By Jim Akenson, OHA NE Director
OHA has been actively involved in giving input on ODFW’s proposal to make changes to eastern Oregon’s archery regulations, primarily as part of a series of sport group meetings spanning the last couple years.
This proposal culminated with the Fish and Wildlife Commission putting these changes into rule at the Aug. 6 Commission meeting.
The ODFW staff proposal adds eight wildlife management units to the seven existing controlled units for archery and leaves the rest of the state in one general season for archery.
There will also be a five-unit Eagle Cap Zone including and surrounding the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
OHA supports these changes, including the zone concept, assuming that elk tag numbers were within objectives for biological factors and equity in harvest distribution for all weapon types.
In addition, OHA has strongly encouraged establishing a statewide controlled archery youth hunt, which would allow youth to hunt the newly proposed controlled units, and general hunt units, during archery season.
OHA will submit a separate letter encouraging this youth hunt concept and hope that our membership will also contribute support for future bowhunters.
OHA submitted a detailed letter to the Commission jointly with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Oregon Outdoor Council, and Traditional Archers of Oregon.
The joint letter can be viewed at https://oregonhunters.org/documents
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