Oregon Question

[couesbitten]

Well, the seasons are over, and I'm already beginning to make plans for next year. I've got four Oregon points and am trying to decide where I can might see the best quality deer and the least amount of hunting pressure. I'm not against working hard and hiking long distances to escape the crowds. Have looked at Whitehorse, Beatys Butte (Pueblo Mts.), Owyhee, Steens, Imnaha, Minam, and Snake River units. Anybody have any thoughts about where I might get the best return in exchange for my points, dollars, and sweat? Thanks in advance for your help.

Scott/couesbitten

 

[oldoregon]

I' go for the Minam tag! The minam unit is almost entirely within the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and within is some of the best high country mule deer hunting in the world. I think that the minam unit is the most overlooked unit in the west. I promise you will see nice bucks every day, and if your willing to work a bit, there is opportunity to kill a MONSTER. Genetics are good, especially in the south central part of the unit, and there is a huge potential for MONSTER bucks in the whole unit. I have seen some mind boggling bucks come out of this unit. The high areas of this unit are treeless, open, high elevation tundra, with scattered white bark pine. The Topography is pretty steep, with high, lush hanging basins, that are seldom (if ever) visited by humans. There is good accsess to most areas of the wilderness. Pine Creek and Imnaha are also awesome choces for a timberline trophy hunt. Genetics in the area seem to lean towards lots of mass, with lots and extra points, but there are lots of huhge typicals to. There very very little hunting pressure in the recesses of the wilderness ( I dont know why access if fairly easy) and it is quite unlikely you will see another soul on your hunting trip)

Imnaha unit (Idid not take these pictures)

Minam Unit

(i did take these)

If you want more pics, I have plenty more, I'll just have to upload them...

If you want more information, or would like me to show you around, ect... email me. [email protected]

 

[traks]

the silvies, ans steens are very good bets. As far as the minam I have no idea. If you could gain permission to Private lands in Northeast Oregon you would also have some phenominal hunting.

 

[Jamie]

Three years ago I had a Steens tag, drew it with two points. I went over a week before opener and saw maybe a dozen deer with no bucks. I scouted the south end of the Loop Rd and the area around Catlow rim. Friday before opener it was a steady line of people coming in on quads loaded with all there gear. I picked up and moved to the north end around Keiger mustang viewing area. Shot a smaller 4pt on Sunday of opener. 18 days archery elk 4days working then back up the week before opener. I was spent. Talked to a guy who hunted that area alot and he said he missed a good buck and usually sees some really good bucks in that area. What he considers "good" I don't know.

I hunt the Silvies alot for elk and deer archery.. I have seen the biggest bucks I have ever seen there. Saw two this archery season, after I had tagged out, that me and my buddy thought were bulls at first in the low light. Really tall and wide. I have been putting in for a rifle deer tag there the last couple of years and I think I'll get it next year, you'd probley get it with four points.

Last year I drew a Wenaha Archery tag for elk and saw a couple of really nice bucks. Did not see alot of deer but the ones I did see were big. One was a non-typ 11x11 that was really heavy. I was on to a really big bull and really didnt realize how big the buck was until later when a guide I bumped into showed me some video of him. To think I had him at 45 yds feeding.

Anyways I've hunted quite afew areas here in Or let me know if I can help.