Oregon Deer News
 Predatory Nonprofit? Fight over cougars and finances May 17, 2013 Oregon, BlueOregon ... [Steve] Chapman, OOC and the long-established Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) all share similar goals — to improve the herds for hunters in Oregon — but Chapman says he is no longer 100 percent certain that targeting predators and pushing bills allowing hound hunting or bear baiting are the answer. The problem lies with lands lost to grazing and roads built for logging, he says, not cougars and wolves. That’s not a popular stance to take among conservative hunting organizations that have long blamed and targeted predators... Ashland's wild deer numbers on the rise May 17, 2013 Oregon, Mail Tribune ... The 65 volunteers covered 56 sections of Ashland and counted 192 deer, according to a story in the Ashland Daily Tidings. This was up from 187 deer seen during a similar exercise in 2011... Those darn deer! How to repel the garden gluttons May 7, 2013 Oregon, Bend Bulletin ... Hang bars of soap near trees or shrubs ... Create a homemade repellent spray by mixing one part whole eggs to four parts water. (To avoid clogging your sprayer, remove the chalaza, the membranous white cord attached to the yolk.) ... Rotate repellents, either commercial or homemade... a motion-activated sprinkler ... Public meetings on big game regulations April 26, 2013 Oregon, ODFW Press Release ODFW will host a series of public meetings around the state in early May to accept public comment on proposals for big game hunting seasons. At the meetings, ODFW staff will provide information about herd health and populations, propose the number of controlled big game hunting tags to issue for this year and review concepts for 2014 big game regulations. 2013 Big Game Public Meeting Schedule (pdf) Oregon offers both general seasons and controlled hunts for big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mtn goat, cougar, and black bear). The number of tags for controlled hunts is limited and hunters must apply for them by May 15 each year. Staff proposals for tag numbers will be available at the meetings and posted on ODFW’s website in early May. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider staff recommendations and adopt final 2013 tag numbers and 2014 big game regulation concepts at its June 6-7 meeting in Tigard. Interested individuals may also provide input on ODFW proposals during public testimony at the June 6-7 Commission meeting in Tigard. Written comments can be sent to ODFW Wildlife Division, 3406 Cherry Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303 or e-mailed to odfw.comments@state.or.us Cougar hunting bill gets Oregon House approval April 23, 2013 Oregon, OregonLive.com ... the Oregon House narrowly approved a bill Tuesday that would overturn a voter approved ban on hunting the big cats with hound dogs... Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, a lifelong deer hunter, has been among those pushing for a change in cougar hunting policy. "This is really about game management and deer population," Clem said. The increase in cougars threatens deer and elk herds, which in turn hurts the sport of hunting in Oregon ... Top 10 Controlled Hunt Misconceptions, Deadline to apply is May 15 April 10, 2013 Oregon, ODFW ... After software engineer Ron Wold didn’t draw a tag he was sure he would, he created the Oregon Tag Draw Percentages website to help hunters figure out their chances. Hundreds view his website or contact him each year to get a sense of their chances. The book Oregon Tag Guide also helps hunters understand their odds. Wold spoke with ODFW about the most common mistakes and misconceptions about controlled hunts he sees among hunters: 1. The process itself: Here is a step-by-step process of how the random computerized controlled hunt draw works. [click on link above for details] Visit the Oregon Tag Draw Percentages website or get the Oregon Tag Guide for more detailed information on your controlled hunt draw odds and good luck! And if you have any questions on the process or would like to be at the drawing for seed numbers, call ODFW’s controlled hunts supervisor at 503-947-6108. Oregon combo deer/elk auction tag draws record bid March 7, 2013 StatesmanJournal.com ... The hunter who requested that his name not be given submitted the winning bid of $48,000 at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Elk Camp event March 1 in Las Vegas. The previous record was $45,000 in 2010... Shed hunt responsibly to protect big game February 21, 2013 Oregon, Albany Democrat Herald A growing number of people take to the woods during winter, looking for the antlers that have been shed by Oregon’s deer and elk... Oregon has an organization that promotes ethical practices for the sport—Oregon Shed Hunters, founded in in 2005 ... Access and Habitat program seeks regional council members February 21, 2013 Oregon, ODFW The Access and Habitat Program is looking to fill several regional council positions. The deadline to apply is March 4, 2013. Individuals living in the appropriate region (see map) with an interest and experience in hunting and/or wildlife conservation are encouraged to apply. Applications are available online (see Regional Advisory Council Membership Application ) and due at the corresponding regional office by March 4, 2013. These are volunteer positions and duties include participation in up to four public meetings each year to review A and H project proposals and conduct other council business. Meetings may require some travel to various communities in the region. Applicants should be willing and able to work collaboratively with landowners, sportsmen's groups, ODFW staff, and representatives of other government agencies to facilitate the A and H Program. For additional information on the A and H Program visit the program website or contact Matt Keenan at (503) 947-6087. Oregon Hunters Face Fine After Failing To File Report February 4, 2013 EarthFix ... by Thursday night 86 percent of elk hunters and 84 percent of deer hunters had filled out the requisite forms. That’s far better than the 52 percent of elk-tag holders and 48 percent of deer-tag holders who reported last year, when the program was mandatory but before fines had been added for noncompliance... Hunters will get tagged after failing to file reports February 2, 2013 Oregon, Mail Tribune Thousands of Oregon deer and elk hunters face a $25 fine after failing to make Thursday night's deadline for reporting their 2012 hunting results. They will be the first people to get nicked for not participating under a mandatory reporting program passed by the Oregon Legislature... Landscape development and mule deer habitat in Central Oregon JA Duncan, T Burcsu - Notes, 2012 (posted 2013) US Forest Service This research explored the ecological consequences of rural residential development and different management regimes on a tract of former industrial timberland in central Oregon known as the Bull Springs. Forage quality and habitat suitability models for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) winter range were joined to the outputs of a spatially explicit vegetation dynamics model under two management scenarios. In one scenario, the tract was managed as a working forest excluding development, and in the other, development was allowed to occur at historical rates. Landscape pattern analysis was used to measure differences between the outcomes of the two scenarios. Our efforts showed that allowing development on the tract could potentially lead to greater isolation, smaller habitat patches, and decreased extensiveness of patches used for foraging across mule deer winter range. Patches providing multiple habitat functions also became more isolated and less numerous in our simulations. Although neither scenario prevented habitat degradation, restricting development on Bull Springs had slightly more favorable simulated outcomes for forage and multifunctional habitat conditions. Management of this tract as a working forest in a region under pressure for more residential development could reduce the negative effects of development on an iconic species in the region. This research provides insight into how the land use change trajectory of a small portion of the landscape can influence the larger ecological conditions of a region undergoing rapid rural residential development. 50 percent of Oregon deer, elk tag-holders haven't reported hunts January 11, 2013 Statesman Journal (blog) With less than three weeks to go before the deadline, only about 50 percent of the deer and elk tags have been reported despite the mandatory requirement, according to Michelle Dennehy, the hunting communications coordinator for the Oregon Department ... Complete statistics for tags reported through Monday, with a perspective on reporting rates since 2007, are available through a PDF download. Hunter questioned about deer slugs that damaged a house December 20, 2012 Oregon, Ashland Times Gazette On Sunday morning, a resident of the 800 block of Red Oak Drive reported that the siding on his house was damaged by a deer slug. A couple of hunters were later identified as having been on an adjacent property, which is outside the city limits ... Third deer found in probe into poaching December 15, 2012 Oregon, Medfor Mail Tribune ... shot by poachers in the Crowfoot Road area ... off Crowfoot Road near milepost 3... heard gunshots around 3 a.m. Saturday ... A $3,000 reward is being offered by the Oregon Hunters Association ... call OSP Senior Trooper Jim Collom at 541-618-7997. Report hunts on time or face $25 penalty fee December 11, 2012 Oregon ODFW New Release ... Hunters that purchased 2012 deer and elk tags need to report their hunt results on time (Jan. 31, 2013 for most tags) or they will be penalized $25 when they purchase a 2014 hunting license. Hunters are required to report on each deer, elk, cougar, bear, pronghorn and turkey tag purchased—even when they were not successful or did not hunt. The number of unsuccessful hunters is used to determine hunting pressure and success rates, which is important information for wildlife biologists during the tag setting process. The penalty will initially be implemented for not reporting on deer and elk tags as these are some of the most under-reported tags and provide critical information due to the large number of deer and elk hunts in Oregon. Reporting deadlines are: Jan. 31, 2013 for all 2012 big game and turkey hunts that end by Dec. 31, 2012 April 15, 2013 for all 2012 hunts that end between Jan. 1-March 31, 2013 Hunters have two ways to report: Online via www.dfw.state.or.us or reportmyhunt.com either at home or at ODFW offices that have computers available for Hunter Reporting (ODFW field or regional offices in Adair Village/Corvallis, Bend, Clackamas, La Grande, Portland-Sauvie Island, Roseburg, Salem Headquarters, Springfield, Tillamook.) By telephone: Call 1-866-947-6339 to talk to a customer service representative. Hours: 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pacific seven days a week. $3K reward in Oregon poaching case December 10, 2012 KVAL.com ... A resident of northern Jackson County reported finding a dead 4-point buck in their yard off Crowfoot Road, east of Trail, Ore. ... about 3 a.m. Saturday ... call the Turn-In-Poachers TIP line at 1-800-452-7888 ... Deer spotted tangled in Christmas lights is lucky to be alive after Oregon wilidfe officials desperate rescue November 30, 2012 Daily Mail ... officials warn is a reappearing holiday threat... In this instance, biologists managed to tranquilize the deer before untangling the strand of lights. But in many other cases, they said, they're not as lucky... 'But because it was wrapped around the deer's neck it had the ability to restrict air flow or restrict the ability to eat or swallow.' ... deer are rutting this time of year causing the male deer to rub their antlers on trees ... Two more dead deer, one decapitated, found near Bend November 28, 2012 Oregon, Statesman Journal (blog) ... a headless buck with meat removed and a doe left to rot.... reward ... doubled to $1,000 ... in the Kotzman Basin area south of Highway 20... a fourth was found south near Forest Road 23... on Nov. 16... TIP line at (800) 452-7888. State police seeking tips in deer poaching near Bend November 20, 2012 Oregon, OregonLive.com A reward of up to $500 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the poaching of four deer near Bend. Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers were found the four dead animals Saturday in the Kotzman Basin area south of U.S. 20 ...A reward of up to $500 ... call ... 1-800-452-7888 Acorns are having huge year November 16, 2012 Oregon, Statesman Journal ... This year seems to be a banner year for acorns on Oregon white oaks, at least around the Willamette Valley... Important food for many birds and mammals, acorns feed jays, acorn woodpeckers, deer and western gray squirrels... Where have all the Oregon deer gone? November 15, 2012 Portland Tribune ... Deer populations are struggling across the state, says Don Whittaker, an ODFW game biologist. That’s true for black-tailed deer and mule deer, both native to Oregon. Black-tailed deer numbers are hard to track because of their reclusive nature and thick forested habitats... The problem may partly stem from the series of four large forest fires, starting in the 1930s, known as the Tillamook Burn, which consumed 550 square miles of timber in Northwest Oregon... Reforestation of the burned land .... And as charred lands came back to life, trees began to shade out the deers’ favorite shrubs... Lincoln City, Elk, deer increasingly a part of Lincoln City November 10, 2012 Oregon, Lincoln City News Guard ... not a surprise to biologists with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Increasing development and decreasing habitat are forcing the elk and deer out into the open more frequently. Most residents tolerate the elk and deer that roam Lincoln City; some feed them while others look for creative ways to chase the wildlife out of their gardens, orchards and berry patches... By capturing several lead cows over the years, ODFW was able to alter the patterns of the deer and elk to the golf course ... Ashland, Deer counters find more critters than last year November 2, 2012 Oregon, Ashland Daily Tidings ... Last fall, 96 volunteers covering 67 sections of the city spotted 187 deer during a half-hour count at dawn. This October, 65 volunteers covered 56 sections and counted 192 deer. Two deer-count data cards have yet to be turned in, so the count could rise, said Southern Oregon University Biology Department Chairman Michael Parker, one of the organizers. "It will be comparable to last year. We did see more deer, but not a substantially different number," ... Columbian White-tailed Deer Refuge Loop Hike - Hiking in Portland November 2, 2012 Oregon, PorlandHikersFieldGuide ... The 6,000 acre+ Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer in Wahkiakum County protects a rare subspecies of this deer on the mainland and some Columbia River islands. There are only several hundred of these deer on the refuge and adjacent private lands (A second population near Roseburg, Oregon, is larger). The Center Road described in this hike is only open in the summer and it’s best to do the walk earlier in the morning or in the evening for optimal viewing of wildlife.... | Search for news and information by keyword above or find links to state news stories organized by topic. - Oregon Black-tail deer management plan, 2008 Other useful links: - Report poaching, rewards: 1-800-452-7888 - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - Wildlife Strategy and Tools Page Mission Statement: "The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon’s fishand wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations." Scroll down for more tweets MULE DEER INITIATIVE Commission Briefing - February 20, 2009. Issue: Researchers and wildlife managers generally concede mule deer achieved maximum abundance during the 1950s and ‘60s. Since then, mule deer have declined across the West, including Oregon. The most recent decline appened during the early 1990s and, though not fully understood, it is believed to be primarily due to the combined effects of drought and severe winters. Historically, deer populations rebounded quickly after such climatic extremes. However, in recent years, production and survival of fawns have remained at depressed levels. Low recruitment, severe winters, dry summers, changing predator/prey relationships, and increased habitat loss have pushed mule deer populations lower than the department and public desire. |
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