If I was the last... ... ...

[Bugle4em]

If I was the last cow elk in the forest and the survival of the all elk depended on me finding another elk to "hook" up with, I am sorry fellas, but this may very well be the last year we all elk hunt.

It has been a tough year for me.

[Super Fluke]

I've had succses and so have my friends.

[Bugle4em]

thanks, congrats to you

[Radke]

You are not alone.

I haven't been able to put in the time this year like I have in past years, but when I have been out, I've accomplished squat. When I read about all these guys getting elk to bugle and come in, I'm wondering what the (your adjective here) am I doing wrong. I've had success in the past, so I guess I'm just hunting where they've been, not where they are.

but, one last weekend to go. I'm going to go back to where I got an elk with a blackpowder gun 7 years ago, above Detroit.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I hate to tell you this, but my hunting partner called a couple nights ago, this is the first year we are not hunting together in a really long time. I will be rifle hunting this year.

He is telling me of tales that are hard to believe. He has been in more bulls this year than the last 5 combined. He still hasnt got the deed done, but no problem finding bulls to come in, when he runs one off, its only a couple hours to the next one who wants to play.

He has been predominately East, but took one weekend and went West and found 3 bulls in the same clearcut he killed his bull last year. We have yet to hump the 2 miles behind the gate to this clearcut and find elk in this clearcut at daylight.

He is about out of time, I hope he gets it done soon.

Keep after it, there are lots of elk out there. Get a good pair of binos and cover some ground in some elk country, use your calls.

[xdynamite]

Dont feel bad, It has been a long time for me too. I just have a great time watching the sun come up (I keep telling myself) and helping other people pack there Elk :grin:

Oh yea, If I was a cow I'd be a lesbian.

[Abalone]

I talked to some people in the know last weekend.

Generally it's been a poor year for Elk in the Stott Mt. and Trask unit. Fewer Elk have been bagged up till now. I know guys that have scored consistantly in the past five or more years that haven't killed an Elk (Emphasis) "YET" as the season is not over.

I'll be in the woods Tomorrow AM until Sunday PM or my name aint Abalone.

And then there is Second Season.. OH LIFE IS GOOOOOOD !

I love being out there.


RULE number One: Don't get discouraged and be patient. The woods are swarming with Elk.

[Bugle4em]

I do get discouraged, but I keep going. I think I have put in some time in the woods. I have been on vacation since the 6th. I have been in the woods 80-90 percent of those days.

I would guess my biggest problem is location. I tried to stay close to home this year. The elk within 40 miles of Bend have probably seen and heard everything. I'm headed East or West next year.

But, It isn't over yet.

[**busyfishin**]

At least you have been able to hunt...Good luck this weekend, if you need help carrying anything heavy through the woods, call me.

[Radke]

Interesting what you say about the Trask. That's where I've done most my hunting so far.

And like I said early, got squat for my efforts.

[gottafish]

Man this has been the best year in the last 10 for me. Ive seen more darn elk this year. Id say if you arn't getting into them head to a different unit. heck there freakin everywhere right now. FYI I felt the same way last year LOL but this years crop was great.

[The Overfishin Condition]

I went out just for kicks and bugled on Wednesday. I called in a spike and three cows- he was bugling the whole way, crashing brush like he was something bigger. I had about five other bulls bugling, but seeing as though I was alone and just out for fun, I didn't put too much pressure on them. Must've seen more than a dozen cows plus the spike. The woods were just alive with bugles until they shut up around 8am, didn't hear another peep. Tried it again this morning, nothing. No elk, no calls, nothing. Same area, tons of sign, I know they're around, they just went quiet. TOC.

[Hookset]

Location location location, that's the secret. If you don't have a great location, you won't find squat. There's lots of traditional elk country out there, except there is not the traditioanl elk numbers. The elk populations over east are down in numbers, more then 30,000 less elk today then 10 years ago. Elk used to number over 80,000 in eastern Oregon and today those numbers are just over 50,000, that's a significant loss.

My from persepective, I also believe the Roosevelt numbers are in trouble and again, the ODFW base's to much emphasis on computer modeling instead of in field research. When the ODFW finally gets the west side numbers correct, the herds will be down 20 - 30%. Yes, that's my personal estimate.

So if your seeing less elk, there's a reason behind it, there are simply fewer animals. That doesn't mean you can't have a great hunt and there are locations that are still reasonable in numbers, except most areas are depressed from traditional herd densities. Plus the predation numbers really put the herds in double jeapordy too.

Oregon's elk herd at it's peak was second in numbers to only Colorado's 150,000+ to Oregon's 135,000+. I don't remember exactly where Oregon is today, something like 4th or 5th in total estimated numbers.

And the worst part, the numbers are continualy dropping. That's the reason the ODFW is finally starting to eliminate or reduce the cow hunts. The problem here is ODFW should have been more pro-active instead of re-active and eliminated or reduced cow hunts earlier to try and maintain elk numbers. There were also political and scientific reasons the heards were managed that also contributed to the loss in elk numbers.

The same problem occured with west side backtail hunts. The blacktail numbers were and are on a steady downward decline and the ODFW didn't react fast enough to reduce/eliminate doe hunts. So it'll take years to rebuild these numbers when and if that ever occurs.

When you look at the ODFW data, and compare this to field observations, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figurte out Oregon's hunters are in trouble.

What's really sad about all of this, is a lot of this has to do with money. ODFW needs to sell license's and tags to supply money for their budjet, if hunting opportunities are reduced, that's like cutting your own throat since you'll have to deal with less income.

So what's it all mean to you??? Location location location, you have to find those areas that still hold decent huntable numbers, otherwise, you're going to have some poor hunts ahead.

Now if you stayed with me and read all of this, hats off to you, hopefully this makes some sense, it's really my personal view about game numbers in Oregon today.

have fun,

Gregg

[Rank Amateur]

Hmm... you sound like kin folk, exactly my thoughts.

[Rip'N'Lips]

Hookset-

I agree with some of your logic however, I think that in part the animals are adapting more and more to hunters and getting better educated. I fish for steelhead on the Wilson in January and every single clearcut has huge heards standing in it. Somehow as if by magic, those same animals are miles from anywhere come hunting season.

On the plus side, this year I am seeing more deer sign and deer than ever before in the coast range. Every blacktail I see has a shiny coat and looks fat too bad I am heading east..

I do agree with the pro-active nature. Fix a problem before it is a problem. There is a balance to be struck in animal management, but always err on the side of the animals..

Rip'N'Lips

[Amahnee]

I didn't close the deal this past week but the quality of bulls I saw was very impressive. I saw several bulls around and over 300+. In the unit I hunted I was surprised to see so many big bulls and wonder how they survive rifle seasons because it's pretty open country and easy to hunt. They were very vocal and there wasn't alot of pressure either which was nice. Until yesterday. :depressed:

Had alot of close encounters over east and also down at the coast. I was disappointed in not putting one in the freezer, but never got that perfect 20-30 yard broadside opportunity that I hold out for. Damn I had fun though. :smile:

[Bugle4em]

Well, PSE and I went out this morning for our final hunt. Talk to my dad last night and he gave us a couple ideas where to look. First place had already been found by two other hunters, but we gave the other hunters some breathing room and hiked around for a look see. Didn't see anything and headed out of there to check out another spot. Both other hunters were leaving about the same time, I suppose they didn't see them either.

My dad said it would take about two hours to hunt the next spot. For some reason it took us 5.5 hours. We started by hiking up, and then up, and up some more. We started to get into alot of elk sign and set up and called. Nothing. Even though the top of the mountain seemed like it would never come, I was determined to get there. We were crashing through the woods pretty good when I looked up and a elk was looking at me throught the trees. 60 yards. After a quick peek, it was a cow. She seemed really confused by what we were.(or maybe why we were up so high on the mountain) PSE quickly grabbed by decoy from my pack and unfolded it. Walking backwards he started to cow call and try to get her to come closer. She just sat there and stared at us trying to figure it all out. Now here is where my season became a success. BUGLE. I heard it. Seemed quite far away but I finally heard it. PSE cow called again and BUGLE. He must have been facing away because now he was much closer. I quickly moved down and found a lane where I thought he would come. Cow call, BUGLE.

Now I am sitting about ten yards from the edge of a bench. He is right below me. PSE let a quick spike bugle and now he lets it rip, BUGLE. Man it is cool how you can feel it in your chest. I hear him coming up to the bench. I adjust to his approach and get ready to draw. and then...

Silence. We later found his track and he quickly moved down and away. The only thing I can figure is the wind swirled at the wrong time and he winded us. The cow had also slipped away. Never did see him. Could have been the new Oregon record or just a spike. Sure did sound big though.

We finally reached the top and WOW, what a view. Took awhile to get back down to the truck and headed home.

Thanks Dad for the tip, it made my season a success. I told you I just wanted to see and hear an elk. I sure did accomplish that.

So, it looks like there will be another season of all of us hunters chasing elk.

Later.

[Santiam338]

Very cool!...I am glad you got in them....Sometimes they are there , sometimes not... That is a good ridge to get to know though...There are places on the east end that seldom gets pressure,and the elk are there...

Good job and when the snow flies lets get after them...

[PullShootExplode]

Hey you forgot about the sticker field, sheer rock walls and all of the nasty west side shrubs...

Next year you need to have expectations of you killing something rather than just hearing and seeing them. Man was it cool to hear and to watch Bugle4em get so excitec that is the best. Last year it was the 5pt this year it is the Record Bull. :grin:

Hey Santiam I now know why the east end doesn't get any pressure.

[Santiam338]

Sticker field???

Those are devils club...Just ignore them...LOL

Somewhere on the east end of secret ridge..

[Bugle4em]

I knew there was something I was missing on that ridge. As much as that hike kicked my behind, I feel compelled to go take a look again someday.

PSE sure took a beating by those devils clubs.