Hunters have best opener in years

The Sisters country proved to be prime hunting grounds over the opening weekend of deer season.

"It's been excellent," Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Steven George said. "Best opening weekend, as far as I can tell, in the last 10 years, if not back before that."

According to George, hunters in the Metolius Unit had the best luck, with a 32 percent success rate. The Fort Rock Unit to the east was also a hot spot with a 23 percent success rate.

Overall, 18 percent of Central Oregon hunters filled their tags.

"I think it had a lot to do with the weather," George said.

Last year, with conditions George described as "hot, dry and nasty," hunters in the Metolius area had only a 7 percent success rate.

Cooler, wetter weather this season means deer are comfortable ranging through the forest, and hunters are seeing a lot of them.

"Of course, the deer herds have been increasing ofver the past few years," George noted.

The opener was a success on another front, George observed: Hunters are obeying the law."(There was) only one illegal kill that we're aware of," George said. "We've had very few violations. It was one of those openers that we like to see."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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