Thats an expensive proposition, as IDFGs Mark Hurley and other ungulate researchers have stated. Hike the State Parks: 14 Fantastic Destinations Backpackers Need to Know, The 7 Best Hikes Backpackers Editors Did in 2022. Washington from Wildcat Mountain, Appalachian Mountain Clubs Visitor Center (Joe Dodge Lodge), Polly's Pancake Parlor View of Lafayette and Cannon Mountain. We offer seasonal hunting opportunities including: Rifle Antelope|Archery Elk|Rifle Buck Mule Deer|Rifle Bull Elk|Cow Elk|Sage Rats|Waterfowl. ALL FULLY GUIDED HUNTS INCLUDE PROPER CLEANING, SKINNING, TRANSPORTATION, AND TROPHY CARE OF THE HARVESTED GAME ANIMAL(S). These hunts are semi-guided, meaning hunters will be shown several hunting areas and allowed to hunt these areas as desired. Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, MT, 2014. Let Washington INNSiders guide you to the perfect retreat. Blue Mountains Washington Skiing: Perched at the top of the Blue Mountains is Ski Bluewood, the perfect place for enjoying winter sports in this amazing area! These gorgeous rolling hills in southeastern Washington offer a little-known slice of paradise. "In Search of Ancient Oregon: A Geological and Natural History." (But really, we do encourage you to come see these views for yourself!) In the mid-1800s they were the last formidable obstacle faced by Oregon Trail emigrants before arriving in Washington or continuing through the Columbia River Gorge to Oregons Willamette Valley. Two species of rabbits are native to Washington and two others have been introduced to the area. Spot elk, birds, and small mammals in addition to the occasional bear print. During those years, the herd was also below objective, but not nearly as far underwater as it is today. The Blue Mountains are a mountain range in the northwestern United States, located largely in northeastern Oregon and stretching into extreme southeastern Washington. You Need to Attend the Amazing Walla Walla Food Truck Night! his spacious area encompasses over one million acres, containing countless trails for hiking and biking. These objectives provide guidance to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Tribes, Department cooperators, landowners and the public. To get to the Wenaha trails, drive south from Dayton along the North Touchet Road for about 25 miles, passing the Bluewood Ski Area. Get the latest news from Walla Walla Wine Country & Cameo Heights Mansion. [18] In 2018, Washington State proposed an updated elk management plan intended to improve the health of elk populations and habitats, reduce human conflict and agricultural damage, and managing elk populations for recreational, educational, scientific, and ceremonial purposes. This 10-mile round trip hike in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness has a little of everything. Specific elk herd and habitat management goals, objectives, problems and strategies have been stated in the plan. Bretton Woods is often considered the classiest of all the ski resorts in New Hampshire, which is bolstered by the fact that it recently opened the first 8-person gondola in the state! Geologically, the Blue Mountains were created as an island arc in the Pacific Ocean and accreted onto the North American plate. Walla Walla is a destination for food and wine lovers; La Grande is home to a thriving arts community and a handful of museums that thoroughly document the areas enthralling past; Pendleton and Baker City each combine an Old West vibe, layers of history and a vibrant, contemporary community. The humongous fungus, scientifically known as Armillaria, is believed to be as old as 8,000 years, which puts it in the running for the earths oldest living organism. The focus of this article is on the three . Be sure to stop in at the Appalachian Mountain Clubs Visitor Center (Joe Dodge Lodge) for suggestions on area hikes and hidden gems, and if you love skiing and riding, Wildcat Mountain may be the right mountain for you. The Olympic Mountains are composed of obducted clastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarily Eocene sandstone, turbidite, and basaltic oceanic crust. Even the most popular paths generally carry less traffic than those in the Cascade Range. The state manages a herd with populations ranging from 5,000 to 6,000. The statewide game plan says if WDFW decides to go that route, it would be done via hunting seasons, specific licensed hunters/trappers, USDA Wildlife Services or agency staff. The heavy basalt flows caused the earths crust to flex upward, birthing the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains Elk Herd Plan is a step-down planning document under the umbrella of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (the Department) 2015-2021 Game Management Plan (WDFW 2014). The experts behind Washington INNSiders inspect and approve all member properties, so you can confidently plan the perfect escape today. The little hamlet of Bretton Woods is home to Bretton Woods Ski Resort, New Hampshires Largest Ski Area, as well the Omni Mount Washington Resort, one of the White Mountains last remaining Grand Hotels. Youre guaranteed to love spending time with us in our exquisite spot in Washington, so dont hesitate another second check our availability and book your stay today! The range is drained by several rivers, including the Grande Ronde and Tucannon, tributaries of the Snake, as well as the forks of the John Day, Umatilla and Walla Walla rivers, tributaries of the Columbia. Washington hunting managers are proposing a quadruple-digit increase in antlerless permits this fall for one rebounding elk herd but sharply lower special tags for deer in regions of the state hit hard by disease outbreaks caused by drought and hot temperatures last summer and fall. ALL HUNTS AT BLUE MOUNTAIN RANCH ARE FAIR CHASE FOR TRULY WILD GAME. Blue Mountains Washington Wildlife: This protected mountain range is the ideal habitat for a wide variety of different birds, animals, reptiles, and countless other organisms. The Saco River is a fun place to tube, kayak, and fish, and there are many hiking trails in the region. I dont think weve done it on the scale of a herd, said Aoude. During the summer, the western slope makes this a hot hike for a mid-day adventure but during the cooler fall months, the hike is perfectly pleasant. From Skiing and riding in the winter, to mountain biking, hiking, and pedal boating in the summer, there is something for everyone to do, no matter the season. Limit elk numbers in GMU 145 (Mayview), GMU 149 (Prescott), GMU 163 (Marengo), GMU 178 (Peola), and GMU 181(Couse) to mitigate damage (below the levels described in Table 3). Get some bad years and its easy for them to slip, he said. STILL, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO FIND out if the elk calf work being done here over the next year replicates Idaho and Montana findings, or turns up something else. Drop Camp or Guided Hunting and Pack Trips available! Come late afternoon, I pitched camp in one of the countless quiet sites lining the Wenaha, and waited for darkness and the mournful cries of resident coyotes. Numbers of elk on the ranch can vary; however, hunters normally have opportunities to harvest quality bulls. These gorgeous rolling hills in southeastern Washington offer a little-known slice of paradise. For the associated ecoregion, see, Mountain range in Oregon and Washington, United States, During westward expansion of the United States. Take part in a riverside beer tasting at Schilling Beer Co. and seek out the many murals that adorn the outside walls of some of Littletons businesses. [7] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Olympic Mountains. traverse the Olympic Peninsula in search of black-tailed deer, black bear, ruffled and blue grouse, cougar, mountain lions, or cast a line in the Bogachiel . Hunts will only be conducted when abundant numbers of elk are on the ranch. In the upper left corner of the country, the soggy Olympic Mountains are famous for their old-growth rainforests. LEWISTON - Elk in Washington's Blue Mountains continue to show signs of trouble, and wildlife officials don't see any quick remedies to the problem. Herds of mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk roam the hills and meadows of the ranch and retreat to the Ochoco Forest borders. Antelope hunters must apply for and obtain a controlled centerfire permit through Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlifes Draw System. All of this sits in the shadow of the Northeasts highest peak, Mount Washington, and the worlds first mountain-climbing railroad, the Mount Washington Cog Railway is just down the road. This springs collaring of the 125 calves will give WDFW a chance to compare survival and predation rates with research from the pre-wolf era. First, however, biologists and managers have to figure out if it is warranted in the case of Blue Mountains elk calves. Hunt pricing remains the same, regardless of the chosen accommodations. "Roadside Geology of Oregon, Second Edition." Improve habitat conditions for elk on National Forest, WDFW, and other public lands. Hunters will apply for controlled hunt #137 for their 1stchoice and for hunt #137 Landowner Preference Tag under their 6thchoice. The Blues are magical and, for the most part, undiscovered by Northwesterners. Hunters will experience a true western mule deer hunt and will spend a significant amount of time glassing in an effort to locate their trophy buck. The ranch has abundant numbers of waterfowl throughout the latter part of the season due to the availability of open water/forage. If conditions are good, all cows come into estrous; if theyre poor, only older ones a smaller relative portion of the breeding population do, depressing herd productivity. Enjoy the rich history of The Frost Place, former home of poet Robert Frost and the New England Ski Museum, which provides great learning experiences for all ages. [3] New settlers to the Olympic Peninsula near the end of the 19th century brought devastating fires started by land clearing and logging activities. The Blue Mountain Ranch is home to dozens of wildlife species. With a footprint of approximately 370,000 acres in Washington state, the benefits to licensing your own hunting property are endless. But an extraordinary mix of history, geology, natural resources and relatively untapped recreational opportunities help make the Blues one of the great mountain ranges of the Northwest. In the past few years, however, GMUs 136 and 139 have improved. Did you get engaged or know of someone who did recently? The area of this mountain range totals to 4,060 square miles. Theyre thick with cougars and bruins too, and all three species (plus some other toothsome ones) take their toll on elk calves, as they have evolved to over the eons. The Blue Mountains Elk Herd Plan is a step-down planning document under the umbrella of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (the Department) 2015-2021 Game Management Plan (WDFW 2014). [5] The trail is so named because Blue Mountain lies within the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, receiving 50 inches of precipitation annually compared to more than 200 inches on Mount Olympus, 23 miles distant. So why the hell even bother with this study? Lets get outdoors! Nearby Cranmore Mountain Resort offers skiing, riding, and tubing in the winter and lift-serviced downhill mountain biking in the summer and fall. When the days start getting longer and the temperature starts rising, hiking is usually one of the first things to come to mind. Hunter harvest has also sagged. At the top, youll be able to see snow capped mountains in almost every direction and some of the best views of the Wallowa Range. But in quantifiable terms, how big is that? The cherry on top of this geological sundae is the exotic terranes found throughout the area. Thats what we need to ferret out, Aoude said. The warming hut near the peak is a great place to take a breather and relax. If we see predation is the issue, we can mitigate that, but not for a long period.. If that course is taken in one to three years, it would be a big step for WDFW. Thats partially a function of reduced antlerless permit opportunities starting in 2017 that otherwise should have spurred a herd rebound by now but hasnt, but also strongly influenced by how many bulls are surviving their first year to grow a set of spikes and become legal for general season hunters. Both regions are strongholds for the states packs. Please contact us prior to applying and we can assist you. For riflemen, bowmen and muzzleloaders, the Blues big bulls are one of the most coveted hunts in the land, but the harvest has seen a significant decline since 2015, when 268 antlered and 136 antlerless elk 404 total were taken during general and permit seasons, according to this Marchs commission presentation. The Blue Mountains of Washington State offer a vast expanse of high plateau dissected by deep draws and canyons carved by numerous creeks and rivers. Maintain a target of 10% prime age (> 5 yrs. This infrequently visited trail is for the adventurous at heart hikers who want a little exploration in their hike. During the summer, this lookout is staffed with a firefighter but during the winter you can visit and explore on your own. We have gone in and removed specific cougars, but nothing really on a scale like this, he said. Quality management is paramount to the success of the mule deer at Blue Mountain Ranch. For example, when a prey population is below population objective and other actions to increase prey numbers such as hunting reductions or other actions to achieve ungulate population objectives have already been implemented, and predation continues to be a limiting factor. The Blue Mountains elk herd objectives are: Spending priorities have been identified for the first year and over the next five years. This article is about the mountain range. There are lots of fun, family-friendly events throughout the year and shops and restaurants for a variety of tastes. The range has an area of about 15,000 square miles (39,000km2), stretching east and southeast of Pendleton, Oregon, to the Snake River along the OregonIdaho border. There are even spots here where you can go white water rafting! Use recreational harvest to maintain bull elk populations with a diverse age structure and posthunting season bull:cow ratios near 25 bulls:100 cows, (range of 22 28). Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Eleven years in the Rocky Mountains and a life on the frontier, "Strange but True: The Largest Organism on Earth Is a Fungus", "Blue Mountains | mountains, Oregon-Washington, United States | Britannica", The Columbia River Basalt Group | Continental flood basalt flows | cbgwma.org, "Oregon: A Geologic History - Unit 1. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. . Hunters should see several quality bucks during this hunt and hunts have been 100% successful. The Cascades are celebrated for their craggy summits and volcanic peaks. Native tribes, including the Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla, utilized the rivers and fertile lands in and around the Blues for thousands of years. The following objectives have been identified: Spending priorities have been identified for the first year and next five years. Copyright 2022 Washington Independent Inns Network, Sign up for Washington travel tips, recommendations and updates delivered to your inbox monthly, Hiking Washingtons Secret Blue Mountains. Last fall saw just 159 bulls and 41 antlerless elk 200 killed, the latest records show, again a function of a smaller herd and reduced antlerless opportunities. Now herd numbers are as low as theyve been since the Gulf War, if not even further back. Two road miles close the loop. TIP: If you hike in early spring, bring a pair of snowshoes as youll likely find snow further in. The ranch is located within the Ochoco Unit and is home to a several stable mule deer herds. Herds of mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk roam the hills and meadows of the ranch and retreat to the Ochoco Forest borders. The ranch is home to several elk herds. Herd surveys have tracked sex and age composition to determine productivity and survival of calves and population trends. I saw mule deer as big as elk, and plenty of elk to help me make the comparison. On the hottest days of summer, head to Dexter Ridge. To access this route, descend from Twin Buttes on the Slick Ear Trail to the Wenaha River, hike downstream to the Sawtooth/Smooth Ridge Trail and then north to Oregon Butte. While mushroom hunting might be considered a solitary sport, don't expect to be alone in the woods. Mammals that move through the mountain grasslands include Rocky Mountain elk (including the largest herd in North America at Hells Canyon), Bighorn sheep and Mule deer. Also, check out ourlodgingoptions and recommendedgear listbefore booking a hunt. However, if a buck mule deer having 3 or more points on 1 side is encountered, a hunter possessing the appropriate license/tag may harvest the deer for a trophy fee of $2800. The range has an area of about 15,000 square miles (39,000 km 2 ), stretching east and southeast of Pendleton, Oregon, to the Snake River along the Oregon- Idaho border. The . In decades of hiking here, Ive rarely encountered more than one or two parties of hikers or horsepackers in these camps. [11] Within these terranes are igneous intrusions which may have intruded before or after accretion. Stay at Inn at Blackberry Creek during your next Walla Walla getaway. Great skiing across three mountains (Photo credit: Bretton Woods) Why Ski Bretton Woods. While the ratio of bulls per 100 cows is currently meeting expectations of 25:100, calf recruitment rates of 17-25:100 cows since 2017 have been poor to marginal, pointing to that part of their life history as the problem area and why the herd is struggling to rebuild itself in recent years and hunter harvest has dropped. Though pregnancy rates, peak conception date, and early summer calf ratios have improved to 50+ calves:100 cows, calf survival remains below desired levels and the population has remained below objective level of 5,600. The ranch is located within the Ochoco Unit and is home to several herds of antelope throughout the year. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Nestled in the central White Mountains, Waterville Valley is an outdoor enthusiasts playground. Many mature bulls are now available for recreational harvest as well as for wildlife viewing. The Blue Mountains Elk Herd Plan is a step-down planning document under the umbrella of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (the Department) 2015-2021 Game Management Plan (WDFW 2014). 71 pp. You may fill out by hand or electronically, but dont forget to attach your deposit. The southern portion of the Blue Mountains were inhabited by several different bands of the Northern Paiute, a Great Basin culture. The Blue Mountains in Washington are home to one of 10 identified elk herds in the state, with a population of approximately 4,500 Rocky Mountain elk as of 2018 across the region. Priority management activities are identified and will be implemented as funding and resources are available. is the perfect place to stay when visiting the Blue Mountains. A wounded deer will be considered a harvest, even if it is not located. Based on the Kppen climate classification, Blue Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. A Fish and Wildlife Commission presentation from this March estimated the Blues herd earlier this year numbered just 3,600 animals, the fewest surveyed since 1991, and 35 percent below the population objective of 5,500. Having hiked all the great Northwestern ranges, Im nevertheless drawn back to these remote mountains, primarily because of the abundant wildlife. The decline began during the very harsh winter of 2016-17, when the herd dropped steeply from around 5,700 animals to 4,400, then wilted further to 4,100 in 2019. The summit offers a view of the San Juan Islands, Victoria across the strait on Vancouver Island, Canada, and on a clear day the eye can see as far as Mount Baker, 87 miles away. After reaching the Wenaha River Trail, which heads down into Oregon, I watched small herds of bighorn sheep tiptoe across sun-drenched rimrock bluffs high above the river. ROUTE: The wilderness area has more than 200 miles of trail, including a 45-mile loop from Twin Buttes described by the author. Numbers with commas are great. In recent years, much of the surrounding area has come into its own. *Waterfowl hunts are semi-guided and include lodging. The summit lies on Union Pacific's La Grande Subdivision, which runs between La Grande and Hinkle, the latter of which is the site of a major UP yard. Spot enormous swaths of avalanche lilies, wild peonies, lupine, and hundreds of other species. This is a great place to check out for shopping, dining, and 4-season outdoor recreation. The purpose of this plan is to provide direction for the management of the Blue Mountains elk resource into the future. The range is currently traversed by Interstate 84, which crosses the crest of the range at a 4,193-foot (1,278m) summit, from south-southeast to north-northwest between La Grande and Pendleton. Customize your trip! There are even spots here where you can go white water rafting! Dropping to the valley bottom, I walked through lodgepole and fir forests that opened into airy ponderosa pine groves littered with broad, open meadowsperfect country for wildlife spotting. Youll traverse along the top of Dexter Ridge before descending into the valley where youll find multiple stream crossings to help you cool off. Applications are due May 15. Achieving spending levels will be contingent upon availability of funds and creation of partnerships. When it Rains, it Pours in Colorados Elk Mountains, A National Park Ranger Reveals the Secrets of the Job. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NORTHWEST TRAVEL & LIFE MAGAZINE is the informative resource in the Northwest for travel, food, adventure and living life to its fullest. The summit can be accessed either via the Mount Washington Auto Road, the Mount Washington Cog Railway, or by foot, up one of the many hiking trails. Applications are due May 15. The bunkhouse is located at the ranch and allows immediate access to available hunting areas. Most of these hunts take place on National Forest and some are pack-in by horses and mules. Id also hedge my bets by throwing a dime down on habitat issues causing strong nutritional stress for mama and baby elk, with cougars, wolves and bears subsequently taking advantage of that, depressing herd numbers and productivity and turning this into something of a nutri-dator pit. [8] The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times. Exotic terranes are essentially rock groups created somewhere else and moved to a new location. You may even catch a glimpse of Mount Washington here and there. For more things to do in Walla Walla, WA, download our free Vacation Guide! These are priority objectives that address specific issues in Blue Mountains elk management. Filter by desired characteristics to select the ideal B&B, inn, or hotel for your dream outdoor getaway. We have to ascertain that predators are preventing the population from reaching its potential, Aoude said. More On Elk Calf Woes In Washingtons Blue Mountains, WDFW& . Some of the Northwests best-kept secrets for skiers are hiding in plain sight on the slopes of the Blue Mountains. Figuring out whats going on and addressing it is critical, as WDFW says the herd plays an important role in this regions ecosystems and provides the public with hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities., We want folks to know were working on it, said Aoude of his agencys press release announcing the elk calf monitoring project set to begin imminently between Dayton and Asotin Creek. fs.usda.gov/activity/umatilla/recreation/hiking, Discover Southeast Alaska By Ferry & Floatplane, 5 Lake Hikes in Montanas Glacier Country, 72 Hours of Winter in Bend Oregon: Your Itinerary Awaits, Discover the Beauty of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, Southern Oregon. Hunting Places to go hunting Game Management Units (GMUs) Game Management Units (GMUs) Visit the WDFW Hunt Planner webmap for interactive mapping and viewing of regulations and boundaries. The population had been stable for the previous 5-7 years. And ferret out fast whether its the quality of forage available across the seasonal ranges of Blue Mountains elk, predation or a combination of the two that has led wapiti numbers this year to dip to at a minimum a 30-year low. MEAT MAY BE HUNG/STORED ON THE RANCH FOR UP TO ONE WEEK AT NO COST. The ranch has implemented a management program requiring all adult hunters to harvest mule deer having a minimum of 3 points on 1 side (guides may make an exception for management bucks). Maintain full staffing of enforcement in the Blue Mountains area and publicize the use of emphasis patrols to prevent poaching. Archery hunters must apply for and obtain a controlled archery permit through Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlifes Draw System. Manage elk for a variety of recreational, educational and aesthetic purposes including hunting, scientific study, cultural and ceremonial uses by Native Americans, wildlife viewing and photography. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above Gray Wolf River in approximately 2.5 miles. The hike visits untouched stands of grand fir and provides breathtaking canyon views perfect for observing wildlife. Discuss elk in meetings between Department Staff and County Commissioners as necessary. Blue Mountains Washington Hiking: Tucked away in the Blue Mountains is the Umatilla National Forest. Hunt 1:Season: November - JanuaryDuration: Varies. At 7,100 feet, Anthony Lakes ( anthonylakes.com) has the highest base elevation of any ski area in Oregon. We are producing some 350-385" class bull elk last few years. The Blue Mountain elk population peaked in the late 1970's at an estimated 6,500 elk and started declining in the late 1980's with an estimated population of 4,500 in 1999. Named by early settlers for the blue hue of their pine- and fir-lined ridges, they sprawl out southeast of Pendleton, Oregon, over to the Snake River along the border with Idaho, and up into Washington, where they occupy much of the land east of Walla Walla. (BRIAN KERTSON, WDFW) The disclosure comes the same day that the Fish and Wildlife Commission is holding a public hearing on the 2022 spring black bear hunting proposal. The community of Baker City is located along the south-eastern flank of the range. This hike intersects other trails so you can make your own loop or simply enjoy the out-and-back route. Home to Franconia Notch State Park, take a trip up Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to witness the beautiful surrounding mountains, view where the Old Man of the Mountain used to stand tall, and visit the Flume Gorge with its rocky walls and 800 foot gorge. The state is home to a few smaller herds, including the Colockum pack in the northwest and the Blue Mountains in the south. At 7,100 feet, Anthony Lakes (anthonylakes.com) has the highest base elevation of any ski area in Oregon. Hunters will apply for their 1stchoice to controlled hunt #237X (hunt #1) or #237Y (hunt #2). In June, visitors come from far and wide to photograph the fields of purple and pink lupine flowers. Hunting Elk Hunting Blue Mountains of Washington jrw1976 Dec 21, 2010 Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member 1 2 Next J jrw1976 Well-Known Member Joined Mar 31, 2010 Messages 205 Location Eastern Washington Dec 21, 2010 #1 Well gentlemen I am looking for your very respected opinions. PAST STUDIES IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS HAVE FOUND COUGAR DENSITIES AS HIGH AS 3.02 PER EVERY 100 KILOMETERS, UP TO TWICE THE STATE AVERAGE. Hunters can jump shoot or decoy waterfowl from the fields, creeks, ponds, and sloughs. Blue Mountains elk are also hunted by the Nez Perce, or Nimiipuu, and Umatilla Tribes through treaty-reserved rights. In the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington, a recent survey(2021) of elk calves discovered that only 9 of the 125 calves that were fitted with radio collars survived. The Blue Mountains Elk Herd Plan (2020) notes that a 1992-98 study by WDFWs now-retired Woody Myers found that 113 of 240 calves nearly half didnt reach a year old, with 48.6 percent of their deaths attributed to cougars, 15.9 percent to black bears, 15.8 percent to undetermined causes, 8.4 percent to unidentified predators, 4.7 percent to coyotes, 4.7 percent to hunters and 1.8 percent to accidents. 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