to grant county - Townnews

2 • GRANT COUNTY HUNTING JOURNAL 2018 MyEagleNews.com

With eight northeastern big game units located either partially or fully within its borders,

Grant County is a popular spot for bow and rifle hunters. Controlled hunting seasons are

staggered throughout the year. Tag drawings determine when and where hunters may hunt. There

are controlled seasons for bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, black bear, pronghorn antelope,

deer and elk. There are also general seasons for deer and elk bow hunting, and black bear and

cougar hunts, and anglers have the option of fishing in numerous local rivers, lakes and ponds.

MyEagleNews.com GRANT COUNTY HUNTING JOURNAL 2018 • 3

TO GRANT COUNTY

old was discovered in Canyon Creek in

June 1862. The towns of Canyon City

and John Day were born during this time,

with Canyon City named as the county

seat when Grant County was established

two years later, in October 1864. Grant

County was formed from parts of Wasco

and Umatilla counties, and was named

for Ulysses S. Grant. Grant was assigned to help protect the

early settlers in Oregon in the 1850s before becoming famous

for leading the Union Army to victory in the Civil War.

Prairie City is 13 miles east of John Day along the John

Day River. It is near Beulah, Northside, Malheur, Desolation

and East Murderers Creek units.

Dayville is on Highway 26, 32 miles west of John Day.

The Northside, Murderers Creek and Ochoco hunting units

intersect at Dayville, and the area is popular throughout the

state for deer, sheep and elk hunting, as well as upland game

birds.

Mt. Vernon is 8 miles west of John Day on Highway 26.

The area has premier mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk

hunting.

Monument, on the North Fork of the John Day River, is

approximately 60 miles northwest of John Day and 120

miles southwest of Pendleton. The area is known for its

fishing, hunting and whitewater rafting.

Seneca is 26 miles south of John Day. It is a popular

jump-off spot for the Murderers Creek, Malheur and Silvies

units. The area is great for pronghorn, Rocky Mountain elk

and mule deer.

Long Creek is about 45 miles north of John Day on

Highway 395. This area is known for trophy mule and

whitetail deer, along with Rocky Mountain elk.

To learn more about how the area was developed, visit

any of the museums in the county, including the Ranch and

Rodeo Museum in John Day, the DeWitt Museum at Depot

Park in Prairie City, the Grant County Historical Museum in

Canyon City and the Kam Wah Chung Chinese Heritage

Museum and Visitor Center in John Day.

For more information on the county, check out the Grant

County Chamber of Commerce at 301 W. Main St. in John

Day or online at www.gcoregonlive.com, or call 541-575-

0547 or 800-769-5664.

Grant County borders eight counties, more than any other

county in the state of Oregon. It’s a great place to unwind

and get back in touch with nature. You’ll find the pace slow,

the people friendly, the scenery spectacular, and, hopefully,

the hunting successful.

Welcome

On the Cover:Cash Madden, 10 years old,harvested this buck with hisbow, taking advantage of thementored youth program. An exciting morning startedwith his dad and brothercalling in a six point bull,having a bear come within 30yards of them, then finishingthe morning hunt placing anarrow perfectly into his firstarchery buck. PHOTO COURTESY MICHAL MADDEN

Published by the Blue Mountain Eagle 2018

VISIT US ONLINE: www.MyEagleNews.comFOLLOW US: facebook.com/MyEagleNewsEMAIL US: [email protected] TO US: 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845

Copyright © 2018 Blue Mountain EagleAll rights reserved. • EO Media Group

1st Choice Auto Body......................................................................................................12Andy’s Plumbing & Sports...............................................................................................9Austin House Café & Store ............................................................................................18Blue Mountain Chiropractic.........................................................................................25Blue Mountain Hospital .................................................................................................27Boyer’s Cash Store.............................................................................................................18Burnt River Market............................................................................................................25Depot RV Park.....................................................................................................................22Clyde Holliday & Bates State Park..............................................................................22Dale Store .............................................................................................................................20Dayville Café........................................................................................................................18Dayville Mercantile...........................................................................................................25Duke Warner Realty .........................................................................................................18Eastern Oregon Realty.......................................................................................................9Ed’s Sinclair & Mobil .........................................................................................................13Ferguson Surveying.........................................................................................................20Gardner Enterprises............................................................................................................7Grant County Chamber of Commerce....................................................................16Grant County Economic Development.....................................................................2Grant County Fairgrounds & RV Park .......................................................................12Grant County Snowballers............................................................................................12Grubsteak Mining Co. ........................................................................................................7Hodgen Distributing..........................................................................................................4Huffman’s Select Market................................................................................................22John Day Auto NAPA.......................................................................................................16John Day Hardware True Value .....................................................................................4John Day Polaris.................................................................................................................19John Day River Trading Post.........................................................................................12John Day River Veterinary Center..............................................................................25Len’s Drug................................................................................................................................4Les Schwab Tire Center...................................................................................................28Mills Building Supply.......................................................................................................20Mobile Glass ........................................................................................................................20Morrow & Grant County OHV Park ..............................................................................9Mossy Oak Properties Cupper Creek Land Company......................................16Nydam’s ACE Hardware ....................................................................................................7OK Garage ............................................................................................................................18Oregon Trail Electric Co-op .............................................................................................9Pioneer Feed........................................................................................................................11Prospector Ice.....................................................................................................................13Russell’s Custom Meats & Deli.....................................................................................12Silvies Valley Ranch...........................................................................................................22Snaffle Bit Dinner House ..................................................................................................7Southfork RV Park .............................................................................................................25Stage Stop Motel & RV Park..........................................................................................25Subway ..................................................................................................................................13T&H Automotive .................................................................................................................7Timbers Inn & RV Park.....................................................................................................12Thomas Orchards..............................................................................................................20Wildcat Basin Outfitters..................................................................................................20

Adv

erti

ser

Inde

x

G

Inside:OL’ ORNERY .........................................................................................6SIGHTING IN ........................................................................................8TASTY HUNTER RECIPES..................................................................10LOCAL HUNTERS PHOTO GALLERY........................................5 & 23 GUIDANCE FROM ABOVE AND BELOW .......................................14OLD RELIABLE ...................................................................................17BLACKPOWDER ANTELOPE............................................................21EMMA’S FIRST HUNT........................................................................24A POEM: HIS CAMO’S IN THE CLOSET..........................................242018 HUNTING OUTLOOK ..............................................................26

In the heart of Eastern Oregon

Cleaning Kits

RV Supplies

...and much more

Packs

Camping Gear

Knives

Game calls, lures & attractants

Blinds & stands

Binoculars & gun scopes

Gear Up


t was early in the third week of

a rainy elk season. We always

get wet in September, but this

year was extremely wet.

Obviously, elk breed no

matter what the weather holds.

It just seems to be crazier and

louder when the elk days are

hot, dusty and dry. Wet seems to suppress the rut

to a wet blanket feel.

A couple “out of staters” were fortunate,

though, just a few days in the season, to tag out on

a couple of not-so-cautious branch bulls. The

excitement in new elk hunters returning their first

branch bulls is a great and exciting time.

It was the third week, and usually by that time,

I have located a couple bulls in the 350 class.

One extremely rut-crazed bull had shown some

interest in loud and

lonesome cow calls, but

showed no interest

when chuckled and

grunted at. This bull we

named “Ornery” because

of the no-tolerance

attitude and the torn up

young re-prod he

enjoyed shredding with

his not-yet-seen eight-

by-eight 380-class rack.

Plenty of elk hunters

are quick to point out the

10- to 12-foot rake

marks on trees, but

usually a bull elk that is really a raker and lives up

to the name can bend a three- to five-year old re-

prod pine over, and that accounts for the 12-foot

high rake marks we see.

Either way, most September bow hunters are

easily and readily hunting that adrenaline rush that

keeps us all looking to the heavens and asking, is

it September yet?

I had been on the hunt for Ornery for the last

couple days with no luck. It’s not uncommon to

lose herd bulls from time to time, as they can cover

5 to 7 miles like we go check the mail.

I had not yet put eyes on Ornery, but had had

him under a hundred yards a couple times.

My luck was fixing to change, though.

I like to get out early, 3 a.m. some mornings,

and head for the big meadows, as later in the month

more of the big boys turn up there, looking for a

chance to steal a few cows from younger bulls who

forget their age and their rank in the pecking order.

It didn’t take but a minute to hear Ornery had

stepped up his game, as his bugles were now

mostly warnings to any other bulls that might dare

to bugle, grunt or chuckle on his watch.

I had harvested seven Pope & Young Club

book bulls at this point of my bow-hunting career

and made a commitment to shoot a bull that was at

least a 340-class Wapiti.

As I stayed within bugle screams of Ornery, I

just really wanted to put eyes on him, as I was

pretty sure he would cover the 340-class minimum.

After crossing the third cold creek in the last

quarter mile, I was pretty much praying for

daylight so I could see Ornery for the first time.

Every once in a while, you get lucky and your

soaking wet trail somehow pays off, and this was

the case because right at

first light I got to witness

Ornery chasing off a

320-class bull from his

own cows.

A couple cow elk

were not too happy with

their new herd master,

but after Ornery hooked

a couple new members

of his harem, the cows

stopped squealing and

realized they had a brand

new leader.

I kept looking and

counting tines because

an eight-by-eight, over-360-class public land bull

elk doesn’t come along every day!

After 10 minutes of researching Ornery, he and

his couple dozen cows disappeared over the ridge

and were headed for the north face and their elk-

bed haven for the day.

A great advantage to hunting the same area for

years is the ability to draw off past hunts and

knowledge of the different ridges, and know how

the elk use them for their advantage. Wind

direction and air thermals change with the

temperatures throughout the day.

It was 6:40 a.m., and I had been up and tagging

along with the elk for over three and a half hours.

I was soaking wet, and the temperature when I

parked my truck that morning was 28 degrees.

I knew I couldn’t get ahead of 20-plus elk

hellbent on getting to bed, but I had just sized up

the biggest bull I had ever laid eyes on, and

adrenaline is a bow hunter’s best friend.

I made good time back to my truck, and with a

change of socks and my dry bag, I was a new man

and getting closer every half-mile to where I hoped

and prayed my elk herd was heading for their

daytime bedding area.

Fresh rain made my hurrying less noisy, but

when I arrived Ornery and his cows were not

exactly where I was hoping to find them. However,

being aggressive and extra loud with my cow

sounds finally made Ol’ Ornery let out a raging

warning bugle and step away from his herd to

round up whatever cow was wandering around.

As soon as the mountain monarch came into

sight, this old bow hunter’s heart skipped a beat at

the sight of the largest bull I had ever called in.

He came cruising through a small meadow and

paused at around 42 yards. As I hit the record

button on my camera, things were looking pretty

good.

Like all big bulls, you could sense his

nervousness as he was staring right at the spot

where he had expected to see at least one cow elk.

His luck and good fortune must have been

screaming at him to run because something wasn’t

right with this situation, but as he turned to leave,

he paused once more for a last look, and that’s

when I aimed at his chest and touched my three-

finger thumb release.

The arrow flew as perfectly as it could have and

made a hollow sound as it cut through both lungs.

Old Ornery ran about 50 yards before nearly

falling but made it another 70 yards before finally

toppling.

I made my way to the ridgetop to get a good

vantage point and watch this monarch take his last

breath.

My camera had caught all the action, and I was

very pleased at what had transpired, allowing me to

walk up on an eight-by-eight 380-class mountain

monarch we called Ol’ Ornery.

I’ve been most fortunate to harvest two 380-

class bull elk along with my P&Y book bulls. To

walk up on such a massive animal is humbling, to

say the least.

Greg Dyson is in his 14th year of being anambassador and pro-staffer of Bowtech Archery.


Story by Greg Dyson for the Blue Mountain Eagle

ICALLING IN AN 8X8, 380-CLASS BULL

Ol’ Ornery

Every once in a while, you get lucky and your

soaking wet trail somehowpays off, and this was thecase because right at first

light I got to witness Ornerychasing off a 320-class bull

from his own cows.

Greg Dyson poses withOrnery, a 380-class bull elk.

for Hunting Season

Hunting Hunting Season Season

Stock Up

• Guns • Bows • Bullets • Arrows • Powders

• Tools • Clothing • Tents • Sleeping Bags • Components

Hardware Nydam

’s

The helpful place.

Archery

Supplies Archery Archery

Supplies Supplies

John Day * 541- 575-0549


06019

T&H AutomotiveFREE

Loaner Car Deductible Assistance Available

Towing & Precision Auto Body Repair

FREE ESTIMATES • COLLISION REPAIR • AUTO GLASS

George Hamsher, Manager200 E Main, John Day

(541) 575-0358 or (541) 575-0359Cell (541) 792-0366

[email protected]

HUNTERSWELCOME

Unbeatable FoodBest Steaks & Hamburgers in Town!Large Portions

Snaffle BitDinner House830 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day

Call for reservations 541-575-2426

GRUBSTEAK MINING CO.

149 E Main St., John Day • 541-575-1970

Serving Grant County for Over 40 YearsRESTAURANT & LOUNGE

GREAT PRIME RIB,STEAKS & BURGERS!

0598

7Open 7-days 11am-9pm

unters spend a lot of time hoping. We

hope we draw a tag, hope the wife lets us

go, hope the weather is good and hope

we can find a buck that wants to come

home with us. However, you should

never have to hope your rifle is sighted

in when that critical moment arrives.

Sighting in is easy, doesn’t take very

much time and should be done before each hunting season,

even if it was shooting well when you put it away last year.

Before you head out to shoot, take some time to look over your

rifle. Check the bore to make sure it is clear and nothing has

crawled in and set up housekeeping. Then check the action and

scope ring screws to make sure they are snug.

Sighting in should take place at 100 yards. Yes, people say

you can do it at 25-30 yards, but they are just wrong. Errors are

not magnified well enough that close. Any farther than 100

yards and the wind comes into play.

Remember you are trying to figure out how the rifle shoots,

not how well you can shoot the rifle, so use a good solid rest.

Sandbags, rolled up sleeping bags or pillows work well. You

must sight in with the exact same ammunition you intend to

hunt with. Any change in make, bullet weight or brand is going

to affect the impact of the bullet. In some rifles, not much. In

others, the change can be drastic.

Once you are solid, fire three shots. Are they all in the same

general area, or are they scattered all over the place? If your

shots are scattered, then some diagnosis needs to take place.

Are your scope screws properly tightened? Are you jerking the

trigger? Do you need a better rest? Once you are sure the bullets

are consistently hitting in the same general area, then you can

make adjustments as needed to get the impact where you want

it. I recommend that you have the bullet hitting 2 inches high

at 100 yards. For most modern rifles, that allows you to hold

right on the animal to almost 300 yards, without having to aim

low for close shots.

There is no magic to adjusting the modern scope. Simply

unscrew the caps on the adjustment dials and look at them. The

one on top moves impact up and down. The one on the right

side moves it left and right. The direction you need to turn is

marked as well as how much each adjustment moves impact. A

word of caution, the impact may move a little more, or less, with

each click. If your bullets are impacting the target about 1 inch

left, turn the dial the proper amount to move it 1 inch to the right

and shoot to verify the change. Repeat until the impact is where

you want it. Then you can hunt knowing at least you don’t have

to worry about your rifle doing its job when the time comes.

If you need a place to sight in, Bear Creek Shooting Club

hosts two sight-in days, Sept. 22 and Oct. 21. The range will be

open to the public, and knowledgeable staff will be on hand if

you want some help.

Rod Carpenter is an avid sportsman, an anesthesiologistand president of the Bear Creek Shooting Range.

Story & photos by Rod Carpenter for the Blue Mountain Eagle

HSHOOTING

RANGESEnjoy target shooting?

Need a place to safely sight in your rifle? Enjoy various competitive shooting events?

Formed by the Grant County Shooting Sports Club in

1998, the Seneca Range is located at the south end of

Seneca. The facility includes two trap ranges, one skeet

range and a 100-yard small arms range.

The skeet range is open mainly on the first Sunday of

each month. For more information, call Carroll Walton at

541-820-4624. A small rifle-pistol range is open to the

public all the time. Visitors are asked to provide their own

targets and clean up.

For more information on shooting activities, contact

Seneca Trap Club President Bryan Wolf, 541-792-0222;

Vice President Ab Bezona, 541-240-1452; or Secretary

Nancy Chase, 541-620-0269.

The shooting sports club also started the Bear Creek Rifle

Range, located 0.9 miles north of Highway 26, 10 miles east

of John Day, between John Day and Prairie City. This site

features a covered, eight-bay firing line and one of the best

rifle ranges in the West.

The 1,000-yard range has become popular with many

shooting enthusiasts, including black powder fans. Set in a

small valley, with targets scattered throughout, the range also

accommodates pistol shooters.

Those using the course must have permission and be with

a trained safety officer who is a member. There is also a spot

at the range for archers to hone their skills.

For more information on Bear Creek Rifle Range, call Rod

Carpenter at 509-385-9335. Heading up the black powder

group is Jim Sproul, who can be reached at 541-620-0231.

Various shooting events take placethroughout the year. The ranges alsooffer by-permission use of theirfacilities.

BEAR CREEK RIFLE RANGE

SENECA SHOOTING RANGE


Use the same ammunitionyou’ll use while huntingwhen sighting in your rifle.

Good rests are essentialwhen sighting in a rifle.

Once you have a good group,it’s time to adjust the scope.

TIME SPENT NOW WILL PAY OFF DURING HUNTING SEASON.

Sighting in

Visit www.otecc.com to discover the power of your co-op.YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND INFORMATION.

I AM THE CO-OP

EXPERIENCED AGENTS

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

160 E. Main, John Day, Oregon

541-575-2121

Locally Owned And Serving Eastern

Oregon Since 1979

easternoregonrealty.net • [email protected] • www.farmseller.com

www.rmls.com • www.realtor.com • www.zillow.com • www.trulia.com

Jerry FranklinGRI, ABR, SRESPrincipal Broker

541-820-3721

De Ann SandorBroker

360-690-5233

Michal MaddenBroker

541-620-4408

Lindsey MaddenBroker

541-792-0031

Traci FrazierBroker

541-620-0925

69531

ANDY’SPlumbing & Sports

245 N. Canyon City Blvd.

541-575-2144

Find the KILL Z NE


Ku’ulei’s Hawaiian Style Marinated Elk

INGREDIENTS:

• 4-5 lbs. elk steak, thinly sliced (1/8-inch)

• 1-1/2 C. soy sauce

• 1/2 C. sugar

• 1/2 C. brown sugar

• 2 C. water

• 1 C. chopped green onion

• 2-3 tsp. fresh ginger (peeled, sliced and smashed)

• 2-3 tsp. fresh garlic (peeled, smashed)

• 1/2 tsp. sesame oil

• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Filling the freezer after a successful hunt is rewarding, but if you find yourself

in a recipe rut, here are a few ideas to bring that bounty to the dinner table.

DIRECTIONS:

Cut meat an 1/8-inch thick or “19” if cut at a butchers. In a large plastic bowl, combine all ingredients except

meat. Stir and mix well and check taste. Add meat and stir to coat. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate

overnight. Cook on the grill about 6-8 minutes — with the thin cut, it doesn’t take long.

From the kitchen of Rod and Rachel Carpenter, this Hawaiian-style recipe is tender with a sweet flavor, and it

cooks up quickly on the grill due to the thin cut. Elk steak works well, but other types of meat can also be used.

This recipe was contributed by Ineta Carpenter of John Day, who has cut and wrapped plenty of venison on

her kitchen counter over the years.


By Angel Carpenter of the Blue Mountain Eagle

Tasty Hunter Recipes

Venison Swiss Steaks

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 venison steaks

• flour

• salt & pepper

• 4 potatoes, 1-inch cubes

• 3-4 carrots, 1-inch pieces

• small onion, sliced (optional)

• 1 pkg. onion soup mix

DIRECTIONS:

Dredge steaks in flour, salt and pepper to taste. Brown on both sides in a heavy skillet with 2 teaspoons of oil or

shortening. Peel and cube potatoes, cut carrots into 1-inch pieces add to meat. Sprinkle one package of onion soup

mix (such as Lipton’s), add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover with lid. Simmer for 1

1/2 hours on low on stove top or bake in oven at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours in casserole dish, covered.

Hot ’N’ Spicy Elk

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 elk steak (about 1 1/2-2 lbs.), 2 inches thick

Marinade

• 1-1/2 C. catsup

• 1 C. cider vinegar

• 1/4 C. honey

• 1-1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Combine marinade ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes. Cool and reserve a

1/2 cup of marinade. Place steak and remaining marinade in a plastic bag, close securely and refrigerate 6-8

hours or overnight. Prepare grill. Remove steak from bag and grill 7-10 minutes per side (longer for well

done). Remove to plate and cover. Allow to rest 15 minutes. Meanwhile, reheat marinade. Slice crosswise

about 1/2-inch thick and serve with heated reserved marinade.

Rozanne’s favorite tip:“People always compare elk to beef, but you will get much better flavor seasoning it

like chicken and using chicken bouillon or soup with it.”

This delicious recipe comes from the kitchen of Rozanne Mullin of John Day.

Gary’s Dutch Oven Potatoes and Cobbler

INGREDIENTS:

• Red potatoes (1-2 per person, depending on

size of potato and appetite of guests)

• Onion, sliced

• Canola or vegetable oil

• 3-4 pieces bacon, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare briquettes.

Dice red potatoes and slice onions. Add 1-2 teaspoons of oil in the Dutch oven and sauté onion.

Add potatoes and 3-4 slices of chopped bacon and cover. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 45-60

minutes. You can also try this one on your stove top with a large pot.

REGULATING YOUR DUTCH OVEN TEMPERATURE:

“People ask all the time how many briquettes to use,” Gary said. “Take a look at the number on the top of your

Dutch oven, for example 12 (meaning 12 inches), and double the briquettes to 24.” He says nine go

underneath and 15 on top for an average temperature of about 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit. And if you want

to increase the temperature by 25 degrees add one brick on top and one on bottom.

Gary Hatton of Gresham spends a lot of time hunting in Grant County and is known for keeping a crowd well-

fed with his delicious meals. Dutch-oven cooking is one of his specialties.

Dutch Oven Potatoes

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare briquettes.

Melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter in the Dutch oven.

Add a 28 oz. can of peaches, with juice. Layer evenly.

Using a yellow cake mix, take half and mix with enough milk for a pancake-batter consistency. Pour over

peaches. Take other half of dry cake mix and sprinkle on top.

Cook it until cake is done, approximately 40-45 minutes.

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

Pioneer Feed & Farm Supply60561 Hwy 26, John Day • 541-575-0023

“some of the best memories are made even if you don’t pull the trigger”

70112

Bring your trophy in for a photo to be

entered in this year’s drawing to win

prizes! Grand prize is a Savage 243 Rifle.


Trust the professionals.

Take your trophy toRussell’s

Custom Meats& Deli

Complete wild game processing.

Pepperoni, jerky & sausage.

235 N Canyon City Blvd.Canyon City • 541-575-0720

Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Grant County Fairgrounds

RV Park• River Front

• Restrooms/Showers

• Walking distance to town

• Walking Trails

• Pet Friendly

Reservations: www.grantcountyfairgroundsor.com • John Day • 541-575-190073954

Complete Auto Body & PaintWindshield Repair & Replacement

700 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day • 541-575-1786 or 541-575-1785

OwnerJeb Bowling

7144

6

CompletindshieWWi

700 S. Canyon Blvd.,

Auto Body &teeld Repair & Repla

John Day • 541-575-17

& Paintacement

541-575-1785786 or

ernwOglinwob BeJ

7144

6

Timbers Inn & RV is located

in the heart of four of the best

hunting units: North Malheur,

East Murderer’s Creek, West

Murderer’s Creek, and Silvies.

The Inn offers three rustic

cabins for your stay or twelve

(12) full service RV hook-ups.

Seneca Timbers Inn & RV Park

To make reservations Call 541-620-2551

306 Barnes Ave. Seneca, Oregon

• Groceries & Snacks • ODF License & Tags • Bait

• Fishing Gear • Trapping Supplies• Non-Ethanol Fuel • Beer & Wine

• Boat & Paddle Board Rentals• Monthly Summer Farmers Market

Mon-Sat 8am-6pm • Sunday 10am-4pm

Winter hours starting Nov 1st: Tues-Fri 8am-4pm

Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

41345 Hwy. 19, Kimberly, OR (541) 934-2060

JOHN DAY RIVER

72859

Come Play with us! Come Play with us!

• John Day Country

• 500 Miles ofGroomed Trails!

GRANT COUNTY

Snowballers GRANT COUNTY GRANT COUNTY

Snowballers Snowballersgrantcountysnowballers.com

Tim Holly: 541-620-0408 or Garrett Carniglia: 541-792-1014 or Tim Nodine: 541-792-0677

DON’TFORGET! Make sure to submit

hunting photos and stories to us now for the paper and next

year’s hunt guide.

(541) 575-0710 • MyEagleNews.com195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845



At the stoplight in John Day • 541-575-0782Order Online: www.Subway.com

Stop in for breakfast...

Get lunchTO GO!

(541) 575-0710195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845

SubscribeToday!

Don’t miss all the hunting stories this fall.

Don’t miss the Eagle’s new

outdoors column “Shooting the

Breeze.”

t miss all Don’

the hunting sto

ories this fall.

195 N.

(54

S

Canyon Blvd., John

41) 575-0710, OR 97845n Dayy,

hooting the eeze.”Br

Prospector Ice For all of your ice needs:

BLOCK • CUBE • PARTY BAGS 123 N. Clark Street • Canyon City

541-575-1295 Dan Turner

Delivery Available or U-Pick Up

Whatever the season,

we’ll help you

keep it cold!

ED’S FAST BREAKW. Hwy. 26, John Day • 541-575-2585

ED’S FAST BREAKAt the Y in Canyon City • 541-575-1942

AFTER HOURS GAS NOW AVAILABLE!with credit card only

Fuels • Lubes • Propane • Service • Shell Station

72343

MyEagleNews.com GRANT COUNTY HUNTING JOURNAL 2018 • 1514 • GRANT COUNTY HUNTING JOURNAL 2018 MyEagleNews.com

Chelsea McDaniel thinks

the unicorn bull that came

running right at her last year

might have been a sign from

heaven. She had hunted elk

for 18 years without

success, and now a big bull

was running right up to the

juniper tree where she was

resting.

“It had become a family joke,” she

characterized her lack of success.

Drawing first season Northside Unit bull elk tags three years

in a row was unheard of, she said. The first year, she went with

her father and returned empty-handed.

“Dad got me into a pretty nice bull, but I was shaking so bad

I couldn’t get a shot, and we ended the year unsuccessfully,”

McDaniel said.

The next year she went with her boyfriend Butch Goslin and

was skunked again. Like her father, Goslin had convinced her

he was “practically a professional hunting guide.” They finally

got into the elk on the last day.

“On top of a ridge, we can hear them all around us,”

McDaniel said. “We sit down, and I get ready. No sooner than

I load a bullet into the barrel, and we hear a gunshot directly

below us. Then two more to the right of us.”

They were so close but never saw a thing.

She and Goslin had met at the Mountain View Mini Mart in

Prairie City, which McDaniel owns.

“He was a big coffee drinker,” she said. “That’s how we

met.”

Six weeks after their hunt together, Goslin was diagnosed

with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. He’d had trouble swallowing

and was in Boise, Idaho, when he learned he had terminal

cancer. More doctor visits followed.

“While traveling back and forth from doctor to doctor, we

were on our way to Idaho the day the 2017 draw results came

out,” McDaniel said. “My dad called me, and to my utter

disbelief I drew for the third year in a row.”

When she got off the phone, Goslin had tears in his eyes.

“He told me he wanted me to have the .257 Roberts rifle

that I hunted with the year prior,” she said. “He said he knew

that gun would bring me all the luck I needed.”

McDaniel sighted in the rifle with Goslin’s daughter Lacy on

Oct. 9. Two days later, Goslin passed away.

“He’d fought it for 10 months,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel told her father ahead of hunting season that she

wanted to hunt the same place where she went with Goslin —

and she wanted to go alone. On opening day, two weeks after

Goslin died, she headed out with tears in her eyes.

“I did find a nice bull shed horn, however no fresh sign or

tracks at all,” she said. “It was a very emotional day.”

The next day, McDaniel didn’t want to go back out. As

everyone in camp arose excited to get started, she growled that

she’d rather stay back in camp. Her father insisted and laid out

a plan of attack.

“With no enthusiasm whatsoever, I throw on my clothes,

skip the makeup and jump in the pickup,” she said.

When they arrived at the drop-off point, she carelessly

slammed the pickup door, drawing a blank stare from her father.

“Don’t matter – ain’t nothing up here anyways,” she

whispered to her 6-year-old nephew.

Dispirited, McDaniel had decided to find the perfect juniper

tree, climb under it and catch up on some sleep. About 10

minutes after leaving the truck, she heard the sound of

something big charging through the timber.

“Struggling to get to my gun, which I had carelessly laid

against the back side of the tree, I finally see him,” she said.

“Only he’s running directly at me. Scared to death, I grab the

gun and pull the trigger.”

The bull kept on coming. McDaniel reloaded and fired again

without putting her eye to the scope, the butt of the rifle against

her hip, dropping the elk less than 50 feet from where she stood.

Her brother later told her as soon as the echo of the second shot

cleared the air they heard her screams from several draws away.

“After I danced around screaming and hollering in

excitement, I went to check out my prize,” she said.

That’s when she saw the unusual antlers and knew she’d

shot a unicorn.

“I pulled out my phone to call Butch and tell him the news

when the bitter truth of reality came crashing down upon me,”

she said. “Tears filled my eyes, but immediately knowing that

this bull was more than a reflection of Butch’s personality. I was

filled with a sense of acceptance and reassurance that although

he may have not been there in the flesh, he was by my side all

along.”

As her father and nephew approached, her father hollered,

“Where did you hit him?”

McDaniel looked and saw a clean shot to the chest that had

instantly killed the elk. When her father finally got close, he

studied the bull.

“I will never forget the next few seconds of this whole

adventure,” she said. “As I watched my dad stare at this beast

before him, he looks at it, cocks his head a little to the left, then

a little to the right, turns to me and says, ‘You killed a unicorn!’”

All she could do was smile and watch his smile match hers.

She recounted the whole story, and he just grinned and shook

his head.

“Good work, Chelsea,” he said. “Now the real work

begins.”

After hunting since she was 15 without bagging an elk,

McDaniel finally had her prize. It was sometime later she

learned from the bull’s teeth that he was a very old elk.

McDaniel credits her father for supporting her through

the hunt, but she also recalled how Goslin had promised her

she would receive a sign from him after he was gone.

“After 18 years, it took the guidance and the gun of a man

up above, a man on the ground and one very old suicidal

bull, but I finally harvested my very first elk,” she said.

HER FIRST BULL ELK WAS A UNICORN

Guidance fromabove and below

Chelsea reloaded and fired,

dropping the elk under 50 feet

from where she stood, after

dancing around screaming and

hollering in excitement, she went

to check out her prize. That’s when

she saw the unusual antlers and

knew she’d shot a unicorn.

Story by Richard Hanners of the Blue Mountain Eagle

Chelsea McDaniel poses with the

“unicorn,” her first bull elk kill.

The skull

shows the unique

location of the

“unicorn’s” left

antler.

Chelsea McDaniel with

boyfriend and hunting

guide, Butch Goslin.


198 Ac in Mt Vernon ~ HUNTING HEADQUARTERS! 4/3 Home, arena, secluded, perimeter fenced. Dryland pasture for horses or cattle with spring water. LOP tags. Great place to shoot targets, keep a few critters and lots of room to roam. Indoor arena can be used as storage for equipment or shop. PRICED TO SELL AT UNDER TAX ASSESSMENT AT $450,000

485 Acres Timberland in Heppner ~ 2 tax lots, creek, springs. $521,375

276 Acres Land in Kimberly ~ 44 ac. water rights, 1/2 mi. NFJD River, hunting, borders BLM. $350,000

41 Ac in Ritter on NFJD River ~ Home, outbuildings, light timber, hunting, borders BLM. Remote. $380,000

3 Crow Ranch in Spray ~604 ac. dryland hay farm w/MH, shop, springs, hunting, borders FS. $740,000

296 Ac in Kimberly ~ Irrigated land w/pivots, river frontage, shop, hay storage, corrals, hunting. $1,200,000

Cupper Creek Land CompanyAmerica’s Land Specialist

CupperCreekLandCompany.com • [email protected]: 541-519-6891 • Office: 541-934-2946

Julie Mansfield SmithPrincipal Broker/Owner

Brad SmithCo-Owner

Specializing in Eastern Oregon Land Sales

73704

41909 Cupper Creek Rd. Kimberly OR

• World Class Museums • Breathtaking Scenery

• Mountains - Lakes - Rivers - Streams • Hunting - Fishing - Hiking

•Bicycle and Motorcycle Routes • Geocaching - Fossil Beds

• Blue Skies and Starry Nights

301 W Main St., John Day

541-575-0547

1-800-769-5664

[email protected]

BEAUTIFUL GRANT COUNTYExcellent Dining Establishments, Lodging Facilities, Vacation Rentals and B&B’s

73931

Welcome to

Exxcellent Dining Estaablishments, Lodgin acationg Facilities, V on Rentals and B&B sB’’s

orld C• W

• Mountains - Lake

•Bicycle and M

•

g

eaClass Museums • Br

eamses - Rivers - Str •

cycle Routes • Gotor

• Blue Skies and Starr

, g

athtaking Scenery

Hunting - Fishing - H

Geocaching - Fossil Be

ry Nights

g ,

Hiking

eds

301 W

1

gcadm

W Main St., John Day

541-575-0547

1-800-769-5664

[email protected]

73931

Proudly Serving Grant County Since 1966


or every rifleman and hunter,

there exists a certain weapon

of somewhat enchanting, if not

mystical, properties. This is the

one they would grab if the

house was on fire and let the

rest go to perdition. The one

they value above all the rest

and view as the favorite. Sometimes it has a

nickname or has somehow been a source of good

luck, if you will. Just like each of us, each one has

a very unique and interesting story.

For some, it was their very first smoke pole, and

whenever they clutch it in their hands, they’re

instantly transported in their mind’s eye to a vivid,

if not immortal, childhood memory of days gone

by. This was likely a .22 rimfire of some sort with

basic open sights good

enough to score hits on a

tin can out to 75 or 80

yards if the wind stood

still. Perhaps it was on a

hot summer afternoon

spent trading maternal

insults and shooting

ground squirrels. Merely

holding this amulet

awakens sleeping

memories to become

immortal dreams to be

relived again and again.

Maybe this memory

took place on a cold autumn morning. Perhaps it

wasn’t a .22 but their first “big” gun. At last they

were going to become a man. Mother bundled

them up and handed off a brown bag of

sandwiches to Dad with a kiss on the cheek as they

headed out to a favorite duck pond or deer haunt.

As they yawned and staggered toward the truck,

the excitement was already building inside.

Hopefully they could keep a steady nerve and

shoot straight, just the way Dad and Grandpa

taught them to.

Perhaps, for some, “the one” belonged to

Grandpa and has been handed down to them.

Maybe it has been in the family for several

generations and was carried on the trail by pioneer

ancestors and was used to hunt buffalo and elk and

to defend the homestead against any would-be

malefactors. Like other heirlooms, its very

existence is revered and honored. It will be kept,

used and passed on again for as long as it lasts.

For others, perhaps “the one” got away at some

point. As they got older, priorities changed, and in

a desperate moment “the one” was sold and the

money went to pay rent or buy groceries. Maybe

they saw something shiny, which somehow

diminished their “Old Reliable” just enough to feel

all right about sending her down the road. Regrets?

Oh, they regret it all right and usually quite deeply.

For me, it’s not my first .22 nor my first deer

rifle that I consider “the one to rule them all.”

Fifteen years ago, I blew a half month’s wages at

Nydam’s Ace Hardware right here in John Day to

buy it. Darren showed me three rifles that day, and

this is the one that followed me home. With it I

have taken a myriad of coyotes, a badger, various

other varmints, more than several deer and elk. I’ve

even used it to put down beef cattle and as backup

on a bear hunt.

At one point, I

nearly sold it. I was

broke, and it was well

worth what I was

asking. I thought to

myself that I would

replace it with a newer,

flashier magnum caliber

rifle once I was able. I

remember well the day

I told Dad that I had put

it up for sale. My father,

in his usual loving way,

told me that I should

duly extract my cranium from my posterior to

make room for his foot if I was to be foolish

enough to sell that rifle.

“Everything you’ve pointed that rifle at has hit

the dirt. Son, some men spend their whole lives

looking for what you already have, and you’re

going to get rid of it?”

The old man didn’t live as long as he has by

being a fool. I immediately took it off the market,

telling all interested parties they were out of luck.

That’s only one of the many good lessons I’ve been

party to in my time.

Nope, for me, that gun “Old Reliable” still

resides in my gun cabinet. Every year I take her

hunting for whatever big game tags I’m lucky

enough to draw. I have always had a Leupold

scope mounted in steel rings for sights. It’s pretty

plain Jane as far as looks go: a standard factory

stock full of dents, dings, scratches and gouges

from the miles we’ve shared. It was fitted with a

Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad by John Petersen

of Idaho Falls a few years back because the factory

pad began to split. She’s on her second barrel, a 24-

inch Douglas just a little larger in diameter than her

first, installed by Randy Wills of Bend. Randy also

tuned the Winchester factory trigger to a perfect 3-

pound pull. The old military-style leather sling

belonged to my grandfather and has been a great

aid to making shots in the field where no other rest

was available.

When I look at that rifle and take it hunting or

shooting, it’s a tome of the miles we’ve shared, the

freezers we have filled and the great memories

with family and friends, some of whom are no

longer walking this earth. She’s no speed demon

as far as velocities go and lacks a lot of the pizzazz

that folks nowadays consider necessary for big

game hunting. In a world of polymers and carbons,

she’s walnut and steel. Maybe you could even say

she is fleshy, weighing 9 pounds loaded. This, for

me, is a plus rather than a minus. I have always

been able to shoot straighter from all the various

field positions with a heftier long gun. It’s the rifle

for which I will no doubt be remembered when I’m

long gone and hopefully will be cared for and

passed on just the same.

Oh, I almost forgot, you all will want “the rest

of the story.” For those of you who care about the

numbers and specs, the legend stamped on the side

of the barrel reads “.30-06.” It may not be all you

ever want, but for myself and thousands of other

sportsmen across the globe, it’s all the rifle we

need. Its ubiquity of ammunition and components,

deadly accuracy and awesome power are the main

reasons for me that it is “The Rifle.” Whether I am

hunting badgers or bears or anything in between, I

feel perfectly confident in the power and

performance of this caliber and rifle.

For those out there just getting into the shooting

and hunting sports, I implore you to take a second

look at the rifle that you choose to make yours.

While a big, heavy magnum or a light speed freak

may be en vogue, the classics last forever. They

outlast and usually outperform all candidates that

appear to supplant. While numbers can be made to

reflect any opinion, actual performance is always

what counts. Whatever you choose, take care of

her, and she will last. Maybe someday your

grandchildren will hold your rifle in their hands

and reminisce fondly of the memories they’ve had

and will yet create while hunting with Grandpa’s

rifle.

Your rifle, the one, the only one worthy to be

called “Old Reliable.”

Dale Valade is a local country gent with a deeplove for handloading, hunting and shooting.

Story by Dale Valade for the Blue Mountain Eagle

FDEADLY ACCURATE AND POWERFUL .30-06

Old Reliable

Dale has taken amyriad of coyotes,a badger, variousother varmints,several deer andelk with “OldReliable.”‘‘Fifteen years ago, I blew a

half a month’s wages atNydam’s Ace Hardware right

here in John Day to buy it.Darren showed me three

rifles that day, and this is theone that followed me home.

212 W Franklin Avenue, Dayville • 541-987-2122Wed-Sat 7am-8pm • Sun 8am-4pm

GREAT FOOD • GREAT SERVICE��•�� •��

�� We’re On The Way.

05997 Join us on

541-448-2526www.austinhousecafecountrystore.comWe are located at Austin Junction (Hwy 26 & 7)

RV

PARKING

BEST BURGERS

AROUND

71427

OK Garage and Mini Mart 151 Hwy 395 N. ~ Long Creek, Oregon

MINI MART Food • Drinks & Spirit

FUEL: Diesel • E-10 Regular • NonEthanol Supreme • Propane

541-421-3344

Boyer’s Cash Store

335 John Day St., Monument • 541.934.2290

Groceries • SnacksGas & Diesel • Propane

Monument, OregonFamily Owned Since 1927

72820

�� GRI

541-932-4493 • [email protected]

�� GRI

541-987-2363 • [email protected]

�� GRI541-575-2617 • [email protected]

Panoramic Mt & Valley Views, Cabin w/Loft, Limited Winter Access. LOP Tags. Mt Vernon

RMLS #16108702

Mt Views, Timber, Borders NF, 2 Guest Cabins, High End Upgrades Throughout. Prairie City

RMLS #17632371

Private setting on year round creek, 4 irri ac, 2 story, 2/2.5, barn, hay shed, tack room. Mt Vernon

RMLS #18227737

Timber, Seclusion, Off Grid, 3/2, Garage, Shop, Barn, Creek. LOP Tags! John Day

RMLS #15128485

Mt & Valley Views, 3/2 Landscaped w/Water Feature, Garage, Shop. John Day

RMLS #15295287

Mt Views, Rustic Cabin, Limited Winter Access, LOP Tags. Dayville

RMLS #13048083

Art, Deli, Espresso, Ice Cream, Growler Station, 90 Consignment Vendors. Dayville

RMLS #18588490

Professional Office Use, 2 Buildings, Great Rental History, State Agency As A Major Tenant. Canyon City

RMLS #18437082

Private & Secluded, Near The Airport, Dividable. John Day

RMLS #18075228

www.dukewarnerealtyofeasternoregon.com • Licensed In the State Of Oregon

��

Dayville & John Day

71425



05980

GO OFF THE BEATEN TRAILGO OFF THE

BEATEN TRAIL

821 W. Hwy. 26, John Daywww.johndaypolaris.com

• Big Agnes tents and sleeping bags • Jetboil and Moutain House Food

• HECS clothing • Phelps elk and turkey calls.

• CPR/ FirstAid classes

116 NW Bridge St, STE 11, John Day, OR | 541-620-5780

Hunting & Camping Gear

73708

116 NW Bridge

, OR | 5yy,TE 11, John Da, S St

41-620-5780 73708

PO Box 519, 201 E. MainMt. Vernon, OR 97865

Phone: (541) 932-4520Fax: (541) 932-4430

E-mail: [email protected]



hen I was a young man, my father

sold real estate, and every now and

then, brother and I would get selected

to clean up a house that was to be

listed.

On one such occasion, I stumbled

upon a Thompson Center .45-caliber

Hawken rifle that had not been put

together. Building that little muzzle

loader solidified my intrigue with black powder and lead.

Today, I have graduated to the much larger .54-caliber front

loaders for hunting, and with the ever-increasing popularity of the

outdoor sports, hunting with a muzzleloader is a very good way to

challenge oneself in the game fields of North America.

I have been fortunate enough to take both deer and elk with black

powder and really found my species of choice for the traditional

weapons in the American antelope.

Hunting antelope, of all things, with a smoke pole is probably not

the first choice of animals for the limited range of black powder rifles.

I will say that elk or bear are a bit easier to handle with black

powder, but with antelope in Oregon at least, you can usually draw a

muzzleloader tag inside of four years instead of waiting as many as

10-15 years for a tag with a centerfire rifle.

I know antelope do not require the huge bore diameter of the .54s,

but that caliber has been with me for a very long time, and I find it

accurate, forgiving and capable of downing any animal hit very

quickly.

For those of you who hunt antelope in September here in Oregon,

you know that long tracking jobs in 100 degree heat is not the most

entertaining way to spend an afternoon.

With the interest in more outdoor adventure sports, and with

resurgence in traditional equipment, hunting with black powder is

truly a very satisfying way to pursue game, and with practice,

confident hits on milk jugs at 100 yards are easy to achieve.

The other benefit of black powder is the ease of selecting light

loads for youth and women hunters.

I shoot 75 grains of FFF Triple Seven powder measured by

weight, not volume, and my wife and youngest boy shoot only 60

grains of the same powder. We shoot the same 325 grain cast lead

bullet, but their load of 60 grains does not produce the snappy recoil

of the heavier charge.

Not only that, but I started all my family off shooting round balls,

which are only about 200 grains or so and, thus, were a much softer,

yet very accurate, load to build confidence with.

In today’s world of long-range and high-powered super magnums,

don’t forget the opportunities to enrich oneself by looking back

through time and connecting with a more traditional way of doing

business.

Take a look at the muzzleloader-only hunts next time you pick up

a big game regulation catalogue or go and talk to your local wildlife

office. The opportunities for expanding your own and your family’s

horizons may truly surprise you.

Marc LeQuieu is a veteran, a former wildland firefighter andAfrican hunter turned gunsmith.

Story by Marc LeQuieu for the Blue Mountain Eagle

W‘A MORE TRADITIONAL WAY OF DOING BUSINESS’

Blackpowder antelope

Grant LeQuieu shot this photoof Marc and Thomas LeQuieuwith the blackpowder kill.

WANTEDInformation leading to conviction of

trespassers and/or poachers on Silvies Valley Ranch

$2,50000

REWARD A reward we’re anxious to pay. Again last year, several nice mule deer bucks and elk were killed and left to rot on our ranch – and that’s only what we found. Please help us catch trespassers and poachers who have no respect for private property rights and who give all hunters a bad name. If you legally wound an animal that comes onto any of our property, please come to ranch headquarters at Bridge Creek and we will help you find and clean it at no charge. Otherwise, do not go onto our property unless accompanied by a Silvies Valley Ranch team member. We will press charges, sue for damages, and are actively patrolling our property with ATVs, by horseback, and videocams.

CALL Sheriff Glenn Palmer 541-575-1131 Sheriff Dave Ward 541-573-6156Colby Marshall 541-573-5150 x110

Silvies, Oregon www.silvies.us 1-800-SILVIES 70167

Downtown Prairie City 541-820-3588

SELECT SELECT M A R K E T S M A R K E T S

HUFFMAN’S

� Fresh Produce � Complete Meat Department � Cold Beverages � Snack Foods � Fried Chicken � FREE Popcorn

Take Aim

Stay Here...

... Hunt Here!

– Depot RV Park –Bates State Park

Two Great Locations Near Your Hunting Units

31 RV or tent sites with electric, flushing toilets,

shower, water & hikingMT. VERNON, OREGON

2 miles East of Mt. Vernon • 541-932-4453



hen we started dating back in 2014,

my wife-to-be had only once fired a

gun. During that endeavor, an ex

thought it would be hilarious to turn

her loose, for her first time ever, with

a 12 gauge. Whatever amusement

he may have gotten was very one-sided, and needless to say,

she did not share in his mirth. This same basic story has been

repeated to me several dozen times over the years with a

little variation in the details, of course. Occasionally it was

a .300 Weatherby Magnum that the first-timer was handed

and in turn received a cookie-cutter-like scar on their

forehead to remember the humiliation and pain of being the

butt-end of a bad joke. Sometimes it was a .357 magnum

handgun that went sailing out of the novice’s ignorantly light

grip at ignition, the front sight burying itself between their

eyes which did the trick. Whatever the reason, this is no way

to expose newcomers to firearms. Many such stories were

appended with “… and that’s the first and last time I ever

touched a gun.” And it’s hard to blame them when such has

been their only exposure to shooting a gun.

Happily for Emma, she started dating a gun guy in 2014

with all kinds of firearms for her to go try. Many of our dates

were spent shooting ground squirrels, plinking and target

practicing. I started her off with a .22 rifle, then gradually

went to blackpowder guns with light loads. We worked up

to a 20 gauge and a .22-250 from there. Reactionary targets

and tin cans were her favorites and kept her interest piqued.

We practiced from all of the various field positions, and her

improvement and progress were plain to see. Her first time

shooting a handgun (a blackpowder .44 sixgun), she nailed

four out of the six targets. I guess you could say she is a

natural.

As time went on, she accompanied her father and me on

dove and grouse hunting soirées, and she did very well. In

2015, she told me she wanted to try deer hunting. But she

was unable to shoot well enough with anything bigger than

my .22-250 to do so. Even though I hardly consider the .22

caliber to be a perfect deer rifle, I have always felt that a

small bullet in the right spot is better than a large bullet in the

wrong spot, so we secured our tags and went hunting.

That year in Idaho was the most dismal deer season I

have ever experienced to date. We hiked and hiked. And we

saw lots of deer but no bucks. We jumped up some 40 head

of moose. How badly I wished I had a moose tag. It was hot

and dry, and we covered a lot of country. Near the last few

days of the season, we split up, and she stalked within 50

yards of a four-point buck but made a rookie mistake, and

before she could get the safety moved to “fire,” he bolted.

That one missed opportunity and days of long hard hikes

amounted to her first season. She would be so exhausted at

the end of those days of hunting that she would often fall

asleep on the drive back to Idaho Falls where we lived at

the time. Disappointed as she was, she didn’t give up even

though she never got to even fire a shot that year.

In 2016, we moved back to Oregon, and in the fall of

2017, we both headed for the hills with an antlerless deer

tag in hand. I had since acquired her a Remington Model

600 in .243 Winchester. With its short barrel and lightweight

design, it was the perfect gun for a little lady like her.

Shooting twice as much bullet as the .22-250 with her new

rifle, I felt she was much better armed. On opening day, we

headed for the hills. It was a beautiful fall morning with a

light fog rising off the river. About a half hour into the hunt,

we spotted deer. After practicing all summer with her new

deer rifle, she took her first doe at about 75 yards. She fired

offhand with a “hasty sling,” and the 100 grain Hornady

bullet met its mark. Her excitement was contagious. I’m not

sure who was more proud. After pictures, I field dressed and

loaded her first deer into our truck. As she told the story to

others that day, I must confess I was just as excited as she

was. I filled my own tag that evening, and we had our meat

for the winter.

Seeing someone go from eager newcomer to

experienced shooter and first time deer hunter was one of the

greatest things I as her mentor could’ve experienced in this

lifetime. This is the goal all shooting mentors should strive

for: to get their pupils to master the art and constantly grow

in discipline and skill. I’ve mentored others for their first

kill, and it’s always a great occasion. Get them trigger time

with guns that fit well and that they enjoy shooting, and they

too will enjoy the various shooting sports. This fall, we both

drew our antlerless deer tags again. I cannot wait to take my

sweetheart, and my newest hunting partner, out yet again.

It’s pretty much the perfect date together!

Dale Valade is a local country gent with a deep love forhandloading, hunting and shooting.

His camo is in the closet and his bow is on the wall,

His arrows untouched, for he will not hunt this fall.

Or any year after, he feels he is alone

An army of a thousand men and he was sent home.

Only stubs now visible where his legs used to be,

To live beyond the blast, to serve his country.

Now through the darkness, his limits all come to mind,

The excuses of his life were all that he could find.

An anger deep within, he was fading away,

To be done with the pain not face another day.

Yet his dad came in his vision a distant memory

A chance to relive his childhood, of things that used to be.

They loved to hunt together, he smiled at the thought

Of the stories and the animals his dad almost got.

And of tag stew that they ate, a brothy mixture in their caper

More vegetables than anything. Was that really soggy paper?

He could hear his father’s laughter as it quietly ebbed away,

He remembered hunting in the morning, naps during the day.

They would laugh at his stories and his lavishing puns,

And admired the collection of his many guns.

How his dad harassed him, with that bow over there,

A Stick-Flinger he had called him with a twinkle in his stare,

But that bull that he got with it, before his dad would die,

Made a boy into a man, with pride in his father’s eye.

Through the shadow of death he faced his fears

He heard his father’s words ringing in his ears,

As he had seen battle and the force of a hand

His father’s battle cry, “Not on our land!”

But when the Twin Towers fell, so did he

Risking life and limb for the land of the free.

With tears down his face he quietly asked, “why?”

From the voice of his father, came a reply.

"You are who you are, helpless or not,

Rise above your weakness and deal with what you got,

For your life is not a dream, or something that is given,

Your life is today, and for you to start livin’.”

Then he woke from his dream, as quick as a wink,

After four years he had to move beyond the brink.

With a program for the wounded, a beacon in the night,

A warrior who has faced a battle and struggled through the fight,

He gathers up his courage, and presses strength within

For the first time in a long time, he is ready to try again

He has built an inner-strength within himself somehow

His history and future blend together to the man he is now.

He grabbed his prosthetics, and silently slipped them on,

His friends were coming, and his nightmare is now gone.

The night rests from the darkness now fading to light,

The moisture teases the senses of the frost’s first bite.

Anticipation of autumn and the gathering of friends,

And this is where his dream of hunting begins.

For his camo is in his duffle and his bow’s off the wall,

His arrows are sharp, he's going hunting this fall.

He can hear a bull bugle a high-pitched scream,

He is going to live, and be more than his dream.

His Camo's in the ClosetA poem by A. Kathy Moss for the Blue Mountain EagleStory by Dale Valade for the Blue Mountain Eagle

WMENTORING MY SWEETHEART

Emma’s first hunt

Emma Valade

Dale Valade

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week

• Tent and RV spaces, electric only.• 7 RV sites with electric hookup.

• Dump station to dump holding tanks.

• Showers and restrooms.

5 Park Lane, Dayville, OR 97825

Southfork RV Park

73224

207 W. Franklin St., Dayville, OR • 541-987-2133

Dayville MercantileOPEN MON. - SAT. 8-6, SUN. 9-5

Stop in and stock up for your big hunting trip!

Showers • RestroomsRV Space • Camping Bunkhouse • Cabins

(541) 427-3352503 E Main St., Ukiah, OR

Hunters AlwaysWelcome!

We Cater to Groups!

73733

Is your loyalHUNTING PARTNERready for hunting season?

Rattlesnake antivenin

and vaccines available

for dogs.

59989 Hwy. 26, John Day • 541-932-4428

Colleen Robertson, DVMMichael Nussbaum, DVM.



Mule deer in the John Day region are a mixed bag.

“The Murderers Creek unit is doing well with the

fawn-to-doe ratio at 37:100, which is good,” says

local district wildlife biologist Ryan Torland. “Fawn

ratios in the Northside and Desolation units are less

than ideal. We’re not sure why, but cat predation is

probably a factor.”

Mule deer continue to struggle in northeast

Oregon, according to Enterprise-based ODFW district

wildlife biologist Pat Matthews. “We’ve had low

fawn survival, even with the mild winter,” he explains.

One potential explanation is that fawns born after the

previous hard winter were in poor condition and did

not survive, despite the mild weather. Matthews

expects mule deer hunting to be slow this year in the

Wenaha, Sled Springs, Chesnimnus, Snake River,

Minam and Imnaha units, but to some extent, the

growing white-tailed deer population will take up

some of the slack.

In the high desert, Hines-based district wildlife

biologist Rod Klus reports that mule deer had poor

recruitment, which may be because the does were not

in very good physical shape coming out of the last

hard winter. Fawn survival, however, was better and

will result in more young bucks to harvest this fall.

“Deer numbers are pretty good,” says Tillamook-

based assistant district wildlife biologist Dave Nuzum.

“The black-tailed deer population is at benchmark on

all our units and my sense is that winter survival was

pretty good.”

The story is still the same in the Cascades and

Coast ranges with habitat conditions for ungulates

declining due to the lack of logging and clearcuts on

national forest lands, driving many animals onto

private timberlands where logging continues to create

early seral stage vegetation conditions that help grow

more deer (and elk). According ODFW district

wildlife biologist Chris Yee, in Springfield, “Our

winter didn’t have any impact, and the fawn ratios are

similar to last year.”

“I’m feeling good about our deer population,”

says district wildlife biologist Steve Niemela, who

works out of the Central Point ODFW office. “We

have a migratory deer herd, and they are doing a little

better than black-tailed deer in other parts of the state

because they migrate to good winter range.” He’s

predicting a “pretty good” upcoming season in his

region, pointing out that success rates can be as high

as 50 percent in the Rogue and Applegate units.

In the Klamath Falls area, according to district

wildlife biologist Tom Collom, fawn survival rates

were much improved over the previous winter and

that will translate into more yearling bucks available

to hunters over the previous year.

Ryan Torland says that elk are doing well in the

John Day region and are at management objective

for most units. He expects good hunting opportu-

nities this fall.

“Elk are doing really good,” says Enterprise-

based Pat Matthews, “even though we are still

having some low calf survival. I expect hunting to

be pretty normal with a good elk population and lots

of big bulls available.”

Rod Klus in Hines reports that elk are doing fine

in the High Desert Region, had good overwinter

survival, an average or better calf crop and a good,

mature bull population.

The North Coast elk population is slowly

building back up after being a little on the low side

a few years ago, according to biologist Nuzum. “We

have a healthy elk population although it is slightly

below management objective,” he says. He notes

that the bull ratios are robust on all his units, which

includes Saddle Mountain, Wilson and Trask.

Cascades elk are still suffering from the same

lack of succulent new growth on public lands due to

the significant cutback in logging over the years,

although to some extent, wildfires help make up

some of the difference. As a rule, you will find more

elk on private timberlands with active logging

operations. “Most of the elk population on industrial

forest land is good,” says Springfield-based Yee.

Further south, Niemela reports, “Elk have been

on a slow, multi-decade decline mostly because of

a decline in early seral stage habitat.” However, he

notes that Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest staff is

planning some future projects to improve elk, and

deer, habitat on the forest. “We did see a lot of bulls

on our helicopter surveys,” says Niemela. So,

despite the population being down, there are still

some nice bulls out there to be harvested. In his

district, the Chetco unit offers the best opportunities.

Tom Collom, in Klamath Falls, reports good

bull ratios, and notes that because elk are lightly

hunted in his district, there are some very big bulls

running around out there that a hunter occasionally

lucks into.

Overall, Oregon’s desert and Rocky Mountain

bighorn sheep are doing fairly well right now. Ryan

Torland reports that there are about 150 in the Aldrich

Mountain herd near John Day and about 100 in the

McClellan Mountain herd. ODFW translocated some

additional sheep to the Aldrich herd in 2010, which

gave it a jumpstart, and the herd is now increasing.

The McClellan herd is stable to increasing.

“Bighorns are kind of hanging in there,” says Pat

Matthews, “although the Lostine herd is having

trouble with low survival and predation.” He notes

that there is a new herd in Hells Canyon that is almost

large enough to start a new hunt.

Rod Klus reports that desert bighorns in his area

are doing fine with no disease or excessive predation

issues.

Ryan Torland reports that goats are doing well in

the Strawberry Mountains with the current herd at

about 60 animals. There are also about 20 goats

hanging around nearby Canyon Mountain, and

ODFW biologists are trying to figure out if a new herd

is forming or if they are members of the Strawberry

herd moving back and forth.

In northeast Oregon, Pat Matthews says, “Goats

are doing really well, numbers are increasing and

success rates are high for anyone who draws a tag.”

Pronghorns are doing well in the John Day area,

according to Ryan Torland, especially on the

Murderers Creek Unit. There are pronghorn hunts

on the Northside and Heppner units, but they are all

on private lands and access can be difficult.

“Pronghorn populations are having a pretty

good run,” says Rod Klus. “Last year they didn’t

have a very impressive crop of fawns but the overall

population is steady.”

Tom Collon also reports that pronghorns are

doing really well in south-central Oregon east of the

Cascade Mountains. “We have them in the eastern

part of Klamath County, and they have been

increasing over the past eight or 10 years,” says

Collom.

There continues to be healthy, and in some areas

increasing, populations of bears and cougars. There

are good numbers of bears in the Cascades and

Coast ranges, with the population going up as you

move south. The Applegate Unit continues to be the

top bear producer in the state. Northeast and

southwest Oregon still tend to have the largest

cougar populations. Cougars have been

documented slowly expanding their populations

into the northwestern part of the state, including into

the outskirts of Portland, with the biggest increase

currently in the Alsea Unit.

Successful bear hunters take the time to locate

food sources such as berry patches, and to be there

when they ripen, because that is when the bears will

show up. While some hunters specifically target

cougars using predator calls or snow tracking, most

of these secretive cats are taken opportunistically.

Bear & Cougar

Pronghorn

Rockymountain Goat

Bighorn Sheep

ElkDeer

2018 BIG GAME PREVIEW By Jim Yuskavitch, Oregon Hunters Association

Hard winters often play havoc with big game herds, making forage harder to find and causing deer and elk to be more vulnerable to predators as they are forced to struggle through deep snow. For

that reason, hunters often breathe a sigh of relief when winters are mild. But, surprisingly, it may not benefit big game as much as we might think. While deer may show increased survival through a

light winter, it often doesn’t make much difference to elk, which, because of their size and strength, fare about as well in harsh winters as mild ones. Deer will stick to their traditional winter range even

when conditions are poor, while pronghorns light out for new territory looking for better range during hard winters. And despite the mild winter weather, some biologists still reported decreased fawn

survival and poor calf recruitment in some areas. Nevertheless, mild winters are still better for big game than hard ones, and most predictions are for better big game hunting opportunities this fall

over last year. Here’s what a roundup of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists around the state recently had to say about big game prospects in their districts.


WELCOME TO LES SCHWAB COUNTRYWELCOME TO LES SCHWAB COUNTRY551 W Main St.

John Day, OR.(541) 575-1346

Hours:M-F, 8AM-6PM

Sat 8AM-5PM • Closed Sun

Tires • Wheels • Batteries • Shocks Alignment • Lifting • Lowering

Free with Every Passenger Car & Light Truck Tire Purchase

69488

to grant county - Townnews

Documents

Transcript of to grant county - Townnews