Oregon, Thursday, Spl'inhr 2.V i 'mo lecd proipecfs mt so good est em Oregon flouting sei Easlcrn Oregon dtvr Hunt ing season opens a week from Saturday. October 4, and although pood prospects are m peneraly for the eastern part of the state. Fish & Wildlife officials say the Heppner area isn't looking that good. Fish and Wildlife spokes men say that production and survival of mule deer in the Columbia Basin. Hoppner and Fossil units was the lowest on record in 1979 which will mean extremely poor numbers of yearling deer in the coming season. The following is a general rundown on Northeastern Oregon units and the pros pects for the upcoming deer, elk. bear, upland game and waterfowl seasons: Deer Production and survival of mule deer in the Columbia Basin. Heppner and Fossil units was the lowest on record in 1979 which will mean extremely poor numbers of yearling deer in the coming season. Some older age-class bucks will be found at the higher elevations in these units in heavy timbered areas. Deer are generally not con centrated near agricultural lands this year due to abun dant forage and water. In Walla Walla and Mt. Emily units pond numbers of forked horns are available this year but older age bucks will be scarce. The good forage production has animals con centrated at higher eleva tions. The north half of Ukiah Unit is recovering fairly well from heavy fawn losses two years ago and populations of deer will be heavy to yearling age-class animals. The south half of the unit, however, has not yet recovered and buck numbers are quite low. Wallowa County mule deer populations are below 1979 levels. The Imnaha. Minam and Sled Springs units had better fawn survival in 1980 but production is still below average. Because of the poor fawn survival, yearling buck numbers will be below normal. Union County deer populat ions have shown much im provement following the sev ere winter losses of two years ' ago. Good numbers of mature bucks are available as well as good numbers of yearling deer. Best prospects appear to be in Catherine Creek and Starkey units. Sumpter. Keating. Lookout Mountain and Pine Creek Unit deer numbers are similar to what was found last year. Fawn survival was up some what so a larger percentage of the availble buck crop should be of yearling age-class. There will be somewhat fewer older age bucks. Fair deer hunting is expect ed this year in Grant County. There is substantial improve ment over the very poor prospects seen last year al though deer populations are still somewhat below average. Elk Elk populatior s are showing a slight decline in Heppner and Fossil units because of the extensive road systems and reduced cover due to logging. Elk are scattered in small herds. Stormy weather will be needed to improve success after the opening weekend. Because of heavy harvest last frJ W W n- W 'J I m " year branch-nntlered bulls will be fewer in number. Bull numbers in Walla Walla. Mt. Emily and I'kiah units appear to be up some what with a fair In good carryover of older age-class bulls. Elk are widely distrib uted although the mid-elcval-ions may he belter than usual early in the season. Prospects are very good later for hunters with permits In hunt the antlerless seasons. Elk hunting prospects are good in most of Wallowa County Chesnimnus Unit and Snake River three-point units are by permit only as thev were in . 1979 Bull huntinc success is expected to be good in both units. The Imnaha. Sled Springs and Wenaha units are expect ed to be equal In or above last year's success. All three units are quite popular with hunters so there will be congestion in some areas. The Minam Unit experienced low calf product ion in 1979 so fewer yearling bulls will be available. Road closures will again he in effect in the Nnregaard. Chesnimnus and Grouse-I.ick Creek areas. First season taghnlriers should expect fair to good success in Starkey Unit. Dry conditions during last year's huntine season reduced suc cess so a larger percentage of older hulls are available. Siormv weather prior to the opening day will greatly improve success. The Cath erine Creek Unit should be comparable with last year. Success again will depend heavily on weather conditions. Elk numbers are about the same as last year in Pine Creek Unit but up somewhat in Sumpter and Keating units. Lookout Mountain, although not a primary elk area, does have some animals available and those hunters who know the country can do fairly Well. Elk hunting prospects in Grant County look pretty good this year. Bull numbers are generally up and a season at least as good as last year is anticipated. Better populat ions are found in management units in the northern half of the county, although chances for a real trophy bull are better in the south half. Bear Bear populations on the forested regions of northeast Oregon continue on a gradual increase. Logged areas in Starkey and Catherine Creek units appear to be especially productive. The use of dogs is almost a must for those mainly interested in bear although some are taken by deer and elk hunters. A bear tag is required and the sale cutoff date was August 22, the day before the general season opened. Gospel music to be presented at Irrigon church by Frances Rose Wilson ' A local instrumental and ! singing group "The Promise." ; will present gospel music al the Irrigon Assembly of God on Sunday. Sept. 2H. at 11 a.m. A member of the group who spent some time in Hong Kong will give a slide presentation of that citv. ison I'liland (in me Upland game production was above average for all species in Gilliam. Morrow and Wheeler counties. Chukar and Hungarian partridge pop ulations are high but birds are well scattered due to the abundant food and water this past summer, Lots of moisture came at the wrong lime in Umatilla Coun ty and first-attempt nesting success for pheasants was not verv good. Hut there was a substantial renesting effort and biologists have observed three distinct age-classes of young pheasants. There was a good carryover of adult birds and a population equal to or nearlv equal to last year is expected The hulk of this hunting is on private land and permission is essential. Quail were also late producers this year and it looks like fairly good populations after all in spile of early pessimism. Extremely heavy ground cov er exists this year and a good dog will be even more beneficial than usual. Pheasant hunting prnsiwMs in the Grande Ronde Valley are poor to fair. Low nesting IN SUfVrll mm V "L J FmFU BATTERY SALE Ourtntlr line of batteries on sale now thru September 30, 1960. Let the Sudden Service Team fit you with the battery that best suits your needs. (Popular Group 24) MOW Ymv Warranty YNimfMi !:. 4IWH Yaatr Warraaty YSew.S9 MOO-S Yr Warraaty Yew Sere 94.03 ' Passenger Warranty-Commercial Warranty Differs. Installed Free-Price with exchange. SUDDtN SfRVICf BDTS to open Sit. Oct. 4 suerss was observed. Pen raided birds will again he released on Ladd Marsh Management Area. Quail and Hun populations should he cnmparhle to last year. Baker County upland spec ies en joved an easy winter and a gmd adult carry-over was recorded for all species of upland came. Bui cold wet spring weather reduced nest ing success. Huns did a bit ; belter than other species, and quail munhers appear to Im up this vear. A fair chukar season is expected on the mainslem John Dav River in the Mt. 'Vernon to Kimberley area and on the South Fork John Day above Dayville. Brood counts were down but biologists have been seeing more birds since then. There is not a great deal of pheasant hunting in the John Dav Valley, but quail hunting can be good. Most is on private property, however, and land owner permission must he obtained Waterfowl Walerfnwling in Columbia Rasin counties is heavily dependent on flights of mi- 1 1 ill ri r I 1 i'S t 1 I i i u La j? POWER KING BiACXWAU 4 PLY POLYESTER CAR TIRES check po voum SIZE AND PmKXI A7HS 2415 mze nta - 67S-14 31.68 era-it S2.8S ina-if 34.49 puja iJi-,liBC' M f gr P"f 40.67 39.54 36.23 TteeiLB saw- grtiting waterfowl from the north. Little earlv season shooting is available. Good numbers of resident birds are available in the Grande Ronde Valiev. Prospects are good for the firsi week Late season sue-' cess will depend on weather and movement of migrant birds, A good hatch of resident gf-ese in Raker County should mean fair hunting earlv in the season. Heller hunting will occur later. Jump shooting for scattered ducks and geese is possible on all the streams in northeast Oregon Dales of Interest (Vtobor 3 - Deer Tag Sale Headline (Eastern & Western Oregon i : Handgun Validation Headline for Hcer. Oclnher 4 - General 0er Season Opens i Eastern & Western Oregon t : Chukar and Hungarian Partridge Season Opens (Eastern Oregon October 18 - Pheasant and Valley Quail Seasons Open: Mountain Quail Season Opens tEaslern Oregon): Chukar and Hungarian Partridge h n Vi LES SCHWAB ALL SEASON RADIALS For Total Mmhm SSMM MOa WmiO fmm ltmmt rMnrti 1 Vi '4 v 6 V APPLIANCE MOJOCK WHEELS The finest of quality and durability in sizes to fit most pickups and RV's. aize Mm ISaT ISaS ISalO 18 lt.Sat.7S.. It.SaS.tS.. lt.Saf.7S.. PRICES WEXCHANCE. ACCESSORIES EXTRA. Season Opens (Western Ore gon) Oelnhc-r ,11 Rocky Ml. Elk J'ag Sale Headline (First and Second Period Tags): Hunt er's Clmice Hecr Season Opens i Northwest Oregon)., 'MORBrrSfM MEW CHEVROLET ANMOUMCiMEN? DAY THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY Ron McDonald i 1,J 43.72 42.78 47.05 nUMII MACKOM.V- I WMfTCWAU n itmom 1 1. . . . .slack om y M7HI4 WMTTEWAiX 54.64 .55.58 .57.73 wiHit miraMU rwwimu wnmwiux- RIK7UH WMTTEWALL- 60.48 ...59.21 ntinuii wnrrrwux. 62.00 .65.24 PIM7M1S wmmMi, niMim wMrrcwAix. 69.83 WHITE cnauiar ...25.95 36.11 ..28.21 40.62 ..29.34 44.01 ...37.24 49.65 ...39.49 58.68 ...40.62 58.68 ...40.62 58.68 ... 45.14 66.58 jpljUS SCHWAff pASStNGER xires & RETREADS 1 SERVICE and WARRANTY CONTRACT November 1 Rocky Ml. Elk Season First Period Opens. November 7 - Roosevelt Elk Tau Sale Headline (First nnd Second Period Tags ) . November 8 - Rocky Mt. Elk Season - Second Period Op ens' Roosevelt Elk Season 25-26-27 676-9921 ft V r c WIN PHIZES FOR BIGGEST SPREAD WIHS A SET OF 4 KETKEAD T12ES OX SET OF 4 WHITE SPOKE WHEELS EACH WINNER OF THESE CATEGORIES WIKS CHOICE OF HI-LIFT JACK, OX SPAKE TIKE CAKXIEKS. TAD BIGGEST SPREAD AWARD FOR OLDEST SUCCESSFUL HUNTER YOUHGEST SUCCESSFUL HUNTER ALL ENTRANTS MUST BE PRE REGISTERED. JUDGES Decision is V RIDGE Et M ' Taagh NyUa FavStrraartk Attract! v MmUUi Whit rac SMyla 11K15...4 ply FET 4.50 7BB9 With Exchange First Period Opens. November 15 Roosevelt Elk Season - Second Period Opens. November ,10 - Handgun Validation Headline for Cougar, aaaRaaaaW 0 r ? final i' 1 BWy No Exchange Add $3.00 0 aHIS A LIMITED WARRANTY) 1. ROAD HAZARD 2. FREE FLAT REPAIR 3. FREE TIRE REBALANCE 4. FREE TIRE ROTATION 5. FREE TIRE INSPECTION 6. FREE AIR CHECK 7. TIRE REPLACEMENT POLICY 8. CASH REFUND i'liA' r 676-9481 or 676-9163 i -m
