Elk Hunt Application Time

willametteriveroutlaw · 11-26-2001, 09:47 PM

I still pretty new to oregon. (not a california transplant) I was wondering what are some really quality Bull elk hunts to apply for. In my three years of elk hunting in oregon I got a spike in the desolation unit the first year, Then drew a bull tag in fossil last year.. I held out for a quality bull ( passed on 3 spikes and a raghorn 3 point). This year I drew a desolation late cow tag and got skunked. Anyways I am willing to wait for a quality hunt now. Any Suggestions?

TheRogue · 11-27-2001, 05:11 AM

I guess you need to define a "quality" hunt. Does it mean seeing hardly any people, or seeing lots of elk, or having a decent chance at a 300pt. B&C bull?? I think the number one public land tag out there for a REALLY big bull is the Wenaha, in the Blues, NE of Pendleton. Only 10 tags in the branch bull hunt, so you're pretty much by yourself, in mostly a wilderness, seeing lots of elk, with a great chance at a big bull. Unfortunately, this takes about 9 preference points to guarantee a tag!!

If you're just after seeing lots of elk, and you're willing to crash the brush, try putting in for the Saddle Mtn. coast tag. Pretty much a guaranteed draw. Read Hogtide's post. But be forewarned, these guys bust their ***** for those animals!!!

kyle

willametteriveroutlaw · 11-27-2001, 01:21 PM

What I mean by a quality hunt is whare I have a resonable chance at a 300 B&C class bull. I have been watching a couple of very large Roosevelts in my local aera and, with a little luck, I'll hang one on my wall next year. Wenaha is on the list, I was also considering Mill Creek. But I was wondering if there were any other good ones out there?

bigshark · 11-27-2001, 03:15 PM

My suggestion as another possibility is the Ocheco
(sp). The big problem I found is the large amount of private land. I agree that the Wenaha is probably a better bet but ten tags sounds like a needle in the haystack. The area between prineville and johnday has produced many of the best scoring racks in the state. I don't rifle hunt so I can't tell you how hard it is to get a tag. I think Bait-O-Eggs had a tag over there and posted it was a disappointment. You might want to get in touch with him.

Beer Waggin · 11-29-2001, 04:21 PM

My sugestion would be to pick a unit and try to hunt it every year. Apply for deer tags there to get better ideas of the country, and do a lot of scouting. Every year you hear about people hunting an area for the first time and shooting the bull of their lifes, but if your not one of these lucky souls, scouting is the only way. I'm not one of these lucky souls. I generally make at least 4 trips to NE Oregon just to scout every year. Some may feel this is to much, but time in the woods is like time on the river. The more you go, the more you learn.
There are a bunch of areas in NE Oregon that produce big bulls. I'd stay away from areas that give out large amounts of tags, such as Ukiah, and lean towards areas with lots of public lands with few roads. Fire maps can be purchased from the BLM that will show you areas without roads, but they aren't updated enough to give you really good information. I've hiked long ways in areas I had thought were clear of roads only to find guys drinking coffee in their pickups. I try and hunt in one of two units every year. I have hunted these unit for many years as you can find my boot tracks on every peak. Knowing where the elk are and where they have a tendency to go to when jumped is information that has it's rewards.

About 6 years ago, I took pictures 3 days before season of a 5 point bull that I shot opening morning. I found him every day for 4 days in a row with out jumping him. Although that area has been freed of timber since then, I still remember that season like it was yesterday. We went 6 for 8 that year with three bulls being mounted. Scouting paid off that year for sure.

willametteriveroutlaw · 11-29-2001, 04:34 PM

Norrivdave, You are definately right about spnding a lot of time in the unit you intend to hunt. Unfortunately for me, I have too much work and school to go over east for a lot of scouting trips. I should have stayed around here this year. I spent time learning a new aera close to home for deer hunting. I found 2 big bulls that i saw 3 times in 4 trips before season.. And once after season. (I hunted east so they were safe this year) But in the process killed the largest blacktail of my life so far. Not largest horned, but he hung at the lockers at a 140lbs. Dressed. My goal is that when I am able to get a quality hunt (decent #'s elk, low #'s of hunters). That I will spend a heck of alot of time scouting over there. Has anyone ever hunted the High Desert Elk hunt?