Wallowa-Whitman in the Rain

Heading for the Wallowa's to a campground just west of the Inmaha canyon.  Looking for elk sheds and turkey.  

Weather forecast calls for rain and clouds.  After three weeks of sunny skies, wouldn't you know it that on the appointed day of departure, the weather turns against you.  Ah...It's Oregon.  Deal with it.

So there it is.  Stay tuned.

Steens Mountains:  The Battle for the Horizon

The Portland OR Audubon Society has thrown the gauntlet down and is challenging the construction of an "industrial scale" wind project in the Steens Mountains.  A federal lawsuit has been filed in US District Court to stop plans for the development of the Echanis Wind Project and its 40-60 wind turbines.  The project is slated for over 10K acres on private land.

It's a battle between spectacular scenery versus clean energy.

Okay.  Wind is "green."  The project would provide 30,000 homes with power, along with a huge bump of badly needed new jobs in the Harney, Crook and Grant counties where the wind blows steady most of the time.

That's all good and fancy, but I'm not sold on the idea.  If "green" means changing the horizon (like they've done in the Gorge), then we should figure something else out.  The towers, transmission lines, access roads and everything else associated with building a wind farm is like defacing a precious work of art. 

If we let the power mongers have the Steens, what next will they demand...Mt. St. Helens.

Meanwhile...

The weather's starting to cooperate and the fishing is picking up.  Hit the Deschutes a while ago.  Water high and moving fast.  Swung wet flies and took a couple of redsides.  

Turkey season is half over.  Heading to the Wallowa's next week to search for sheds and hopefully ambush a long beard.

So there it is...Stay tuned.

USFS Caves on Wallowa-Whitman Road Closures

 "Stop the Clock" Order Issued By Forest Service On Wallowa-Whitman Road Closures

The U.S. Forest Service finally did the right thing.  They've taken a step back and are now going to listen to the people.

Residents in northeast Oregon, along with U.S. Rep.. Greg Walden, R-Ore, made enough noise to get the USFS attention and the controversial road closure order scheduled to take effect June 1 has been suspended.

The goals of the Travel Management Plan are to meet the national travel management regulations originally issued in 2005, specify motor vehicle use, reduce damages caused by motor vehicle use and better align public motor  vehicle travel routes.  Sounds like a pretty good idea.  The problem developed because the USFS failed to listen to the residents directly impacted by the closures.  The USFS did not hold public meets because they thought "emotions were too high."

Gee, seems like the government begging for forgiveness rather than asking for permission backfired this time. 

It now looks like recreational users of the forest will not have to trade their ATV's in on equine transports for the time being. 

The road closures and vehicles limitations will help protect the forest assets, but the USFS needs to pay attention to the folks that will be directly impacted by the new rules.  The end product will be a compromise that will benefit all.


So there it is.  Stay tuned.

A Wallowa-Whitman Opine

The U.S. Forest Service dropped a huge boulder on thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts by announcing a plan to close over 4,000 miles of roads in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.  The Forest Service can't maintain the roads and they can cause serious and long term ecological degradation.Trucks, cars, ATV's motorcycles and other 4X4 vehicles will be prohibited.  Bicycles, horses, llamas, elephants and hikers will be allowed.  The ban is supposed to begin on June 1, with maps available later in the summer.

Opponents are screaming foul at the top voices.  They say the Forest Service has declined to meet with the general public to explain the plan.  Even Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore is fired up, threatening to propose a rider to the 2013 appropriations bill directing the Forest Service to revise the plan with one that has the blessings of the local community.  As the Oregonian said, "hunters to huckleberry pickers are mad."

The Travel Management Plan has been a topic of discussion for over five years. Apparently none of the hunters, fishermen, hiker, and other outdoor enthusiasts paid a mind to what was being proposed. Now their collective shorts are in a knot. 

I plan to hunt in the Wallowa-Whitman Forest this fall.  I hope the Forest Service and outdoor community find a solution before I pack up my tent and head to the bush.  If they don't, and the roads get closed...too bad.  I should have paid attention in the first place.

So there it is.  Stay tuned.

Is There a Turkey Lurking in the Shadows

Soon, in the hidden glens and thick forests of the Wallowa's, fat turkeys will be strutting their stuff in search of lovely mates.  It's a Spring time ritual. 

We'll be there.  Waiting for the shot.


So there it is.  Stay tuned.

Can't Fish - Might As Well Fight

It's that time of year again.  Heavy rains have dumped mass volumes of water blowing out rivers and streams throughout the state.  Lucky there's something else do do.

Over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, the Kel's Irish Pub Smoker took place matching five local area boxers against a team from Ireland. 

Needless to say, the boys from Ireland didn't come this far to get their asses kicked.  It was a tough night for the Oregon fighters, losing four bouts and winning only one. 

Our # 1 middleweight, Auden Martinez, was invited to participate and was featured in the main event. 

It was a tough match, with both fighters throwing heavy punches and neither withering from the viscous onslaught. 

At the end of the bout, the fight went to the score cards and the crowd gave both fighters a standing ovation as a testament to the battle they had just fought.  Despite the roar of the hometown crowd, the Irish opponent won by unanimous decision. 


So there it is.  Stay tuned.

Chukar & A Pink Lady with Tomato

Scrounging through the freezer, I discovered an odd package containing one chukar and two quail from late December 201l.  I usually try to keep the species separate rather than mix them up in freezer packages but this pairing looked too good. 

Chukar & A Pink Lady with Tomato

Ingredients:

1 Chukar partridge - quartered

1 Pink Lady Apple - large diced

1 Roma Tomato - large diced

Scallions- chopped

Sweet onion- medium dice

Olive oil

Salt & Pepper

1 cup white wine

 

Dice the onion - 2/3 cup - saute with pepper in table spoon of olive oil until near opaque.

Add cut up chuker parts and lightly brown both sides.  Deglaze with wine.

Bring to boil and add cut up pink lady apple and roma tomato.  Reduce to simmer, cover and cook  (slow braise) for 30 - 45 minutes.  Meat should almost fall off bone.

An Added Treat

Since the freezer package contained two quail, I thought I'd better do something with them too.  Try browning in butter and finishing with brandy, with a splash of maple syrup. 

(Yup.  that did the trick.)

Gathered all the right stuff for a romaine, beet, grapefruit and goat cheese salad, plated and served.

Lot of different flavors.  The apple and tomato worked quite well and the added sweetness from the quail topped off the dish.  Chardonnay was a good compliment.

So there it is.  Stay tuned.