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6KHUL൵¶VUHSRUWSDJH 50¢ VOL. 144 NO. 4 10 Pages Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon ODFW says mule deer decline predating Measure 18 implementation, citing multiple contributing factors In response to feed- back from our readers, The Heppner Gazette is com- mitted to keeping up with all the latest updates from WKH6KHUL൵¶VUHSRUW:HXQ- derstand that the commu- nity values being informed about the activities and events happening in Mor- row County As such, we will try to provide regular and comprehensive cover- DJHRIWKH6KHUL൵¶VUHSRUW Winter Weather Chaos 9HU\OLWWOHPHQWLRQRIZROYHVDVVLJQL¿FDQWWKUHDWWRPXOHGHHU By Chris Sykes The Oregon Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is nearing the completion of its Mule Deer Management Plan’s ¿QDO GUDIW$V SDUW RI WKH last phase of this process, ODFW hosted two final webinars in October 2023 and January 2024. These webinars provided an op- portunity for stakeholders and the public to learn about the plan’s details and pro- vide feedback. Mule deer mortality The ODFW conducted a research study on mule deer populations at the Starky experimental sta- tion from 2019 to 2023, with a particular focus on juveniles. They also studied adult mule deer populations from 2005 to 2023. Each year, they collared 50 mule deer to investigate overall mortality rates within four days of death. The research revealed that neonate mortality (birth to four months) showed that 36% of the fawns survived, while 64% died. The main causes of death were coy- otes (19%), cougars (11%), bobcats (6%), bears (6%), natural causes (13%), and unknown predation (9%). For juvenile mortality (6- 12 months), survival rates were 60%, while 40% died. The major causes of death were coyotes (11%) and cougars (8%). However, as the mule deer mature, the percentage of kills switch- es, with cougars becoming the main predator. Interest- ingly, bears do not have a significant impact on the deer population later in the season. Wolves had little H൵HFWRQWKHVWXGLHV Another interesting ¿QGLQJLVWKDWZKHQUDEELW populations are low, fawn kills by coyotes tend to increase. This is because coyotes will target fawns when their preferred prey is scarce. Additionally, Mule deer buck&RQWULEXWHG3KRWR coyotes occasionally take advantage of cougars by stealing their kills, as the prey is already dead. How- ever, cougars retaliate by killing coyotes that try to steal their food. Predator removal From the mid to late 2000s, ODFW conducted a study on reducing predation SUHVVXUH LQ VSHFL¿F DUHDV across the state. The study focused on six areas for cougars and one area for coyotes, aiming to enhance population performance. The Heppner Unit was se- lected as the target area for cougars, with the goal of decreasing cougar density and increasing cow and calf elk ratios. Predator removal measures were implement- ed in the area. The imple- mented predator removal strategy proved effective in improving cow and calf elk ratios in the fall season. +RZHYHUQRVLJQL¿FDQWLP- provements were observed in deer population metrics during the study in the fall. During a ques- tion-and-answer session with ODFW representatives in October, it was discussed that predator removal has QRW VKRZQ VLJQL¿FDQW DQG ORQJODVWLQJH൵HFWVRQPXOH deer populations, according to their data. However, it was agreed that predators do have an impact on mule deer populations. The de- cline in mule deer popula- 0DSVKRZLQJWKHVL[GL൵HUHQWXQLWVWKDWWKH2'):WDUJHWHG for predator removal years ago. - Contributed image tions across western states cannot be solely attributed to predator presence, as oth- er factors such as changes in habitat quality and human activities also play a signif- icant role. ODFW representative say the decrease in the deer population cannot be solely attributed to the im- plementation of Measure ZKLFK EDQQHG VSHFL¿F hunting practices such as using hounds to hunt cou- gars and bait. The ODFW indicated that the decline began prior to 1994 when the measure was put into H൵HFW9DULRXVIDFWRUVKDYH contributed to this decline, making it impossible to single out Measure 18 as the sole cause. Habitat Another question raised was what has changed that decreased habitat quality to support larger numbers of mule deer populations. Several changes have con- tributed to the decrease in habitat quality. One ma- jor change has been the increase in dry and wet cycles which have had a significant impact on the vegetation in their habitat. As a result, the cultivation of crops specifically for wildlife, has transformed. In addition, there has been a decline in timber harvests, leading to less light reaching the ground and resulting in less avail- able forage for mule deer. Furthermore, recent years have seen more extreme weather patterns, including both intense dry spells and heavy moisture during win- ter. These fluctuations in weather also contribute to the deterioration of habitat conditions. ODFW states that hu- man activities have a neg- ative impact on the Oregon landscape, with recreational DFWLYLWLHV KDYLQJ D VLJQL¿- FDQWLQÀXHQFHRQGHHUDQG -Continued to PAGE THREE Community Counseling Solutions Project in Morrow County to receive $2 million Salem - On January 4th, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek unveiled a $25 mil- lion partnership with Co- ordinated Care Organizers (CCOs), Oregon’s regional- ly based Medicaid insurers, to address the increasing profits recorded by these organizations during the Covid-19 pandemic. With over 1.5 million individu- als enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, according to healthinsurence.org, which serves low-income Ore- gonians, the need for af- fordable and accessible healthcare is paramount. In response to this, Governor Kotek requested the CCOs to reinvest an additional $25 million towards proj- ects aimed at bridging the gaps in behavioral health coverage. This partnership, formalized through a Mem- orandum of Understanding, represents a collaborative H൵RUWEHWZHHQ&&2VSUR- viders, and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to support the mental well-be- ing of Oregonians. The $25 million investment has been allo- cated towards four projects across the state, ensuring geographical diversity and a focus on serving the youth population. 1. Trillium Family Ser- vices Project - Portland Metro Area: $13.2 million 2. Adapt Project - Douglas County: $7.5 mil- lion 3. Looking Glass Proj- ect - Lane County: $2.3 million 4. Community Coun- seling Solutions Project - Morrow County: $2 million To bridge the funding gap for new psychiatric residential treatment beds, the Community Counsel- ing Solutions Project in Morrow County has been allocated $2 million. This investment will enhance the capacity to serve individu- als in need of mental health care in an undeserved re- gion. It aims to minimize WKH ¿QDQFLDO EDUULHUV SUH- venting access to adequate treatment. According to the Na- tional Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approxi- mately 731,000 adults in Oregon live with a mental health condition. The state also faces challenges in the GHOLYHU\DQGD൵RUGDELOLW\RI mental health care, with Or- egonians being four times more likely to be forced out-of-network for mental health care compared to primary health care. This disparity impedes access to essential treatment and makes it financially bur- densome for individuals seeking help. “Oregon needs more treatment options to help young people in our state who are struggling with serious behavioral health issues,” Governor Kotek said in a press release on the 4th. “The state and CCOs developed a plan to reinvest surplus Medicaid dollars into Oregon communities, and this partnership will support youth behavioral health projects that we des- perately need.” The $25 million part- nership between Governor Tina Kotek, Coordinated Care Organizers, provid- ers, and the Oregon Health $XWKRULW\VLJQL¿HVDVLJQLI- icant step towards address- ing behavioral health gaps in Oregon. By investing in projects targeting the ex- pansion of psychiatric resi- dential treatment beds, this partnership aims to meet the increasing demand for mental health services, par- ticularly among the youth population. The cold and snow couldln’t stop Kim Gutierrez and his dog Edger last week.3KRWRE\*D\OH*XWLHUUH] Cam Sweeney on main street shoveling a walkway for drivers to get from their car to the sidewalk. 3KRWRE\&LQGL'RKHUW\ By Annalynn Black Morrow county resi- dents had quite the snow- ¿OOHGDGYHQWXUHWKLVPRQWK The snowfall was so in- tense that it disrupted the daily routines of many, including our schools, mail services, sports events, and even local businesses. Let’s dive into the winter wonderland misadventures that occurred. The schools in Morrow County had their fair share of cancellations and de- lays. Heppner High School district decided to hit the snooze button not once, -Continued to PAGE TEN Meetings planned to discuss issues in Morrow County The Morrow Coun- ty Citizens for Liberty & -XVWLFH DUH RUJDQL]LQJ ¿YH meetings across different cities in Morrow County. Led by Stewart Dick, top- ics to be discussed include MCHD ASA, para medics/ EMTs ambulance service, the location for the new Circuit Court House, Com- missioner/Administrators salary, Amazon tax abate- ment Commissioner deals, and nitrates in county wells. The meetings will be held on January 25th at 6pm at the Senior Center in Hep- pner, January 29th at 6pm at the Holly Rebekah Lodge in Lexington, January 31st at 6pm at the Irrigon Library Conference room, and Feb- ruary 5th at the Boardman Grange Hall. An Ione meet- ing at the Legion Hall is yet to be announced. A private ballot will be conducted after the January 25th meet- ing in Heppner. CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
