2nd season Heppner

SandyRiverFisher · 11-14-2003, 05:43 AM

Well, 2nd season elk out in Heppner was a bust, for me and my dad at least. Most of the guys in our camp saw branch bulls the first morning. After that elk sightings dropped drastically. A few glimpses of animals through the reprod mostly. The only spike I saw was in the back of a rig out towards divide well. I did get to see old scruffy set up out in a creek meadow and talk to the state cops working her. They said they had three people shoot that old stuffed cow elk the day we talked to them, and that they got someone who shot a four point opening morning. All reports from the area were pretty grim as far as hunter success. Talked to a dozen guys in Ukiah, only one had gotten his elk, and most had not even seen an animal. Not really like the area. I expected the 2nd season to be a hard hunt, but geez, we should at least have seen a herd or two smashing through the woods running for their lives! Oh well, I did see a MONSTER buck, and a lot of rut behavior with bucks chasing does and eachother all over one ridge in particular. The deer antics and the great camping made the trip worthwhile.

Anyway, does anyone have any success stories from the old Heppner unit???

D-Backer · 11-14-2003, 07:53 AM

This year I was on the fence as to were I was going to hunt, White river or Heppner.

I was up in Hepner between 1st and 2nd season and saw a herd of 15 with a nice 5X5 and 2 spikes, one huge spike. :shocked: I thought I would have herd lots of good things this year from that unit but realy have not. Where is Divide well from the Tupper area? I was thinking of going for the day in that area to see what I can find.

Do you have any more days left or are you done for the year?

SandyRiverFisher · 11-15-2003, 06:17 PM

Hey D-Backer,

Im done for the year. $13 left in the old bank account, time to get back to work! Hunting can get spendy!!! Bummer of a year on my end. No buck, no elk. Oh well, that bull with my name on it has another year to put on some weight, just in time for me to get back some preference points for next year! Anyhow, divide well should be west of Tupper. If you took the 2107 NW, you should be able to hit highway 53 going toward Ukiah. You'll see the sign for divide well pointing off to the right. If you go Id suggest going down to the 030 off the 5320 and crossing over out of National forest and on to state lands. The day before we left I heard of a good herd being spotted over there, and a lot of guys dont go over because they figure its private land. I also saw some meat swinging in the camps at Cutsforth park on the way out. I would think most of those guys were hunting the steep grassy hills behind.

Personally though, if I were you Id go to White River. My pops lives up the mountain and we saw some dandy bulls riding down the hill earlier in trailers, including a nice wide 6x6.

D-Backer · 11-17-2003, 10:08 AM

SRF. I did get a chance to go out for one last hunt, and yes I did go to White River. I have hunted WR for years and know the area well. The day was cold and wet!! I herd a few shots but of course nothing close to me. I hunted hard for about 6 hours tell my feet started squishing. I saw 2 cows all day and lots of deer.

I'm with you, next year!!

nerta · 11-17-2003, 03:31 PM

Dbacker If you ever do decide to go to Heppner some day don't go on to the 2107 rd unless you walk' as it has been closed for about 8 years now. It starts about a mile from Alder Creek and comes out at Ditch Creek. Used to be a good place to hunt, but now it's so far across you almost need horses. And the guides and horse hunters use it as a gateway to texas butte. The 21 rd goes through to 53 rd.