Beaty's Butte

bullskin

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I have collected points for 18 years thinking I would go on a late season hunt when I retired. But as my son turns 17 and I consider that this may be one of my last opportunities to spend a lot of time with him, I have decided to burn my points on Beaty's Butte. If nothing else we will see a lot of nice country. We have time to scout this summer and will hit it hard in October, bivying out where weather conditions permit. My plan is to hunt high, getting away from roads, but I have never seen the country south of 140 and so am wondering if I am making a mistake by heading straight to the mountains. My son will shoot any mature buck. I will hold for a toad. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
Just an FYI, but they cut the tag numbers in the last few years due to a significant drop in the deer population in that unit. Be prepared to be disappointed with the lack of deer and the number of new roads
 
Just an FYI, but they cut the tag numbers in the last few years due to a significant drop in the deer population in that unit. Be prepared to be disappointed with the lack of deer and the number of new roads
New roads?
 
Thanks to those of you who responded with advice. I spent the last five days in the Pueblos, up on the mountains and as far away from the roads as one can get. The country looks great, but I was disappointed to find fewer than a dozen deer (and only one small buck), hiking and glassing from dawn 'til dusk. I did, however, find plenty of human traffic--mostly on the roads, but also plenty of self-described "technical climbers" (whatever that means) along the rim and all points in between. It seems that the popularity of the Steen's is spreading to the Pueblos. Not good prospects for hunting...

In any event, I do intend to check some of the other places suggested and am still looking for more advice (thanks in advance). On a happy note, anyone drawing a sheep tag will be glad to hear that these may outnumber even tourists from Portland and Seattle. I must have spotted fifty or sixty, in multiple bands, some as large as thirty animals.
 
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The place sounds like such a fun hunt. Enjoy it with your son. It’s not as bad as it’s made out to be. You will find deer, and good ones. Have fun.
 
Find the cleaner water holes in the highest elevations. Then hunt the draws with tall sage. Get up high every every morning long before first light. Glass as many lower ridges as you can from each spot. Pick out a few main buttes to glass from. Then keep hitting them every morning. You will find deer south of 140 during the day and evenings. Do not forget the lower country south of Adel. Beatys Butte and the other buttes/ridges in its vicinity are great glassing spots. If you find 4wheeler trails avoid the areas, deer will.
 
To wrap it up, I was amazed at how the Pueblos did not produce for us. The only buck I saw was a fork. The country is dry, but has water in the canyons and what would seem like enough feed to support more deer. But I guess the proof lies in the tremendous sheep population. It is truly a grassland, despite its high elevation. I never did get into Van Horn basin--it looked too thick to hunt. Perhaps the fringes might have offered some opportunity, but the truth is that I would select a different unit next time around. Had fun with my son, and I appreciate the advice, guys.
 
If it's any consolation all deer units in eastern Oregon are a disgrace. Oregon hunters are content with the deer management we have either because they're dumb or too young to know what our hunting used to be like. unfortunately I don't think more time would have improved your experience this is just the way it's going to be.
 
Any updates on potential for success in Pueblos, South Warner or Beaty Butte for shooter Muleys? Brother heading out for October opener.
 
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