More ?'s on Oregon Mule deer

Ssands · 12-30-2002, 12:27 AM

Reading the post below shows alot of people hunt different areas in Oregon. My dad and I usually hunt in the Heppner unit but we are thinking about getting a change of scenery next year. We are looking more in the Southeast part of the state around the Owyhee unit. We are looking for lots more sagebrush and less timber. We would like to get into much better spot and stalking situations than sneakin through the timber. Anybody have any info on that unit or a similar unit where we can use the binocs. Thanks for the help.

Capin' Dan · 12-30-2002, 01:22 AM

Ssands, Do a search for forest fires in Oregon and look for fires that were large and more than five years old. Those old burns can really hold some bucks. I personally hunt the timber and mountains I think that the chances of taking a larger buck are there. The nastier it is the better it is. I think any way. this is my .02 worth. Two years ago 2 bucks 40 minutes into opening day we were done. Should of held out as a real whooper came out of the burn we were in. We actually saw him the day before opening day but didn't connect the next morning.

WildHawg · 12-30-2002, 04:31 AM

If you don't have many preference pt.s, I would try the Malheur unit. Rugged, open, spot and stalk country with a good number of nice bucks taken each year, along with a few real pigs . Downside is there's lots o' pressure (2000 tags I think)--but you can get away from 80% of them by getting a mile or better off the road. Owyhee is getting better, but it'll take you 3 years or so to draw. Juniper has both trees and sagebrush, as does Silvies.
You need to take a trip and investigate the area south of Hwy 20, and east of 395. It's big, often open, and holds little pockets of deer that can become monsters

Day Late · 12-30-2002, 09:24 AM

Ssands,

Hunted Owyhee once years ago. We camped in the state park below the dam on the lake. Took our boat so we could do some fishing too. Glad we did, because you can use the boat to access a lot of good country on both sides of the lake. Seems like the lake was 15 miles long, kind of linear in shape. One other camp in the park with a boat-they hunt Owyhee as often as they can get drawn. We got one 3-pt in our party of 4, the other group had a 3-pt at mid-week when we left. That year was hot and dry, so the trees and grass in the park were very enjoyable. The crappie fishing was a lot of fun for my son and me too! Good luck!

Day Late