First Time Elk Hunter

[DuckFever]

Long time deer, pig, duck, pheasant, chukar, dove, quail, rabbit, etc. hunter but new to the art of elk hunting. Going for the general rifle season up hear in the East Cascades of Oregon. Any pointers on scouting from veteran elk hunters?

 

[mtnsammy]

This is great reading; http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ElkHuntingUniversity/Pages/ElkUniversity2011.aspx

 

[scottmarine]

What unit are you going to hunt?

 

[smithstation]

Good glass, patients, and get as far in and as high up as you can. Glass the early and late light. Start a few weeks before season and pattern them. THe Oregon elk are tough as you usually have several other guys that have spotted your same elk. Good luck!!!

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I'm in the same boat but am going in archery season (I thrive on self inflicted abuse) in NW OR and found the disks on calling at www.elknut.com very helpful. But as I have learned, bugling is often not the way to go. I am currently learning what all the vocalizations mean and the best way to respond to them (in a natural manner that makes sense to the bull) and because many elk are well educated (especially the big trophies) calling is sometimes inadvisable or done minimally. Though my backpack hunt is all spot & stalk, locating bedding areas and food and water routes is my plan to set up an ambush and still hunt. If too many guys start bugling, the bulls run off in the opposite direction. Maybe they'll run right past me. It's quite a challenging thing (elk hunting) but then, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I can't wait for Fall. Doing my scouting in a week. Good luck to you!

 

[scottmarine]

Where's Bruce- It depends on the dates you are going for the bugling. The bull in my picture came in two differant times due to bugling/cow calling. I have hunted all over Oregon they are really tough critters. Me and my dad have found a magic date (probably a coincidence) but September 14-17 seems to be the best time in Oregon for bugling and getting a big bull (All of our decent bulls have came in those three days.) The rocky mountain elk seem to bugle more then the Roosevelts. If you need help with anything let me know. SIDE NOTE: Cow calling is easier and works as well. Especially if you are making noise trying to get within bow range just cow call and the elk will think you are an elk and let you walk right up to them.
DuckFever- I dont believe they will be bugling much when your hunting during rifle season. Depending on what unit where you are hunting its going to be hard to get high to glass due to the trees and other cover. I would suggest getting back behind gates (leagally) and walking past were everyone else wants to go. Bikes work wonders for the gates that do not allow motorized vehicles and we just use a baby cart to pack out the meat. I have some detailed maps of areas, and also where I have spotted elk.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I am focusing my practice on cow calls hoping to catch a bull by the horns. LOL I can bugle if the situation calls for it but the ability to present realistic bull and cow vocalizations that are appropriate to each situation seems critical. In one of the videos a guy rolls a big rock down a canyon and a bull comes charging in expecting to run into another bull. Pretty cool trick. The bull found an arrow instead of another elk at the top of that canyon.

 

[scottmarine]

There is a group that bow hunts in Oregon on film. They are very good videos. They are all DIY hunts on public land in Oregon. They have a website if you are interested google born and raised outdoors.

 

[DuckFever]

Thanks for all the input, I'm going for the General Rifle Season East Cascades. Didn't have to put in for a tag, just have to buy the tag. I saw a whole herd of elk last fall in the unit, but then again that was last fall.

 

[DuckFever]

BTW Scott, I checked out the website for born and raised outdoors and watched the intros to the videos. I've always wanted to get into bowhunting, but have never actually done it. That would definitely be a fun way to take an elk.

 

[J.O.]

I am in no way a veteran, but I've quickly learned from my couple hunting seasons up there that if your wanting to elk hunt in Oregon you need to get on ifish and start tooling around. Alot of good info from local guys. Becareful about where your hunting. I've noticed a trend in new rules saying you can't use came carts or anything with wheels. Basically plan on putting everything on your back and feet. Bugling season will be pretty much over by the time your in the field. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[scottmarine]

J.O. can you point me in the right direction on where you seen these rules for the game carts? I searched the Big Game Hunting Regulations and I may of overlooked them but I cannot find them. Your help would be appriciated.
DuckFever- That group of guys have some amazing footage, and one of the only crews that I know of that film on the Oregon Coast. I talked to a buddy of mine that lives in Bend and hunts around there he told me that the main thing is to get away from the hunters. There are going to be a ton of hunters out there but he said he seen quite a few elk and if you get away from the crowds(who mostly road hunt) then your odds jump up.

 

[J.O.]

I see it posted on the trail heads. Information boards. I haven't seen it in the regs as I don't think its global (yet). It wasn't posted for the 2010 season but it was up on several spots in the 2011 season. Most of the guys I talked to would drop there elk hang to cool. Come back at night and game cart it out. That way they don't get busted for the carts. I really don't understand why they would post that rule. You would think they would want you to get the game meat out as quick as possible to not spoil the meat.

A quick google search gave me this.
http://publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=4184 look under notes

http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/badlands/ under wilderness ediquette

 

[scottmarine]

Thank you J.O. from what I am reading that is only for the wilderness areas. Thanks for the information I really appriciate it. I dont understand the rule either.

 

[J.O.]

I've seen it in several forest areas as well. I'm would assume not all areas have the rule though.

 

[Bossbrott]

n oh man, no game cart usage? If ODFW had a set, they'd stand up for the hunters who make their paychecks,,,,,,not cool at all!

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

California has the same rule/law. Most of the wilderness areas I hunt don't allow any mechanized travel. Hope you've got some stock (horses or mules) or it's got to come out on your back. We hunt the Yolla Bolly Wilderness and that's one of the rules there.

Chad

 

[DuckFever]

Not worried about packing it out, not trying to brag or anything but I'm in the best shape of my life, since being out of the Marines. Packing an elk out would be the least of my problems, I'd just be happy to get one.

 

[easymoney]

Long time deer, pig, duck, pheasant, chukar, dove, quail, rabbit, etc. hunter but new to the art of elk hunting. Going for the general rifle season up hear in the East Cascades of Oregon. Any pointers on scouting from veteran elk hunters?​

As a long time eastern OR bowhunter IMHO, it all depends on the zone and dates. I used to get drawn for Beaulah east at least every other year until two years ago when the price for tags doubled and the draw went to hell.
There are lots of elk in many areas in the national forest but the best hunting is on the ranches that are having problems with the elk... They can't wait to get rid of them...

 

[sagebrush]

Duckfever - I would do some research on what you plan to do once you have an elk on the ground. Being in shape is great, but handling a bull elk by yourself is no small task. I've never had to bone out a bull by myself, I've at least had my wife there to help each time. It can be a daunting task. I once had to bone a bull in NV in a ditch where he laid because my buddy and I couldn't move him but a couple of inches. I've never hunted elk in OR, but the friends that I have talked to about it all tell me about how their bulls ended up in the bottom of the nastiest canyon wrapped up around some trees and it taking 4 men to get the bull into a position where they could get a knife into it. Good luck on your hunt. Be prepared to become addicted.