Volunteers Needed for Oregon’s Chetco Fish Project
OutdoorHub 10.18.11
Bend, Ore. October 17, 2011 — ODFW will discuss its proposed acquisition of the McDaniel Ranch in Malheur County at a series of public meetings in Ontario, Burns and Bend.
- Ontario: Nov. 1, Ontario Grange (3890 Hwy 201) at 7:00 pm
- Burns: Nov. 2, Harney County Chamber of Commerce (484 North Broadway) at 7:00 pm
- Bend: Nov. 3, Riverhouse Convention Center (3075 North Business 97) at 7:00 pm
The purchase would add approximately 1,075 acres to the Riverside Wildlife Area, which is 15 miles south of Juntura, Ore.
The proposed acquisition is a mix of aquatic, wetland, riparian and sagebrush steppe habitat. Wildlife species found on the property include mule deer, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, dove, ROSEBURG, Ore. – ODFW is looking for volunteers to help with a fish project on the Chetco River. Data collected from the projects helps biologists manage salmon and is also a high priority in the Rogue Fall Chinook SMU Conservation Plan. The plan is currently undergoing peer review.
Volunteers are needed Nov. 15 – Jan. 31 to float the Chetco River and get scale samples from spawned adult fall chinook carcasses.
“The scales show us age composition of the fall chinook run. This helps us project next year’s run size which helps set the in-river and ocean bubble fishery,” said John Weber, ODFW STEP biologist.
Volunteers usually work in three-person crews out of drift boats; however, bank anglers are also needed. Volunteers can use their own boats or ODFW can assign helpers to other boats. Training is provided on Tuesdays in November at the STEP Indian Creek Hatchery.
To volunteer, call Weber at 541-247-7605. All volunteers must complete a volunteer application available at the Gold Beach Field Office, 29907 Airport Way
