Hey guys,
I'm looking into a Roosevelt elk hunt in Oregon this year and would love some input from those of you with experience hunting these beasts.
Since I'm new to this I'm going to up my odds by getting an either sex tag. Units 15, 20, 23, 25 and 28 are listed as the units for these either sex tags during the general archery season Aug 25 - Sept 23. The only summary reports I can find from 2017 are for controlled hunts, not general season but from these reports it looks like 20 (Siuslaw), 23 (Melrose) and 25 (Sixes) offer the best chances. Do any of you have recommendations for which of these units might prove best for a rookie?
I've never hunted Oregon before, and my understanding is that western OR is very thick vegetation so the tradbow is not at too much of a disadvantage compared to compounds. Thoughts?
Any additional pointers would be most appreciated.
Thanks guys, have a great weekend!
The units you mentioned are heavy to private land. Many of the timber companies require a limited entry permit that can cost a few hundred bucks.
Thanks @newhouse114. Much appreciated!
There's lots of huntable land in Siuslaw Nat'l Forest. My first bow hunt ever, I was in my mid 30s, was a bit North of there in Starker forest product land NorthWest of Corvallis (at that time a free permit from their offices in Philomath and helpful hints from timber cruiser notes about locations of elk damage to timber). Through blind luck and a lot of hiking I came across a group of 5 cow elk in a little hollow. Wow! With ferns up to the elks' shoulders and beginner's skills, no shot opportunity. Got me hooked on bowhunting--or just walking through the woods with a longbow--but I moved the next Spring and just recently returned.
As you guessed, the cover in the Coast range is typically thick. If it isn't private land, it's probably steep, too. There are some meadows, so spend lots of virtual scouting time on Google Earth to look for those small pockets where elk will bed.
Good luck!
Dave
Thanks Dave!