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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

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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 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, manage ment 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 enjoy ment, 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: prong horn 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 essen tial 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.
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