Outdoors commentary

By Bill Barker
For the Gazette-Times

There’s been a lot of turkey talk going on recently. Philomath has even been on television news because of the feathered invaders, who’ve progressed from, “Ah, aren’t they neat,” to “Darn messy, noisy pests!” Both views have some validity.

What doesn’t is some people’s belief about wild turkeys having a more lengthy tenure, in Oregon, than humans. The reality is, wild turkeys were not native to the Pacific Northwest, but a species introduced by our own fish and wildlife agency several decades ago.

One of the first areas where these feathery speedsters — both on foot and in flight — were integrated into our area was on my uncle’s (Curtis Barker) ranch, between Roseburg and Glide.

It took a couple years before the original flock had reproduced enough to begin trapping and moving birds to other locations. The trapping was facilitated because of turkey’s love of corn, and my uncle’s judicious sprinkling of said grain, in areas designated as future trap/pen locations.

Oddly enough, after about four years of increasing populations, uncle Curtis’s turkey dinners took on a slightly different flavor; quite enjoyable in comparison to previous holiday dining experiences. It was several years before I realized why he just grinned when various relatives wondered which store had provided such delicious, moist, critters.

I guess a finger of blame, for local depredations by these fowl fiends, could be (indirectly) pointed toward my family — for not eating enough turkey.

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There are increasing numbers of elk ranging across the valley flatlands. Little known, by many, is that elk were originally more of a plains inhabitant, than denizens of timbered mountain heights.

Why? Because they are, primarily, grazers; gleaning the majority of their needed nutrients from various types of grassy vegetation, more easily attained in open, un-timbered areas.

As pioneers began populating the flatlands — better for farming, ranching, and city building — plentiful elk were a source of needed protein. But, the lowland herds rapidly became scarce; the population dwindled to small numbers that could be supported by grazing in high mountain meadows, or areas cleared by fire.

It wasn’t until the need for lumber on a massive scale, and the accompanying practice of “clear cutting”, began to create more open areas for grazing, that elk numbers increased dramatically in western Oregon.

When I was a child, there were practically no elk roaming the Cascade watershed of the North Umpqua.

Several groups were introduced into clear-cut areas; as the logged acreage grew, herds expanded rapidly in the higher mountains. We never had elk on our ranch, though it was in the Cascade foothills, because there was abundant grazing away from civilization. Now, there are quite a few hanging out on ridges I remember as the playgrounds of my youth. Why the change (both there and here in the valley)?

Simplistically stated, suppression of forest fires, and the virtual cessation of clear-cutting on state and federal forestlands, reduced available food in mountain areas. The slow growth of timber allowed herd numbers to remain relatively high, while allowing time for them to migrate toward areas where food was abundant — the human cleared fields of farms and ranches.

Nearby elk herds are great, for those who otherwise get few chances to see creatures in the wild, but there are a few drawbacks involved.

They are amazing jumpers. But if hurried, elk tend to go through obstacles, like farm and ranch fences. Constantly repairing fence isn’t fun or inexpensive. They also don’t hesitate to trample — and eat — crops grown to provide income for those who work to feed our population.

As herbivores, they are a prime food source for large carnivores. Though few have connected the dots, since herds have become local, sightings of cougars — in our populated urban areas — have grown more frequent.

Large feline predators seek opportunistic prey when it appears. Cougars are used to humans. Curiosity can turn to hunting urges.

You connect those dots.

Don’t be afraid, just be aware of your surroundings during those refreshing hikes along local forested paths.

By encroaching on the wilderness, we’ve created a need for knowledge of natures’ cycles and the lifestyles of our new neighbors.

Bill Barker can be reached at billbarker@comcast.net.