Oregon Hunters Association - Bend Chapter

Elk calling clinic 7/30 Thursday at 6pm.
La Pine Archery Park.
Everyone welcome to attend.

A couple of Bend Chapter members set up a booth in La Pine on Saturday at the Three Rivers Archers 3D Shoot, where there was plenty of activity. Other NGOs from our local Oregon Partners in Conservation group also had booths. While the shoot was underway, ODFW hosted a Youth Hunter Safety Class, with many participants leaving with big smiles after learning they had passed. We sold nine gun calendar memberships, welcoming new OHA members to the rewarding experience of future habitat projects. A highlight for me was meeting the Blade Rehab guy, who offered discounted knife sharpening. He sharpened two of my knives, and I was impressed with his skill and the razor-sharp results. If your spouse wants kitchen knives sharpened, he’s the one to call! Lastly, the beautiful elk shed in the picture was generously loaned to us by Craig Boatman of Oregon Antler Works, and we’re grateful for it—most of us can only dream of finding something like that in the field.

A great opportunity if you are an archery hunter or just want to have some fun. We will have a booth at this event as well.

Calling all Central Oregon archery hunters! Get dialed in for archery season July 25, 8 am to 2 pm at Three Rivers Archery Park in La Pine.

More information and sign up below 👇

All Hands All Brands for Your Public Lands 2027 is in the books. Overall volunteers put in 1,021 hours of volunteer time. With the federal volunteer rate being $36.14 that is an impressive value of $36,898. 56 volunteers showed up to work hard, share stories and good food.

Many volunteers once again came together for the annual All Hands, All Brands habitat work party. This year we saw Oregon Hunter Association Chapters from Bend, Redmond, Ochoco, Emerald and Capital. Also present were RMEF from around the State, BHA, MDF and Western Beavers, USFS Ochoco Wildlife Biologists, Oregon Department of Forestry Lead Wildlife Biologist, Oregon State University College of Forestry Educator and an ODFW Wildlife Biologist.

We did maintenance on guzzlers and Derr Meadows. 3 guzzlers that had been destroyed in the fire two years ago were taken apart including removing the fence and aprons. On our final day workday, we split into three groups building an apron over a new guzzler along with a fence around it, completed a .8 mile fence around an Aspen stand where we had previously built a buck and pole fence around it several years ago that burnt in the big fire and dropped trees into a steep creek which will help restore it.

Many different NGO's are headed to the Ochoco's this week to work on habitat projects which include rebuilding a guzzler, tearing out old guzzlers that burnt in the last fire and building new fences around Aspen stands. We also take time to enjoy each other's company with a great BBQ steak potluck, Sunday breakfast and a Friday night appetizer hour. In the picture are many types of cheese which Dave Fields is graciously preparing for our event. If you don't know Dave well you are just missing out on being around a positive and happy guy.

Bend OHA volunteers patrolled and repaired the wildlife fence between Lava Butte and Vandevert Rd. Five trees were cleared from the fence line, and repairs were completed. We also found damage to the highway shoulder where it’s starting to wash out. Last year, we spotted similar damage and reported it to ODOT, who quickly responded by dumping rock into the hole. This time, a new washout near the original was found, along with a few other damaged spots along the highway. These issues were reported to ODOT, as they aren’t visible from the road.

Please consider joining us for a great weekend in the Ochoco's for the purpose of habitat work, good conversations and a great potluck with bbq steak and a Sunday morning breakfast to follow.