Results aren’t in yet from the general Rocky Mountain bull elk season, which started Nov. 8. But considering how warm the weather was through most of the first season, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, results were actually decent in some Eastern Oregon areas, according to ODFW figures.
Prineville/Ochoco Wildlife District: Second Period bull hunters enjoyed above-average success in the Ochoco unit, while hunters in the Maury and Grizzly units had more difficulty finding elk. Recent weather has included rain which has made conditions wet and muddy. Hunters in the Ochoco unit are reminded the Rager and S. Boundary Travel Management Areas (TMA’s) are in effect. Maps are available at portal signs as you enter the TMA’s or at local ODFW and Forest Service offices.
Hunter success was better than expected given the mild and sunny conditions during the first period. 175 hunters with 27 bulls were checked compared to 146 hunters with 24 bulls checked in 2007. This years 15 percent success rate is nearly the same as last year’s 16 percent success, and is above average for recent years. Composition: 20 (74 percent) were mature (3+pt.), with 7 (26 percent) yearlings taken. For comparative purposes previous years proportion of yearlings was 25 percent, 40 percent, 43 percent, 16 percent, 28 percent, 40 percent, and 36 percent for 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.
Baker County: Weather conditions were dry, sunny and warm. 138 hunters were checked and 9 bulls harvested, a 6 percent success rate.
Grant County: Weather conditions were poor for hunting elk. Temperatures were warm and it was dry, which made it difficult to approach elk. 240 hunters were checked and 28 bulls harvested, a 12 percent success rate. Elk are at or above management objective in all units and bull to cow ratios are good.
Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler counties: Second season opener’s weather was cool and wet. The district had a 2 percent success rate for the opening weekend of the second elk season, lower than what was expected. However, most hunters checked were seeing elk. Both Heppner and Fossil are near Management Objective for bulls, Heppner slightly below and Fossil slightly above.
Elk populations for both the North Fossil and Heppner are below MO, about 70 percent of MO. Fossil unit hunters should expect an average year. Heppner spike hunters should have a better year with a calf ratio of 30 per 100 cows, double that of last year.
The opening two days of the first season were very warm and dry. 252 hunters were checked and 47 bull elk harvested, a 19 percent success rate. The first day of the season was very slow for harvest with the majority of the elk being taken on the second day. Both Heppner and Fossil are near Management Objective for bulls, Heppner slightly below and Fossil slightly above. Elk populations for both the North Fossil and Heppner are below MO, about 70 percent of MO. Fossil unit hunters should expect an average year. Heppner spike hunters should have a better year with a calf ratio of 30 per 100 cows, double that of last year.
Umatilla County: 270 hunters were checked and 26 bulls harvested, a 10 percent success rate. Animal distribution favors higher elevations, which is predominantly public owned and hunters are finding elk on a regular basis. Elk numbers are depressed in most areas of Umatilla County as a result of poor elk calf survival. However, some quality hunting can be had in the Ukiah Unit where a higher number of bull elk have been taken this year than in previous years.
Union County: Very warm and dry weather conditions contributed to difficult hunting conditions. 337 hunters were checked and 31 bulls and one cow harvested, a 9 percent success rate. Elk populations are over MO in Catherine Creek, at MO in Starkey and under MO. in Mt. Emily. It is encouraging that calf survival this year in all these units is higher than last year, ODFW officials say. Those male calves will be spike bulls available to hunters this season. Elk hunter success is expected to be better than average.
Wallowa District: The opening two days of the first season were unseasonably warm. A good green-up has occurred in all locations. Most of the snow that fell in October in the Wallowa Mountains had melted by the time the first season started. A total of 338 hunters were checked and 47 bulls harvested, a 14 percent success rate.
Weather conditions are forecasted to be wet with snow at higher elevations for second seasons. Hunter success is expected to be good during the second season in the Chesnimnus and Snake River units and lower success in units with spike-only bag limits.
Speaking of the Wallowa District, a conservation easement donated to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is ensuring that 678 acres will remain open, native habitat for elk and other wildlife.
Richard and Debbie Surface of Gresham gave the easement to permanently protect their land at the base of the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Wallowa County, 3.5 miles from the northern border of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
“The easement will stay with the property in perpetuity, conserving its wildlife values even after Richard and Debbie are gone. It’s a special kind of person who cherishes land for something other than its investment potential, and we’re grateful for the pure conservation spirit of the Surface family,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.
The habitat helps support a regional herd of approximately 1,200 elk, which migrate between the nearby Imnaha management unit and the Snake River unit to the east.
Trout-filled Little Sheep Creek runs near the property’s west boundary. Two small ponds and several springs provide additional water. The land is a mixture of rolling grasslands and ponderosa pine stringers along the drainages. Along with elk, it is home to mule and whitetail deer, badger, coyote, mountain lion, black bear, blue and ruffed grouse, chukar, turkey and many other species of birds.
Conservation easements typically limit development while retaining sustainable use of natural resources. Landowners control access. The Elk Foundation will provide annual monitoring of easement provisions, which were filed during the summer.
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