Hart Mtn late archery Mule Deer hunt

[ArcheryTR]

I talked to the refuge manager today and she said that the results for the new late archery hunt were in and that there was zero bucks killed. I was just wondering if anyone has talked to anyone that had this hunt or knew of anyone had the hunt and what the quality of the hunt was like, were people being picky or was there just no bucks around? If anyone has any info please indulge.

[3fletch]

I was wondering how the hunt went. It is a little disappointing to hear that there were 20 hunters with enough points to draw that hunt and none of them killed a buck, especially since that was their only opportunity for a buck. I wasted 7 years trying to draw the regular archery tag and when I did there were way too many hunters and only a few big bucks that I could find. There were however lots of bucks I think I saw over 20 one day, of them only one was a decent 140" buck. Not worth waiting 7 years for. The muzzle load season has really ruined that hunt...

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Thats unreal if its true
I have heard there is a serious shortage of deer (shooter/mature bucks) down there

[Rusty Psoadman]

If you run across some of the boys that grew up in Lake County, you might find someone that's got Hart Mountain dialed in...on of my college buddies was real familiar with it way back when and tagged a real nice archery buck..forget how big it was..but it was one of those monsters down there.

[Scrillznac]

What a bummer to blow so many points and not tag out......

[SandyRiverFisher]

Wow, thats hard to believe. Never been there but youd think someone would have at least nailed a smaller buck late in the hunt.

[billc_sbio]

I posted this info on an earlier thread asking about "who's going" (to the Hart Mtn. Archery hunt?)

I accompanied a friend, who's waited 11 years to go on the Muzzleloader hunt there at the beginning of October (regular Deer Season dates).

He already knew where most of the big bucks would be from seeing them on his previous hunt, all those years ago.

Turns out they WERE where he remembered, up atop Warner Peak, the highest part of the Hart Mtn. complex.

For five days we'd drive up, 3.4 miles from our campsite near the Hot Springs, and park at the highest point in the road and glass that Warner Peak area. We found Bucks up there, the largest one I personally saw was a somewhat tall/wide 3-point and a smaller 4-point as well.

My friend made several stalks on them and managed two "longish" shots at Bucks, neither one connecting.

He did see some real wall hangers when he was all the way up near the top of Warner Peak (Elev 8,067), about 1,000' above the road we were on, almost vertically above us.

We ended up getting snowed out on the 6th day day, and with almost zero viisbility and the forecast for more snow, we came down off the mountain while the "getting (off of it) was good".

I only know of two ML Hunters who were successful. They were two brothers. One shot a small 3-point Buck on the opening morning down low out of its bed. His brother shot another as they returned near dusk on their last day of hunting. They spotted it from the road while driving along and I guess his brother climbed off their Yamahauler ATV, raised his rifle and shot it at ~30 yards.

There were several hunters there who'd hunted in previous years, some as long as 20+ years ago. They all said that the Buck population was NOTHING like it was even 10 years ago.

[beaverheart]

Years ago we saw some monster bucks out beyond Blue Sky near an old homestead. There are not too many areas with cover out there so archery hunters could have a tough time with spot and stalk techniques.

[Ni!]

Hmmm...I was one of the two hunters with 8 points that didn't draw this hunt. Maybe I got lucky. I may be able to get a third-hand report about this hunt. I'll see what I can dig up.

[chukardave1]

Originally Posted by billc_sbio

I posted this info on an earlier thread asking about "who's going" (to the Hart Mtn. Archery hunt?)

I accompanied a friend, who's waited 11 years to go on the Muzzleloader hunt there at the beginning of October (regular Deer Season dates).

He already knew where most of the big bucks would be from seeing them on his previous hunt, all those years ago.

Turns out they WERE where he remembered, up atop Warner Peak, the highest part of the Hart Mtn. complex.

For five days we'd drive up, 3.4 miles from our campsite near the Hot Springs, and park at the highest point in the road and glass that Warner Peak area. We found Bucks up there, the largest one I personally saw was a somewhat tall/wide 3-point and a smaller 4-point as well.

My friend made several stalks on them and managed two "longish" shots at Bucks, neither one connecting.

He did see some real wall hangers when he was all the way up near the top of Warner Peak (Elev 8,067), about 1,000' above the road we were on, almost vertically above us.

We ended up getting snowed out on the 6th day day, and with almost zero viisbility and the forecast for more snow, we came down off the mountain while the "getting (off of it) was good".

I only know of two ML Hunters who were successful. They were two brothers. One shot a small 3-point Buck on the opening morning down low out of its bed. His brother shot another as they returned near dusk on their last day of hunting. They spotted it from the road while driving along and I guess his brother climbed off their Yamahauler ATV, raised his rifle and shot it at ~30 yards.

There were several hunters there who'd hunted in previous years, some as long as 20+ years ago. They all said that the Buck population was NOTHING like it was even 10 years ago.

My buddy was one of the two brothers you mention. They waited 12 years and came back with two mediocre bucks at best. Their uncle has been taking guys in there every year for the last 20 years and knows that place very very well. He couldn't believe the lack of bucks. Listening to them talk I would not waste my time or points on this unit.

[OutdoorBum]

With this report and other threads about the poor state of the Trout Creeks, what the heck is going on in SE Oregon?

[rrust1]

My cousins had 12 and 13 points respectively to acquire that muzzleloader tag. Hunted for 7 days, missed (3) 3 pt or better bucks, killed a 4X3 and a 4X4. Both younger bucks, but very nice. Their side of the family has hunted there for 35 years w/ muzzleloader, bucks are slimmer, but still around.

Don't blame the poor archery season on muzzleloading. They wait for years to hunt an area as well.