PROSPECT — The numbers 80 and zero are just as important this weekend as buck-to-doe ratios for rifle hunters looking for a successful jumpstart to the general blacktailed buck deer season.
The National Weather Service forecasts a high temperature of 80 degrees and zero chance of precipitation for Saturday's general-seaon opener.
That does not bode well for rifle hunters teased by snippets of rain, and even some snow, in the High Cascades last weekend.
The hot, crunchy forest land has fire restrictions in place and will make it tough to sneak in on bucks still residing in the relatively cooler, high-elevation slopes of Jackson County.
Preseason news points to an optimistic season for Rogue Unit hunters, whose success rate last year of 19 percent was just shy of the 20-percent success rate seen throughout the Cascades' western slopes.
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Hunters have until Friday evening to buy their controlled buck deer centerfire rifle hunt tags for eastern Oregon, as do western Oregon general-season hunters. Either tag will cost an Oregon resident $19.50.
The Friday deadline also includes the last day to buy a cougar or bear tag. They cost $11.50 each.
Hunters who already have purchased a tag but want to exchange it can do so through the end of business hours Friday at the ODFW's White City office at the Denman Wildlife Area, 1495 E. Gregory Road.
Preseason scouting doesn't just mean walking the woods in search of deer. Sometimes the most important information a hunter could get before opening weekend can be found surfing.
One important source of online information can reveal what private timberland operators are allowing vehicle and walk-in access to their lands.
In southwest Oregon, the mosaic of private and federal Bureau of Land Management ownership have remained open to access. But occasionally specific companies will curb vehicles or hunters because of fire danger or operations.
The ODFW offers a link to state, federal and private lands information at
www.dfw.state.or.us/Fire/resources.asp.
Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail mfreeman@mailtribune.com.
