2012 Umatilla No. 3 Deer hunt

So my wife has 21 "600 Series" preference points going into next year and we think it is time to burn them on the Umatilla No.3 tag. We have plenty of time to go scout it and see the lay of the land. I'd like some general info on this hunt from anyone who's hunted it. I'd appreciate any input via PM.

Thank you.

I've never hunted it and it looks like not many people have over the years, not many tags available. But with 21 points, you'll probably be at the top end, I would say go for it. The worst that could happen is that you don't draw and then you'll have 22 points. It might be the best tag in the state, mostly because you'll only have 2 other hunters in the area.

I talked to a guy that had this tag this year. He said it is a very hard hunt. He saw a couple good ones. One he said that would go 180+. He said the biggest problem is not being able to use a rifle. Maybe with a lot of practice with the a scoped shotgun a guy or gal could do all right?

I hunted it this year, I drew as a non-resident. I can fill you in on the highs and lows of the hunt if you send me a pm.
Frankly the refuge holds some very impressive bucks...and lots of them. I ended up shooting a meat buck on the last day...I like venison too much to go home empty handed. I took shots at 2 other bucks, both on the run with my scoped shotgun, my wife, bless her toughness, bird dogged for me in the Russian Olive crap and other briars and bushes. One buck was at least 28" wide with tons of mass!!! There were 3 other bucks on the refuge that made him look small.
My wife has enough points to draw next year...not sure If I will put her in or wait another year.
Just an fyi, you are not out there by yourself!!! We had people go driving by us on a couple different occasions when we were walking into areas that WE could not drive to!!! That will piss you off!!! Then they started cutting the corn adjacent to where we were hunting in the refuge!!! Why not do it before the hunt or just after!!! Why would you do that in the middle of a 5 day hunt!! The refuge is not ran for hunters or by hunters so you will get the bad, very bad, with some of the good.

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