Saturday, December 19, was the official day for the annual National Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), an event that’s been going on for more than 100 years. Participants throughout the U.S., Canada and 19 other countries in the Western Hemisphere count birds in a 15-mile circle. Armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists, the volunteers join scientists in this long-term conservation project, identifying and recording different species.
The Bend count circle is centered at Pioneer Park and covers an area south from the Arnold District near Knott Landfill, north to Hatfield Lakes, the sewage effluent ponds beyond the airport. Most CBC participants have been counting a specific area for several years, as is the case of a mom and her son from Bend. (Names withheld to protect the innocent.) She and her son have been doing the Hatfield Lakes area since the kid was in diapers, and most always come in with the highest counts for waterfowl. But things were different this year – illegal duck-hunters got there first.
The son painted the picture clearly:
When we got there on Saturday, it was about 9:00 a.m., but there weren’t any birds on the ponds, except for 19 Bufflehead which were on the section of water farthest from a group of duck hunters.
The hunters were standing to one side of the place where the water spills into the pond through the concrete channel.Therewere three of them and a dog.Each of the hunters was dressed in full camouflage and one was carrying a camo shotgun. Two of them had ducks swinging from their belts and their dog was retrieving another mallard from the water.They had 15-20 decoys on the water, which were surprisingly realistic looking.
After my mom talked to the non-emergency police contact, she yelled across the pond and told the hunters, “You’re not allowed to hunt here; it’s illegal! You should know that I’ve called the police!”
They yelled back, but I didn’t make out any of what they said.
Hatfield Lakes is posted, “No Hunting – No Trespassing” The CBC bird counters have to get permission from the city of Bend every year to enter the lake area.
The duck-hunters, on the other hand, took things into their own hands and did what some eager-beaver hunters do – and by so doing, give all hunters a bad name – cut the wires on the back side of Hatfield Lakes, sneaked in illegally along with their retriever, put out the decoys, and started blasting away. “No Hunting – No Trespassing” didn’t mean a thing to them.
The mom says:
It was uncomfortable being around hunters, who were yelling and waving their arms at us. Counting more decoys than live ducks and seeing ducks shot by them slung over their shoulders was discouraging. We stood next to a “No Hunting” sign on a tree while Joe tookthe photos and they were yelling back at us.
I think the fact that another woman appeared out there at the same time we were talking to the troopers helped. She was intending to walk her dogs and told them that she was finding hunters nearly every visit and was intimidated by them and had tried to complain but didn’t get to the right person or source as things didn’t change. However, the troopers did act on it on Monday morning and it worked. The story I heard was that eight hunters were located and they had parked near where they had clipped a fence and entered illegally.
We tried to do a “count week” bird count on Monday, but the disturbance from the hunters had just finished, as there were no birds on the pond, not even decoys this time. I do feel that the troopers and the manager did what is needed, just too bad we have these troubles – poor birds get slammed from every direction.
In spite of trespassing duck-hunters, the Bend CBC came out with a total of 1,522 Mallards, 1,561 Canada Geese (which will probably will cause the Bend Parks & Wreck people to shudder – thinking of all that goose poop), nine trumpeter swans, three greater white-fronted geese, 2 cackling geese, and 154 American wigeons, among them, 1 Eurasian widgeon.
Unfortunately, European starlings are on the increase. There were more than 1,000 of them with some 400 mourning doves, and right along with them, our next “starlings,” 15 alien Eurasian collard doves.
The raptor count came up with numbers that will make ranchers and farmers feel good, a total of 75 red-tailed hawks were rodent hunting throughout the count circle. The 10 big American bald eagles gave the team that counted them a thrill, and 18 diminutive American kestrels (smallest of our falcons) were counted along with three merlin, seven Cooper’s hawks, 18 sharp-shinned hawks and two prairie falcons. All these, along with the “dicky birds” gave a total of 74 species and 12,273 individuals for the Bend CBC.
Now, if we could just get those rogue duck hunters to obey the law…
This article appears in Dec 31, 2009 – Jan 6, 2010.
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If it were illegal to hunt these ponds, I’m not quite sure that so many would do so and for such a long period of time. Doesn’t it strike you odd that the aforesaid hunters faced zero charges? Never once has a poacher (or better yet a group of them) been let off the hook after being caught by authorities having jurisdiction. Myself along with several others have permission from the landowners to hunt here. With that said, do you think that maybe the signs you speak of were possibly procured and posted by members of your own Audubon group? As I recall, the hunters were shouting back enthusiastically encouraging the harassers to call the authorities seeing as how the accusations were entirely false.
Quote:
“The duck-hunters, on the other hand, took things into their own hands and did what some eager-beaver hunters do – and by so doing, give all hunters a bad name – cut the wires on the back side of Hatfield Lakes, sneaked in illegally along with their retriever, put out the decoys, and started blasting away. “No Hunting – No Trespassing” didn't mean a thing to them.”
There is not a single section of fence around the Hatfield Lakes that has been cut, and as the harassers yelled at the hunters, they themselves were illegally driving on the very property that was being hunted legally. I believe this is referred to as being hypocritical. Welcome to Bend Oregon. And, do you think if someone were to post a ‘no trespassing’ sign on your front lawn that you would obey the sign? I have a hunch that any person in their right mind would simply disregard. I hope that anyone who considers themselves rational could see the point here. I look forward to meeting the lovely members of the Audubon group in person at Hatfield Lakes some day, and who knows, maybe I’ll have a nice bag limit of ducks for you to admire.
Regards,
Anonymous Hunter
Been hunting LEGALLY out there for years, Jim. I think you might do a little fact checking next time. Reminds me of a fishing trip I took to Sparks lake a couple of years back. I was in a motorized boat and we kept the speed to under 10mph. Well it seems that the lake is now home to a whole bunch of canoeists, kayakers, and the like. They all seemed to think that the use of motorized boats on Sparks lake was illegal. WRONG! But they threatened to call authorities, flipped us off, etc., etc. Sorry folks. We were well within our rights and had simply been doing what we’ve done on Sparks for over 50 years. The newcomers didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. Just about all hunters and fisherman will spend the time to either get permission from landowners, and/or read the hunting and fishing regs regarding the area they are about to use. Wish some of the bird-counters and splash and gigglers would take the time to do the same.
I as well have hunted the hatfield lakes for many years and have done so with a certain respect for the land being a duck Hunter and an avid supporter of Ducks Unlimited, which is the worlds leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, i know that the hatfield lakes have been extremely respected in regards to hunting and the proper use of the lands. seeing as many birds as hatfield lakes has is an extreme rarity in central oregon. So why would any hunter want to mess that up. its simple we wouldnt. I personally have walked the lakes two or three times a week in the summer simply looking at the birds and taking my dog for a walk and i know as well that many waterfowl hunters use the lakes as a training area for their dogs. if this were such a forbidden area then why would so many people frequently visit. i think you can figure that out for yourself.
several times have i hunted out at the lakes and had police officers, sheriffs, and state troopers see me leaving, seeing as the shooting range is no more than 300 yards away from the lakes, and several times have i had them stop and ask me how i did and i would lift my bird carrier and show them and they all would say good job and have a good day. If it were so illegal then why would i not have been arrested or cited by every officer that i came in contact with.
The audobon society is a great organization but what makes them so special and what gives them the right to illegally drive out at the hatfield lakes where their is signs posted that specifically say NO UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED last time i checked i dont think a woman and her son driving out their were authorized. Ducks Unlimited has tried in the past to get access but has been denied. Ducks Unlimited is the best organization as far as wetlands and waterfowl go. DU does more for all birds than all other organizations combined. and dollar for dollar DU spends more than any other organization for the conservation of birds. so what makes the audobon society so special that they can get “permission” to enter the land and drive around. the audobon society must not know that the land that the hatfield lakes is located on is state owned land not city owned and that is the reason that no one can drive out their it is not regulated by the city of bend but by the state of oregon. and regardless of who you are or who you know the laws the law.
I as well would like to meet some of the audobon society members and discuss the reasons why they have to lie to bash hunters and give anyone who hunts a bad name. and i look forward to going hunting out at the lakes next weekend. Hope to see you Their.
Howdy Anonymous,
“Well, if what you say is true, I guess the hunters apparently got of the hook on that one, but from what I was told, you guys were hunting, and the sign states, “No Trespassing – No Hunting.” And cutting the fence, come on…
I hope the story will help to settle what has always been a great deal of confusion about hunting at Hatfield Lake over the years. Leave the sewage ponds alone why don’t you, go to Summer Lake and hunt; it’s open all waterfowl season. Birders don’t crowd you there when the season is open, why make life so miserable for them at Hatfield Lakes…?
Jim”
There are many discrepancies in the articles listed above, but I am here to argue, not cause a stir. With all due respect Jim, I greatly appreciate the fact that the previous responses have been posted and understand where you are coming from, but no one wants to experience conflict during the course of a legal recreational activity. My motivation to even post these replies is strictly driven by my strong feelings regarding our second amendment rights and the respectful use of public and private lands. Hunting is legal at Hatfield Lakes and that’s just the way it is. Every American should be entitled to our great American freedom and should not have to suffer the stress of harassment while exercising our rights. Same goes for bird watchers, and the accused ‘illegal hunters’ requesting the presence of authorities simply cannot be described as anything other than preservation of character. Why don’t we go to Summer Lake to hunt? Because it’s three hours away and Summer Lake is where most novices hunt and their respect for safety can occasionally proceed the rush of hunting. Not to mention, disrupting local bird watchers is unfortunately the last thing any legal hunter has on their mind. As far as cutting the fence at Hatfield goes, I encourage you to walk the perimeter (as I have numerous times) and look for the cut section of fence mentioned several times above. It does not exist (at least as of a week ago). Again, I am not here to ‘bash’ bird watchers, but rather to emphasize the importance of our hard earned American rights that our men and women have sacrificed their lives for and defend the rights of our fellow citizens. I have the utmost respect for those who considerately utilize our public and private lands and rightfully demand the same respect.
Regards,
Anonymous Hunter
These posts got me wondering what is the official word regarding hunting at Hatfield Lakes. I talked to the folks at the sewage treatment plant and was told in no uncertain terms that there is no hunting allowed out there, and there has NEVER been hunting allowed there. It actually sounded like they have been fielding a number of calls recently over this issue! I was told that the people who have been using the area for hunting over the years, have been nothing more than lucky. New NO HUNTING signs are going up, the fence is being fixed and the city is going to try to do a better communication job with several local hunting groups as well as the general community.
I am glad to have this settled once and for all.
Thanks for clearing the issue, Miriam. How come all the NRA boys got quiet after the last post? So, are we safe to go and WATCH birds, instead of illegally killing them?
I am very happy to see that “newcomers” are straightening this place out to finally become an urban place, not a “wild west” town anymore.
Thanks everyone who made Hatfield pond free of NRA and illegal hunting.