U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge More than 30 million was one of the last pronghorn antelope strongholds of this once roamed North fleet-footed species. Set America. By the turn of aside as a home for the 20th century, only pronghorn, the refuge is a few small bands were renown as a dramatic left. Hart Mountain landscape rich in wildlife diversity. The Landscape Looming high above the surrounding rangelands, Hart Mountain is a massive fault block ridge that rises to an elevation of 8,065 feet. The west side ascends abruptly some 3,600 feet from the floor of the Warner Valley in a series of rugged cliffs, steep slopes, and knifelike ridges.
The east side of the mountain is less precipitous, descending in a series of hills and low ridges to the sagebrush- grass ranges typical of southeastern Oregon and the Great Basin. The Refuge Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge was established in 1936 to Hart Mountain is an oasis in the provide a range for remnant antelope desert, watered by many fine springs. herds. Since its creation, management Combined with snow melt, these of the refuge has broadened to in- springs feed many seasonal and year- clude conservation of all wildlife spe- round creeks. A natural hot spring cies characteristic of this high-desert nestled against the eastern base of habitat and restoration of native plant Warner Peak provides a soothing communities for public enjoyment, retreat for area visitors. education, and appreciation.
Water is a valuable commodity in this Hart Mountain is one of over 500 dry, desert landscape. Precipitation national wildlife refuges located (an average of 12” annually) comes throughout the country. This net primarily as winter snow or spring work of lands was established for the rains. Temperatures vary between conservation and management of fish, extreme cold in the winter and very wildlife, and plant resources for the hot dry summer conditions. benefit of present and future genera- tions. Wildlife Diversity Diversity in habitat creates variety in wildlife. Hart Mountain’s diverse landscape and habitat are alive with over 300 species of wildlife, primarily birds (239 species) and mammals (42 species). Mammals such as prong- horn, deer, coyotes, and rabbits are generally year-round residents of the refuge while most birds come and go with the seasons.
Hart Mountain is renowned for its up- land habitat and wildlife: pronghorn Ground squirrels race across the low sagebrush ex- panses of the refuge’s east side, sage grouse nest under large sagebrush bushes in the heart of the refuge, mule deer roam the mountain mahog- any and bitterbrush habitats found at higher elevations, and bighorn sheep nimbly scale the rocky cliffs of the refuge’s west face. Owl babies Other important areas on the refuge for wildlife include shallow playa lakes, grassy meadows watered by springs, riparian areas along stream sides, aspen stands, and secluded pine groves. Habitats closely associated with water support the greatest rich- Horned lizard ness of wildlife species.
Avocet Bighorn Sheep Pronghorn Able to run over 45 miles per hour, Antelope pronghorn are the fastest land ani- mal in North America. Their great speed evolved thousands of years ago at a time when two species of chee tahs hunted North America. Healthy pronghorn can outrun any modern- day predator. Coyotes, bobcats, and golden eagles are a threat only in the first few weeks of a pronghorn’s life.
Female pronghorn give birth to twins each year in May or early June. Until they are able to run with the herd, fawns are kept hidden in the low sagebrush and grasses of the fawning grounds.
Adults rely on speed and keen vision for protection. Their large eyes see the world as you would using binocu- lars with 8 power magnification. Bighorn Sheep Agile California bighorn sheep move skillfully in the steep and rugged ter- rain on the west face of Hart Moun- tain and Poker Jim Ridge. A ram’s massive, curled horns, which can weigh nearly 30 pounds, set it apart from the female sheep whose horns are much smaller.
Once abundant, these majestic Sage Grouse The drumming chest and elaborate animals fell victim to diseases from strut of the male sage grouse is a re- domestic livestock and over-hunting, nowned spectacle of the high desert. and were eliminated from Hart This early morning courtship dance Mountain by 1915. A very successful occurs on numerous refuge strut- process of reintroduction began in ting grounds (leks) in late March and 1954. Now several hundred bighorn April. Once bred, hens build a nest, sheep call the refuge home. generally under a sagebrush bush, and lay about 9 eggs. Grouse were once so plentiful that settlers gath- ered buckets of eggs for camp fare. Through careful research and man- agement, it is hoped that sage grouse will recover some of their former abundance. N Bluejoint 0 Miles 2 Lake 0 Kilometers 2 to Frenchglen Stone Corral e Lake g id R im J Lower r e Campbell Lake k o P Upper Campbell Lake ck Cre Ro e k
Flaggstaff Lake Flook Lake Hart Mountain k National Antelope Refuge w Cree illo W Refuge Boundary
Jones Lake Warner Main Roads Pond Jeep Trails Anderson Lake Public Fishing Area armo Cre eg ek D Warner Black Canyon Headquarters Warner Peak Hot Spring Har t reek Horseback Riding P C ot to Plush ter reek Robinson Draw C Authorized Camping Area Blue Sky Post oad Meadows ry R ita Mil Old
Hart Lake Spanish Desert Lake G Lake u a no C Alger re Lake e k Dobyn's Lake
Long Nora Pond Wool Lake Lake Fred Pond Cat Lakes
to Highway 140 Managing & To wildlife, habitat is home: a place to Restoring Wildlife eat, rest, and raise young. With steep Habitat rocky cliffs, rolling hills with bitter brush and mahogany, aspen groves along narrow streams, and wide open expanses of sagebrush grasslands, Hart Mountain habitat is as diverse as the wild things that call it home.
Providing high quality, diverse habitat for wildlife requires research, man- agement and restoration.
Natural systems have been altered in many different ways. Through management, we strive to minimize or compensate for these changes. Native Community Restoration–restoring the condition under which native species at the refuge evolved–is the theme of Hart Mountain habitat man- agement.
Fire is the primary management tool used to revitalize wildlife habitat. While burned areas may look devas- tated immediately after a fire, grasses and many flowering plants quickly re- cover as the habitat is reborn. Fire is an essential part of the refuge ecosys tem—it creates biological diversity.
Hart Mountain was historically grazed by sheep and cattle. That practice continued until the early 1990s. Releasing habitat from the pressures of livestock grazing is an important component of current ref- uge restoration. Wildlife Viewing Viewing wildlife in its native environ- Pronghorn may be seen throughout ment is a richly rewarding activity the rolling sagebrush habitat on for young and old. A few tips will help the eastern half of the refuge. The you see and enjoy refuge wildlife. Frenchglen Road and Lookout Point on the Blue Sky Road are the best Coyote pups Pronghorn places to spot pronghorn.
Bighorn sheep can be seen year- round from the base of Hart Moun- tain. Stop at the bighorn sheep sign near the CCC camp or any other location along the road and scan with binoculars for herds of sheep. You are unlikely to see the sheep with a naked Bighorn sheep eye.
Early morning and late evening is when wildlife is most active and easi- Mule deer frequent the juniper and est to spot, especially in the heat of aspen stands found in the Intermedi- the summer. ate Hills and the higher elevations of the refuge. Walk or drive the Skyline Your car makes an excellent observa- trail (open seasonally to 4WD ve- tion blind. Many types of wildlife can hicles) for the best viewing opportuni- be approached more closely in a car ties. than on foot. Mule deer Because road access is very limited on the refuge, hiking into more remote Over 200 resident and migratory areas may provide excellent oppor- birds species use the refuge. Ripar- tunities to view animals, take-in the ian areas such as Hotsprings Camp- beautiful scenery, and experience the ground, are especially good areas for solitude and wildness of the refuge. birding. Blue Sky supports a wealth Hike quietly to improve your odds of of birds that are attracted to this iso- wildlife encounters. lated stand of ponderosa pine. Red-naped Binoculars or spotting scopes are woodpecker very important for viewing wildlife Sage grouse gather around meadows across the great expanses of refuge in the areas between refuge head habitat. quarters and the top of the mountain. Cranes We suggest an early evening walk along any meadow edge or a drive Sage grouse along the Skyline trail at sunset.
Waterfowl may use refuge lakes in wet years. Nesting geese and cranes can occasionally be seen at Paiute Reservoir. The Warner Wetlands, at the base of Hart Mountain is a mecca for migratory waterfowl. Blinds have been built at Hart Bar. Pelicans Before There Was Hart Mountain’s past is a story of a Refuge change and adaptation, not only for the land itself but for the people who have lived here for over 10,000 years. The climate was once much cooler and moister, and people thrived on and near the refuge by gathering abundant roots, seeds, and berries and by hunting animals. Then drought cycles may have forces inhabitants to leave the mountain in search of homes with more reliable water, plant, and animal resources.
By historic times., the refuge environment looked much as it does today and was used by the Kidütökadö band of the Northern Paiute. These people moved through Warner Valley into the adjacent uplands of Hart Mountain in the spring and summer to gather plants and hunt. Historic accounts indicate they hunted bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and deer. They gathered grass seeds and roots on the rocky flats of the mountain and wild plums and berries along creeks.
The refuge’s archaeological sites reflect a long history of human use. Circles of rocks up to 10 feet in diameter remain from house foundations at summer base camps. Occupants of such camps traveled from these central locations to collect Petroglyphs plants and hunt before returning can be found The early inhabitants of the mountain to their winter villages at lower throughout the elevations. also left artistic images for us to refuge. enjoy. Petroglyphs (images pecked Hunting blinds along canyon rims into stone) can be found on rimrocks and other stacked rock features attest and outcrops throughout the refuge. to a wide range of hunting activities Ranging from abstract or geometric which occurred over time on the designs to representations of animals mountain. Scatters of obsidian flakes and humans, these images have from tool manufacturing are evidence many interpretations. Are they of hunting camps and plant collection associated with hunting activities? areas. Are they symbols of contacts with the spirit world? Do they represent the abundance of plants and animals available in an area? Or are they ancient graffiti? No one knows for sure. Refuge Wildlife-dependent recreation is a Biking is an enjoyable way to see Recreation priority use of National Wildlife Ref- many parts of the refuge. Bicycles uges. At Hart Mountain, public uses may only be used on roads open to are managed to protect wildlife and motorized vehicles. Even the best maintain the rugged, remote, and refuge roads are rough and rocky, so undeveloped character of the refuge. sturdy, fat-tired bikes are a must. There are a wide variety of opportu- nities for visitors to experience and Horses may be ridden throughout the explore the refuge. refuge. Overnight use is allowed at Post Meadows camping area where Camping is permitted year-round corrals are available. Stock water in at Hotsprings Campground. You’re the creek is about 100 yards away. Pel- welcome to stay up to 14 days. Winter letized feed is required to avoid intro- snows may close the campground ducing weeds with hay. road periodically. Other camping ar- eas may open during specially desig- Fishing is allowed in Rock and Guano nated times. All camps are primitive, Creeks and at Warner Pond in accor- with pit toilets and no potable water. dance with Oregon state regulations. An Oregon fishing license is required. Campfires may be enjoyed only at Please check current regulations for Hotsprings Campground. Bring your seasons, limits, and other guidelines. own firewood, because wood may not be collected on the refuge. Always Hunting is permitted in accordance check for campfire restrictions posted with state and federal regulations. at refuge headquarters or in the A very limited number of tags are campground. offered for deer, pronghorn, and big- horn sheep hunts in the late summer Hiking is encouraged throughout the and fall. Chukar may be hunted in refuge. No designated trails are main- limited areas on the refuge. No hunt- tained. The open terrain of the refuge ing is allowed within three miles of provides ample cross-country hiking refuge headquarters. options. Game trails may be followed in many of the canyons. Please exer- Weapons possessed for purposes oth- cise caution when entering rocky and er than legal hunting activity must be rugged terrain. unloaded and dismantled or cased.
Overnight Backpacking is a great way to experience some of the more Artifacts must be enjoyed in place. remote parts of the refuge. Obtain Collecting, possessing or damaging a self-issued permit at refuge head arrowheads, petroglyphs, or any form quarters before you depart. Check for of artifacts is strictly prohibited. current regulations when filling out your permit.
Wildlife Observation & Photogra- phy are the most popular recreational activities on the refuge (see Wildlife Viewing section for more informa- tion). Keep in Mind The high desert is a beautiful and Gasoline and groceries are available harsh environment where conditions in Plush (25 miles west) and French can be extreme. Please take the time Glen (49 miles east). Lakeview (65 to be well prepared before visiting miles southwest) is the nearest full- the refuge. During the summer, service community with overnight plenty of drinking water, sun screen, lodging, auto repair, retail stores, and insect repellent, and first aid supplies tourist information. should be kept on hand. Nighttime temperatures which dip below Emergency services and roadside freezing can be experienced any time assistance are not readily available of year, so pack accordingly. on the refuge. The refuge staff is not able to provide or sell gas, towing, or Most refuge roads are not maintained auto repair service. for passenger vehicles. High clearance and four-wheel drive are Plan to pack out what you pack needed to travel off the Frenchglen, in. Garbage collection and septic Blue Sky, or Hotsprings roads. dumping facilities are not provided on Small amounts of precipitation can the refuge. make very muddy roads. During the winter and spring most refuge roads Drinking water, compressed air, and are impassable due to snow or wet a payphone are available at refuge conditions. Please avoid driving on headquarters. muddy roads for your own safety and the protection of fragile resources. Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge P.O. Box 111 Lakeview, OR 97630 phone: 541/947-3315 fax: 541/947-4414
Visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on the internet at http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge information 1 800/344 WILD
February 2001