It’s that time of year again. Most of the leaves have fallen, Election Day is finally over and hunters full of adrenalin and testosterone head to the woods with the hope of bringing home something more than a hangover from cheap beer and indigestion from bad camp food. I’ve been hunting since I was a kid but have noticed several changes over the years. First off, it seems that “hunting” has become “shooting.” Drive up ... [full story]

Did you know that when you book a guide in the Florida Keys, it's customary to call the guide the night before and ask what you should bring them for lunch? But what about trout fishing in the northwest? Or bass fishing in the south? Are there unwritten rules for guides everywhere you go?Just like you, I love to fish. Much like many of my fellow Ranger Pro Staff members, even when we have time ... [full story]

Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to bring deer, elk or moose parts containing central nervous system tissue into Oregon from any state or province with a documented case of Chronic Wasting Disease.In recent weeks, several hunters have been cited for not following the ban. Though the regulation has been in effect since 2002, the citations show some hunters may be unaware of, or simply not following the rules, which are crucial to keeping ... [full story]

If you are an Oregon resident with an interest and experience in hunting and conservation, consider applying to serve on the statewide board or a regional council of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Access and Habitat program. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is accepting applications for one hunter representative on the statewide Access & Habitat (A&H) board and for 21 positions on regional advisory councils.  Included among the 21 positions is ... [full story]

Linton Lake: A large earthquake shook the Central Oregon Cascades. Lava began oozing from the base of North Sister and flowed down the drainage of White Branch Creek to the west. The flow continued for about 12 miles, jumping into the next drainage of Linton Creek and creating a dam. A thousand years later, I stand on the shores of Linton Lake and try to imagine the scene -- the smoky, fiery lava bulldozing its ... [full story]

Below us, the Malheur River ran like a thin ribbon through the vastness of steep, rocky hills and countless canyons. The area looked treeless, barren and uninhabitable -– perfect chukar habitat. On a late afternoon hunt, we hiked down one side of a ridgetop toward the river. We found the first covey of chukar under a high point on the ridge. On the climb back up we ran into a covey of about 50 quail. ... [full story]

The molten, steaming lava flowed from the cinder cone and headed for the pristine, slow-moving river --  covering, burning, and destroying everything in its path. Finally it reached the river, in places filling its channel and pushing the entire river westward. In other places great lava dams formed across the river, backing up water and creating lakes. Through erosion, these dams eventually breached, leaving behind a series of rapids and falls where the once placid ... [full story]

After rounding the final bend of the trail near the summit, I find myself in the midst of the skeletal remains of charred trees, remnants of a 200-acre forest fire sparked by lightning in September of 1981. In the distance, Mount Jefferson stands like a beacon, overlooking the surrounding wilderness. Farther to the north, Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak, reaches into the clear mountain air. The lookout tower comes into view and a few minutes ... [full story]

If you love waterfalls and wilderness, then a great fall hiking destination should be Whychus Creek (pronounced “Why-choose”) in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. From Sisters, turn south on Elm Street (which becomes Forest Road 16) and head toward Three Creek Lake. At 7.2 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 1514, where you’ll see a sign for Whychus Creek. After five miles, turn left on Forest Road 600. This is a rough road with sharp ... [full story]

Two bucks stood very still in a small clearing of the ponderosa pine forest. The hunter raised his rifle, taking aim at the larger of the two deer and squeezed the trigger. At only 50 yards, it should have been an easy shot but neither deer flinched. After two more shots, his partner also fired twice with the same result. Something wasn’t right with this situation.   Oregon State Troopers set up elk decoy to catch ... [full story]

High Desert Deer MAURY, OCHOCO, AND GRIZZLY UNITS: Overall deer populations are below desired management objectives; however, fawn survival was above average this winter which should provide good numbers of yearling bucks this fall. Bucks in all three units are at or slightly above desired management levels. The Rager Cooperative Travel Access Program will be in effect on the Paulina Ranger District with no changes from last year. Motorized vehicle restrictions associated with the program start ... [full story]

A Haystack Reservoir campground on the Crooked River National Grassland was recently closed while repairs to a drinking water system are completed. Haystack Campground is located on the reservoir’s east shore and is routinely closed for the winter.  It will reopen next April for the summer season with the new water system.  The 24-site fee campground has fire pits, tables and paved areas for tent or trailer camping. The reservoir’s West and South Shore Campgrounds will remain ... [full story]

How many times have players stood on the tee box of a par-three with water in front of the green and panicked?  Too many to count.  Instead of fearing the trouble in front of the green, choose a club that will take the trouble out of play no matter what.  If faced with a par-three with water in front of the green, try taking a club that will give you 20 yards more than you ... [full story]