Shane Ullrich
I often get asked how I got started writing this column, and how I come up with ideas to write about.
I can only say this: I find myself in a position to talk to a lot of outdoorsmen in the barbershop on a regular basis. There is a wide range of subjects that get discussed about the outdoors, from hunting, fishing, shooting, riding quads and camping. The list is actually endless.
In all of my discussion, one thing is certain: The good old days are gone. What once was is now no longer.
Every year we get new laws that govern and regulate what we do and are allowed to do in the outdoors. Yet, things really aren’t getting any better. More than a few would say they’re worse.
A comment was made to me once that there is a difference between illegal and unethical. I happen to believe that somewhat, since 40 years ago my great-grandmother was a widow woman raising a large family of eight kids and two of them grandkids. She would wake up in the morning and on the front porch there would be a skinned-out deer ready to be cut up. This happened several times throughout the year, which became the only meat source for a poor woman.
Was this illegal? Yes. But I don’t think it was unethical.
But that’s how it was then. You did what you had to do and really, when it comes down to it, that’s the way it should be today. I’m not saying we should all rush out and break the law.
But if a family is that hungry, what is more unethical: providing yourself with food or becoming a burden to taxpayers?
I’m just saying that sometimes being an outdoors person means you have to look at things outside of the box. At the same time, it means you have to be ethical and responsible.
I’ve got a daughter just starting to get ready to hunt, and spending more time with me outdoors and getting the chance to see the impressions left by others, and the actions by people who were never taught either the law or ethics. That begins to make an impression on you about how important it is to pass on good stewardship of the outdoors and teaching the youth of today that we will lose it to the lawmakers that use a broad sword because of those few.
Unfortunately, we all get to play a role in showing these lawbreakers right from wrong.
A few weeks ago, I got to spend some time in some spectacular natural Indian rock outcroppings/caves above Cascadia State Park. You could see the carvings and impressions that the Indians left many years ago. But unfortunately, someone who didn’t care has vandalized some of it, ruining a piece of important history.
If the generations of yesterday seemed to care more about the outdoors than the generation of tomorrow, the generation of today needs to take care of that.
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Foster Reservoir is full and still has a lot of rainbow trout available, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which doesn’t plan to stock any more trout in Foster until the middle of September. Bass can be caught along the face of the dam or shoreline.
Sunnyside ponds have been stocked with trout. Trout stocking in the valley ponds is mostly completed for the season as water is warming up. All of these ponds support several species of warm water game fish. Success for bass, sunfish, and catfish can be had by using bait and being patient.
Kokanee are hitting at about 50 feet deep where the water is suitably cool in Green Peter. Fish are running 13-14 inches and can be anywhere, depending on the day. Likely areas to try include around the island, or in the mouths of the larger arms of the lake. Flashers with spinner and white corn work well.
Quartzville Creek and Clear Lake were both scheduled to be stocked Monday, July 9, with the creek getting 2,000 trout and the lake getting 4,500.
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Interested in seeing some wildlife? At this time of year, elk can often be seen at the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge near Corvallis. While viewing elk, look into the herds and you will be able to see the young bulls showing their spikes.
While out and about in the valley, keep your eyes open for upland game birds such as grouse and valley quail traveling with their young. Fledglings are also abundant as young birds like the robin learn to take flight.
ODFW’s Fern Ridge Wildlife Area and lake are open daily during the summer months. Viewing opportunities are excellent this time of year for many species of waterfowl and also osprey, black-necked stilts, yellow-headed blackbirds, and occasionally, pelicans.
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This is an important time of year for breeding waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife species so, ODFW is reminding people to keep your dogs on leash at all times until Sept. 1. Many of the birds are ground-nesting species, and it is particularly important to keep dogs under control and on leash when hiking on the wildlife area. If your dog does flush a bird from a nest or get in close proximity to a brood, please lead the dog away immediately, and try to minimize the disturbance to the birds.
Bird checklists and maps are available at area parking lots or by contacting the Wildlife Area headquarters at (541) 935-2591.
Shane Ullrich writes regularly about the Outdoors for The New Era. Contact him at the American Barber Shop at 1121 Main St. or call him at 367-8086.