Deer hunters did well in the Metolius

The weather was almost prefect for opening day of mule deer hunting season around Sisters and, in spite of the diseases that smacked the mule deer last winter, the count was up.

According to Clair Kunkel, biologist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), most of the hunters followed the rules of engagement, which brought about a 17 percent hunter success in the Southeast Metolius Unit.

Kunkel checked 30 hunters on Sunday and found five legal bucks in hunter’s camps: One three-point, two forked horns, and two four-points. Hunters’ bag limit is one mule deer buck for the season — and just a reminder… It is not a good idea (or legal) to “fill ‘the wife’s’ tag,” borrow someone else’s or do any swapping; such goings ons can get you into a heap of trouble.

“I thought the weather was perfect for hunting,” Kunkel said, “but a few hunters stayed too long in camp, while others drove the roads, so they didn’t do too well. But those hunters that went out into the forest and got wet and cold were successful.”

The rifle-only deer-hunting season started on October 1 and runs to October 12. Be warned, all you “trollers,” unless you are licensed as having a permanent disability it is illegal to shoot from a motor vehicle — two wheels or 16. Even then, with a disability license you must be parked off the road to fire at a deer from a vehicle.

Sisters’ regulations prohibit hunting within the city limits. According to ODFW, there are no restrictions regarding how close you may be to a home when firing a weapon during legal deer season. However, it isn’t polite to shoot at a deer if you are standing too close to someone’s home outside Crossroads or any other homes on the border of a hunting unit.

If you are one of the lucky ones that came out a winner in the controlled hunts coming up, be reminded that you have to pick up your tag from a license issuer before you go out and try for a deer.

Southeast Metolius Unit Controlled hunt seasons are:

• Muzzle-loaders only — October 15-21 — bag limit one deer, either sex.

• Muzzle-loaders only — October 22-28 — bag limit one antlerless deer.

• Archery only — November 1-30 — bag limit one deer, either sex.