Oregon Elk

springvilleshooter · Feb 14, 2014

Got 10 NR points and want to shoot a bull. Thinking about the Ochoco with a buddy. Curious about the Bully Creek hunt. Any ideas or kind suggestions would be mucho appreciated. I'm not trophy obsessed. Just want a fun hunt with a chance at a decent bull. Thanks.-------SS

BCS · Feb 14, 2014

The bully creek hunt use to be great, rifle rut hunt where you could shoot a bull. Last year they changed that tag from either sex to cow only.

springvilleshooter · Feb 14, 2014

Thanks for the heads up. I definitely want to hunt bulls.------SS

BCS · Feb 14, 2014

PM me and I will get back to you later this evening. I might have an offer you could be interested in.

BCS · Feb 14, 2014

Pm sent back

440sixpack · Feb 15, 2014

Ochoco is a good hunt by Oregon standards, as are Murderers Creek and Silvies.

Access is good, hunter numbers are low and elk numbers are decent. if you're looking for a 300+ bull odds are not in your favor .

The nice thing is there really is nowhere in the unit that you can't find elk. the unit is surrounded by private which can hold good numbers of elk for extended periods making the hunt a little tougher but there will always be elk on the USFS as well.

Don't worry about finding a honey hole they don't exist, the elk are always on the move. after 40 years of hunting the unit now I just go hunt it's that unpredictable. the more someone says they have it all figured out the more I know they don't.

Stay thirsty my friends

springvilleshooter · Feb 15, 2014

Thanks 440' that's exactly what I have been told. I don't care a bit about score, I would like a nice branch antlered bull. I get to look at 350+ bulls all the time on the mountains above my house. Unfortunately I will probably never hunt them due to the drawing system in Utah.----SS

440sixpack · Feb 15, 2014

Then I think you're going to enjoy yourself.

Now your choice will be 1st or 2nd season? they both have their pros and cons. if I were a NR I might opt for the 2nd season to get 9 days rather than 5. but the season is a little later this year and you might get to trudge through some snow and cold weather.

As I said in my WY comments about NR hunters and tag quotas OR gives you guys the shaft and I don't agree with it. I live across the road from the unit if I can help you have a better hunt I feel it's my obligation since there's nothing else I can do to help you. besides I took a 382" bull in your state and the UT hunters were hospitable towards me so fair is fair.

PM me if I can help.

Stay thirsty my friends

springvilleshooter · Feb 15, 2014

382 is an awesome bull and I'm glad to hear that you were treated well in Ut. There are some major a-holes here and I'm glad that you didn't meet any of them. What unit did you hunt in UT if you don't mind. I appreciate the offer and will get back to you on PM with questions. I work in Oregon a lot and travel through the area several times a year. I have family at Prineville Reservoir but they gave up hunting years ago. -------SS

440sixpack · Feb 16, 2014

It was about 10 years ago in Panguitch Lake.

You're probably wise to burn your points, to get a tag any better than you can draw with 10 points will take you decades.

Stay thirsty my friends

springvilleshooter · Feb 16, 2014

Yup, a little math made it clear that I am pretty much SOL for an Emily tag. Oh well, I can have a good time anywhere. Starting now, I will draw out a premium Utah bull tag just in time for my retirement in 2035. Perfect timing!-------SS