first season elk

Hunted N.E. Oregon with just spike tags. Out of the seven of us ( All had spike tags) We only took one spike. The other six of us could have shot a branch bull some of us on multiple days. I think in some of the northeast Oregon units we have turned the corner where there are more branch bulls than spikes. This year was crazy, bulls where bugling the first three days of the season and we even seen a couple branch bulls still in velvet. It seemed like we were bow hunting in Sept. with a rifle. It would of been a great year if we had branch bull tags, Our meat poll would of snapped. Next year we should draw the any bull tag I can only hope we see what we seen this year.

Local people around here had alot of success. Several hunting parties I know of: 4 for 4, 6 for 7, 3 for 3, 4 for 5 and several guys that just plain got their bulls (so 1 for 1 I guess). I don't know of anyone that got skunked. And some big bulls too. It seems like the elk population is doing well and hopefully will continue to grow. Hopefully the deer can follow suit...

During the 5 day hunt I saw 3 bucks. A monster forked-horn, a 3 point and a nice 24 inch 4x4. Last year I didn't even see one buck during elk season. Talked to a game guy who said this is the last year they are bringing in federal hunters to kill cougars in the hepner, starkey, and Ukiah units then they are moving farther east to work over a few other units next year. Just makes me laugh that they PAY feds to hunt cougars when the Oregon hunters would pay to hunt cougars if they could use dogs again. Go figure

Yeah seems pretty ridiculous but at this point I don't care how the cougars are taken out just as long as they get rid of them somehow. Obviously it would be better to have people pay to kill them but at this point I'm just glad that they are killing them. I've seen some great bucks and bigger herds this year too, it feels like we are right on the edge of some recovery, if the deer could just get a break. It seems like between the cougars and coyotes, poachers, Chronic Wasting Disease, lice, weather, etc,etc, and wolves on the way that they just can't turn the corner. Maybe this next year we will see a marked recovery. Here's hoping!

Rule of thumb for the (2) Oregon Bull tags:

If you have a spike tag, you will be LOTS of branched bulls.

If you have a branched bull tag, you will see LOTS of spikes!

We use to hunt the Heppner spike hunt almost every year back in the early 90's before it all got bought up by lumber companies. Each day we would come back to camp every night and tell stories of the monsters we would encounter each day. We would all say "If we only had THAT bull tag"!

You hear about the gal in or around Portland that was killed by a cougar today??? I didn't hear exactly what happened though...

muleyman