Great hunting opportunities are available at many of the State and Federal Refuges. In Oregon we are very fortunate to have many of both. The O.D.F.W. has setup the opportunity of applying for a tag for a specific hunt and refuge, such as Hart Mountain. As I am directing this article of a specific Federal Refuge, the application process has to be done via the website of the refuge. There are two (2) different O.D.F.W. tags that can be used for the hunting of elk at the refuge and the over-the-counter general elk tag for the area.
Though you can not shoot bulls, there are a great deal of them to look at and call for fun…
The Federal Refuge that is mentioned is the WILLIAM L. FINLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, located south of Corvallis, Oregon off of Highway 99. The refuge is approximately 5400 acres, with many ponds, creeks and trails. It is well known for the birds and waterfowl that live there and migrate through. The Roosevelt Elk that dwell there -in good herd numbers- is unique, in that the majority of the land near the refuge is flat farm land to the east, south, and north, plus being close to a large city.
The hunting of Roosevelt Elk at William Finley is for cows only, mostly an archery hunt, though, in Zone 1 a shotgun can be used during certain time periods. So there are two (2) zones for hunting the refuge with Zone 2 being the largest. Zone 2 is intertwined with Scrub Oak trees, Douglas Fir, Cottonwoods, Beaked Hazelnut, Big Leaf Maples and grasslands. Very diversified land profile for sure.
I believe it could be a great hunt for anyone that wants to work hard and do some pre-scouting, although the elk will travel many miles and even venture off the refuge into Weyerhaeuser properties that are to the west of Zone 1. I have found the elk to be quite habit forming in movement. Elk can work extremely large areas in their feeding routine.
In the past month, since we are now into April, (Closed to foot traffic November 1st-March 31st) we allowed to go past the gates in most of the refuge, I have found the well-worn trails made by vast herds. In my opinion, I would hunt Zone 2 since the area is so much larger with a greater opportunity to find Elk.
In a recent scouting trip, we spotted a very large herd of elk with at least 100 head. It took me about an hour to close the distance of a mile out, give or take a few yards, getting to within 100 yards. It took so long to get to them because I was wading in water from 2” to 20” over uneven terrain. When the herd finally decided to move out, there was a single file of elk that was about a ¼ miles long. It was simply an amazing sight and the camera did not do justice to what the eye saw. There were still a couple of spikes with their antlers, and a few new-growth antlered bulls. It was fun to use my onX HUNT mobile APP and Garmin GPS and mark waypoints of trails and sightings.
I have attached a link to WILLIAM L. FINLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (Note: 2018 hunting applications will be available in May 2018. If you are interested in hunting for elk, there is still time to get an application in for the 2018 Hunting Season. Make sure you have plenty of time to scout, have a good set of boots, and, just in case, a roll-up pair of stocking chest waders for crossing creeks.
Bedded down earlier in the Oaks… Roosevelt Elk
A small tidbit, Blacktail Deer hunting is also available at the refuge, either sex in this case. One could maybe have a two (2) species hunt…
Let’s try find our way out of here, some 5 miles from camp with a compass…
It may be hard to believe, but throughout the United States, it happens all the time…
You must go into the Known or Unknown, prepared or face the worst…
Recently there was an article published in Field & Stream (October 2017) about a father and son hunting and getting lost in the rugged Siskiyou Mountains of Oregon. One never made it back… The other his son forgot his GPS and Phone when heading back out to find his dad, he was lost for a number of days… Searchers finally located him!
“From 1997-2016, 80 have been found dead and another 76 not found” In this region of Oregon
Some of those that were never found, could have had other issues, such as venturing into a spot they did not belong in…
I know this number could be a lot less, if one were well prepared to the venture into the rugged mountains of the North America. Most feel they know all the ways back to camp from any location. Think about being in the Snake River Canyon in the morning at 65 degrees and sunny chasing a herd of Elk and in the afternoon the weather changing to a blizzard with the temperature dropping to below freezing and your horse has been moved from where you tether him up on the trail, plus you must venture into dark timber and any hint of daylight is about gone…
There is no hiker, hunter or outdoor enthusiast that has not gotten mixed up while in the field… Today there is so much technology to keep you from staying mixed up, lost permanently, or dying in the outdoor from being lost…
Touch screen GPS that works in deep timber.
So many time when trying to help hunters find places to hunt, I request them to have a Garmin GPS, onX HUNT mapping for both the Garmin GPS (colored – microchip capable) and mobile device, such as the smart phones which 90% of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts carry with them 24/7.
Emergency Beacon Needs to be registered.
The Garmin GPS, at least in the 21st should have WAAS (Wide Area Augmentable System) Note: Global Positioning System GPS is made up of at least 24 satellites, working in all conditions 24 hours a day and is FREE.
Garmin Rino 755 has two way and your location is available to another user. This is one that I highly recommend.
I would say at least 40% tell me they are “Old School” and use paper maps and a compass (that is maybe on the compass).
Just one little note with onX HUNT on the mobile side there is a trail layer that features trails old and new (CONUS). Another tool that can help in many hunting areas.
Let’s get real about paper maps, most are outdated, and boundaries change all the time. I threw out all my paper maps, that I have had for more than 30 years with all the X’s on them, moving the X’s to my GPS. Paper maps are outdate in field use and lacking the ability to Zoom in. Even if you mark your map with routes, it surely isn’t going let you do an active route back to camp or truck as a GPS would do. As for the compass, it’s Okay, if your batteries go dead or enemy decides to use an electromagnetic pulse or EMP while you’re in the back country.
These can reach out many miles and reasonable in price in the pairs.
Beside the Garmin GPS, Mobile Phone with the onX HUNT APP and chip, there is the 2 Ways such as Motorola handheld communicators, and last but not lease is an Emergency Locator Beacon, just in case you’re in real trouble and are immobile…
We must remember to have them in our backpack or ditty bag (U.S. NAVY), along with the other tools used in the field. Frank Biggs
Nolan had contacted Bwana Bubba in the spring time of 2017, asking if I knew a place in central Oregon, that he might have chance to harvest a elk during the archery season. I had an old haunt that, my partners and I had hunted with great success. I was willing to share, but I wanted him to use technology, in order to give him a better idea and also stay legal on the hunt…
Last Chance Bull
Oregon Archery Hunt
The day before the end of the 2017 season, I’d driven out to a new place I’d never seen before as a last ditch effort to try and kill an elk. I’d scouted, prepared, & hunted so hard all season long to make it happen on a D.I.Y. over the counter elk tag, public land, archery elk. After my blunder on opening day when I missed a cow at 44 yards, I figured my 2017 season was over. I blew my shot opportunity for the year and it was going to be a long 12 months until I’d get another one.
Making hunting and finding game easier!
As soon as I got out of the truck that morning I heard a bugle, then another bugle, and another. It was too dark to see the ridge that I was hearing the bulls from, but I grabbed my gear and took off. After about 10 minutes I glassed up the shape of an elk about half a mile uphill from me. I knew if I had any chance at cutting him off, I had to hustle. I ran up the drainage to the West of him and when I reached the top I could hear it wasn’t just a lone bull. It was a whole heard, I peered around the corner and saw close to 60 elk working up the draw. Bulls screaming, pushing cows, the whole herd was going nuts.
As I was trying to decide what to do I turned around and saw there was another hunter about 60 yards behind me. I thought to myself, “You’ve got to be kidding me”. I busted my ass to get up here and I’m going to have to compete with this guy. As frustrated as I was, I walked down to him and said “Hey, there’s a big herd of elk up here”. “What’s your plan”? “I don’t want to screw up your hunt”. I fully expected him to tell me to take a hike. Instead what he said next blew me away. He said “We need to cut them off, and get in front of them, let’s go!” I asked him what he wanted me to do, and he said “Come with me” and we took off!
Self portrait picture of my velvet Spike Bull.
I’m not a tall guy, 5’6”. But this newly met hunting partner of mine is at least a foot taller than I and subsequently covers ground much faster than I can. Before I know it I’m out of breath and desperately trying to keep up with him. As we follow the fence line between the public and private land, we keep getting glances of the herd about 250 yards away in the draw to the east of us. We dropped our packs a ways back to be as quick and low profile as we could. The herd can see us, but we keep pressing on to try and cut them off, in the valley 1/4 mile ahead of us. I keep thinking to myself “I can’t believe this is happening”. We paused at this little knoll and heard some elk coming up to where we were as they headed to cross in to the private, so we set up. I sat behind and told this guy “I’ll range for you” and before we knew it, there was a group of 15 cows being pushed by a big 6×6 up the hill in front of us. I keep ranging him, 124, 117, 111, and 110. He’s not going to get any closer. There are no trees or brush that we can get closer to either. We wait for them to cross the fence so we can keep pushing forward to where the rest of the herd is headed and all of the sudden this piercing bugle rings out no more than 100 yards from where we sat. This massive 7×7 was pushing another group of cows through the same spot! My partner slid down the hill 20 yards, but the bull stayed just out of range and wouldn’t stop. He was on a mission, away from us. We wait for them to clear and then we’re booking it to the next draw, “if we can get to it there’s a good chance they’ll be there waiting.”
Now the work starts, but it is so worth it…
Right as we crest the draw we see 25-35 elk pushing up and onto private, there’s still quite a few elk coming up the draw though. I start cow calling to try and bring the big bulls closer. There’s elk everywhere, bulls pushing cows, screaming, heads back and hot to trot. They just won’t come any closer than 120 yards. My new friend scoots down the draw another 10 yards and 6 elk bust out 30 yards below us, it’s so steep that we didn’t even known they were there. A bull stops at 60 yards, I hear “do you wanna shoot that bull?” without hesitation I said “Hell YES”. I pull out from the tree I’m behind, range him at 84 yards. I’ve been making this shot all year. I have flung thousands of arrows practicing for this moment. I can make the shot, I dial my sight to 84 yards, draw my bow, anchor, cow call to stop him, settle the pin on his lungs, and my arrow is gone.
I watch the glow of my green knock sail across the ravine. THWACK! He drops, barrel rolls 3 times to the bottom of the creek bed, stops, and it’s over. “He’s down”! I sat next to the tree beside me and cannot believe after all the work I put in, the ups and downs, the frustration, everything, that it all came together. It wasn’t over, because of how quickly he went down he didn’t spook any of the other elk, it’s time for me to try and call in a bull for my partner.
There is some rough terrain to navigate at night, plus forging a creek…
I cow call like nothing else to try and bring the 6×6 in from 150 yards but he just isn’t willing to leave his cows. My buddy takes off over the next ridge after him and I start hiking back to get our packs. While I was walking back I was overcome with emotion. It’d been 6 years since my last elk.
As any archery hunter knows, this is something that requires an immense amount of preparation, dedication, will power, and luck. But everything lined up that morning and I was beside myself. My arrow left my string at 7:32 am. By 8:30 I was notching my tag and taping it to his antlers. As I sat and looked at him I realized that I’m here alone. I have a 450-500 pound animal down in the bottom of a ravine, 1.5 miles from the truck and it’s just me. I snapped a few pictures and started the process, 6 hours later he was ready to be hauled out and I started the journey back to the truck with one of my most prized possessions, meat. It took me until 11 PM that night to get him back to the truck. My body was nearly broken, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t wait to do it again. And the phrase that kept resonating in my head stayed there until my head hit my pillow, “Never, ever give up”.
Nolin knows how important it was to stay legal in this area. They don’t take prisoners that trespass on their lands that hold big bulls…
Almost to the access road and the truck. Last load out, the rack…
This is my story Nolan Lathrop – 2017 Central Oregon.
This was taken at 8 yards on Father’s Day. I had seen the buck deep in the canyon and figured his avenue he was going and laid in wait for him…
2018 Big Game Hunting in Oregon is in full swing with Elk coming up soon. Western deer hunting and special hunts still going on.
Scott with an Oregon Pronghorn that he waited on the waterhole for more than 8 hours. Scott had a secret spot and has taken a number of Lopes with the bow & arrow.
Using onX HUNT is the best way to research a unit!
The following bucks have not shown up during the month of December. during the second season archery season.
A great shot at 2015 hour at about 60 yards. They were busy eating apples on a tree I did not know about. Oregon City area.
This is one of the bucks in the above photo. Just that this photo was take in October. Both bucks of the other picture just happen to be in battle…
On the Oregon Antelope-Pronghorn Hunters (Facebook), there was a statement that a hunter drew a Hart Mtn Lope Tag last year and used something like 25 points. He drew again this year Go Figure!
Oregon is a great state to get a Pope & Young Pronghorn, so if you are bowhunter give me a jingle or email! Got lots of spots for bow hunters for sure! Why wait 12-25 years to get a rifle tag, though sometime we all like to pull the trigger on a Booner Lope!
I do believe he is a keeper! High Cutters, so extra measurement! Shoot!
The deal has been I expect a short story and pictures, the information is FREE. A 2015 Pronghorn hunter, asked for help to harvest a big Dinosaur in a limited area, not computer or GPS savvy, wanted a guide, whatever it took. I got one of my group hunters (David was a 2010 Lope hunter in the area and Mike was 2011 hunter in the area) (my first Booner came from this spot) to overnight current maps and direction to spots with water from a May 2015 scouting. All the details. His picture was one with little to show and a 1 line comment, I shot the monster at 300 yards. I would have expected more for all the effort put into getting him in on a big Lope… Hell never got the official score either…
My suggestion is that you need a Garmin that has color screen, a slot for Micro SD Card and the mapping softwarefromonX HUNT out of Montana. I can be contacted via the following email addresses for any questions you might have for on first interview. Free. Intro of me: I am home base out of Oregon –
Thanks for viewing my site! CobraHere are just a few pictures of friend and some heads mounted!
I can’t see you, so you can’t see me, I am safe here!
This is a buck (2015 hunt) from the S. Wagontire Unit in Oregon. The tag holder was from California and one of five to get drawn for the unit. Old stomping grounds for me.
2015 – One of the hunters that used my information. Great Archery buck from Oregon.
The great Jimmy Duffield! This bull was taken near Dufur, Oregon
My biggest Lope from Oregon with a net of 86.
Brian Henninger – PGA Champion Player with his Grizzly Unit Bull. Brian has taken more than 3 bulls out of the Grizzly Unit.
Friends of mine that I lined up the spot in the Silvies Hunt Unit of Oregon.
August 2015 – Early grouping of a big Roosevelt bulls with their harems. There no satellite bulls in the area.
August – 2015 This was the first bull with about 50 cows. Amazing getting this shot of him bugling. Only time he did. Not other bulls in the area at all. Strange timing.
The picture was taken 6-28-14 at 2030 Hour outside of Molalla, Oregon very close to Hwy 213. A dandy Blacktail buck that was running with another buck that was bigger. Just so fast on the camera and juggling around trees.
This dandy 3X3 Blacktail that is typical of the bucks in Oregon City.
Archery Axis Deer taken on the island of Lanai. No Guide! I was stationed on Oahu for the Navy. Great trip in those days to go to Lanai and hunt for Axis.
This is the sight that I use and believe in how it works. Take aim and harvest the game. Number 1 bowsight in the World!
My biggest typical Rocky Mountain Elk, take off of the Big Muddy! Very heavy but lacks the length needed. 320 Net.
Holly had missed a buck early and got a second chance and took this great Archery Pronghorn at 42 Yards
Taken in the the days of the Rah, Big Muddy on the BLM. 190 Net buck! Archery Buck!
One should have seen the one that went into the draw, when I saw this bruiser coming out of the draw at 800 yards, I only had the side profile and saw mass. The rest is history!
This was suppose to be my target Blacktail this year. Did not get permission to hunt the property – 2015
This bull was my son’s first bull. Take at about 50 feet when we jumped the bull. Spotted at about 2000 yards and made the stalk. 340 Net Bull!
Brian Henninger the PGA Pro, now a top player on the PGA Champions Tour and his Big Muddy Bull. Brian a Weatherby shooter. Two bulls were taken that day and what a story there is behind the scenes on this hunt..
Not a bad Blacktail in the Willamette Valley of Oregon
I find great pleasure in finding new companies that have innovation and a dream, proving that entrepreneurs can make a difference… TrophyStickers is an outstanding example!
How many times have you gone into a Sporting Goods Store and noticed decals or stickers that were of Elk, Deer, Pronghorn and other big game? They are very popular with hunters and you see them on the back of pickups and SUVs windows quite often. The decals are always of a big recorded class big game animals that a company had an artist make up. So is it a dream or reality of the hunter when he or she displays it in the back window? Why not have a reality sticker showing the real antler or horn configuration.
This decal is of a Mule Deer that I harvest in Oregon some years back. It is 100% accurate of the antler configuration of my Mulie!
I have found a company by the name of TrophyStickers, which can make it a reality for the hunter or even the non-hunter. It is very simple process to get it done. You simply take great pictures of your harvested animal, which means straight on frontal and side profiles would be great also.
Why not take great pictures of your once in a Lifetime Mule deer, Whitetail deer, Rocky Mountain bull, Roosevelt bull, Tule bull, Pronghorn or another big game that you harvested and make it a real sticker that represents the actual animal?
With great photos of your animal’s rack or horns, you get an accurate decal.
Many hunters love to take pictures while scouting, what if you found the monster buck during the scouting-photo op, or even off of your trail cam, why not have it made into a TrophySticker?
A great deal of work and skill to get it right. Very impressed with the detail. Bwana Bubba
What a great present to give your son, daughter or grandchild on their first big game animal harvest.
You can find and get a hold of Trophy Stickers at the following sites:
Getting permission to hunt a parcel of land is just like being a salesperson. If you don’t ask for the sale, most customers don’t think you care… You won’t get the Sale!
And now the new technology with mobile devices…
2017 is know ahead for all of us to hunt. The 2nd Amendment is safe. Most states have the 2017 Hunting Regulations out. Doing your research early, before having to put your applications can lead to success. Scouting prior to application deadline and or long before your chosen hunt unit is critical for success. I write and talk about onX HUNT all the time about being one of the great keys to un-lock hunting success. It is all true! To be one of the 10% that take 90% of the game, then you have to absorb the positive and proven tips that are given to to by the successful 10%…
I want you to think about this scenario, you have been driving by a ranch, vineyard, farm, tree farm or just some private harvested timber land. There are No Trespassing Signs and No Hunting posted on fence posts and trees, with game animals abounding and you notice a number of Coyotes working the area. The signs have no phone numbers or names. What to do you ask yourself, there is no way I am gaining access to hunt…
There are many ways to get it done and as great salesperson you can make it happen in many cases. First off I would purchased onX HUNT and have it on your Smart phone, I suggest to have a Garmin GPS (colored screen-micro SD chip slot) also.
Working the different parcels of privately own properties your interested in, you will know the land owner’s name/names and in some cases the Trustee because you have onX HUNT. Now via Whitepages, and other public knowledge websites, you can get the phone number. Relax, take a breath and be sure you have a smile on your face when talk on the phone…
Getting out early to scout prior to the season, you can find the game, such is the case with Rocky Mtn bull that was sleeping.
So many times over the course of life, I meet people while in the field, so asking who owns the land when you see a neighbor, should be no big deal. Even going so far asking the neighbor how can I get a hold of the landowner is not out of the question. Many times in the remote area, there might b an old cafe or gas station. Another great way to gather information.
This Willamette Valley Blacktail buck was on private property that I gained access to. He was harvested the following year from this picture. 3X3 w/eye guards are fairly typical in Blacktail deer.
For many years I drove by a large piece of rural land that was growing wild radishes. I thought they were weeds. I would see a couple of B&C and many P&Y Willamette Blacktails. Finally when I got my first sample of HUNTINGGPSMAPS (onXmaps HUNT) from the company, I was able to dial in the future vineyard owner’s name. I did a little background on the owner to make sure I had the correct person. I called and told the owner that I drove by his place almost everyday. That I would love to be able to take pictures of the deer on the property. I asked permission to be able to photograph first. It was early May, within couple of months noticing the Coyotes and that he had chickens and geese free ranging, I called him again, I told him I could help reduce the Coyote population. Finally in early August I asked for permission to bow for the deer. I was informed by Michael (owner) that he intended to raise grapes. In the State of Oregon to have venue events, you need a vineyard… The following year with a rifle tag and bow tag, I asked if I could hunt deer with a rifle. That privilege was also granted. It also help to have a common bond. Micheal was a Combat Engineer in Nam and I was a Navy Spook attached to the Marines in Nam. Brothers…
You have to remember that not all ranchers, farmers, and landowners are in it monetary when it comes to hunting. I would bet that if a landowner is approached in the proper mindset, permission would be granted more times than rejected.
This Oregon Mule Deer buck worked both B.L.M. and private land.
Over the years, hunters that I have met and talked to about the subject, give me back positive feedback. Yes sometimes they mend fences, bring a bottle, bring Salmon, ride a fence line, give a knife, buy dinner in town, but that is from the heart to a new friend. Myself, I have hunted more ranches and farms than I can count. Many have border public land that I primarily hunt or fish during my lifespan! I have never paid cash for access, yet at certain times of the year, they might have something on their doorstep…
Use onX HUNT products to gain the knowledge to gain access to private land. It also will be the tool to know the landowners that border public land and vice versa.
This is one of five Cougars spotted near a town, working within the same proximity of each other. One might not find this to be a factual statement, but in reality it is becoming increasing reality. It may not be in every state in the Union, but it surely is in on the Pacific Coast, which includes Washington, Oregon and even into California. As for the other states in CONUS, I can’t give thoughts on the subject of predators taking a front row seat on the taking of Elk, Deer, Pronghorns and even Bighorn Sheep.
In Oregon the management of all wildlife and fish are managed by O.D.F.W. or better known as the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. There are 7 members that are part of the commission and they are selected by the Governor of Oregon. In my opinion for a long time, I do not feel that the Governors of Oregon since 1991 have not had much thought on the importance of hunting, fishing, shooting or any other sport related to the outdoors in Oregon.
In 1994 in the State of Oregon voters, voted on Measure 18 on the banning of dogs for the hunting of Bears and Cougars. 43,501 votes more votes lead to the ban. At the time the Governor was Barbara Roberts a Democrat. A great influence of outsiders (lobbyists – protesters) from the Great State of California came and created havoc and fear into the already changing demographics of from what Oregon use to be. Oregon use to be much like Idaho in thought and action, but Oregon has changed over the years, becoming a state that the folks from the Golden State could sell their homes and come to Oregon and buy the same home for half price and less congestion in life…
The Black Bear is not Smokey the Bear or a playful toy and the Cougar is one hungry predator that will take a deer a week. They all might look cute as cub or kitten, but once they get bigger that is not the case. Since there is no hunting with dogs any longer, these two predators go un-checked for the most part. As for Wolves, it all started in Yellowstone and has escalated too many other states. My thoughts are that Wolves hunt to kill and rarely eat the complete animal; it said the other predators will handle the remaining carcass. Oregon has about 60 Moose (Shiras) scattered throughout the N.E. part of the state. With the increase in Wolf population, just how long will it take for the reduction in Moose? One other little notes about Wolves in Oregon, many have been released by so-call do-gooders that breed or breed hybrids. Many years ago, I had a customer tell me she did… From the information I get, there are more Wolves than reported. Such is the case in the Mt. Hood National Forest with reports of sporadic with sightings from persons that do know the difference between a wolf and a dog…
Washington State does not allow the use of dogs to hunt for Cougars or Bears also. This came about in 2001 I believe. Only under conditions deemed by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife can dogs be used to harvest a Cougar or Bear that are causing problems with humans or livestock.
In the State of Oregon, through my sources with the government, hired government hunters as we call them can hunt year round to reduce Cougars or Bears in troubled areas. With the used of dogs by the public that hunt, there would be little need for government hunters. Just think about the revenue that the state would take in, plus the amount of sales at sporting goods stores, guides would be able to guide again. Oregon has quotes on the amount of Cougars that can be taken in zones and once it met, then the year round hunting stops. Going onto the ODFW back pages and looking at expected quotes on Cougars, the inside reports via contacts tell a different story.
There is a large area in the 2017 ODFW Game Regulations this year on Cougars. This is the map that showing what ODFW feels is the key area. I do believe there are more areas than on the map…
A hunter should make contact with a Game Biologist. In the State of Oregon, these biologist are very happy to help. As one biologist that I have know for more than 30 years once told me “my job is to help and without hunters, I would not have a job”
ODFW has a major budget deficit and last year came up with idea of special tags big game tags, creating some cash flow revenue. Those that got one of the special tags through a drawing might just have a chance to hunt most anywhere and with a rifle even hunt during a bow season or extended season. Many older hunters have just given up hunting, as their old haunts just don’t have the game as it was prior to 2000. Other than the old boys in the hunting culture, I do not believe that the younger generation has caught up with the problem of predators.
Seems all great, but we have a real problem with the big game population in this state. I spend much of my time from April to August taking wildlife pictures and working areas at key times of the day looking for big game. In just 4 short years many of the great haunts are void of the great bucks that I would find. The Cougars especially have worked over the area well. I won’t waste my time to hunt these areas anymore. I have move into the rural areas closer to the city to find game… The Cougars use to follow the game coming down from the mountains during the winter months. Now with the shortage of game to eat, they are now showing up in the lower valleys in the summer months. It may seem to those reading that I am bias, but I am not. It is about what is more important, the chance for someone to see a Cougar, Wolf or even a Bear in the wild or preserving the big game that you can see anytime. Once the game is gone from the area the predators with move to new feeding grounds. It takes the depleted area a fairly long time to recover the mature bucks and bulls in the area.
Bear season Oregon is a bit different and not all year long. The draw tag season from April 1st, to May 31st normally. The general season opens August 1st and ends December 31st on the west side of the Cascades and November 30th on the east side of the Cascades. So one has to glass and find bears, a bit tougher to do, than getting a do to tree a bear. Government hunters can do whatever to get a problem area done. Special tags are issued for timber companies to handle bears in Oregon…
I believe that anyone that is hunting in Oregon should have a Cougar tag and Bear tag on their person. Many times hunters have run into the overabundance of Cougars in a particular area and shot a Cougar, did not have a tag. You will be ticketed and in some cases it could have been life and dead encounter, you might or might not get out of the ticket if caught.
In Closing: I will give a few instances for 2016 from some of hunting buddies, plus I will put out a few key areas with onX HUNT map pictures for those that want to challenger their talents to find a Cougars. Bear season is just about over, but send me and email and I can direct you to spots in the future.
2016 Owyhee Deer Hunt: MJ and BO drew the tags for the great Owyhees in Oregon. In the day as I remember the Owyhees, the bucks were big and plentiful, sort of a pick and choose hunt for big Mulies. MJ and BO have private land to hunt on breaks of the Oregon/Idaho border on the Oregon side. Having done a great deal of planning and making calls, they truly thought they had it dialed in. The land was in prime condition for Mule deer habitat. During their week hunt, only a few small bucks were seen, remembering they had made an early scouting trip in August 2016, with the same results. The local ODFW biologist told them they hit at the wrong time… Very experience hunters that in the past were used to finding big Mulies. The hunters over on the Idaho side still have the Mulies of size, as they control the Cougars still with dogs.
2011 Archery Elk/Deer Hunt: Another hunting partner from my past went to a new haunt near an old haunt. This is an area that the government hunter has taken out more Cougars than 4 times the quota of the Cascades, which are 271. ST has during bow season taken a Cougar and on the same day could have taken another one. 2016 he had two Cougars at 100 yards from him at this ground blind. His 1911 could not get the job done at 100 yards in the timber. I also feel they are braver and human scent or the fact Cougars are keen on knowing, fear little. Deer were very scarce, though the elk were in good numbers. The Heppner Unit has been known as an elk breeding area…
My son this year (2106) during a rifle deer hunt near an RV Park outside of a rural town jumped two mature Cougars. He did not have a tag and knew what would happen if he had killed them. The deer population was way down and the team only got one 2 year old deer about 2 miles from the sighting…
Another comment is from my buddy Mark D., who lives near Oregon City, Oregon on 90 acres. Five Cougars have been sighted during the month of August 2016 around this place. His place is within 15 minutes of a major city. The deer are way done on this place, as he has cameras out. Just recently he caught sight of one decent Blacktail buck. The elk have not been on his place for more than 6 months.
2016 Pronghorn hunt for one of my onXmaps HUNT hunters. I had suggested him talk to one of the ranchers in the flat lands in the Steen’s Mountains Unit. He was told by the rancher that the Pronghorn are scare, less than 5 years ago they were pest on the ranches and farming lands. The big C word (Cougars) came out. The hunters had to hunt very hard to find a good buck, not a monster. The Steen’s Mountains of Oregon once produced the #2 B & C Pronghorn… Those us that have hunted the Steen’s Mountains for big Mulies, which are gone now. No longer a pick and choose style of hunting there. The Steen’s at one time was 4X4 or better hunt…
Let us not forget about the resilient Coyote that roams all of North American. Ever thought about asking a chicken or duck farmer to hunt the Coy Dogs that will lay in wait free roaming egg layers…
So in reality the states that have a problem with predators are the same states (metropolitan cities) that were Blue in the recent election, giving the point that we know those that are the loudest and not using their common sense for the good of all…
“There is a place for predators, but they should not replace renewable resources in nature”
“The elected politicians of any state must take in account the outcome of a bad decision that they have made bowing down to a small load group of “Tree Huggers”, much like the Old Growth Spotted Owl farce”
The Warner Unit in Oregon, known for Pronghorn, Deer and even Elk. A key spot for removal of Cougars.
A great deal of B.L.M. in the Steen’s Mountains, near Diamond, Oregon. Elk, Deer and Pronghorn roam these hills. This area was well now for big Mulies…
This is the east slope of the Steen’s Mountains. Big Horn Sheep, Deer and Pronghorn work this area from the valley floor to 10,000 feet. Cougars have been working all of the Steen’s for a long time.
This map is of an area in the Rogue Unit in Oregon. The Cougars have worked close to Willow Lake RV Resort. The Blacktail population is down from previous years.
For the most carbon arrow shafts for sale in the market, Whatever you get them from your distributors or pro shops..,Are You curious at “how carbon arrow shaft are manufactured” ? Perhabs you get some information from the big arrow company,like Carbon Express or Easton or other companys that they revealed a little information on their arrows shaft production process..But until now,i not find any very actual/detailed information of how the carbon shaft are made from carbon fiber.So i write this article since i have beening working in the arrow shaft manufacturing factory more than 3 years.
Currently, the carbon fiber market is monopolized by Japan,USA,KOERA,GERMANY, Far as i know,most of quality arrow use Mitsubishi, Toray,Or American brand fiber ,,Some budget arrow made of Chinese domestic carbon fiber (Include Taiwan carbon fiber ) . To some extents, the arrow quality is most decided by the material —-”Carbon Fiber Prepreg” . We Use Mitsusbishi carbon fiber.
Mitsubishi ,Toray carbon fiber shaft spine tolerance ,weight tolerance,straightness tolerance , and strength, durablity will be better than other fiber, As i not used the USA or Koera fiber , So i dnot have a judgement. It will also save the time in manufacturing arrow shafts with good carbon fiber.A qualified arrow with tuned bow is not dangerous , Also archery is a good sport ! So dnot let the fear of archery to stop you to love this game. !
Here are detailed 11 steps of Building a carbon shaft :
1, Choosing the corresponding fiber type according to the arrow sepecfication(Like ID of shaft, spine,weight,strength),Precisely Cutting the fiber mat to the small carbon fiber sheet..Now we use the Auto cutting machine to get precise size small sheet.
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2,We get the appropriate small fiber sheet,The technican will configurate/lay the small sheets in 0 or 90 degree (surely maybe some other degree for special shafts) .
3, The sheets need be rolled over the iron core（mandrel）by handwork and Auto machine （i think it can be called mandrel）.
4, Twinng the applying tape around the rolled fiber mandrel to enable a clean form to be fabricated .
5, Thermal treatment , Send the rolled mandrel to the industrial drying oven to harden the carbon fiber inside structure and resin .
6,After thermal treatment, We need separate the applying tape from the rolled fiber shaft and clean the surface.
7,Ok,Then we get raw shaft now, Using the abrasive cutting off machine to cut shafts into 32” or other length.
8,Grinding the carbon shaft by the centreless grinding machine to get the shaft smooth surface and right spine and weight. Surely you need seasoned worker to adjust the machine and operate….
9,After all the above steps,,The shafts almost finished,,,Now we need measure the spine,straightness,weight tolerance,strength..Then classify different groups of shafts,Straightness 0.001”,0.003”,0.006”..Weight tolerance +/-1 or 2 grs, Spine tolerance +/-15 or +/-10..
10,Print the logo on the shaft,,Using silk screen print, Heat transfer, or water marking printing. And matt, gloosy finshed is available under requirement
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11, Then assemble the insert,nocks and fletched the vanes…After all finished,,The QC will check again,, Then send to our customers..For the new sample shafts,We will test it before by shooting machine then send to our club archer,, If they say ok,,We will contine produing the shafts again .
Surely there are many small process/steps in manufacturing i not list. Above all based on my own experience and knowledge,If you learn some different methods to make carbon arrow shaft,Please share with me. Thanks
Thought this is not an archery hunt, there is more to the story than that, in that we should remember family gatherings and safety. Frank Biggs
NO EASY DAY!
It’s Saturday, October 1st, 4:30 AM. We are drinking coffee, standing around the fire and making plans where we’re going to hunt. It is opening morning and this will be our best chance to take down a nice buck.
It’s the first time we have our two sons, Dave and Scott together for a hunt. They have both been Navy SEALs for many years so we haven’t had this kind of opportunity, and we are all excited to get out in the woods.
Bill, my husband, has been hunting in this area for almost fifty years, so he is our coordinator. (not to mention, camp boss)
The boys will go together on one quad (one they borrowed from their sister, with bright pink lettering) with a boat seat attached to the back for a passenger seat. Real SEAL TEAM equipment! I promised not to post pictures on Facebook.
Do I see a Pink lettered Quad?
Bill and I will go a different direction on our quad with the boat seat on the back for me, which I love because I sit high and can see deer better.
We left at daybreak and hunted until 10:30 when we met back at camp for a big breakfast and a new strategy.
The boys had actually found a spot that looked untouched and rather promising, so with full bellies and a renewed determination, when we headed back out for the afternoon hunt, they went back to that same spot, which they dubbed “Delmer Pass” ( inside story ) for another look, and Bill and I went the opposite direction.
Bill and I have been riding in this terrain for twenty years on quads without incident. We have been up and down some really rough trails and enjoyed every ride. We have spotted many deer and elk on our rides. But, this ride was different! We crossed a rocky creek and headed up the mountain, when we came to a crossroads. Do we go on the narrow right, or the rocky gully on the left? We chose the gully…began our left turn and the next thing I remember was Bill asking me if I was alright. He had asked me many times, but because our quad had turned over and I was knocked out on the rocks I didn’t hear him. But as I came to I was aware of a really bad pain in my foot and my head was bleeding like crazy. I asked Bill to please get the quad off me. The poor guy was trying but he couldn’t get his legs to move for several minutes. We could smell and feel gas spilling on us so we struggled together to get free. Somehow we did it and my foot came free. Pain gone!
Bill, and old Navy man and father of the Seals, doing some Marlin Spiking (knots)!
He got the first aid kit and cleaned up my bleeding head and wrapped it in gauze, and I struggled to my feet. Together we set the quad upright, and realized our rifles had flown off about ten feet away. Believe it or not, when we sighted them in later, they were still right on
Bill insisted we go into the nearest town hospital and have me checked out, which we did and four hours later we were back at camp with our two concerned sons. No breaks, no stitches……just a small concussion and cuts and bruises. Lesson learned; getting too old to ride on my boat seat and maybe cut back on some of those really rough trails! I love that boat seat, but it has to go……
We all enjoyed a big fire that night and had a wonderful time just being together.
Well we do not see any of the elusive Navy Seals in this picture…
The next morning, those two NAVY SEALs were up and out early on that pink lettered quad, determined to come back with a nice big buck…….it didn’t happen….not for any of us. And that afternoon the oldest son, Dave and I walked through the woods together for about three hours and only saw the bald headed type deer.
They told me in the SEALs they were taught to think like the enemy, so we should think like the deer.( I agreed to do that, which I’m sure they got quite a laugh over) problem being, who the heck knows how a deer thinks? Instincts, instincts!
Well, maybe it worked for them because the next morning our younger son, Scott shot a real nice 3 by 3 on a hillside to their left. They were using the “field of fire” technique. Dave being left handed would be responsible for whatever showed up on the right side, and Scott being right handed would cover the left. They both got him in their sites however because his horns were hidden among the tree branches and hard to make out and they wanted to be sure. He turned his head just right and Scott said “buck!” and sent a perfect shot right through the heart… By the time we reached them Dave had it all gutted out and they had it tied on the quad.( always team work with them ) We headed back to camp for the pole hanging, dressing out and bagging and bragging ritual……followed by a celebratory straight shot!
They didn’t get a chance to double their score because they had to leave the next day. It was hard to see them go, because we never know when we’ll get a chance to hunt together again. (OK I admit I cried a little) Best hunting trip of our lives, with memories to last a lifetime.
Help me they are dragging me up the embankment!
For the next two days Bill and I hunted hard……we still rode the quad most of the time but one day it was down to nineteen degrees at night and really cold in the morning so we took the truck. We drove out to an area to find a place to get out and hunt, but as we are driving along I yelled at Bill to stop because there was two four point bucks right off the road on my side. Our dream scenario! Except for the fact that if I get out and put a round in the chamber those bucks will be gone. So, Bill gets out and goes around the back of the truck, but the deer are in front. He never saw them before they both walked off. We lamented over our lost opportunity as we drove on down the road.
After about four turns I yelled at Bill to stop again……there they were looking right at us, on my side of the road still. I still didn’t think I could get out without scaring them off so I sat still while Bill got out and went around the front of the pickup, off the road and nailed one, while the other ran off. (never to be seen again)
If we needed a bigger hint that we are getting older we got it in spades with this big buck. His body was really large, and a handsome 4×3 rack.
He was lying down in a deep ravine and we knew we weren’t going to be able to pull him up without help so we marked our spot and drove back and got the quad. So, now we have a dead deer, the quad with the winch on it and the pickup to put the deer in. Sounds pretty simple, right? NOT! We had to tie the quad to the pickup to keep it from going over, and then there wasn’t enough cable to reach the deer, so we had to keep adding rope and pull, then add more and pull. It took two hours to get it to the road.
Then, Bill gutted it out and we were ready to throw it in the back of the pickup, which was a great idea only the buck was too heavy and we couldn’t get him in there. So, next obvious answer was tying him on the quad, but we couldn’t lift his body up on it. By now we are sweating and exhausted and I sat on the tailgate and came up with a scathing, brilliant idea. Get that buck tied to the front of the quad the best we can, put the ramps down and drive it up into the truck and dump him in. We agreed that was the answer, however, I didn’t plan on me being the one to drive the quad up the ramp but Bill had to hold the bucks body up off the ramp, so I couldn’t get out of it. I said “I’m scared, I’m scared” all the way up that ramp, but I did it. (it was actually kinda fun) If you’re wondering why we didn’t just quarter it out, the answer is simply that we didn’t even think about it until that evening. Oh well!
We got back to camp and thank God the hunters in the camp next to ours were there to help hang it. It took us four hours from kill to camp…… As they say in the TEAMS,
I am always amazed by the advancement of technology and what can be done, so mentioning that fact; I am introducing a new mobile App from iHUNT by RUGER, that I have had the privilege to use and entertain myself (plus the crew at work) with the new App from iHUNT by RUGER. The App is free to load and some of the features are free.
Home Screen, easy to navigate through. Have fun!
The iHUNT by RUGER App is primarily a game call device that you can use with all IOS and Android mobile devices.
It has a number of other superb features such as Solunar Times for hunting, Weather, Compass, Ruger Handguns-Ruger Long Guns (Opens in your search engine), you can shop for Ruger products (Opens in your search engine) , Activity Log and a Place for User photos (Photos that are upload from all users).
iHUNT by RUGER Bluetooth speaker that gets an amazing 50 + yards and 110dB of power. The speaker automatically unlocks the App when you connect it to your phone.
As for Hunting Calls (they need to be purchased) the list is so long, it almost unbelievable.
Alright I will give you the list, not the full content of the calls within the within the call! Alligators-Crocs, Bears, Birds, Bobcats, Buffalo-Bison, Chickens, Chipmunks, Cows, Coyotes, Crows-Ravens, Deer, Donkeys, Ducks, Elk, Foxes, Geese, Goats, Hawks-Eagles, Jackal, Mice-Rats, Moose, Owls, Pheasants, Prairie Dogs, Quail, Rabbit-Hare, Raccoon, Sheep-Lambs, Snipe Birds, Squirrels, Turkeys, Wild Boar-Pigs, Wildebeest and Zebra. Quite the list to have! Not that we are going to use them all, but to know the sounds is amazing.
Just listen to the sampler sounds: Top =Gobble-TomMiddle =Crow DistressBottom =Fallow Buck
Touch the Hunting calls and it goes to this screen to choose.
Once you open the animal, bird, or other you get to the calls.
Besides being able to use iHUNT by RUGER in the field, it is astonishing learning tool this App can be for the hunter to learn and understand the sounds that game animals, birds, and non-mammals make. I would check with your State, Province or Country that you can use an electronic call for game you wish to pursue. Quick and easy to use, it can also be used by children to randomly go through the long list. Can you imagine sitting by a creek side with you daughter or son, even a grandchildren and have them tell you that is a Raccoon or the allusive Snipe making the noise you’re all are hearing.
Your pictures can be upload and you can see other’s pictures and who they are.
There are a number of options items that you can also purchase to your game calling experience even better.
Entertain the experience and download the iHUNT by RUGER App to your mobile device and gain proficiency in the art of calling in game or knowing the calls of the wild.
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