What would YOU do?

[TWEETER3]

Fill the freezer brother and take some pictures. its not about the rack or the price of your pack its about the hunt.

 

[Sigma]

At a 7% success rate, I would take the first shot I get, especially with a bow.

 

[inchr48]

I'm sure if the shot presents itself, You'll know whether or not to take it (at that instant).

For Bruce, KP means, "Kill Patron" .....

Good luck, sounds like a blast, enjoy yourself.

 

[CA Karen]

Bruce, I would hunt the first 5 days for mister big bull. Then I would switch for any 3x3 bull elk or larger if none avails then any mature cow elk, then any cow elk or forked horn or spike if legal. But after the first 5 days I saw a mature cow that I could get close to and a 3x3 or bigger bull I would try the bull once then go after the cows. It depends on how often I find the elk too as to what I would shoot. If I did not see anything till day 5... I would try for the biggest animal I could get within shooting range to and pray my shot is true. If your finding elk often and they are not running I would wait and see what shows. Good luck!

 

[mtnsammy]

MEAT. I would shoot the ugliest hairlipped cow if she would walk in front of me. Racks are nice but at my age I am only kidding myself waiting for the best harvest without a guide. Plenty of cows where I am going and I hope and PRAY I am blessed with ugly meat. I am tossing the skin and only eating and sharing the meat so I could care less about any rack.

Now if I had a good tag in a good area with a good guide to take me closer to the big boys I would wait for the best I can get. My friend guided last year near Montrose and watch old fat stupid city boys miss time after time. If I can get my game on for archery and gain a few more points I will go to his guide and take a beauty. From the pics he took I would probably do a full mount too. Real beauties up near 13000 feet.

 

[henmar77]

So whats it gonna be Bruce?

 

[Deleted member 33033]

So whats it gonna be Bruce?

I will know about a nanosecond before I touch the release.

I have access to little bit of private land that is surrounded by public land so I'm hoping that the public land hunters push something in my general direction. A buddy of mine said to shoot whatever i see and chase the racks in MN & AZ & NV for a big wall hanger because there is no way to get a monster rack outta OR in ten days without proper scouting and game cams and patterning...the odds are against it. Plus the land owner (a friend I wanna keep happy) has cougar, coyotes and nutria on his property that he'd rather see dead so I suppose if I do take whatever offers the "can't miss" broadside shot, I'll still have plenty of other critters to hunt. Taking my 17HMR, 22-250 and .308 as well in case I end up doing an ADC hunt. But I really would love to get a big bull...that would be awesome. Trying to balance the dream and the reality without focusing on the odds. Anything can happen right?

 

[henmar77]

Dont let the thought of targeting a rack ruin a good time. With multiple species available to hunt, it sounds like the trip itself is a dream. Probably something ill never get to do. Good luck to you!!

 

[Animaltracker]

With archery, any bull taken is a trophy, especially in a unit with a 7% success rate. I always trophy hunt the first two or three days then, based on what I have seen, I decide what kind of hunt it's really going to be. I have passed on bulls the first day only to never get another chance the rest of the hunt. Having an either sex tag makes it nice because if the elk are there you can at least go after a cow in the last few days to get the meat.

 

[Shoobee]

Dont let the thought of targeting a rack ruin a good time. With multiple species available to hunt, it sounds like the trip itself is a dream. Probably something ill never get to do. Good luck to you!!

Ive hunted in Oregon and Wash State, and they are both fun to hunt. Not really difficult to get tags and a license, just not cheap for nonresidents. Just a really long drive, 8 hours to Oregon from the central Calif, 12 hours to southern Wash State.

You should try it, its not hard.

In Oregon, a really good place to hunt is just west of Crater Lake Park.

In Wash State, there is a lot of USFS land just across the Ore state line.

Both Oregon and Wash State are crawling with deer and elk, and often you can be out hunting and not see another hunter, if you pick a remote enough spot.

In Oregon you are not allowed to pump your own gasoline, just one of their relatively odd laws.

In Wash State, your rifle needs to be completely unloaded when inside your vehicle, a good law, one which I always follow as a rule here in Calif as well.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

They have full service stations in OR? Really?

 

[dustin ray]

They have full service stations in OR? Really?

No i would not call it full service stations you just can't pump your own gas unless you have a permit and that is only for a card lock station it's kinda strange

 

[baco]

If you want a big bull you have to go hunt the states that have them. (In no way am I saying orgeon does not have them just not as many as arizona, new mexico, nevada you get the point) If you wont be happy shooting a cow or small bull then dont. It doesnt matter what anyone here tells you, as this is your hunt and all you have to please is yourself.

Now me personally if i am hunting a over the counter unit with the bow I'm shooting the first legal elk that steps out, now in arizona, utah and colorado (where I have been gaining points for 15 years) It big or go home