Trophy quality in Eastern Oregon

MAP · Mar 15, 2006

Hello everybody. I got invited to a friends ranch in Eastern Oregon for Elk or Muledeer (depending on what I draw and landowner tags) and was just wondering what type of muledeer do they have in that area. He has only owned the ranch for a few months so this will be the first hunting season out there. I've seen video of elk that was taken last year, and the number of elk on the ranch is amazing. He says that a 320-350" bull is well within reach, but I'm mainly concerned with the muleys. He actually owns two different pieces of property which total about 16,000 acres in the snake river unit and the sled springs-chesnimnus unit. The back half of the ranch is bordered by public land is seperated by an extremely deep canyon. Is this area capable of producing a 170"+ muledeer? Any help would greatly be appreciated, good huntin.....

nvmuley · Mar 16, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-06 AT 07:22AM (MST)[p]Hi MAP, I don't know anything about the area you are hunting but I am of the opinion that almost every mule deer area has the capability to produce a 170 class buck. At least that has been my experience. That is a nice mature buck but not a MM where a units genetics really come into play. Sounds like an area with limited access and it should have some older bucks. Perfect for 170 plus bucks. Scout it before you hunt it so you have an idea of what's available before you pull the trigger, you might be surprised! (hehe, need some company?)

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huntindude · Mar 16, 2006

That area could have a 170+ buck for sure. if the property is spread over 3 units you'll have to pick one as all eastern Oregon deer tags are on draw by the unit. it will depend a lot on how the ranches have been hunted in the past and how many trespassers you get along with habitat factors as always. deer numbers are way down in all of Oregon but that area is as good as any.

easymoney · Mar 16, 2006

I would second what has been said, so far. The area has potential but depends on how hard the area has been hunted. I hunt to the east of there and it too has great potential, but gets loads of road hunters and guides. Some tresspass on the ranch I have sole permission to hunt. If you are getting your record book hopes up,I'd look elsewhere...
Stop Global Whining

MAP · Mar 16, 2006

He actually bought two different ranches in two different units. We will be hunting on the larger ranch which is entirely in one unit. From what I understand the ranches are old working ranches that where never leased out or heavily hunted by anybody. Last year there where 3 guys who where caught on the ranch hunting elk, but those where the only poachers. They have a full time wildlife/ranch manager who lives on the property and patrols it quite often. My min. limit for muledeer is going to be 170" so I wont kill anything that looks smaller then that. I hope I get a tag and I guess I'll just have to go out there and see what kind of trophy potential they have. Anyway thanks guys for the advice, good huntin.....

2rocky · Mar 20, 2006

Is that big canyon Joseph Canyon? We would see a lot of elk from the highway in the wheat field along side that canyon on our way from Joseph to SE Washington. I've seen som nice Mulie bucks in the Sled springs units, but the Whitetails are increasing. Still hunting through the lodgepoles is probably your best bet, cause the big boys won't hang out in the open much. If that BIG canyon you are talking about is in your unit, Glass it from both sides. You should be able to get a good idea of what kind of bucks to expect.

good luck,

nvmuley · Mar 20, 2006

This is kind of a change of topic but still on the subject:
which units in eastern OR mule deer country have the most wilderness or roadless areas but maybe are not designated wilderness?? (please send me a PM if you'd prefer.)

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MAP · Mar 20, 2006

I've heard them talk about Joseph canyon a time or two before, but I really have no idea if that is the one that borders the back half of the ranch. End of April I'm going out there to hunt bear, so I'll spend alot of my time looking for shed antlers as well maybe I'll get an idea of the trophy quality. Thanks for the advice.......

lostinOregon · Mar 20, 2006

NVmuley, sent you a PM

Califelkslayer · Mar 22, 2006

i think the Eagle Cap is the biggest wilderness but several units extend into the wilderness. I've hunted the late cow hunt twice in the Imnaha Unit and saw quite a few "good" bucks rutting. The hunt is during Thanksgiving week and the deer are crazy into the rut. Most of the better bucks are around 26" without alot of mass. I think these bucks have migrated out of the wilderness, I know the elk we kill have. I think the Minam? unit encompasses more wilderness than any other unit.

nvmuley · Mar 22, 2006

thanks very much!

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Measure wealth by the things you have,, for which you would not take money.

marlinmark · Mar 26, 2006

MAP,

Are you hunting bear in the Snake River unit? I will be headed over there with a buddy or two this May to try and hunt up some bruins. We drew tags for the spring hunt. Does your buddy's range manager need any help managing the predators/bears? We might be willing to help. Seriously, the bears eat a lot of your ungulates in the spring. Let me know.

Mark

"When there's lead in the air, there's hope."