Baker City Weekend

skein · 11-25-2002, 02:55 PM

My mom recently moved over to Baker City (bless her heart), and I'm headed over there for Thanksgiving and will do some hunting while I'm there. I don't know the area well, but it seems I have some choices. I can:

1) Take my boat and go over to Richland and see if I can scare up a duck or two
2) Head up in the hills and see if I can find some grouse
3) Go higher, steeper, longer and chase chukers
4) Stay in the flatland and squeak in some coyotes

You guys that know the country - what would you do?

Skein

BuKuBass · 11-25-2002, 04:59 PM

Skien: Bring your boat and put in at Big Bar (12,13 miles down on the Idaho side) on Hell's Canyon Res. Cross over to the Oregon side and head upstream, ambushing chukar at the water's edge. Shooting starts around ten, lasts for 3,4 hours. Then trailer your boat. Drive downriver,with or without your vessel, cross over the dam back to the Oregon side and for a mile or so below the dam, fish for steelhead. I did the same three weeks ago, limiting on birds, hung six, landed four, and kept one hatchery hen.
If you don't want to tow your boat that far, there's a road that runs down the Oregon side of HC for nine miles. From there is a good trail that stays within a hundred vertical feet of the shore for at least six miles. I've shot chukar in the parking area.
Bring your electric skivvies; three above last night, warming up to six tonight.

Happy Birdday,

[ 11-26-2002, 12:23 AM: Message edited by: BuKuBass ]

Tilla · 11-25-2002, 05:50 PM

Now that's a plan that I can't argue with!

Pan Fry · 11-26-2002, 05:45 AM

BukuBass,
Is there snow on the ground yet around the Hells Canyon area? Are the birds up high, or has the cold or snow forced them down closer to water ?
I'm headed up thier to do the same in December with my father in law during the holidays (1 day of chukar hunting and 1 day of steelhead fishing). I imagine you should get snow.
My wifes family lives about 70 miles south of HC and we did this same weekend trip last year.
- 2 words "Gods country"

skein · 11-26-2002, 07:33 AM

Oh sure - complicate my life! Here I was, planning a nice simple bird-hunting trip, with the most complicated part deciding whether or not to carry some bismuth shot along with my chuker loads (not at the same time!). Pretty simple. But, oh no, BuKu has to fire me up about the steelhead, and now I'm thinking waders, rods, three tackle boxes, net, et al, and I'm not even sure where I'm going. I tried to find Big Bar on the map but no luck. I found references to it on the internet, but no maps or directions to it. Anybody know the best route from Baker to Big Bar?

I can see it now, grab a piece of turkey, a slice of pie, blow mom a kiss, and head for the river bank with her better half. Oh, well, if she doesn't know me by now.... :grin:

Skein

birdhunter · 11-26-2002, 07:39 AM

Skein,

Big Bar Directions

Think this is it. Been over there a bunch myself, usually near Oxbow, but I know I recognize the name. Have fun.

[ 11-26-2002, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: birdhunter ]

birdhunter · 11-26-2002, 07:47 AM

Another good spot for chukar right around that area is just above Oxbow dam on Sheep Mountain. From the campground there at copperfield, cross the bridge over Pine Creek and before you reach the crest of the hill going over the oxbow, there is a road on the right. It's an access road for powerlines. Don't know what kind of condition it will be in, but if you have 4 wheel and are brave you can take it a long ways up the ridge. Or walk it. At any rate, lots of chukar up there and they get little pressure. Another spot on the Oregon side would be to go downstream on the road past Copperfield and hunt near the airport or take the road all the way to end where it goes left up a ridge. It's also called the powerline road and has plenty of chukar. Talk to Scotty and Diane at the Hells Canyon Outodoor store in Pine Creek. They are good friends of mine and will help you out.

BuKuBass · 11-26-2002, 09:40 AM

To Big Bar: Take Hwy 86 east thru Richland, past Halfway down Pine Creek and after a total of 68 miles from Baker City, you'll find yourself on the Snake at a area called Copperfield. The road Birdhunter mentioned is the road to Brownlee dam. If you want to hunt,hike the Oregon side, continue straight at the "Y". To cross into Idaho, bear to the right (cougar to the left, chukar all around--sorry, couldn't resist) and go over the bridge. The best boat ramp at Big Bar is a 1/4 mile south of the campground.
For directions to Big Bar ID, enter the same here and click on the one found in Adams county.
Snow level around Baker City is at 6,500 feet and there's not much of it.
Scotty's a good guy.

[ 11-26-2002, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: BuKuBass ]

lightline · 11-26-2002, 06:25 PM

BuKu: How have you been doin?. Are you through with the smallies on the res. when you bird hunt? I was just wondering if they have shut down in that part of the country. Tight lines