Advice for 1st Time Archery Public Land Elk Hunt in Oregon this year

[chrisk]

My wife and I are looking to do our first archery elk hunt this year on Public Land in Oregon and wanted to see if anyone had some advice on where to go? We are not looking for a trophy, just a legal bull 3+ point or better. We are both in very good shape and don't have an issue with hiking up and down mountains. We would prefer to hunt the south end of Oregon since it would be a shorter drive from Sacramento, but do not care of it is for a Roosevelt Elk on the West or Rocky Mnt. Elk on the East side of Oregon. I was thinking of the Chetco, Sixes, or Tioga Units since those were mentioned in a previous issue Eastman's, but would consider other Southern Oregon Units that had decent elk numbers and good public land access.

 

[sabershooter]

Will be following this going to eastern Oregon this year also

 

[Squirrelduster]

Eastern Oregon

I have archery hunted eastern Oregon the last couple years.
I have learned the area pretty well and I have hunted after Labor Day both years. This year my plan is to go opening weekend if I don't get drawn in a different state.
The pressure is incredible. There are tons people in the areas that are known to hold elk. I try and stay away from the people but it's tough.
The elk population is decent but they are very hard to find.
If I didn't have a couple years invested in hunting this area I would look for a better state than Oregon. The elk population is not great, the hunting traffic is heavy, and the elk tend to move to private property at the first sign of people.
I haven't hunted western Oregon but spent a few years over there. Tough country with lots of brush.

 

[scottmarine]

I have hunted both western and eastern Oregon. East gets tons of pressure, and the western side is very dense cover. I lived in the Chetco unit and have hunted that unit, sixes, alsea, tioga, and powers unit. On the east I have hunted out of Le Grande, if you have questions PM me.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

He's not kidding about the coastal rain forest being dense. I learned the hard way. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/showthread.php/232785-Back-from-my-elk-hunt

 

[chrisk]

Thanks Guys! I think we have decided to go to Idaho instead.

 

[Live2hunt]

OR and ID won't be my first choice for first elk hunt. CO, WY, and MT are better choices.

 

[smithstation]

I would say Colorado if your just looking for a legal elk. I have family in Baker Or. and they seem to do well bunting within 20-40miles of Baker. Lots of private land though.... There are some great ranches in central OR. that you can get on with a minimal tresspass fee if you want to go that route. I know on the Idaho side there were some good burns along the Snake that my family have been seeing good numbers of elk in. Not sure if its a draw unit or not. They did say the best access is by boat. I dont know much but this is what i have been told by people in the area.... Good luck!!

 

[chrisk]

Thanks Guys. Well, we just decided this last weekend that Colorado is it. I'll post a new thread.