Oregon Unit 59 Sept 29-Oct 10: Raft or Pack in?

[Cervus]

I'm looking for some advice from folks who have hunted in OR unit 59 (Snake River). I put in for this tag planning to access and hunt it from the Snake River as a raft trip. Then my husband/raft guide wrecked his bike and broke his arm (thankfully he is okay otherwise, if seriously grumpy about missing early archery!) He's pretty sure that he'll be able to row by late September, but not sure about rowing through the "heavy" rapids (Wild Sheep and Granite) below Hell's Canyon Dam.

So now we are reconsidering our plans. Options are to: 1) Float and hunt from the raft, just skipping the first 2 big rapids by getting a jetboat shuttle to Three Creeks Rapids or something else lower down, 2) Put in at HC Dam and float the whole thing hoping his arm holds up, or 3) backpack ourselves in off the Rim (I think it is too late in the year to get lined up with a drop camp/ horse packing outfit?)

Do any of you have experience hunting this unit from the Snake River? Will we miss out on too much terrain if we start our float downstream of Wild Sheep and Granite? Alternatively, if we hunt from the rim, how far in will we have to pack ourselves and our gear to get away from other camps? From what I've gathered here and on other forums, access off the rim sounds  pretty crowded.

Thanks for any info you can send my way (here or via PM). As a WA huntress looking to bag my first buck, I am super excited about this hunt, and hoping it won't get derailed by a broken arm!

[jstone]

Sounds like a fun trip. Good luck. Tagging

[time2hunt]

Have hunted that unit many times from jet boat. My best advise is get into shape it steep rough country. Send me a PM


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[shallowforks]

inlaws were the outfitters from saddle creek to past PO saddle for 30 years. he says all the biggest deer are on the snake river side down in the rims. skyline ridge will have its fair share of hunters but not too many go very far down the canyon so if you go in off the top don't stay up there, drop off the edge.

[Cervus]

Thanks for the info all. Much appreciated. We've got a plan and some raft-accessible drainages selected to hike to and spike camp in. Among other things, my husband is more excited to pack a deer downhill to the river than back up to the Rim Hopefully I get an opportunity on a nice buck!

[BUTTER]

This should be fun. Please post how it turns out. I wilk be in there most of Sept.

[meatwhack]

Are you deer hunting or elk hunting.

[Timberdog]

Just got back from scouting trip in that unit. Sure makes you feel pretty small standing on top looking down in there. We are bringing stock in for the deer season. Found place to camp, but we are gonna have to drop off the top every day. Research on quality of bucks in this unit seems very limited. Any info on caliber of bucks being harvested would be appreciated.

[The scout]

Can’t help you to much with the info you are looking for. But I do a yearly steelhead trip with my uncle in his 29’ jetboat through that hole area and it is some beautiful country. One year we dropped off one of his buddies who had the tag and he ended up coming down a day late and we couldn’t get in contact with him. So he doesn’t do that anymore. Seem to see a lot more elk than deer. Good luck