Hart MountainNational AntelopeRefuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

More than 30 millionpronghorn antelope onceroamed North America.By the turn of the 20thcentury, only a few smallbands were left. HartMountain was one of the

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS

last strongholds of thisfleet-footed species.Set aside as a home forpronghorn, the refuge isrenowned as a dramaticlandscape rich inwildlife diversity.

The Refuge Hart Mountain National AntelopeRefuge (NAR) was established in 1936to provide range for remnant antelopeherds. Refuge management practiceshave since been broadened to includeconservation of all wildlife and nativeplant species characteristic of thishigh-desert habitat. Public enjoyment,education, and appreciation for thespecies and habitat found here isencouraged.

Hart Mountain NAR is one of over520 National Wildlife Refuges locatedthroughout the country. The bluegoose insignia represents thisnetwork of lands established for theconservation and management of fish,wildlife, and plant resources for thebenefit of present and futuregenerations.

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS

Looming high above the surroundingrangelands, Hart Mountain NAR is amassive fault block ridge that rises toan elevation of 8,065 feet. The westside ascends abruptly some 3,600 feetfrom the floor of the Warner Valley ina series of rugged cliffs, steep slopes,and knifelike ridges.

The east side of the mountain is lessprecipitous, descending in a series ofhills and low ridges to the sagebrush-grass ranges typical of southeasternOregon and the Great Basin.

The Refuge is an oasis in the desert,watered by many fine springs.Combined with snow melt, thesesprings feed many seasonal and year-round creeks. A natural hot springnestled against the eastern base ofWarner Peak provides a soothingretreat for area visitors.

Water is a valuable commodity in thisdry desert landscape. Precipitation(an average of 12" annually) comesprimarily as winter snow or springrains. Temperatures vary betweenextreme cold in the winter and veryhot, dry summer conditions.

The Landscape

Photo: Ruth Miller, FWS

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS

Able to run over 45 miles-per-hour,pronghorn are the fastest landanimal in North America. Their greatspeed evolved thousands of yearsago at a time when two species ofcheetahs hunted in North America.Healthy pronghorn can outrun anymodern-day predator. Coyotes,bobcats, and golden eagles are athreat only in the first few weeksof a pronghorn’s life.

About the size of a large house catat birth, pronghorn grow to over100 pounds. Most of this weight isamassed in their thick bodies withextremely large lungs necessary fordistance running. Pronghorn rely onspeed and keen vision for protection.Their large eyes see the world as youwould if using binoculars with 8power magnification.

Female pronghorn give birth to twinseach year in May or early June. Untilthey are able to run with the herd,fawns are kept hidden in the lowsagebrush and grasses of thefawning grounds.

PronghornAntelope

Mule Deer Buck

Horned lizard

Diversity in habitat creates varietyin wildlife. Hart Mountain NAR’sdiverse landscape and habitat arealive with over 300 species of wildlife,primarily birds (239 species) andmammals (42 species). Mammalssuch as pronghorn, deer, coyotes,and rabbits are generally year-roundresidents of the Refuge while mostbirds come and go with the seasons.

Hart Mountain NAR is renowned forits upland habitat and wildlife: prong-horn race across the low sagebrushexpanses of the refuge’s east side,sage grouse nest under largesagebrush bushes in the heart of therefuge, mule deer roam the mountainmahogany and bitterbrush habitatsfound at higher elevations, and big-horn sheep nimbly scale the rockycliffs of the refuge’s west face.

Other important areas on the refugefor wildlife include shallow playalakes, grassy meadows watered bysprings, riparian areas along stream-sides, aspen stands, and secluded pinegroves. Habitats closely associatedwith water support the greatestrichness of wildlife species.

Wildlife Diversity

Kildeer

Red-napedsapsucker

Photo: Blyth Brown

Photo: C. Reeb, FWS

Photo: K. Voget, FWS

Photo: R. Blacker, FWS

Ground squirrels

Poorwill

The drumming chest and elaboratestrut of the male sage grouse is arenowned spectacle of the highdesert. This early morning courtshipdance occurs on numerous refugestrutting grounds (leks) in lateMarch and April. Once bred, hensbuild a nest, generally under asagebrush bush, and lay about 9eggs. Grouse were once so plentifulthat settlers gathered buckets ofeggs for camp fare. Through carefulresearch and management, it ishoped that sage grouse will recoversome of their former abundance.

Sage Grouse

Agile California bighorn sheep moveskillfully in the steep and ruggedterrain on the west face of HartMountain and Poker Jim Ridge. Aram’s massive, curled horns, whichcan weigh nearly 30 pounds, set itapart from the female sheep whosehorns are much smaller.

Once abundant, these majesticanimals fell victim to diseases fromdomestic livestock and over-huntingand were eliminated from HartMountain by 1915. A very successfulprocess of reintroduction began in1954. Now several hundred bighornsheep call the Refuge home.

Bighorn Sheep

Wildlife Viewing

Coyote pups

Viewing wildlife in its nativeenvironment is a richly rewardingactivity for the young and old. A fewtips will help you see and enjoyRefuge wildlife.

Early morning and late eveningis when wildlife is most active andeasiest to spot, especially in the heatof the summer.

Your car makes an excellentobservation blind. Many types ofwildlife can be approached moreclosely in a car than on foot.Because road access is very limitedon the refuge, hiking into moreremote areas may provide excellentopportunities to view animals, take-inthe beautiful scenery, and experiencethe solitude and wildness of therefuge. Hike quietly to improve yourodds of wildlife encounters.

Binoculars or spotting scopes arevery important for viewing wildlifeacross the great expanses of Refugehabitat.

Sandhill cranes Photo: R. Blacker, FWS

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS

Bighorn sheep

American whitepelicans

Sage grouse

Mule deer

Pronghorn

Pronghorn may be seen throughoutthe rolling sagebrush habitat on theeastern half of the Refuge. TheFrenchglen Road and Lookout Pointon the Blue Sky Road are the bestplaces to spot pronghorn.

Bighorn sheep can be seen year-round from the base of Hart Mountain.Stop at the bighorn sheep sign nearthe CCC camp or any other locationalong the road and scan with binocularsfor herds of sheep. You are unlikely tosee the sheep with a naked eye.

Mule deer frequent the juniper andaspen stands found in theIntermediate Hills and the higherelevations of the refuge. Walk or drivethe Skyline trail (open seasonally to4WD vehicles) for the best viewingopportunities.

Over 200 resident and migratorybirds species use the refuge. Riparianareas, such as the HotspringsCampground, are especially goodareas for birding. Blue Sky supportsa wealth of birds that are attracted tothis isolated stand of ponderosa pine.

Sage grouse gather around meadowsin the areas between refuge head-quarters and the top of the mountain.We suggest an early evening walkalong any meadow edge or a drivealong the Skyline trail at sunset.

Avocet

Waterfowl may use refugelakes in wet years. Nestinggeese and Sandhill cranes canoccasionally be seen at PaiuteReservoir. The WarnerWetlands, at the base of HartMountain is a mecca formigratory waterfowl. Blindshave been built at Hart Bar.

Photo: J. Webb, FWS

Photo: R. Blacker, FWS

Photo: R. Blacker, FWS

Managing &RestoringWildlife Habitat

To wildlife, habitat is home: a place toeat, rest, and raise young. With steeprocky cliffs, rolling hills with bitter-brush and mahogany, aspen grovesalong narrow streams, and wide openexpanses of sagebrush grasslands,Hart Mountain NAR habitat is asdiverse as the wild things that callit home.

Providing high quality, diversehabitat for wildlife requires research,management and restoration.

Natural systems have been alteredin many different ways. Throughmanagement, we strive to minimizeor compensate for these changes.Native Community Restoration–restoring the condition under whichnative species at the Refuge evolved–is the theme of Hart Mountain NARhabitat management.

Fire is the primary management toolused to revitalize wildlife habitat.While burned areas may lookdevastated immediately after a fire,grasses and many flowering plantsquickly recover as the habitat isreborn. Fire is an essential part ofthe Refuge ecosystem—it createsbiological diversity.

Historically the mountain was grazedby sheep and cattle. That practicecontinued until the early 1990s.Releasing habitat from the pressuresof livestock grazing is an importantcomponent of current refugerestoration.

Before There Wasa Refuge

Photo: Jack Richardson, FWS

Hart Mountain’s past is a story ofchange and adaptation, not only forthe land itself but for the people whohave lived here for over 10,000 years.The climate was once much coolerand moister, and people thrived onand near the refuge by gatheringabundant roots, seeds, and berriesand by hunting animals. Thendrought cycles may have forcedinhabitants to leave the mountain insearch of homes with more reliablewater, plant, and animal resources.

By historic times, the environmentlooked much as it does today and wasused by the Kidütökadö band of theNorthern Paiute. These peoplemoved through Warner Valley intoadjacent uplands at Hart Mountain inthe spring and summer to gatherplants and hunt. Historic accountsindicate they hunted bighorn sheep,pronghorn, and deer. They gatheredgrass seeds and roots on the rockyflats of the mountain and wild plumsand berries along creeks.

Archaeological sites on the Refugereflect a long history of human use.Circles of rocks up to 10 feet indiameter remain from housefoundations at summer base camps.Occupants of such camps traveledfrom these central locations to collectplants and hunt before returning totheir winter villages at lowerelevations.

Hunting blinds along canyon rimsand other stacked rock featuresattest to a wide range of huntingactivities which occurred over timeon the mountain. Scatters of obsidianflakes from tool manufacturing areevidence of hunting camps and plantcollection areas.

Petroglyphscan be foundthroughout therefuge.

The early inhabitants of the mountainalso left artistic images for us toenjoy. Petroglyphs (images peckedinto stone) can be found on rimrocksand outcrops throughout the Refuge.Ranging from abstract or geometricdesigns to representations of animalsand humans, these images have manyinterpretations. Are they associatedwith hunting activities? Are theysymbols of contacts with the spiritworld? Do they represent theabundance of plants and animalsavailable in an area, or ancientgraffiti? No one knows for sure.

RefugeRecreation

At Hart Mountain NAR, public usesare managed to protect wildlife andmaintain the rugged, remote, andundeveloped character of the Refuge.A wide variety of opportunities areavailable for visitors to experience andexplore. Please be safe, remember theconsumption of, or possession of opencontainer(s) of alcohol in a vehicle isprohibited on the refuge.

Camping is permitted year-round atHotsprings Campground. You’rewelcome to stay up to 14 days. Wintersnows may close the campground roadperiodically. Other camping areas mayopen during specially designatedtimes. All camps are primitive, withpit toilets and no potable water.

Campfires may be enjoyed only atHotsprings Campground. Bring yourown firewood, because wood may notbe collected on the refuge. Alwayscheck for campfire restrictions postedat Refuge headquarters or in thecampground.

Wildlife Observation & Photographyare the most popular recreationalactivities on the refuge (see WildlifeViewing section for more information).

Hiking is encouraged throughout therefuge. No designated trails aremaintained. The open terrain of therefuge provides ample cross-countryhiking options. Game trails may befollowed in many of the canyons.Please exercise caution when enteringrocky and rugged terrain.

Overnight Backpacking is a greatway to experience some of the moreremote parts of the refuge. Obtain aself-issued permit at refuge head-quarters before you depart. Check forcurrent regulations when filling outyour permit.

Wildlife-dependentrecreation is apriority atNational WildlifeRefuges

Biking is an enjoyable way to seemany parts of the refuge. Bicyclesmay only be used on roads open tomotorized vehicles. Even the bestroads are rough and rocky, so sturdy,mountain bikes are a must.

Horses may be ridden throughout theRefuge. Overnight use is allowed atPost Meadows camping area wherecorrals are available, call ahead foravailability. Stock water in the creekis about 100 yards away. Pelletizedfeed is required to avoid introducingweeds with hay.

Fishing is allowed in Rock andGuano Creeks and at Warner Pondin accordance with Oregon stateregulations. An Oregon fishing licenseis required. Please check currentregulations for seasons, limits, andother guidelines.

Hunting is permitted in accordancewith state and federal regulations. Avery limited number of tags areoffered for deer, pronghorn, andbighorn sheep hunts in the latesummer and fall. Chukar may behunted in limited areas on the Refuge.No hunting is allowed within threemiles of Refuge headquarters.

Weapons possessed for purposes otherthan legal hunting activities must beunloaded and dismantled or cased.

Artifacts must be enjoyed in place.Collecting, possessing or damagingarrowheads, petroglyphs, or any formof artifact is strictly prohibited.

The high desert is a beautiful andharsh environment where conditionscan be extreme. Please take the timeto be well prepared before visitingthe refuge. During the summer, plentyof drinking water, sun screen, insectrepellent, and first aid suppliesshould be kept on hand. Nighttimetemperatures which dip belowfreezing can be experienced anytime of year, so pack accordingly.

Most Refuge roads are not maintainedfor passenger vehicles. High clearanceand four-wheel drive are needed totravel off the Frenchglen, Blue Sky, orHotsprings roads. Small amounts ofprecipitation can make very muddyroads. During the winter and springmost roads are impassable due tosnow or wet conditions. Please avoiddriving on muddy roads for your ownsafety and the protection of fragileresources.

Keep in Mind

Gasoline and groceries areavailable in Plush (25 miles west)and Frenchglen (49 miles east).Lakeview (65 miles southwest) is thenearest full-service community withovernight lodging, auto repair, retailstores, and tourist information.

Emergency services and roadsideassistance are not readily availableon the refuge. The Refuge staff is notable to provide or sell gas, towing, orauto repair service.

Plan to pack out what you pack in.Garbage collection and septicdumping facilities are not providedon the refuge.

Drinking water, compressed air, anda payphone are available at RefugeHeadquarters.

All photos U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,credits as indicated.

S.B

ound

ary

Rd.

Poke

r Jim

Ridg

e

Post Meadows

Blue Sky

to Plush10 miles

Warner Peak

Hot SpringsCampground

Barn

hard

i R

d.

Skyline Dr.

Poke

r JimRd.

CCC Camp

BlueSky

Rd.

Oregon

Refuge location

Hart Lake

Anderson Lake

Jones Lake

Flaggstaff Lake

Upper Campbell Lake

Lower Campbell Lake

Bluejoint Lake

Stone Corral Lake

SpanishLake

Long Lake

Doby

Cat Lakes

Wool Lake

Warner Ponds

W

illow

Creek

Degarmo Creek

Potter Creek

Guano Creek

PetroglyphLake

PL

to Frenchglen28 miles

Old Military Rd.

Black Canyon Rd.

N0 Miles 4

0 Kilometers 4

Hart MountainNational Antelope Refuge

Refuge Boundary

Main Roads

Seasonal Jeep Trails

Public Fishing Area

Headquarters

Horsecamp/Corrals

Authorized Camping Area

Flook Lake

h Desert Lake

Alger Lake

yn’s Lake

Nora Pond

Fred Pond

Ro

ckCreek

Poker Jim Lake

Hart MountainNational Antelope RefugeP.O. Box 111Lakeview, OR 97630phone: 541/947-3315fax: 541/947-4414

Oregon Relay ServiceTTY 1 800/735 2900Voice 1 800/735 1232ASCI 1 800/735 0644SP 1 800/735 3896

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serviceon the internet athttp://www.fws.gov

For National Wildlife Refugeinformation: 1 800/344 WILD

June 2001

Photo: Bill Stormont, FWS