Hunting Christmas trees in Sisters forests

The public can now purchase Christmas tree permits for the 2024 season at Forest Service offices, online, and from local vendors around Central Oregon for use on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests.

Purchase online at Recreation.gov — a $5 per permit with an additional $2.50 reservation fee. Permits purchased online must be printed to be valid.

In-person permits are available at Forest Service offices and several local vendors ( http://www.bit.ly/3fsheXA ). Individual permits are $5 and households can purchase a maximum of five permits.

Fourth-graders are eligible for a free permit as a part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, a national program to encourage children to visit national parks, forests, and public lands. To be eligible, the student must have an Every Kid Outdoors pass (information can be found at https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm ). Students can obtain their free permit by visiting a Forest Service office or at http://www.recreation.gov.

Christmas tree guidance

• Check weather forecast and road conditions before traveling. Dress for the season. Be prepared for snow.

• Start tree hunting early in the day to have plenty of daylight hours. Bring emergency supplies, including water, food, and a first-aid kit.

• Tell someone where you are going. Bring a map and compass. Cell phones may not work.

• The tree must be at least 200 feet from main roads, recreation sites, and campgrounds, and away from areas along the sides of streams, rivers, lakes, and wet areas. Check with forest or ranger district for specific distance.

• Select a tree with a trunk six inches or less in diameter and cut the tree no more than six inches above ground level. Never cut a tree just for the top.

• Select tree from overstocked area. Watch restricted areas. Cut one tree per tag. Attach tag to the harvested tree before placing it in the vehicle. Bring a rope and tarp to move the tree from the harvest area to the vehicle. Properly secure tree for travel.

• You are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of those around you.

For more information visit Deschutes National Forest’s website, http://www.bit.ly/3zDt87Q or Ochoco National Forest’s website http://www.bit.ly/3ft6PuG.