2018 Fall News

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Season's Greetings from Friends of Hart Mountain! Welcome to our Fall 2018 newsletter. Links below will direct you to the stories now found on the website.

Fall Updates from Sheldon-Hart Mtn Project Director John Kasbohm

Volunteers Still Needed for 2018 Hart Mountain Mule Deer Count!

In cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge will sponsor a mule deer count for members between Wednesday, November 28, and Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Hart Mountain. This annual count is used to assess population trends at the refuge. It is considered a ‘composition survey’ and is done by traveling around the refuge (in a vehicle or on foot) and counting the number of does, fawns, and bucks (and the number of their antler ‘points’). The refuge is broken into ten survey areas that will surveyed by the Friends.

Results of July 2018 Big Game Survey

This past July staff from the Sheldon-Hart Complex and from ODFW conducted an aerial survey of California Bighorn Sheep and Pronghorn on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge and Hart National Antelope Refuge. We summarize their results here.

New Visitor Center

Recent visitors to the Hart Mtn Refuge headquarters will have noticed changes coming for the Visitor Center. The headquarters building has been remodeled, and the Visitor Center is being enlarged and upgraded. A new interpretive center will be installed in the headquarters building. It will include an orientation map, three dimensional diorama, custom mural and a partnerships display.

Concomitant to construction of the interpretive center, new panels are being installed in all of the campground and headquarters kiosks. Although the new center will be open only when it can be manned, the outside kiosk to meet all of a visitor’s information needs.

Completion of panel installations and the interpretive center is scheduled for September 2019.

Call for a Few Good Helpers

Friends of Hart Mountain is an entirely volunteer organization. No paid staff. We rely upon the generous assistance and contributions of our supporters. While Board members have been able to handle many of FOHM’s activities, their best efforts are still insufficient to see to everything that should be done. Moreover, some matters require a bit of technical skill Board members do not possess. While one member has stepped up to contribute much needed help with information needs and to revamp our modest IT capabilities, we could use help in other areas. These includes such things graphics (brochures, posters, signs, etc.), outreach (talks and slide shows), informational text for handouts, fundraising, and leading hikes and other activities. Suggestions of other possibilities are always welcome.

We also are anxious to develop a pool of willing individuals to serve on the FOHM Board of Directors. Our goal is a Board that is fully representative of the various populations–hikers, hunters, campers, birders, wildlife enthusiasts–that use the refuge and understand its importance. While we are particularly concerned in attracting candidates from eastern and southern Oregon, all are welcome.

If you are willing to help out, please send an email to [email protected] indicating your skills and interests. Even if you have no particular skill but would like to help, we would appreciate hearing from you.

Upcoming Events

11/28-12/2/2018 – Mule Deer count.

12/19/2018 – Christmas Bird Count. Those needing accommodations should contact Acting Refuge Manage Laurel Killerud at l[email protected] or 541-947-2731.

01/26/2019 – Meeting of Friends of Hart Mtn. Board of Directors. Site and time TBD

Spring 2019 – Sage Grouse lek count. Date TBD.

Check Out the Pronghorn Store!

An array of tee shirts, hats, beverage containers, and figurines of animals found on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge may be purchased through the Pronghorn Store. An updated map of the Refuge is also now available.

Log on to the Friends’ website and navigate to the Pronghorn Store page to check out what is available and to order something for yourself, family, or friends. Proceeds go to the Friends work in supporting the Refuge. Thank you for all your support.The map will be available for shipping by Sept. 1, 2018. Please visit our Pronghorn Store for ordering.

Volunteers Needed
Check here for exciting ways you can help out the Refuge.

Support the Refuge

Visit the Pronghorn Store to buy neat stuff!
Renew or restart your membership.
Donate to support the work we are doing.

Copyright © 2018 Friends of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, All rights reserved.
www.friendsofhartmountain.org/

Our mailing address is:
Friends of Hart Mountain
38782 Hart Mountain Rd
Plush, OR 97637

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