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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, February 1, 2007 Page 21 Ike Says… From page 3 cause such a wide decline in the deer herd. So why would predators be a factor now? There has been some research that sheds some light. A study of Adult Black tailed deer mortality on Vancouver Is- land stated: “We documented mortality causes and estimated average monthly survival…for 105 ra- dio-collared black-tailed deer at 4 sites on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, from Febru- ary 1982 through June 1991. Predation accounted for 61% of all deaths…and occurred most- ly during February-June.” A UC Davis study that was designed primarily to study sheep predation as compared to wild prey, used scat samples from controlled areas that were sheep range and had a good population of both/either coastal Blacktails or Mule Deer. They found: “Consumption of deer was probably considerably greater than that of small mammals in all territories given that the in- dex we used, frequency of oc- currence, tends to underesti- mate consumption of large rel- ative to small prey. Indeed, based on estimates of bio- massconsumption for the entire study area, deer (32%) and sheep (24%) composed con- siderably greater proportions of the coyote diet than did any small prey, among which the greatest consumption was of woodrat (10%), vole (8%), and lagomorph (6%). Estimated biomass consumption of mis- cellaneous rodents not includ- ed in the present study totaled less than 8%. Did you catch the predator that was mentioned in the study? Yep, the coyote. So why would coyotes be a prob- lem now, when we have always had coyotes? What we didn’t have previously was Hair Loss Syndrome (HLS). A coyote’s livelihood depends on being able to catch things to eat. Looking at the two studies above, it becomes evident that coyotes are more effective at taking adult deer than most of us ever realized. This is why the antlerless hunts of the 70s, 80s and 90s had such an im- pact on the deer herds, and also explains the severe drop between age classes in the deer herd which was observed in tooth age structure studies. But reasoning would have us believe that as the deer herd declined so would the coyote population, but this is where HLS comes into play. The criti- cal time for coyotes is the same as for deer and elk, winter. Now add HLS into the equation and, instead of having a few healthy, hard to catch deer in the woods, deer are becoming sick right when coyotes need them the most. From Decem- ber to April, deer are succumb- ing to HLS and the coyotes are mopping up on them. What is happening is that the coyote population is being held artifi- cially high, while the deer popu- lation continues to decline. This is a predator pit situation TRIVIA ANSWERS Trivia answers (from page 17) 1. French Canadian trappers of the Hudson’s Bay Com- pany. 2. Portland’s Benson Poly- technic High School. 3. Dorothy McCullough Lee, in 1949. 4. Hillsboro, in a one-room log cabin. 5. Silver, in the 200-meter run. 6. Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. and the end game is that both deer and coyotes will eventual- ly decline to very low numbers. As long as HLS is around, coy- otes will have an advantage they never had before. Is there an easy solution to this problem? Nope. Izaak Walton League, Nehalem Valley Chapter meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Call 503-429-7193 for location. Did You Know… From page 18 ing our contact with the group I had a healthy discussion with a young man who was question- ing why they could not publicly fight in this manner. According to Oregon Re- vised Statutes (ORS) 163.160 “Assault IV” is committed when a person “Intentionally, know- ingly or recklessly causes physical injury to another…” Even if the fighters are con- senting adults who engage in mutual combat, the fight could constitute an Assault IV. If this crime is committed in the pres- ence of an officer, we will defi- nitely take some kind of action. The young man felt what they were doing was not illegal and was essentially safe. I had to disagree with the young man having seen numerous serious injuries resulting from simple fights, especially resulting from subjects receiving a blow to the head. Unfortunately, I have also seen fatalities resulting from one punch or relatively mi- nor incidents. The young man asked me if I was against the concept per- sonally and I told him I was. Unless the fighting is a sanc- tioned event with trained med- ical personnel on-site I can not agree with individuals assault- ing each other under these cir- cumstances. I have been told that the Vernonia version of “Fight Club” is going to contin- ue to occur. I was even told that the people involved are doing this because they are “bored.” I would hate to see someone lose their life or get seriously in- jured because they were “bored.” LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE City of Banks – Public Notice can be obtained at City Hall, 100 S. Main Street, or by calling 503-324- 5112. Applications must be received at City Hall no later than 1:00 p.m., Febru- ary 7, 2007. for the position may be obtained at City Hall. Appointment to the Planning Com- mission will be made by the City Coun- cil at their February 13, 2007 meeting. Applications can be obtained at City Hall, 100 S. Main Street, or by calling 503-324-5112. Applications must be received at City Hall no later than 1:00 p.m., Febru- ary 7, 2007. planting and maintenance of tree vari- eties to achieve a stable and sustain- able forest. Trees reduce noise pollu- tion, runoff, water contamination and improve air quality in addition to provid- ing shade and beauty. A Tree Board, with help from the Oregon Forestry De- partment, will identify problem trees and shrubs, obtain professional recom- mendations, insure proper trimming and tree care, etc. Five volunteers will work under the direction of City Coun- cil. If an interest in our urban forest is growing on you, volunteer for the Tree Board by filling out an application at City Hall, 100 S Main St, or by calling 503-324-5112. City Council – The City of Banks is accepting applications from persons in- terested in a position on the City Coun- cil. The Council has one vacancy that must be filled by any registered voter living within the Banks City Limits for the past 12 months. Additional informa- tion regarding City Council qualifica- tions may be obtained at City Hall. Ap- pointment to the City Council will be made by the City Council at their Feb- ruary 13, 2007 meeting for a term that expires in January 2009. Applications Planning Commission – The City of Banks is accepting applications from persons interested in a position on the City of Banks Planning Commission. The Planning Commission has one va- cancy that can be filled by anyone living inside the city limits. This position is a voting position. Additional information regarding the necessary qualifications Tree Board – The City of Banks is establishing a Tree Board to enhance the benefits of a healthy urban forest for it’s citizens. Volunteers will meet a few times each year to recommend Volunteers need for the Budget Committee – The City of Banks is look- ing for persons interested in a position on the City Budget Committee. Inter- ested persons need to live within the Banks City Limits. Additional informa- tion regarding these positions may be obtained at City Hall. Applications can be obtained at City Hall, 100 S. Main Street, or by calling 503-324-5112. Publish February 1, 2007
