Things I think about (when I don't want to work)

[scoutdog5]

One of the things that I have come to appreciate over the last several years I have participated in the hunter forum on ifish is the depth of knowledge many ifishers have about specific areas, their big game populations, problems, solutions, etc. Many times on these posts, we tend to generalize about things. In my case, for example, I have posted numerous times about the Ochoco unit, the deer and elk herds, problems solutions etc. The truth is, all of my knowledge and opinions are based on a portion of the unit that lies within the Rager Ranger District on the east end of the unit. It is quite possible that the situation in the lookout mountain area, for example, is quite different than where I spend my time, and so are the potential solutions. I am sure this is true of many of you as well.

So, here is what I think would be a great addition to the discussions we have been having. Start a thread about the specific area you are very familiar with, history current conditions, problems, solutions, etc. I know in the case of my area that several i-fishers are very familiar with it as well, and I believe we could have some great discussions and idea sharing on a more specific basis. I think it might work best if each fo us that provides info about a particular area does so by starting a new thread. That will make it easy for I-fishers to ask specific questions, make observations and comments, etc. I want to emphasize I see this as a discussion of what you see happening to big game populations and hunting opportunity in these areas, and not hunting reports, questions about hunts, etc.

Something else I think about is the substantial amount of time/effort/volunteer hours that has gone into habitat projects on public land over the past 25 years. The more time I spend researching and learning about what has happened to our big game populations in Oregon, the more convinced I become that, in many parts of Eastern Oregon, habitat is no longer a significant factor in determining population levels for deer and elk.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not against these projects, and certainly participate both physically and financially in them. However, I believe it is time we started asking if this is the best use of our time and money if our goal is to increase big game populations in Eastern Oregon. My answer would have to be no.

In another thread, I made a comment about how important it will be for landowners and hunters to start working together to protect the things we love and hold dear. We are in danger of being run over by the rapid urbanization of our country, and the loss of connection to the rural life style and hunting and fishing. It seems to me it would make more sense to spend some of those dollars/hours on working with landowners to limit some of the damage grazing does to riparian areas through fencing, building of stock ponds, etc. Or, given the problems landowners have with hunters trespassing, damaging fences, etc, how about some help with posting private property along public land boundaries, maintaining fence, etc? Another idea, work with landowners to allow some youth hunting of antlerless animals on their property under supervision of experienced hunters. Nothing against the mentor program, but our young hunters need to go on some quality hunts if we are going to turn them into lifelong hunters, and that is getting mighty tough on public land in Oregon.

Just some things I think about from time to time. ;YOu have my permission to call me names, refute my arguments or agree with me.

Scoutdog

[dartonvpr]

Scoutdog, actually I think that was very well put. I think you are right in the fact that some of us access very specific areas within a given unit, and that what is happening there, may not be happening throughout the unit. I do a lot if hiking all year and find places that appear to be perfect environments for deer, elk or antelope. And yet, there is no sign of game anywhere, old or new. Why is that? What keeps them from these areas? Are my perceptions of what the perfect environment should be flawed? Or is there some outside force, that I don't know about keeping these animals from this areas?
Times have changed, maybe it is time we changed how we view or approach the situations we have at hand.

[baltz526]

i spend a lot of days wearing out boots, south of highway 20 east of highway 97, west of wickiup reservoir and on the north umpqua watershed some years. there are places in these areas i have been enjoying for years. each has different issues effecting big game. a deer i see in august fall bear hunting north of wickiup on the crest of the cascades, i might see today at mile marker 33 on highway 31, eating bitterbrush with a deer, i saw south of miller lake in september. these deer summer 40 miles apart, migrate on completely different routes, but spend the hard winter months on the same sage/bitterbrush flat. the weak point in this cycle is obvious to me. and this is how i think when being underemployed

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Scoutdog,

I agree with a lot of what you have said. Especially giving the younger generation good opportunities. That is an argument I have had with ODFW.

They want us to promote hunting to the kids, but they are ignoring science when it comes to deer management.

Paul

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Check out this study.

[Rank Amateur]

Good points Scoutdog, I know I tend to generalize a whole unit when it is in fact a portion that I have knowlege of, very good point. Some times the units we have are not really set up in the best way to manage from a biological stand point, but are set up for hunter conveince??