Oregon Hunters Association - Bend Chapter

12/30/2025

Bend OHA volunteers put in another solid day of work along the Lava Butte to Vandevert Wildlife Fence. Six volunteers used three Side by Sides to patrol and repair the fence, anticipating fallen trees after the recent windstorm. Sure enough, they found seven trees down across the fence, requiring four major repairs. They also cleared brush along the routes to avoid driving over large bushes in the summer. Bend OHA has been patrolling here since 2017, but today was the first time members encountered a herd of elk along the fence, forcing them to wait before continuing with the SxS. As a reminder, driving a motor vehicle along this fence is illegal without special permission, which Bend OHA has to maintain the fence.

12/17/2025

BEND OHA KEEPS ON GETTING IT DONE!

On December 16 two members of Bend OHA met with the wildlife fence committee that is working on getting a wildlife fence placed along Hwy 20 in the Black Butte Ranch area. The committee of USFS, ODOT, ODFW, State OHA, Central Oregon Land Watch and others met off US 97 at the Sunriver Junction. At Sunriver Jct the fence running to the north is different from the one running to the south. Members of the group wanted to hear from Bend OHA about what we were seeing with regards to maintenance issues and performance results with the two styles of fence. Things like angle bracing vs H bracing, Jump Outs, Single high tensile wire at the top of the fence vs none, Cattle Guards, Tree and Vehicle Damage and Human Caused Vandalism were all topics of discussion. Bend OHA took over the Lava Butte Fence Maintenance in 2017 and then the Gilchrist Fence in 2023. Bend OHA has put in 455 hours of volunteer time and 3,871 miles of travel with vehicles and ATV's. Those 455 hours have a federal volunteer value of $7,708. Typically the fence is patrolled 3 or 4 times a year unless there has been a windstorm or we receive notification of fence damage. For Lava Butte to Vandevert we normally use three different groups to work three different sections of the fence when we do the patrol. Up to this point members have utilized their own ATV's, chainsaws and other equipment and have paid for their own gas. This work is a labor of love by those volunteers.

What can you do to help? Encourage your friends and fellow hunters or outdoors people to join our chapter. Don't know what to get somebody for Christmas then gift them a membership. There is strength in numbers, and this chapter is looked upon very highly by others around the state and especially those that are involved in future wildlife fence projects.

12/11/2025

At last nights Bend OHA chapter meeting, we opened up nominations for "Member of the Year" for the chapter. If you were not able to make the meeting, but would like to nominate someone, you can PM us here. Include the name of the person you are nominating and the reasons you are nominating them.

Send a message to learn more

12/11/2025

Bend OHA Chapter meeting is tonight at 6:00 pm, VFW hall in Bend. Someone there is going to win $500 tonight towards you new hunting/outdoor gear. Must be present to win. All chapter members are eligible.

12/10/2025

Anyone who did volunteer work for OHA in 2025 and you want to check your volunteer hours or report volunteer hours, please PM us and we'll get you the info. And for all of you who did, THANK YOU!

12/03/2025

Lava Butte to Vandevert Fence Work. Bend OHA received info from ODOT of an elk herd that went through the fence and caused damage. Materials for the repair were picked up at ODOT and on Dec 2 four different locations along the fence were repaired. Two locations of damage were caused by elk. Another location had a tree fall on the fence and the 4th location was a simple T post replacement. ODOT had flagged the damage areas and had cut the trees off the fence. On Dec 3 two Bend members patrolled the 15 miles of fence line completing two additional fence repairs. This is a great example of how Bend OHA is committed to the wildlife fences. If you are a Bend OHA member and would like to become involved with this type of work and have a quad or S x S gives us a shout out.

11/14/2025

A couple of our Bend Chapter members that live in the Gilchrist area have taken on guzzler repairs this summer with many sites not having been worked on in a long time. They have put guzzlers back online and recently started removing the tops from some of the tanks. Once that is done, they will drain the tank and then clean all the sediment out of the bottom. Next spring they will be hauling water to some of these sites to fill the tanks that could use a bit more assistance than what mother nature gives. The level of Management Concern regarding Mule Deer for this area is in the Extreme. Bend OHA is proud to have volunteers like the one in the picture and many more that also work on guzzlers, our two local wildlife fences and other great habitat projects such as our long-term commitment to the Ochocos.

10/19/2025

Another great event with youth put on yesterday by your Bend OHA Chapter. Arriving youth first received a thorough safety briefing then shot clay pigeons for a warmup off three different trap throwers. There were three fields for hunters with each field having a guide, hunting dog and safety officer. Two hunters were placed per field for an hour at which time they then went to the cleaning station where they were given assistance by Troy Boyd. After that they were treated to BBQ burgers, Elk Chili and lots of Wendy Borst's baked goodies. There were a lot of smiling faces after the hunt. Once again, this event could never take place without the numerous volunteers.

09/23/2025

Bend OHA and Lead-Free Hunting booths at the COSSA Sight In Clinic this past weekend. For $10 shooters were provided assistance, targets, Leupold swag and a chance to win 4 suppressors and a Leupold scope that were raffled off. A Leupold Sales Manager was also on scene to provide assistance to shooters.

08/22/2025

08/06/2025

COSSA SIGHT IN DAYS - Save the dates.
4 Suppressors and a Leupold VX5 HD 3 - 15 x 44 with custom dial will be given away in free raffles for those that come out and shoot. Must be 21 or older to be eligible for the suppressors. During the 2nd weekend lead free ammo will be given away for common rifles for you to try.
CLICK ON THE VIDEO TO PLAY

This is "COSSA Park Sight-in Days 2025" by C.O. Daily Creative Services on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

08/01/2025

This Saturday in La Pine. Hope to see everyone there.