Mule Deer (copy)

A pair of mule deer bucks feed on plants in front of a house along SE Fargo Lane in Bend on Aug. 4, 2022.

The board of a local branch of the Oregon Hunters Association says it is reversing its support for a plan devised by Deschutes County that is intended to improve habitat for mule deer. But not all members, both across the state and locally, agree with the board’s decision.

The board of directors of the Bend chapter of the hunters association said it can no longer support the county’s proposed Mule Deer Winter Range Combining Zone, also known as an “overlay zone,” a turnaround after board members had previously supported the rule changes.

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Reporter: 541-617-7818,

mkohn@bendbulletin.com

Michael Kohn has been public lands and environment reporter with The Bulletin since 2019. He enjoys hiking in the hills and forests near Bend with his family and exploring the state of Oregon.

(3) comments

IMHO

Incredibly short-sighted on the part of the Hunter's Assoc. The Overlay Zone deals with habitat only, and is an attempt to ensure that mule deer have enough. It is NOT a referendum on what or who kills the most deer. The goal of the plan is to protect forage - which means food. ODFW is quite clear on how the deer are dying - poaching, car strikes, disease, predation. This is just one part of what needs to happen to protect deer. Clearly, the pro-property rights, anti-anything government or regulation crowd push the pressure on this group. I grew up hunting and have hunters as friends and family. We are all appalled by this choice.

62462

Fellow lifelong hunter and third-generation Central Oregonian agreeing with you here.

guest5237

Hasn't there been enough "development" in Bend already??? When's it going to truly slow down? When will the humans living there start to think about ALL the wild animals they've dislodged from their homes? Take some responsibility for the wildlife that surrounds you instead of complaining about them... the animals aren't the problem, people are at this point. Stop the insanity or next area being developed will be Mt Bachelor itself and even then you'll want more development. Enough is enough.

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