Oregon Snake River Unit 159

HOWtheWESTwasFUN · Jul 26, 2018

Hey guys,

I drew a rifle tag for Snake river this year and wanted to start preparing and scouting for the hunt. This is my first year hunting the state and id truly appreciate it if any of you have any advice you'd like to, or would be willing to share.

Ill most likely be solo hunting and looking to pack in and out for an extended period of time given I can find a spot that allows me to do so(read- water). I know I got myself into some gnarly country, and have been training for the past couple of months and will continue to do so up until right before the season. What I'm really looking for is a point in the right direction, I'm willing to put out and do work but I just have no idea where to start in this insane unit

Again if there's anything you'd be willing to share id truly appreciate it.

Thanks

springvilleshooter · Jul 26, 2018

I hiked about 6 miles up Freezout creek in the early 2000?s and killed an average 4pt. Back then I saw way more elk than deer. Can?t beat the views but they can definitely beat you in this unit. Get in great shape and plan your hikes carefully or you will hike thousands of vertical feet each day. I glasses up a sweet elk shed about 2000 ft below me and didn't have enough gas in the tank to go get it on day 4.

Have fun and good luck!

????SS

Bucknut · Jul 26, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jul-27-18 AT 00:27AM (MST)[p]Deer numbers are pretty dismal in the unit. Not trying to say it can't be done, but just be prepared to cover a LOT of ground ( be prepared to continuously move camp til you find a good area) and take good glass. I would say a spotter is worth the weight penalty in that country. Water can be surprisingly scarce in that country and may require dropping a lot of elevation. Until you get familiar with the area, I'd ration my water out pretty carefully until you find a good source. Start scouting now, when bucks are grouped up and visible.
Best thing you can do to help determine where, is to take the next few weekends and pick a spot on the north, central, and south portion of the unit and just go into each. Once you??ve done that, you should start to narrow things down a little and know where you want to focus the rest of your scouting trips.
Good luck!

HOWtheWESTwasFUN · Jul 27, 2018

appreciate it, thanks for the reply.

HOWtheWESTwasFUN · Jul 27, 2018

@bucknut that's the impression I've been getting, which I'm ok with. I applied for the unit, i drew the tag, and I'm gonna hunt it. Not looking for a monster, but would like to find a decent mature buck if possible.

I've been training HARD and will continue to do so. My plan has been to travel light and bivy out every evening, also thanks for the heads up about water. This has been my biggest concern as it looks like most of the creeks are dry.

Thanks for the pointers, I appreciate you taking the time to help me out and good luck to you too.

andrew12gauge · Jul 27, 2018

Don?t discount the use of watercraft in that unit

HOWtheWESTwasFUN · Jul 27, 2018

>Don?t discount the use of watercraft
>in that unit

@andrew12gauge

I've been considering packrafting across the snake. Unfortunately, I don't have access to any real boats so that really limits my options. But it looks like there are a couple places to put in and paddle across.

could I perhaps PM you for some more info?

OR87hunter · Jun 28, 2019

How did your hunt go? I drew a rifle tag for the same unit this fall and have a lot of the same questions you brought up.

I'm renting a couple llamas, and would prefer to hunt ridge-lines so I can spot and stalk by dropping down on them. just I'm concerned I won't find enough water for myself and the llamas up there.

Did you see many deer? Was most of the hunting pressure coming from the river?

I'm an Oregon resident but it's an 8-9hr drive from the opposite corner of the state. I'd like to avoid as many scouting trips as possible.