NORTHEAST OREGON ELK CHOICES

CFHUNTER · Jan 19, 2006

Input and advice please? I have 8 points for elk in OR. I realize the way OR does the draw that it may take 20 years or more as a non-res. to get drawn for the so-called best units like Walla Walla or Wenaha. If I were to blow my 8 points on a Mt. Emily bow hunt, is there a reasonable chance at a good bull in there? What about Mt. Emily during the rifle hunt, (I realize 8 points may not yet cut it)? If I save the points for now and look into hunting Minam during the general bow hunt, can a guy figure on getting into some bulls in that unit, how is access and elk density? Any suggestions will help.

Thanks in advance,

CFHUNTER

muleylover · Jan 20, 2006

I used to live in that part of the state and can give you some advice. I know a guy that killed a bull 2 years ago in the Mt Emily unit that scored in the 350 range. From what I heard it was extremely brushy, but there seemed to be lots of bulls. This guy did alot of scouting though. The Sled Springs unit seems to hold some big bulls if you have time to scout and get away from people, I don't know if I would use 8 points on it though. The Minam unit is huge and has some big bulls in it. I posted pics of big bull that came out of that unit this last fall. I think the post is big Oregon Bull. The only deal with the Minam is that it is mostly wilderness and Horses really come in Handy. Lots of good country, the other unit you might check out is the Imnaha Unit, another good one that has more road access with good hunting.

Splash · Jan 20, 2006

CFHUNTER,

To answer your first question yes you have a reasonable chance in Mt. Emily at a good bull which means a 300+ bull is realistic and there are a few 350 type bulls but they are uncommon but they do exist. If a dead honest 320 bull steps out in this unit - you better kill it. Same goes for the unit during rifle. With 8 points you can draw Mt. Emily based on last years (05') draw as 2 people drew last year with 6 points. You could draw Sled no problem with 8; good unit but not as good as Mt. Emily plus I am not 100% sure if Forest Capital (company who purchased Boise Cascade) will keep it all the way open next year. Don't over look Starkey Exp. Forest unit as some 350 type bulls come out of there yearly and there are more in there. Last year one guy drew it with 7 points. Minam has access and low elk density but can and does produce a solid bull occasionally, but don't waste your points. You are correct you could go 20+ years trying to draw Walla Walla or Wenaha as no NR tags were given for bow last year. Walla Walla has better bulls than Mt. Emily in my opinion but are they so much better that they are worth the wait? I don't think so, but that is me.

Good luck in the draw,

Splash

traks · Jan 20, 2006

Everyone above has done a really good job...

There are many bulls that will go over 300 in Mt. emily and a few others units. The real brutes live in Wenaha and Walla walla. I have seen sheds come out of the watershed country that will go 360 plus and weighed about 18lbs a piece(also a 380 bull from the same guy). I would post pictures, but with respect to those collecters I cannot. Assuming you put in your time scouting and hunt hard, I would say you have a very good chance of a 350+ bull out of walla walla or wenaha and a 320+ bull out of mt. Emily or sled spring. I spend quite a bit of time looking into walla walla/wenaha and let me tell you what, It might be one of the most physically demanding elk hunts in North America. Timbered draws like you wouldnt believe and pretty much straight up and down.

I know bulls in the 380 range live in the walla walla/wenaha. I have seen them ans their sheds. The biggest bulls I have heard of out of Mt. Emily are around 350 or a little bigger. If it were me I would wait for a wenaha!

Oregonbowhunter · Jan 20, 2006

I may be wrong but I don't believe a non-resident can draw a weneha tag. There are only 10 tags available for both rifle and bow. Here is the catch, only 5% of all tags can be sold to non-residents. So 5% of 10 is only half a tag. Now a Walla Walla tag maybe, non-residents are only allowed a maximum of one tag because there are only 20 tags issued for archery and rifle both. 5% of 20 is 1 tag.

OutofStater · Jan 21, 2006

Non-residents can still draw a tag under 20 permits available, only one. The reason no nonresidents drew archery wenaha in 2005 is because an outfitter drew that tag under the outfitter draw. Non-residents don't draw 5%, it is actually 2.5%. Outfitters recieve half of the tags drawn by non-res. from the previous years drawing. In the case of wenaha and other units where non-res. can only get one tag, the outfitters get that tag the next year. This year if you have max. points you have a chance of drawing but only a chance not for sure. This info is per ODFW. I talked to the outfitter who drew the wenaha archery last year and the hunt sold for $10,000, he had two other hunters waiting in the wings if the one backed out. Only non-res. can get these tags, in fact you have to show proof of non-residency. These are supposed to be sold only as guided hunts. So if a hunter wants to draw any of the hardest hunts to draw in Oregon you will wait a long time due mainly to the outfitter draw or get out your pocketbook! If the outfitter doesn't sell the hunt then the tag is put back in the regular draw. My dad was actually contacted by the ODFW because the tag he put in for (Walla Walla rifle elk) was drawn by an outfitter and would be unable to be drawn that season. That's what prompted me to learn about this subject since I regularly hunt in Oregon as an OutofStater. Technically 5% are drawn by non-res. but half are sold to guided hunters.

bschnoor · Jan 21, 2006

You may be able to draw a minam tag as your second coice if you are looking for a rifle hunt and then you will not waste your points. Brian

WapitiBob · Jan 21, 2006

you won't draw weneha because you need max points. Not being a wise acre but 8 is a long way away. you have 5 ahead of you, minimum 5 years to draw. max points for 2005 draw was 11. OH, and to really twist the knife, there are 50 non res with 9 or more points ( in 2005 ddraw) still buying point savers.

elknut · Jan 24, 2006

All,

I am one of non-res with 11 points. I'm also ready to draw and hunt the state - I'd love to hear your suggestions on units and methods / bow, ML, or rifle.

What would you do with 11 points? I have horses if necessary.

Steve

WapitiBob · Jan 24, 2006

weneha, without a doubt. I took my kids in there 2 years ago. I called in 4 6x6's and was back at the camper before 8:00 am. 10 tags total for bow, 10 tags total for rifle. A few schmucks like me in there bugling but that's it. I can't tell you where I was as it's my friends spot but If you draw I can give you a general local. you don't need horses either. These elk come up from the btm to feed and grab cows. camp by the main road and head in early.

bob

traks · Jan 25, 2006

I agree with the above, you have waited this long you might as well go for the best!

Whether you are a rifle or bow hunter doesnt really matter, just pick your poison. I will also add one of my good friends hunt spike in there every year it gets harder and harder to just shoot a spike because of the size of bulls he sees. If you draw a wenaha tag, hunt hard, you wont be dissapointed. Horses might not be a bad idea, and it will get you in some nasty country! where the big boys roam.

you should plan a trip to visit the unit and get a good idea of what you are up against!

huntindude · Jan 25, 2006

Elknut

With 11 points you have a real shot at Walla walla # 2, a friend hunted there two years ago and shot a 325 the first day and then kicked himself for it. Wenaha is the best hunt but you're probably years away from that. it's a matter of how long you want to wait vs. the better quality you might have. one thing to keep in mind is Oregon has some nice bulls but it doesn't matter what unit you hunt even if you're on private land book bulls are VERY VERY few and far between. with your points and a some hard work you should have a great hunt and get a nice bull whatever you decide.

elknut · Jan 25, 2006

Thank you all.

I had thought that CO was going to bring in my largest bull as I'm sitting on 13 points, now with the 06 changes OR may be it for me.

I will take most of the hunt off and give it my best. Don't really care what I hunt with bow or rifle, what ever gives me the best odds. Are the odds posted for non-res listing how many apps have 11 points per bow or rifle / per unit? Seems last time I check I had to call the F&G.

huntindude · Jan 26, 2006

The 2006 draw book came out this week and here it is for a non res elk tag. Walla Walla # 2, 17% draw with 10 points. Wenaha 256R, 45% with 12 points. and Wenaha #2, 55% with 12 points. ofcourse we all know the books are wrong sometimes but this should give you an idea.

oregonmuley · Jan 26, 2006

Elknut,
If you are wanting to look at the Oregon stats, go to the ODFW webiste, click on Hunting Resources, then Controlled Hunts, then Point/Hunt Summary and you can get the numbers for last year. It will show you how many people apply, their point total and the number that drew a tag. I think on both the Walla Walla and Wenaha no nonres drew last year, but should this year, we do things kinda funky on Oregon. Anyway, you should be able to figure out your odds pretty easy. Hope this helps.
Frank