Oregon Elk unit?

[Slide]

I have 8 bonus points for Oregon Elk. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on a unit in Oregon. I don't have any pack animals, I am willing to pack in as far as I have to and pack my meat out. I was looking for a nice mature bull. I am not asking anybody to draw me a map, I am willing to do all the research I just need a place to start. I would really appreciate it if anybody has any information. I have no problem hunting hard and walking as far as I have to. I love to hunt and I hunt hard.


Thank You

 

[huntindude]

With 8 points you're in a tough place. in Oregon we have alot of crappy hunts a few ok hunts and a couple real good but almost no chance to draw hunts. for a real chance at a mature ( 330-360 in Oregon) you will need to get on a good block of private land or draw Wenaha, Mill Creek or one of those and with 8 points you won't make it. so to sum it up you need to go with an outfitter on a private ranch, wait years to draw a great tag or lower your standards. with 8 points there are some good units you can draw for a chance at a raghorn up to a 330 class bull, but think more like spike or raghorn if you want to be realistic . packing in wont change much because everyone else thinks they'll pack in and get away from the hunters. I don't want to be a downer but Oregon is a quantity not a quality state and we aren't doing very good on either right now. I think most Oregon hunters will agree so if you decide which way you want to go you can probably get some good advice on here.

 

[ruttnstrutt]

Slide

I wouldn't thumb off the Starkey unit. There are some real decent bulls in that unit. Last year there were 390 tags with 3823 first choice applicants. I have a buddy that hunts that unit for spikes and tells me stories of the monsters he sees. He says he never sees any spikes but sees lots of mature bulls....makes him sick. The tag numbers and first choice applicants should tell ya somethin.....Also I've seen pics of some decent bull taken during the archery season. Personally I've hunted that unit for cows for 2 years before I got serious with the stick and string and scored both years opening day.....saw lots of elk but that was about 6 years ago... Realisticly I think you would probably have a good chance at a 300+ in that unit....Just my thoughts

RuttNStrutt

 

[rsearcy]

I agree with huntindude 100% on this one. I don't rifle elk hunt here in Oregon anymore for these reasons. You either wait 5 years for an OK hunt that you better not pass on the first bull you see, or you wait forever for one of a very few Good tags.

You are in tough spot with that many points. I assume non-res.

I would put Starkey(public land) in the Ok hunt group. Good unit with lots of elk that really get pushed on to private land by the time the Any Bull season comes around. There is a ton of archery pressure, then deer etc.. Of course good bulls come out of there, but if you pass on any bull you will likely go home with nothing.

If you really want to hunt and not waste your points, look at some of the hunts in the cascade range that you can get OTC. Chance at a mature bull and you don't have to use your points.

 

[oregonmuley]

I also have to agree with the above posts. Like everyone keeps saying, Oregon isn't doing the best job of creating good elk hunting areas. Unless you hunt private land, which there are plenty of great elk on private land, you are stuck with a dream hunt that talks 10+ preference points or more. Thats not to say each year someone gets lucky and kills a monster in a not so good unit, buts thats not the norm. As far as Starkey, thats my unit, I have hunted it every year for about the last 15, used to be great, not so good anymore on the national forest. I put in and drew the any elk tag in 2004, I hunted hard every day of the season, not road hunted I walked into the nastiest areas and tried to find elk, passed a spike opening day - mistake since that was the only horns I saw, killed a cow the last afternoon. Hunted it last year same area saw one bunch of elk opening day then nothing, after about the first morning all the elk head into the wilderness or private so you need to be lucky to get anything. Not worth the 6 points to draw.
Frank

 

[Slide]

Thank you all for your honest opinions, I really appreciate it. I am in a tough spot and I'm not sure what to do, but your information has helped me. Yhank you again for taking the time to reply to my post.

 

[WapitiBob]

I can't add to what's been said. I've lived here all my life(50 yrs) and I now apply out of state. I've had good success but I'm tired of people jumping in on every bull that makes a peep.

go here and you will see "apps by point" report for every hunt, including points only (there a re a bunch with max). You will see exactly where you are and how long to get where you want to be.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/controlled_hunts/reports/