OR-Desolation Unit

ORsouthpaw · Aug 17, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Aug-17-06 AT 04:33PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-17-06 AT 04:27?PM (MST)

Our small group is headed over to Desolation for the second week of Bow season. Any ideas on where some good starting points would be. We'll be on the eastern boundry near Granite. This is our 2nd year archery hunting this unit. We were fortunate(Lucky) to find a small herd last year although we could never close the deal on them. They were hanging just few miles off the beaten path. Our in-experience more then anything else probably was the reason we ate our tags. That's my next question: How do you vetran bowhunters keep your cool? Since it was my first bow elk hunt I could hardly stay still, especially when I was able to call a bull into the 50-60yd range. Probably could have been closer if I wasn't trying so hard to get him down to the 20-30yd range. I didn't even get an arrow knocked since there were several trees between us. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait for this season to get rolling.

Oregonbowhunter · Aug 17, 2006

It just takes experience to be able to keep your cool. You can't expect much of anything your first year elk hunting, let alone actually harvesting one. I've been hunting the Desolation for the last six years not far from you. I have yet to take an elk although I've had a few missed shots and lots of close calls. I hunt the same exact spot year after year and have learned it well. A lot of guys know about my spot but blow through so fast that they think there aren't any elk there, just because they don't respond to their bugles. Just because it's quiet doesn't mean they aren't there. Sure my spot isn't the best, there are better spots in the unit I'm sure but it's the spot I know. So my advice is to keep hunting a spot or two or three, year after year. It may take several years but you will see success. I killed a really large 4x5 muley this last year in my spot and was yards away from sticking a huge 6x6 bull. So persistence is key in my book.

ORsouthpaw · Aug 18, 2006

Thanks Oregonbowhunter! I feel that the spot we found was one of those areas that probably gets easily overlooked also. It's not far enough off the main road to be a pack in destination and it's close enough that most people don't expect elk to be there. Maybe we just got lucky last year, but we chased them around the area for 4 of the 6 day hunt (2 days we had hunted a different area). I'm guessing that they'll be in there again but who knows there's a lot of hunts that happen between the end of last season and start of this one. I'm really hoping to have another oppourtunity to get back into them again and attempt to be more patient and more persistent.

Also I have seen some nice bucks over there as well. That's what was so frusterating about last season. I actually had drawn a rifle deer tag last year for another unit and during our archery elk trip would have had an oppourtunity at 3 different bucks, all in the 20-25yd range. These weren't monsters by any means but smallest was a decent 3x4. I learned my lesson this year I'll have both archery tags in my pocket.

Best of luck!

Oregonbowhunter · Aug 18, 2006

I sent you a private message

ORsouthpaw · Aug 18, 2006

PM'd you back!

elkslam · Aug 18, 2006

I will be hunting the desolation unit as well but more towards Olive lake. There are some good spots for elk in this unit. It will be my first time archery hunting this unit though. I have rifle hunted it since 1990 before I was old enough to hunt. I have a few spots that we are going to check out so good luck.

pigbulls · Aug 18, 2006

DEEP BREATHES
Well your in the right area for starters. The desolation is a great unit and you'll find elk throughout. Hunting the second week you'll probably see a lot of pre rut activity so stay close to water and hunt the surrounding benches and bumps. Keep in mind the farther you get off the road the better and sweeeet talk em with the cow calls.

Good luck and shoot straight.

ORsouthpaw · Aug 18, 2006

Thanks Pigbulls, sounds like good advice!

OregonBigGameHunter · Aug 29, 2006

I drew a controlled rifle tag for bull elk this year in Desolation, has anyone heard what the hunting forecast is their, and bull to cow ratio?

ORsouthpaw · Aug 29, 2006

I haven't seen what the bull to cow ratio is. I'm thinking 12-15 per 100 is what it was last year. 4 more days until I'm hunting!

oregonmuley · Aug 29, 2006

I'm sure all of you have been watching the news - big fire in Desolation Unit - Sharp Ridge area 5500 acres. I deer hunt that general area so not real happy to hear this. Also now most of the roads in area are closed. Just FYI good luck to all.
Frank

ORsouthpaw · Aug 29, 2006

The good news is that the fire has been 50% contained as of earlier today. I'm not sure what part of the unit your hunting but if your N-NW it could put a lot of smoke your way. We've hunted off most of the roads that they had closed. They have opened up a lot of the roads now except for those that lead directly towards the Sharps Ridge area. I'm glad they are fighting this one and not just letting it burn itself out.

oregonmuley · Aug 29, 2006

That sounds like good news - I actually hunt a little west of Sharp so maybe by rifle season things will look up.

OregonBigGameHunter · Aug 29, 2006

I hunt about a 5 mile from the dale store thats on the main highway

ORsouthpaw · Aug 29, 2006

You two must hunt real close to where we rifle hunt also. We used to stay at Meadowbrook quite often. Things should be in pretty good shape come rifle season. I was pretty worried for our archery hunt though as almost the entire SW corner of the unit was closed at one point last week. When you hit the Dale Store make sure to ask for a 07 Calender! Good Luck

motcha · Aug 31, 2006

I hunted the Oriental Creek area one year for deer, and I seen some good ones in there, and am wondering if there are more quality areas for big deer in there?? I went in late with a camera and seen some good activity during late November!! Are there any more areas like this?? The burn arear are good areas for re-growth eats for the animals!

ORsouthpaw · Aug 31, 2006

Not exactly sure where Oriental Creek is, but the old burn area seems seems to hold a few deer. I know there are some bruisers within the boundries but I have yet to find them. I have seen some nice 4 points (4x4) but not "Big" ones. We're leaving in less then 36 hours. I hope I can show you guys at least one really nice picture when I get back.

motcha · Sep 1, 2006

Oriental creek is up from Dale, on the North side of the river, on the Scenic byway from Ukiah. Good place to see, but open!

ORsouthpaw · Sep 1, 2006

Less then 13 hours and we'll be headed out. We'll be traveling across the top of the byway as we will be going through Ukiah and droping into Granite and then coming back west. I'm pretty sure I know where your talking about now. Before the burn of 96' That was some flat out awesome elk country! Lots and lots of area to cover too. I cant wait to get in the woods and put my sneaky on!

motcha · Sep 1, 2006

I know of the area you are taking of as well, I was up fishing in Granite creek in early july, and seen many animals and all that, I just wish you luck, and shoot straight!

OregonBigGameHunter · Sep 1, 2006

Ya for rifle we usually go past the dale store a little way and go in by that A frame cabin. I guess this firefighters are stationed at meadowbrook. Did you happen to hunt desolation unit for rifle elk 4 or maybe 5 years ago, when all those shots ran out on opening morning, by the A frame.

motcha · Sep 2, 2006

No actually I like to get up there after everyone tags out! But it sounds like a funny story! I drop in from Oriental creek road and then head to the Dale road and then cut back up another road back to the scenic highway.