Advice for drifting the Yamhill for Blacktail

[Tacklebuster]

I have a 20 foot sled and a strong urge to drift the river and shoot a buck. What is the drift like from say the Dayton ramp to the mouth? I know my sled is too big to drift the higher stretches of the river but I really would like to try this out. Are the deer population proficient enough on this stretch of water and is the banks along the river legal to shoot at? I have heard the deer will just watch you drift by, I really want to try this. Thanks for any input....

Chris

[Chromaflage]

It's only about one river mile - maybe 1.5. There are a lot of dead heads to watch for. Not sure about the deer along the river. Maybe better off drifting the Willamette from Wheatland.

ORS

[TheRogue]

I've done it a few times....with the recent rains, I wouldn't consider it a great bet. Better would be from Wheatland down, yup. Don't forget the islands...last time I was out there, most of the GRASS is over my head!! Don't know how those darn deer get around out there, but they do.

As for the deadheads, well, hit'em at full-speed in your aluminum hull jet boat...they all appear to be fairly softwood, and you catch some sweet air if you hit one just right!!! (Don't ask me how I know that :grin: :grin:

TR

[Rip'N'Lips]

Tacklebuster-

I have no idea about the area you are speaking, but I do have a driftboat...

How about I row you shoot...

Rip'N'Lips

[fortywinks]

Have seen quite a few deer along the Willamette during springer season, and they are "laid back", but I do believe it is illegal to hunt "from a motor-propelled vehicle". Might want to get clarified on that, but don't think shuting down the motor but shooting from the boat would qualify.

Of course much of the land is privately owned and there is a lot of it that is "greenway", and I think hunting on the greenway land is allowed with shotgun only because of the proximity of people and livestock. Check the regs or with the authorities, and use caution and common sense.

[Ryan Pultz]

Drift from Wheatland down and fortywinks is right it is shotgun only in the greenway but get yourself some slugs or good buck shot and go for the drift don’t forget the duck tag for them low fly buys most of your shots will be less then 100 yards any way. If you have access to a canoe that is your best bet otherwise take rip'n'lips up on the drift boat. You are not allowed to shoot out of a motorized vehicle. And take a friend or two and make some drives on the islands the deer love to just hide there and watch you float on by. Hey I did not get a deer tag but I would love to go along for the ride. I just love to get out and float down rivers. We use to take a canoe down the rivers in California and hunt deer it is great fun plus you shoot the deer right on the riverbank you don’t have to pack it out just toss it in the boat and float on down river.

You are not allowed to shoot out of a motorized vehicle

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">The law says " no person shall: Shoot game birds from or with the help of any motorboat or sailboat unless the motor has been shut off and/or sail furled, and movement has stopped."

[Tacklebuster]

The key words on my initial post was "drift" not "under power". It is legal to "drift" and shoot so back to my original question. Never mind, not worth the hassle.

Thanks.......

[ 10-25-2003, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

[Chromaflage]

Actually, "Game Bird" are the key words here. Look at the Big Game Regs. I believe a motor boat is considered a motor vehicle.

ORS

It did come from the game bird regs.

[The Overfishin Condition]

Here's this, as per Washington's Big Game Regs- "Hunting from baots with motors is permitted if the motor is off and is not contributing to the boat's propulsion." Hope that helps, I know most of you are in Oregon, but my guess is it's the same.