Over the Counter elk/deer tag ?

[SoylentGreen]

Just a quick question for the ifish hunting experts.

I'm new to Oregon (Not to hunting) and looking to get my first Oregon elk and/or blacktail this year. Am I better off getting the over the counter tag(s) for Wilson or Trask units near home or putting in for something better (and probably not drawing). Or something different? Just curious. I am probably hunting alone. Any advice is appreciated.

I know this is way in advance but fishing only subdues me so much...

I have to imagine the hunting pressure in general season in Trask unit borders on "extreme". Sound about right?

[baltz526]

the general deer tag is a great tag. the general cascade elk is a great tag. both are better tags than most draw tags in oregon. but do not tell anyone

put in for the hard to draw tags and when you dont get them, then buy your over the counter tags. one thing about the over the counter tags in the wilson, trask, and scapoose units is that they are all neer PORTLAND!!! you will run into alot more hunters with this tag. that is why i would put in for the eastern oregon draw units.

[Basshound]

Like lonedrake said, Apply for something east and hunt blacktails closer to home when you dont draw. As far as better area. I have a trail cam that averages 30 pics in 2 days, a 1/4 mile away i have another that averages 80 in ONE night. so they hang in pockets. With the time you have untill the season, and the gas prices low scouting is a good idea. But im sure you know that.

[Grantspastor]

Yeah..put in for a good draw tag. You never know...and you can always buy the OTC tags if you don't get drawn. One thing to look at concerning deer is that the East side seasons are much shorter, while the West side is over four weeks long.

[Teeb]

Put in for a controlled hunt (CH) or at least a "Point Saver" for each species you are interested in. Even if you draw a CH tag, you do not have to buy it. You can always choose to buy an OTC tag. If you just want to build points, you can apply for a Point Saver. Having preference points increases your odds of drawing successfully when you decide for sure when and where you want to go. Application deadline is Feb 10 for Spring Bear and May 15 for all other CH.

There are lots of options available. It may seem confusing at first, but it's not bad once you've been through it. Oh .... and don't wait until the last minute. The lines are long and slow as May 15 approaches.

[Beamerfish]

Mke sure to apply for all the species if you ever think you might want to hunt them. Elk, deer, antelope all take a number of points to draw some of the better tags. If you don't think you want to hunt them this year then you can buy pointsavers.

[Old Goat]

Did you know you have to have an Oregon hunting license to apply for tags? Might be an issue for you this year???

[SoylentGreen]

Got it, thanks. Will follow the advice and really appreciate it you guys. Didn't realize that points were by species. If anyone else is hunting OTC tags in Wilson/Trask/Scapoose units and looking to come along I'm all for a partner.