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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 29, 2005 Buck hunters can expect soggy conditions on opening weekend By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune PROSPECT — Rifle hunters are facing the prospect of a soggy start to the Cascades’ general black-tailed buck deer season, and wet conditions are doing nothing to dampen hunters’ spirits here. At least the chance of rain, along with warm but cloudy days, are forecast for the forestland around Prospect and Butte Falls this weekend to greet buck hunters on the opening weekend of their general rifle season. The National Weather Service lists the Prospect forecast with a chance of rain showers and a low of 42 degrees Friday, followed Saturday by more showers likely — even a chance of measurable precipitation. There’s a chance of more showers in the Prospect-Butte Falls area through Monday, it the latest in a string of wet weekends in the South Cascades. But hunting in wet camouflage and sleeping in a soggy tent could be just the ticket for buck hunters historically plagued by hot and dry conditions that make bucks dive for cover and deer-stalking a lonely endeavor. Advertisement "When it’s 80 degrees and you’re driving around with dust all over the place, it takes your spirit away," says Greg Schaffer of Prospect, who normally ignores the local woods on opening weekend in favor of low-elevation deer. "This makes a person more enthused to walk around when it’s wet," Schaffer says. "It makes you think you have a chance." The first-chance hunt this year runs through Oct. 14 before taking its traditional week-long hiatus to make room for the Cascades’ general bull-elk season for rifle hunters. The second part of the season resumes Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 4. Applegate Unit hunters who don’t have to make room for a general bull-elk season have their hunt run uninterrupted through Nov. 4. The tag-sale deadline is Friday night. Also, general cougar and black bear tags must be bought for the 2005 season by Friday night’s deadline. One $19.50 Western Oregon deer tag purchased by Sept. 30 qualifies hunters for the entire general blacktail season, making the general buck hunt still one of the cheaper outdoor adventures available. The bag limit for the general deer season remains the same. Hunters can take one buck having not less than a forked antler. After years of decline, the buck-to-doe ratio shot up to 29 bucks per 100 does heading into last year’s general season in the Rogue Unit, where the "benchmark" target is 15 bucks per 100 does. The extra bucks helped hunter success jump from 13 percent in 2004 to 22 percent in 2004. Last winter’s mild weather helped keep the momentum going. The spring deer census showed marked increases in the Rogue, Evans Creek and Applegate units. And buck ratios continued to rise, with a whopping 38 bucks per 100 does in the Rogue Unit, 22 bucks per 100 does in the Evans Creek Unit and 29 bucks per 100 does in the Applegate Unit. All the numbers line up as a reason for Schaffer to hunt near his home. Schaffer has skipped the high country on deer hunts the past five years because deer numbers and hunting conditions have been poor, he says. But more deer and better weather means he will do an about-face on this weekend’s hunting place. "While out picking huckleberries, I saw 22 deer in two days," Schaffer says. "I was pretty happy about that." Add the soggy soil to the picture and Schaffer is as optimistic for opening weekend as he’s been in years. "It’ll be nice to pump some life back into this," Schaffer says. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail Buck hunters can expect soggy conditions on opening weekend ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s