Oregon Archery Elk

[MikenSoCo]

Well I've given up my Californai deer hunt for an Oregon archery hunt. I've never been to North Eastern oregon, and I've never seen a live elk. I expect my chances to be slim and none. We're hunting up near Hell's Canyon/Eagle Cap. Any tips, comments, and yes wise cracks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, MIke

 

[wmidbrook]

Be sure to take one of those new bald face hornet heads with you...the kind that is about twice the size of a judo tip but is made out of mesh--like a fly swatter.

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I expect my chances to be slim and none[/b]

....don't sell yourself too short.

You still got some time to practice location bugling and cow calling--if they're hot, they won't be too particular about the bull sounds you're making....especially the younger bulls.

My first archery/bugling season was up in the starkey and northside units 3 seasons ago(wanted to try out a couple of different areas and I had the time to do it). I located 5 bulls and got one of them worked up but didn't close the deal...but, it was a rush watching him tear up a juniper.

Anyway, look for fresh rubs, droppings, and wallows and be prepared to cover a lot of ground to find an area with good fresh sign. Not always, but usually elk are lower in the night/mornings to feed and bed higher.

Also, don't be afraid to bugle at night a couple hours before daylight or so to locate elk and to be near them when the legal hunting time arrives. The sometimes bugle/rut like crazy during the middle of the night.

I'm still working @ sticking my first elk too. Each year I seem to have more & more close encounters with bulls so my time is coming pretty soon I think.

Good luck, have a blast and let us know how it goes~!

 

[BDB]

That sounds like a great trip Mike, good luck. I would love to hunt them in the rut but this year I am on a rifle tag in CO. Good luck to you, I can't wait to hear how the trip went. Cheers

 

[Oregon Archer]

well youll soon find out that that area is very steep. you may just come out of there with one leg shorter than the other from standing on an incline all day lol. its fairly open country so you can glass elk from a good vantage point. be patient and dont rush things. good luck.

 

[MikenSoCo]

Thanks men. Almost sounds like turkey hunting!

 

[BDB]

And as long as you do 20-30 small trips it should be about the same weight to carry out when you are successful

 

[wmidbrook]

 

[MikenSoCo]

Dragging a 200 lbs. pig was almost impossible alone. Here's my plan... Strap 4 cases of beer on my pack frame, and hike up and down Hell's Canyon to get my legs in shape. Shoot a 6 pt. bull and gut,skin, and bone out on the spot. Light a nice fire and drink all the beer and eat the straps and loins first. Move to the quarters as long as the beer lasts. Now with no beer weight(except for the gut) and a diminished meat pile, make the easy hike back to the truck. See, I told ya it was just like turkey hunting!

 

[OR186]

I was in the Eagle Caps today cutting firewood. Conditions are great for bowhunting. It felt more like a Fall day. The woods are wet and it was cool all day.Probably be a light frost in the morning. Saw some horse trailers at the trailheads and a few camps were setting up but it looks like light hunting pressure for the opener.Haven't heard any whistling yet. If you get off the roads you should see elk.

 

[MikenSoCo]

Thanks OR for gettin' me back to the point and your useful info.... we're tryin' to time our hunt with the onset of the rut. Last year the guys had snow and rain at the end of Sept. Saw lots of Elk, but killed none. Had a couple young 5 pts. sneak in silent and surprised my buddy( just like a turkey!) We're truck camping on the edge of the wilderness area and hunting from there. I want to scope out the area and see if it's horse friendly, how the roads are etc... In the mean time I'm turning my daughters pony into a pack horse

The pony won't leave my quarter horses side so I figure if I pack light and build a scaled down sawbuck it could work out good. I read in Jack O'Connor's book to blind fold a horse and rub the blood of your kill in his nose and he should accept the meat pack fine!? I don't like to drive up and camp but I'm a guest so I should be thankful for that. If nothing else I can't wait to see the land of the Nez Perce...Thanks again, Mike

 

[morebullits]

be sure to have one ov your buddies video you rubbing blood on your horses nose

 

[MikenSoCo]

If Jack O'connor can do it, I can do it! Or maybe he had one of his Indian guides do it?! Besides, my trusty steed Friday would never kick me

 

[easymoney]

mikensoco,
Listen up to what oregonarcher has said. The country is STEEP and he's not kidding about one leg getting shorter than the other. I hunt chukar along the Snake every year and it is not for the weak of heart. It is assume, wide open country and there are loads of animals, but seeing one and getting close to one (any legal one) especially with a bow is a humbling experience.
Good luck, you should have a trip to remember...

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey, good luck Mike!

I was gonna make a run to Oregon this year too, but other things intervened and once again I'm putting it off 'til "next time".

The hunting is great up there, and your options are wide open. You ought to at least see some elk, and I wouldn't be surprised to read the story of your kill when you get home.

 

[MikenSoCo]

Thanks Speck, we always seem to "see 'em" don't we. By the way, I've got a line on a ranch close my other with no grumpy caretaker. As a matter of fact, I may become the caretaker. Stay tuned for a possible hog hunt...Mike

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey Mike, we do seem to spot plenty of game, that's for sure.

Sounds great on the new ranch access, by the way.

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Stay tuned for a possible hog hunt.[/b]

I'm always tuned in for that!