COVID-19 has given people in Northeast Oregon more time to do hobbies they enjoy. For those who enjoy hunting, it means good things for the 2020 hunting season. Retail purchases of hunting equipment and hunting licenses are higher than in previous years.

“Hunting, fishing, birdwatching, most of these activities are fairly solitary and out in the open air,” said Bruce Eddy, East Region manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). “We have seen an increase in overall licenses sales, and we attribute it to a curtailing and cancelling of other outdoor activities.”

Hunters had to apply by May 15 for controlled hunt tags, but provisions were put in place if COVID-19 affected someone’s ability to hunt. ODFW spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy said a system has been put in place that will allow hunters to keep their licensing status even if they are unable to hunt due to coronavirus.

“We wanted to reassure hunters we have a system in place and they will still be able to hunt if they applied and paid for their license,” Dennehy said.

The sale of licenses is up by 2.7%, according to Dennehy. ODFW sold 478,638 controlled hunt permits in 2019, and 491,504 in 2020.

“This slight uptick may be because getting outdoors is one of the safer things to do, and people have more time,” Dennehy said. “Hunting can be a great respite in these crazy times.”

Hunting businesses faring well

Local stores are also seeing the effects of COVID through a boost in sales. Anieta Appleton, owner of Alpine Archery in downtown La Grande, said their sales have gone up despite COVID-19 leaving people leery to go into stores.

“Even if people can get things online, we are an actual pro shop and offer services you can’t find online,” Appleton said. “We have knowledge, and with people out hunting more, there is more need for repairs.”

Billy Bob’s Butchers in Elgin traditionally helps hunters by butchering wild game. William Oldridge, owner of Billy Bob’s Butchers, said it is unlikely he will help with wild game butchering this year as he is already busy taking care of domestic products like chicken, cows and pigs.

“It is unusual for this time of year, but I think this surge is coming from the high prices of meat in the stores and the shortage of meat,” Oldridge said.

For more inexperienced hunters, or those who like a guide, Steve’s Outdoor Adventures works across the nation to help set up hunting and fishing trips. The organization’s owner, Steven West, said the pandemic hasn’t had a huge effect on hunting trips; however, Canada closing its border has made things difficult. Local hunts are becoming more popular, according to West.

“But people have started going back to work so we aren’t getting any more trips reserved than usual,” West said. “However, on the retail side, sales are up for sure.”

West said he thinks people may have more money to spend on supplies because of the stimulus check, and while people don’t have more time to spend in the field, they might have more money to spend and are doing so locally.

Restaurants might feel the effects

Hunting season can bring people into eat as early as 5 a.m., according to Denny’s General Manager Lori Millsap-Cristes, but with the restaurants operating at limited hours, the places for hunters to get a pre-hunt meal will be slim.

“Maybe the hunters will have to change their patterns,” Millsap-Cristes said. “There is just no saying at this point what it will mean for sure.”

Chris Halley, owner of the Shorthorn Bar & Grill in Richland, about 43 miles east of Baker City, said business has been down since the pandemic started, and he’s not expecting the usual increase in diners during the fall hunting seasons.

“We see a ton of traffic coming through town, but they don’t stop,” Halley said. “We have the same locals we’ve had for 50 or 60 years here in town, and they haven’t stopped eating here.”

Campgrounds are reopening

At the start of the pandemic Oregon State Parks and the Oregon Department of Forestry closed many of their campgrounds. A large majority have since reopened.

Although ODFW closed hunting temporarily this spring, Eddy said that unless there is a substantial uptick in positive cases in the the area there is little talk of closing them down again.

“COVID-19 hasn’t really impacted the hunting season at all, we haven’t changed anything more to deal with COVID-19,” Eddy said. “We just take our lead from the governor and Oregon Health Authority. We just recommend hunters stay home if they are sick and stay in family groups if going to hunt.”

Sam Anthony of the Baker City Herald contributed to this story.