Newbie Hunting-Deer or Elk?

happybrew · 07-30-2006, 09:14 PM

I am new to hunting. I have a week's vacation to burn up this fall before I start losing vacation hours. The problem is, I don't have a lot of money to spend. My plan is to go out for a week, and I may have a friend who can go with me. I will either get something in that week, or go go home. But that's it.

Having done some research and reading some books, I'm confident I have at minimum a slightly reasonable chance on the coast during the general season. Heck, 20-30 bucks in gas and whatever food I would have consumed anyway, why not? So my question is, should I go for elk, or deer? I've never hunted either, so it's all the same to me. I have a friend or two who may be able to come along.

My goal is not go get a trophy. I'm not at a point where I really care about that yet. I just want to put some meat in the freezer and have a nice time doing so. What's my best chance of doing so, given only book knowledge of the sport?

happybrew

waterfowlin101 · 07-30-2006, 09:41 PM

It may be a little late (you probably should start shooting earlier in the year), but archery deer would be my suggestion. The first week of archery deer season on the Eastside there are stinkin' deer everywhere. If you are looking for meat...that would be my suggestion. Spend a week there...you'll get close shots at somethin'.

Jon

Grantspastor · 07-30-2006, 11:03 PM

If you really don't care whether it's Deer or Elk, I'd encourage your to concentrate on deer. Your chances of success are exponentially higher. There are lots of deer in western oregon I like to hunt in the rain whenever possible. If you get a windy, rainy day that's even better. The Deer don't like to be buried deep in the brush in those conditions. I think it's because they can't hear. The first big storm after a dry summer will find them standing around in the open timber. When conditions are dry they hear you coming and move out 1/4 mile ahead of you. You'd swear there wasn't a Deer in the County. Bad weather and Blacktail hunting go together real well. Blacktails will never be far from cover. Hunt the edges and fire lines of recent clear cuts, or burns. If you can hunt late in the season when they go into the rut, it really improves your chances for a buck. They tend to get careless in the rut. When hunting, spend a lot of time glassing. Look for parts of deer...a head, or an ear, etc. It's rare to see a big buck just standing around waiting for you. Good luck! Huntin is a great sport. I hope this is helpful

Dave

baltz526 · 07-31-2006, 05:05 AM

deer rifle hunting, is what i would do. the weather is milder in the early season, makes for a better camping experience and when your learning to hunt, it's nice to be comfortable. bring good binoculars, most every deer you see will be with them. buy a fall bear tag and cougar tag. your odds of seeing a bear are good in most areas and fewer cougar eating deer is good for all of us. don't forget your shotgun and upland bird stamp for camp cooking some ruffed grouse, the woods are full of them.

Flat Lander · 07-31-2006, 06:43 AM

Rifle deer would be my choice too. If you happen to get one a deer is a lot easier to pack/process. Baltz526 is right on the good Binos. They don't have to be top of the line but on the west side you will need them. He is right on the grouse too. They are a bonus to deer hunting and are very tasty. Good luck

quackersnacker · 07-31-2006, 07:02 AM

Definately Rife Deer!! At this point I will assume you can handle yourself and a gun in the woods. Since you have not hunted (really) before, the longer westside deer season will give you ample time to explore the woods. I would take the vacation week at the end of the season, I'm a bowhunter so I'm not sure when that would be, then you can take a few weekend trips to different nearby areas without burning up a lot of gas and wasting a week in an area without any deer.
Just my

Coastalfisherman · 07-31-2006, 08:31 AM

I would also spend the time rifle deer hunting. Try and make a couple scouting trips prior to the hunt. I helps when you know there are deer in the area you plan on hunting. I try to find a good buck in the summer, then I hunt that area exclusevly. Sooner or later that buck will show himself.

ehunter · 07-31-2006, 09:32 AM

Is there any body that you can hunt with that show you the ropes? It is hard to go the first time for a new person are you set on Archery if not the guys are right that a rifle trip the first time out is a good place to start. Not sure how experienced you are but it is a lot easier to manage a deer on the ground than a elk your first time out. Check out the tips that Baltz posted there are some good things in there. If your set on bow hunting I would look at some areas like fort rock for deer on your first trip. Good luck if you where closer to us I would offer to get you out for a weekend. Another good idea is see if there is a bowhunters saftey class close to you there are some really good tips offered in this class for a newbie..

good luck.

O Tshawytcha · 07-31-2006, 10:52 AM

Whatever method you choose make sure that you invest some time in practicing. The last thing you want is your first shot on a deer to be a bad one.

You're off to a good start by asking questions here. These guys have an amazing amount of experience and skill!

GRIFF

Killertraylor · 07-31-2006, 11:45 AM

Your chances of success are clearly much higher deer hunting. I think I read that the "average" is about 1 elk every 7 years (a lot of guys do better than that) and for deer, I'd venture to say it's closer to 1 in 3, and lots of good hunters will get a deer every year.

That being said, there's NOTHING like elk hunting. Killing a large bull elk is probably the most exciting moment, and most emotional moment many of us will ever have. It's that rush of exhiliration of the kill combined with your appreciation for how magnificient the animal is. I'm sure a lot of guys get like that with killing any animal, but for me, killing bull elk is the coolest thing I've ever done. For me it ranks right up there with the birth of my children - and something you'll never forget. It's that way every time you get one too - the feeling never seems to wane.

Good luck whatever you decide to go chase!

happybrew · 07-31-2006, 06:13 PM

Wow! Thanks for all the replies! Deer it is.

I will be hunting with a rifle. I have a Mosin Nagant M38 that should do the trick. It shoots well. I am a decent marksman. I need to practice at longer ranges, as I haven't really taken a look at what it can do beyond about 50 yards. In the past I've been able to consistently hit targets out to 400-600 yards with other rifles using open sights. I wasn't dealing with wind, though. I'll do some practice when I make some scouting trips. I will NOT try to take a deer out that far. I probably won't shoot beyond 100 yards, if that. I don't want to have to chase a wounded deer. If I can't kill it, I won't take the shot. Assuming I get a shot.

My hunting experience is limited to two trips rabbit hunting. The second one was successful, the first one was mostly just scouting. The friends who might be able to go are experienced hunters. As far as when to go, that's pretty well determined by a business trip I need to make in October, which limits me to late general season. I need to get binoculars.

I'll tell you what, that rabbit hunting sure was a kick! I can't wait to bag something a bit more substantial. I did butcher half a deer given to us by a friend once, and I think I could do an okay job on a whole one. Now if I can just find a nice buck on purpose instead of by accident, I will be happy.

happybrew

14thewall · 07-31-2006, 07:13 PM

make sure if you get a shot its a good one and you look throughly before you give up.good luck and have fun! :smile:

Bugle4em · 08-02-2006, 11:40 AM

wishing you beginners luck...

slivazz · 08-02-2006, 01:01 PM

Baltz526 is spot on about the grouse. Get the upland bird validation and take along a shotgun when you go out. My father and I deer hunted the Wilson unit last year and flushed out too many to count during many trips. Hoping to find again that 3-point we caught a glimspe of last year.