Need info on Chesnimus Unit

sportsman_21 · 06-21-2003, 10:17 PM

Has anyone ever hunted the Chesnimus unit for elk before. I drew a party tag this year and only one of us has hunted there. The closest I have ever come to that part of Oregon is John Day. I know how to get there but after that I'm lost. Thanks (advanced) for any help you guys might offer.

Haden

spinnermaker · 06-21-2003, 10:29 PM

I have hunted it a couple times with friends that hunted it alot. We hunted the north east part of the unit. Down in to the snake river,go 2 or 3 days early and look in to the darws and canyons. Like Cotton wood, find the Elk don't go down in just stay on top and look in. If you find some and did not spoke them thay will stay in that place for a few days or so.

sportsman_21 · 06-21-2003, 10:33 PM

Is most of it wilderness area? Did you guys hike in?

spinnermaker · 06-21-2003, 10:36 PM

We drive in its Nat. forest.

sliverpicker · 06-22-2003, 06:12 AM

I killed 9 bulls in the Ches. years ago, before I started archery hunting. My cousins still hunt that area when they draw permits. Most of the elk we killed were in the Cottonwood and Cook Creek canyon's. But we hunted from Wildhorse all the way to Deadhorse. Wild Canyon(near the Frog Pond)on the Cook Creek side, used to hold lots of elk, and bear.

The TeePee fire a number of years ago burned the timber in much of the country we hunted. But I understand the elk are still around despite the lack of cover.

Check out the Cache Creek and Jim Creek area, they drain toward the Snake north and east of Downey Saddle. It's pretty open country, but always seems to hold elk.

Good Luck! sliverpicker

k9jeff · 06-23-2003, 01:36 PM

I deer hunt there. I know some of the roads are closed for elk hunting. Ya might want to grab a map, or take a weekend trip over there to scout. Coyote Creek Campground is where we stay at.
While deer hunting I see a fair amout of elk (some big ones too) Take some good boots, there are some deep canyons out there. Nice country though.....

sportsman_21 · 06-23-2003, 02:14 PM

Very Helpful!! Thanks a lot guys.

I plan to go over 4 days before the hunt begins to set up camp and start looking for elk.

I'm going to start looking for good maps, Any suggestions?

Okie · 06-23-2003, 02:49 PM

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[ 06-23-2003, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Okie ]

Okie · 06-23-2003, 02:52 PM

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[ 06-23-2003, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: Okie ]

Okie · 06-23-2003, 03:39 PM

I have hunted the Chesnimus area for more than 50 years. It is a big area and you should spend more time learning about the area. You will be extremly lucky if you get a elk with only 4 days to look the area over. But as they say at Spirt Mountian gambling casino. "Luck Happens".

Also have been helpfull in getting some hunters back to their camp after they were lost in the area. Only the main roads are open during Elk season. So you can not learn to much about the area.
I'll be there hunting also in my secret spot. Metzger Map "Wallowa County" is probably your best bet on maps. BLM has maps on the Imnaha area that are very good and you can get them at the BLM office in Portland. I have a personel map that shows every fire road in Chesnimus area but don't believe this map is available any longer. And I'm not letting it out of my sight.
My boat is the "Snake River Explorer".
Good Luck on your hunting.

MountainLion84 · 06-23-2003, 08:51 PM

There are many closed roads during Elk season. We have seen quite a few during deer season (Usually spooked by K9Jeff) up around Huffman springs. There are also some good herds around Billy Meadows. This is during the rut though, and I imagine the bulls head deeper real quick.

k9jeff · 06-24-2003, 04:58 AM

Its not me spooking elk,, its someone yelling "ryan stop, stop whinning,,,, great you dropped your gun,,,I told you before we came that you were going to be walking."
:grin:

Thank god for Dave!!!!!!

sportsman_21 · 06-25-2003, 10:20 PM

Thanks a lot guys, sounds like I need to get over there and scout before the roads close.