NE Oregon mulies

santiam slayer · 07-25-2007, 09:00 PM

hey all- i'm heading to NE Oregon's chesnimnus unit this fall to hunt for mulies. haven't been to the area for a few years, just wondering if anyone has any news on the deer herds in the area, specifically the chesnimnus/sled springs/snake river/imnaha units. i love this country in oregon and am really looking forward to the fall

. anybody see any bucks down in the breaks hunting bears this spring? or anybody have reports form hunting deer or elk in this country the past few years? thanks.

traks44 · 07-25-2007, 09:47 PM

I have pictures waiting to come off of my camera that I think would get you pumped up.

I dont have any info on those exact untis you desribed, but I can tell you areas around pendleton, Ukiah, La Grande, Pilot rock, are seeing good numbers of mature bucks. I think this year will be better than last year ad far as mature bucks are concerned. I have seen some tremendous bucks out of Ukiah and out in the mt. emily unit. there just seem to be more dear around than normal. I have a drive I like to make every summer a few times and is usually a good judge of the season to come. Last week I saw twelve 4 points, one5 point and probablyt fifty deer total. this drive invloves alot of desert than will not hold deer in the heat of summer. Usually more often than not if the deer are in the dessert early then when falls rolls around it could be a banner year for big bucks. I am also seeing a TREMENDOUS surge in whitetail numbers in all creek bottoms. It doesnt seem to matter of they are at 5000 feet or 500 feet. give them a creeck bottom and they are as happy as a clam. I have seen a few bucks pushing the 160 mark(true toads)

anyway, My report looks good. It seems there are big bucks where ever there is habbitat. I can honestly say that desert drive I took got me really excited. Some bucks were in th 170 range.
I havent got around the the northern aread like you have described but all the areas I have been seem good right now.

Bucks numbers look better than average with deer numbers still average. whitetail have increased probably 60-70% over last year.

could make for some very good deer hunting in the next few years.

I will try and get some pics up soon...

good luck this year guys

FYI, knocking on doors this year for bottom land whitetail just might yield you one of the finest talbe fair animals along with a buck pushing the state record, NO JOKE!!!!

motcha · 07-25-2007, 10:16 PM

These beauty mulies around here are my obsession!! I have seen some bruisers in the past few years, and it looks to be another good year after the numbers I seen around New years!! White tails and Mulies are looking up!!

Blackbeardown · 07-26-2007, 08:30 AM

Deer herds are doing pretty good over here. Cats, of course, are taking their toll. Biggest problem over here from what I here is the weather. The forage is curing fast...thereby lessening the nutritional content...the does are "drying up faster than normal" so there is a fear the fawns will go into the winter in poor shape. Time will tell.

I saw a good number of bucks the last couple weeks in the Chesnimus unit.

Fish Slayer · 07-26-2007, 11:18 AM

You do know that if you're planning on bow hunting these deer you must have drawn the elk tag too, right?

Limbhanger · 07-26-2007, 11:47 AM

Oregonmuley and I are leaving tomorrow for a weekend scouting trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness for our deer hunt.

We'll give a report Monday.

BrianMaguire · 07-26-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limbhanger

Oregonmuley and I are leaving tomorrow for a weekend scouting trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness for our deer hunt.

We'll give a report Monday.

This is all great to hear.

santiam slayer · 07-27-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Slayer

You do know that if you're planning on bow hunting these deer you must have drawn the elk tag too, right?

I will be rifle hunting, but I've wondered what the reason is for this rule? Why just those couple of units in the NE corner? I plan on taking up bowhunting in the future, so this may come up. Thanks for all the pointers. Sounds like these deer are doing alright, at least the ones that avoid the cats. Look forward to hearing about that trip into the Eagle Caps. That's territory I've always wanted to explore.

buck0523 · 07-29-2007, 11:34 AM

I don't know why they have the rule, but I'm glad they do!!! I've hunted Chesnimnus many times and it keeps all the people just hunting deer out. Makes for some good hunting when only a few hunters are in there. Try Thomason meadow area in Chesnim....always run into elk, mulies, and a pig of a whitetail there every year. Good luck.

Buck

johndeeregreen · 07-29-2007, 03:58 PM

Plan on seeing lots of whitetail on top. I did see some mulies but few. As far as deer #s, there weren't lots to be had but enough.I drew the tag last year with a couple other guys and we ended up taking 2 whitetails.I also drew a tag this year and am planning on a great hunt. I had a elk tag 2 years ago and we saw lots of mulies down in the canyon.

Also don't take lightly the need for good high ply tires on the rigs you drive in there. I had new 4ply tires on my Expedition in June when I took my sons up the Zumwalt rd. and ended up with 2 flats.

Blackbeardown · 07-30-2007, 01:17 PM

Elk were bugling in and around Thomason Meadows this past week. A pretty big 6x was spotted in one herd.

santiam slayer · 07-30-2007, 08:25 PM

sounds like there's enough going on around there to get a guy excited.

the last few times there i have seen more whitetails... a little change from the past. i wish the road closure was in effect during the deer season like it is during elk season, it would really cut down on road hunters in some areas in chesnim IMO. thanks for all the reports guys! keep 'em comin'.

Art Vandeley · 08-01-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndeeregreen

Also don't take lightly the need for good high ply tires on the rigs you drive in there. I had new 4ply tires on my Expedition in June when I took my sons up the Zumwalt rd. and ended up with 2 flats.

This is very true, 8 ply tires work good, but 10 ply are ideal. All sounds like good reports. I saw quite a few deer over there while turkey hunting and bear hunting. Definately a lot more whitetails then years past.:grin:

Limbhanger · 08-01-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch.callas

Definately a lot more whitetails then years past.:grin:

Those whitetails are like illegal aliens. You see a few here and there and dont think much of it until all of the sudden you wake up one day and they are everywhere you look........