2019 SWOCC Elliott State Forest Draft Recreation Plan

PART 5. Wildlife Recreation: Hunting, Trapping, and Birdwatching

By Amelia Harvey, Hunter Black-Priest, and Kelsey Morrison

This chapter is built upon chapter 9 “Birds and Birding” By Matthew Smith, Daniel Patton, and Tara Boyd (Kronsberg, et al. 2018: 31-36) and chapter 10 “Hunting and Trapping” By Abigail Richards, Cody Harkins, and Matthew Hofenbredl (ibid.: 37-40) in the 2018 Draft Elliott State Forest Recreation Plan.

Hunting

Hunting is the activity or sport of perusing wild game; it has been a tradition in the Elliott for many years and will continue for years to come. The Gould family that lived on Elkhorn Ranch in the 1880’s has used hunting as a means for survival as well as many other families, including my own, do today. Big game is most commonly hunted which includes bear, elk, deer, cougar, etc. Small game is less common but still occurs, this includes, coyotes: rabbit, squirrel. Birds such as quail, grouse and turkey can also be hunted in the Elliott.

Map 5.1. Elliott State Forest in Relation to Tioga Hunting Unit (Kronsberg, et al. 2018: 38).

Big Game

Bear, elk and deer are the most common big game animals found in the Elliott. Hunting in the Elliott is challenging due to the fact that there is no logging or clearcutting, which means that it is very dense forests making it hard to spot animals. Compared to other areas of the Tioga unit the Elliott is much less desirable because it is much harder hunting.

Table 5.1. Oregon Big Game Hunting Seasons, Jan. 2019- Feb. 2020 (ODFW 2019a: 24-62) .

Small Game

Small game species provide a variety of hunting opportunities throughout the state and are an excellent way to introduce new hunters to hunting  . . . There are three major categories of small game in Oregon, Western Gray Squirrel, unprotected mammals, and furbearers.” (ODFW 2018: 63).

Table 5.2. Oregon Small Game Hunting Seasons, Jan. 2019-Feb. 2020 (ODFW 2018a: 63).

Birds

Bird hunting in the Elliott is a great recreational activity already used by “regulars”. Although it is not well known in the Elliott, there is that opportunity. Many people hunt near Elkhorn Ranch for game birds such as grouse and quail. Others hunt for waterfowl down at the mouth of Tenmile Lake.

Table 5.3. Oregon Game Bird Seasons, Jan. 2019- Feb. 2020 (ODFW 2018c: 17-22).

Trapping

Although trapping in the Elliott is unfrequently done there are plenty of opportunities for recreationists to pursue many different types of wildlife trapping. “By action of the 1985 Oregon Legislature, all trappers born after June 30, 1968, and all first-time Oregon trappers of any age are required to complete an approved trapper education course.” (ODFW 2018b: 4).  All trappers must also acquire a Fur Taker’s license or a hunting license.

Table 5.4. Oregon Furbearer Trapping Seasons, Jan. 2019-Feb. 2020 (ODFW 2018b: 4).

Potential for School Trust Advantage

Hunting and trapping can possibly bring money in for the School trust fund. This would allow further enhancements in the forest such as creating or vehicle accessible roads, hiring experts for private/controlled hunts, and ultimately creating revenue. Building hunting/trapping camps inside the Elliott for the public will help create even more revenue. By charging the public to use these places, such as a campground, it could put money into the school fund. In Coos County, there are several successful campgrounds (e.g., Laverne or Tenmile County Park) that charge the public for use, and run it based off of those funds (Kronsberg, et al. 2018: 40).

Recommendations  

There are issues that have arisen within the Elliott in terms of hunting. The Elliott State Forest currently lies within the Tioga Unit, “unit twenty-four” (see Map 5.1).In terms of hunting, the Elliott could be one of the best hunting locations but road conditions are undesirable. Hunters have a difficult time finding the animals, which could be caused by the thick brush, lack of clear-cuts, and vast area with little access (Kronsberg, et al. 2018: 40). To improve habitat conditions throughout the Elliott ideas such as: selective clear cutting, commercial spraying, brush clearing and controlled burns need to be considered. This will help minimize the unnecessary amount of brush, invasive plant species, and timber damage within the forest. The State Land Board should be contacted in order to research the possibility of guided hunts within the Elliott. A plan could be created for implementing access permits for specific hunting areas and installing gates to help control access and damage to the roads. Contacting the Oregon Hunters Association to set up fundraisers aimed toward local hunters could help raise money for road and trail improvements.

Birdwatching

Currently, birding in the Elliott is just used as a recreational activity, however, there is little to no precise data on locations of bird nesting grounds or migration patterns in the Elliott, which make these activities difficult.

Income / School Trust Fund Potential

According to Richards, et al. There is potential for School Trust Funds by selling birding merchandise and memorabilia (i.e. magnets, coffee cups, posters, etc.) could be another potential, however the margin may not be as great. There would need to be an area to purchase said merchandise such as a gift shop. Another option for distribution could be a partnership with a local business in exchange for advertisement. Birding passes could be a possibility that could potentially become profitable. The “Oregon Birding Association” awards grants up to $750 for each project that promotes “education, enjoyment, conservation, and science of birds and birding in Oregon”. This could be a great opportunity for income to at least start a birding project for the Elliott. (Kronsberg, et al. 2018: 36)

Barriers to Development

Due to the conditions of the road ways going into the Elliot it is hard for individuals to access most of the prime areas for bird watching. With the steep terrain and poorly maintained roadways and the lack of signage to know where to find certain bird habitat people are often deterred from using this as a birding site. Another concern is the lack of any trail systems and the trails that are in place have not had any upkeep.

Recommendations for/against Development

To improve birding and bird habitat throughout the Elliott, the Audubon Society should be contacted to consider doing studies on bird nesting location and migration patterns. Planning recreational development around the nesting seasons of sensitive bird species should also be implemented. Adding educational signs for specific nesting areas, habitats, and trails specifically for bird watching would be beneficial. Road maintenance also needs to be done to make it accessible for everyone to have easier access to birding areas.

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