E. Oregon report

steelhead22 · 09-08-2007, 04:14 PM

We hunted for a SOLID 7 days, saw ~ 100 deer or so, only a few bucks, but WOW was there a lot of fawns. Almost every doe had AT LEAST one, many had two. Musta been a good winter and/or a bad year for predators. Anyone else notice this?

Talked to a few people in town, and about 6 or 7 different camps. Everyone was really surprised at the lack of elk. Not only the lack of SEEING elk, but the lack of sign. We had a good shot of rain over there which made for ideal tracking...unfortunately I cut ONE set of fresh track in 4 days after that rain. Never heard a bugle, never saw a cow, never busted a herd from their beds....nada.

Saw only TWO elk in 7 days of hunting. Last year, same area, saw over 80. Fortunately, one of those two was a nice 5x5 my brother took. Story and pics to come.

We cut our trip an entire WEEK short, simply for lack of players. Can't complain though, at least we made our 1 chance at an elk count.

QH's Paw · 09-08-2007, 05:42 PM

Not asking about exact location, just curious which unit?

Myles · 09-08-2007, 07:09 PM

I got back early today, DRY out there, water holes dried up and way to many cattle.
Got on a 6x6 bull with a small herd on Tuesday only by spotting him but couldn't catch up and no response to calls. No other elk seen in the area at all. Talked to one hunter that chased some onto private property one day out of 2 weeks of hunting and he had only seen 9 deer.

Myles

Moldy45 · 09-09-2007, 02:31 PM

Glad you guy's scored! ,sometimes it is tough hunting in there but I assure you the elk are still around

johndeeregreen · 09-09-2007, 03:38 PM

I do not bow hunt but my boss does and in the first week they got 5 bulls {5x6-5x5-3 spikes} in a well known eastern unit with 7 hunters. Sounds good to me.

steelhead22 · 09-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndeeregreen

I do not bow hunt but my boss does and in the first week they got 5 bulls {5x6-5x5-3 spikes} in a well known eastern unit with 7 hunters. Sounds good to me.

NICE! At least somebody is doing something.

I talked to a buddy who hunts "down south" and he said, "This is the worst year we've ever had! Haven't seen a single elk the entire season." Checking back on his GPS, in the first 5 days they traveled 51 miles on foot...not an elk seen. They all took bulls last year and saw well over 100 elk. He said the majority of the camps have packed up and left in hopes that the late season things will turn on.

My question is: Where the heck did they go? I mean, if the elk are there, you're going to have "sign". We dropped into some pretty narly holes over there that are usually a guarantee to hold some animals...nada.

johndeeregreen · 09-09-2007, 07:18 PM

the elk didn't just vanish. they all didn't winter kill. maybe some guys are bad luck.

toas243 · 09-09-2007, 07:37 PM

I think there is alot more poaching out there than we really know ,when I was out in the East I saw some left overs from and Elk ,and they where sawed off ,in march kinda early /late

steelhead22 · 09-09-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndeeregreen

the elk didn't just vanish. they all didn't winter kill. maybe some guys are bad luck.

That may be. BUT, still doesn't answer my question. Not to worry, my roommate from college is the head wildlife biologist in that area. I'm sure he'll have some answers for me.

BTW- Anyone hear about the bull shot in Dayville? I'm wonderin' if it was just a rumor, but word is, the bull was tagged in the middle of Idaho somewhere last year. Traveled 140 miles+, as the crow flies, across the Snake R. and I-84 to get where it was taken.

Strange. If it is true, I wonder why it traveled so far?

CombinationLicense · 09-09-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhead22

That may be. BUT, still doesn't answer my question. Not to worry, my roommate from college is the head wildlife biologist in that area. I'm sure he'll have some answers for me.

BTW- Anyone hear about the bull shot in Dayville? I'm wonderin' if it was just a rumor, but word is, the bull was tagged in the middle of Idaho somewhere last year. Traveled 140 miles+, as the crow flies, across the Snake R. and I-84 to get where it was taken.

Strange. If it is true, I wonder why it traveled so far?

It was probably chased here by wolves....

"CL"

I'm only kidding so you predator guys can relax

Moldy45 · 09-09-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhead22

NICE! At least somebody is doing something.

I talked to a buddy who hunts "down south" and he said, "This is the worst year we've ever had! Haven't seen a single elk the entire season." Checking back on his GPS, in the first 5 days they traveled 51 miles on foot...not an elk seen. They all took bulls last year and saw well over 100 elk. He said the majority of the camps have packed up and left in hopes that the late season things will turn on.

My question is: Where the heck did they go? I mean, if the elk are there, you're going to have "sign". We dropped into some pretty narly holes over there that are usually a guarantee to hold some animals...nada.

They are still there Paul trust me.check down the creek at the fork and over the ridge to the west,sometimes elk sign is hard to find and especially if it is real dry .

beardbuster · 09-09-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moldy45

They are still there Paul trust me.check down the creek at the fork and over the ridge to the west,sometimes elk sign is hard to find and especially if it is real dry .

Is this by the Big Rock and the Two Trees with the thing on top?? That has always been a good spot

Moldy45 · 09-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardbuster

Is this by the Big Rock and the Two Trees with the thing on top?? That has always been a good spot

I am sure it has all those things lol but paul knows what I am talking about