“`html
A Decade Later: Revisiting teh malheur Refuge Occupation adn Its Lingering Scars
Ten years after a band of anti-government protesters seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon, the echoes of the 41-day occupation continue to reverberate through the rural community of Burns and beyond.The saga, sparked by a dispute over federal land management and the sentencing of local ranchers, exposed deep-seated tensions between rural communities and the federal government, and raised questions about accountability and justice that remain unresolved.
The story began in early 2016 with a seemingly symbolic act of defiance: Ammon Bundy, already known for a 2014 armed standoff with federal authorities in Nevada, handing out rolls of pennies outside a Safeway in Burns.This gesture, as witnessed by former Oregonian reporter Les Zaitz, foreshadowed the escalating confrontation to come. Soon, Bundy led a march to the office of Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward, protesters symbolically pitching pennies against the building – a rebellious act that marked the beginning of a six-week ordeal.
Zaitz, who arrived in Burns towards the end of 2015, was drawn to the unfolding events, recognizing Bundy as a key figure in a growing anti-government movement. Bundy positioned himself as a protector of the people, promising to restore the local economy and wrest control of land from federal hands. days before the protest, Zaitz met with Ryan Payne, a participant in the Nevada standoff, who explained the group’s initial aim: to support ranchers Dwight Hammond jr. and his son, Steve, who had been convicted on federal charges related to a range fire and were due to report to prison. However, by New Year’s Eve, the Hammonds themselves had rejected Bundy’s assistance, seeking to avoid further conflict.
The situation escalated dramatically on January 2, 2016, when bundy led the takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a bird sanctuary 30 miles southeast of Burns.Zaitz recounted receiving the news via a phone call, prompting an immediate return to Burns and weeks of intensive reporting. The refuge, already shut down as a precaution, was found deserted, consisting of a visitor’s center, museum, offices, maintenance sheds, and employee housing.
In subsequent conversations with Bundy, Zaitz found him to be calm and kind, yet vague about his ultimate goals. Bundy and his followers articulated grievances including the release of the Hammonds, the return of refuge land to local control – without specifying to whom – and the reopening of forests for logging, despite the absence of a lumber mill in Harney County as 2008. The occupation attracted a diverse group, including self-proclaimed militia members, anti-government activists, and those simply seeking attention.
The influx of people swelled the population of Burns, with Bundy supporters
ranching in Harney County.
As of late 2023, Bundy had moved to Utah and was working as a diesel mechanic, while payne, after serving a prison sentence, founded an electronics company in Montana. Former Sheriff Ward retired in May 2020. The federal government spent millions repairing the damage to the refuge, which now remains partially restricted by steel gates.
Returning to the refuge in July 2025, Zaitz reflected on the unfulfilled promises of federal and state officials to address the concerns of rural Oregon and bridge the urban-rural divide. He concluded that Bundy ultimately exploited the community for his own gain – attention and headlines. The occupation, a decade later, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of trust between communities and the government, and the enduring challenges of addressing deep-seated grievances in a polarized nation.
Contact Editor Les Zaitz: [email protected]
LOCAL NEWS DELIVERED TO YOU: Subscribe to Salem Reporter and get all the fact-based Salem news that matters to you. Fair,accurate,trusted – SUBSCRIBE
Les Zaitz is editor and owner of salem Reporter. He co-founded the news association in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for more than 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is
