[ODFW-News] Hunters welcome new public access on east Steens Mountain

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Monday, Oct. 31, 2005

Hunters welcome new public access on east Steens Mountain
 
HINES - A good year for chukar populations in southeastern Oregon,
combined with new public hunting access obtained by the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife along the east face of Steens Mountain
has created great new opportunities for bird hunters looking for
territory to explore.
 
Earlier this year, ODFW reached an agreement with the owner of the
Alvord Ranch and Kueny Ranch, located along the east base of Steens
Mountain. The $50,000 deal ensures public hunting on 10,500 acres of
ranch properties for five years. In addition, the agreement also
improves access to 38,200 acres of public lands on Steens Mountain.
 
Funding for the project came from ODFW's Access and Habitat Program. 
 
The Access and Habitat Program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting
licenses. Funds raised by the program are distributed through grants to
individual and corporate landowners, conservation organizations and
others for cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access
projects throughout the state.
 
"It's a good year for chukars," said ODFW District Wildlife Biologist
Ron Garner. "We had a pretty good hatch and good spring weather."
 
The area also offers excellent hunting opportunities for California
quail, mule deer, bighorn sheep, cougar, and predators.
 
"This country is very steep," advises Garner, "so hunters should have
sturdy boots and be in pretty good shape. It's extreme chukar hunting."
 
Chukar season runs through Jan. 31, 2006.
 
Maps showing open roads and welcome to hunt areas are available at the
ODFW Malheur Watershed District office, 237 S. Hines Blvd., Hines and at
ODFW headquarters, 3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem.
 
For more information about hunting these properties contact the ODFW
Malheur Watershed District Office at (541) 573-6582. For information on
the A&H Program call program coordinator Nick Myatt, 503-947-6087 or
visit the Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us/AH/.
 
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