North Bank Habitat

LoveBigRacks · Aug 15, 2013

My son drew a youth tag in here this year, blacktail only. I've been doing some research and reviewed prior posts on here / ifish but if anyone has experience in the unit the last couple of years it would be great to get or trade some info.

I still need to contact the Bio for the area but curious about opportunity to hunt elk in there. It appears the area is closed to elk hunting but the regs say something about "if you have a valid deer tag you may hunt elk". The elk season opens after deer closes so curious if you must have an unpunched tag or what....if anyone happens to know.

LBR

oneaway · Sep 13, 2013

How's your research going? Where you coming from?

LoveBigRacks · Oct 16, 2013

Getting fired up Oneway! We're up in Forest Grove, leaving after a football game next Friday night for the opener. Gathered some good intel and hoping for decent weather and a great hunt for my boy. I'll post a follow up after we return.

LBR

oneaway · Oct 18, 2013

Glad to hear you got some good Intel. Can't wait to see some pics. Should be a fun time. Lots of whitetails down low, so try to stay high. Good luck, and keep us informed.

Horniac · Oct 25, 2013

LoveBigRacks,

Sent you a PM...

Good luck on the hunt!

Horniac

LoveBigRacks · Oct 25, 2013

Horniac,
PM returned, thanks again.

I'll let you guys know how it goes and hopefully have some success photos to share.

BTW, for what it's worth to anyone reviewing this thread down the road, the Bio said you can only hunt elk within NBH if the valid deer tag overlaps with the elk season (regs don't make this very clear). Since there aren't any elk hunts offered in NBH it would be a great opportunity if the two seasons coincide but for us they do not. No bear or cougar hunting within NBH either, but we'll have plenty to do finding a decent blacktail.

LBR

LoveBigRacks · Oct 28, 2013

Back from NBH a day early! Fog up high made things difficult on Saturday morning, saw plenty of deer but only one shooter blacktail (as it ran in front of us at 50 yards, too quick for a shot). Tried a different area on Sunday and my son shot a 4pt about half hour after first light. Made a great 240 yard shot and dropped him in his tracks. Younger buck but there was plenty of excitement, high 5s, and hoot'n and hollerin'. I can email or text some pics if someone can help with posting.

Thanks again to the guys who PM'd or offered feedback on the unit, much appreciated. There's no better hunting experience as a dad than time in the woods with your son, especially when he's successful.

LBR

dz · Oct 28, 2013

PM sent, I can post them up for you.

DZ

dz · Oct 29, 2013

Nice Buck!!!

LoveBigRacks · Oct 29, 2013

Thx for the photo assist DZ.

All in all we had a great time. It's no easy hunt by any stretch, this was only the second blacktail buck we saw but it all came together and I couldn't be more proud. Weather / fog can play havoc on this hunt but it was a great youth opportunity and we liked the fact it's all walk in only.

LBR

bonepicker · Oct 29, 2013

Great buck!

baltz526 · Oct 29, 2013

That is a great black tail.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------support your local guzzlers. OHA life member,lapine oregon