NE Oregon Snow

[vandeman17]

We are considering going back into the Eagle Caps this fall after striking out in Wyoming. As of now, thinking of going in around August 29th and heading out September 7th or 8th. Any thoughts on this given the snow fall the past 4-6 weeks?

[Matth]

You should be fine. I have been in there 4 times within a couple weeks of those dates, and never had any snow issues. The elk like to bed on the glaciers that time of the year.

[vandeman17]

You should be fine. I have been in there 4 times within a couple weeks of those dates, and never had any snow issues. The elk like to bed on the glaciers that time of the year.

Have you found there is much rut activity?

[Doublelunger]

Snow wont be an issue. you'll still be a little early for good rut activity.

[vandeman17]

Snow wont be an issue. you'll still be a little early for good rut activity.

That is what I was thinking too but given the timing of the full moon and how work schedules are lining out, it looks like the best time for us to go in. Not exactly sure what strategy I would use for a hunt at that time as I have never been in the woods hunting that early

[theleo]

You might see some but I can't ever remember seeing any that early that stuck around for more than a day or two at the higher elevations.

[Doublelunger]

Snow wont be an issue. you'll still be a little early for good rut activity.

That is what I was thinking too but given the timing of the full moon and how work schedules are lining out, it looks like the best time for us to go in. Not exactly sure what strategy I would use for a hunt at that time as I have never been in the woods hunting that early

Well I'm a pretty crummy elk hunter but..... I think the best thing to do that time of year is hang around water. Which is pretty much everywhere in the Eagle Caps, but if you can find some wallows I would sit on those as much as I could stand it. Then the other thing would be to get up on those shady, timbered benches in the middle of the day when they're bedded down and lure them in with some easy cow calling and fully expect them to come in quiet.

[vandeman17]

Snow wont be an issue. you'll still be a little early for good rut activity.

That is what I was thinking too but given the timing of the full moon and how work schedules are lining out, it looks like the best time for us to go in. Not exactly sure what strategy I would use for a hunt at that time as I have never been in the woods hunting that early

Well I'm a pretty crummy elk hunter but..... I think the best thing to do that time of year is hang around water. Which is pretty much everywhere in the Eagle Caps, but if you can find some wallows I would sit on those as much as I could stand it. Then the other thing would be to get up on those shady, timbered benches in the middle of the day when they're bedded down and lure them in with some easy cow calling and fully expect them to come in quiet.

I agree that there is water everywhere in there. The other time we were in there like 5 years ago, I believe is was mid september and they were going hot and heavy. Wouldn't really come into calls but were at least bugling a lot so we could locate. My hope would be that the bulls would just be starting to want to round up cows so majority of calling would be some cow/calf chatter

[Karl Blanchard]

There will be cows cycling at any time between the last week of August all the way till mid October.   Don't over think it, just hunt.  They are there and there is rut activity taking place 

[vandeman17]

There will be cows cycling at any time between the last week of August all the way till mid October.   Don't over think it, just hunt.  They are there and there is rut activity taking place 

That is the hardest part for me. I try to go in with a strategy given time of year, location etc but always end up with the "everyone has a plan until you get punched in the mouth" outcome. 

[elkchaser54]

I had friends that went on those dates last year and they said bugling wasn't really sounding off yet. They recommended going back a week or two later .

[GBoyd]

I've been hunting the Eagle Cap the last few Septembers and I'd agree with the consensus that the bugling isn't really at full force at those dates. I'd go anyway though if it fits your schedule. You should do well without having to rely on calling. There's enough open country to spot and stalk.

I really love that hunt BTW. It's the most fun I have all year.

[Mr Mykiss]

My plan would be to get “punched in the mouth” two or three times daily and call it a good hunt...actually I have that plan this year, different state

[vandeman17]

My plan would be to get “punched in the mouth” two or three times daily and call it a good hunt...actually I have that plan this year, different state

seems to be a recurring theme for us   

[Matth]

There will be cows cycling at any time between the last week of August all the way till mid October.   Don't over think it, just hunt.  They are there and there is rut activity taking place 

couldn't have said it better, strategy has been the killer of many a good hunt.

[theleo]

The availability of water depends on the drainage. I'd stack things in my favor and avoid the ones with tons of sources and focus on wallows. Sit active wallows in the evenings and do spot and stalk in the mornings trying avoid bulls that are likely hitting your wallows in the evenings. That early I'd just consider myself lucky if I found a bull willing to to talk very much, and considering you're on foot I can't really recommend running ridges in there trying to locate one that will. 

[Matth]

The availability of water depends on the drainage. I'd stack things in my favor and avoid the ones with tons of sources and focus on wallows. Sit active wallows in the evenings and do spot and stalk in the mornings trying avoid bulls that are likely hitting your wallows in the evenings. That early I'd just consider myself lucky if I found a bull willing to to talk very much, and considering you're on foot I can't really recommend running ridges in there trying to locate one that will.

This hasn't been my experience in the caps. I would say if you are physically capable of running ridge tops looking for one of the few bulls that are going to play ball that early, then that is what you should do. not everyone agrees with or even likes this style of hunting, but i choose to put myself in front of more bulls, by hopping from drainage to drainage looking for an early one, instead of waiting for the bulls to heat up in the drainage that camped in. Just my  but it is not easy country to run ridges in.

[theleo]

The availability of water depends on the drainage. I'd stack things in my favor and avoid the ones with tons of sources and focus on wallows. Sit active wallows in the evenings and do spot and stalk in the mornings trying avoid bulls that are likely hitting your wallows in the evenings. That early I'd just consider myself lucky if I found a bull willing to to talk very much, and considering you're on foot I can't really recommend running ridges in there trying to locate one that will.

This hasn't been my experience in the caps. I would say if you are physically capable of running ridge tops looking for one of the few bulls that are going to play ball that early, then that is what you should do. not everyone agrees with or even likes this style of hunting, but i choose to put myself in front of more bulls, by hopping from drainage to drainage looking for an early one, instead of waiting for the bulls to heat up in the drainage that camped in. Just my  but it is not easy country to run ridges in.

Do as you like, you probably know that country better than I do.

[Matth]

The availability of water depends on the drainage. I'd stack things in my favor and avoid the ones with tons of sources and focus on wallows. Sit active wallows in the evenings and do spot and stalk in the mornings trying avoid bulls that are likely hitting your wallows in the evenings. That early I'd just consider myself lucky if I found a bull willing to to talk very much, and considering you're on foot I can't really recommend running ridges in there trying to locate one that will.

This hasn't been my experience in the caps. I would say if you are physically capable of running ridge tops looking for one of the few bulls that are going to play ball that early, then that is what you should do. not everyone agrees with or even likes this style of hunting, but i choose to put myself in front of more bulls, by hopping from drainage to drainage looking for an early one, instead of waiting for the bulls to heat up in the drainage that camped in. Just my  but it is not easy country to run ridges in.

Do as you like, you probably know that country better than I do.

All good man.

[idaho guy]

We used to call in more big bulls early when Idaho opened on Labor Day weekend. Most hunters hated it because it was too hot or the rut wasn’t going yet etc etc. I think it’s because the big bulls hadn’t gathered their harems yet. When it’s Really going off bugle wise those herd bulls already have their cows and most of the time when we think they’re answering us their telling their cows to get over the next ridge over I have not hunted there but my experience is that’s a good time to be in the elk woods but you won’t Hear much bugling

[Matth]

We used to call in more big bulls early when Idaho opened on Labor Day weekend. Most hunters hated it because it was too hot or the rut wasn’t going yet etc etc. I think it’s because the big bulls hadn’t gathered their harems yet. When it’s Really going off bugle wise those herd bulls already have their cows and most of the time when we think they’re answering us their telling their cows to get over the next ridge over I have not hunted there but my experience is that’s a good time to be in the elk woods but you won’t Hear much bugling

bingo!!!!

[vandeman17]

Thanks for all the responses. We finalized our plans and will be heading in August 30th and coming out around the 9th. Should be pretty fun and a good challenge. Hoping for mild weather and a memorable adventure

[Machias]

Good luck!!  Take lots of photos, we all love good stories and lots of photos! 

[vandeman17]

Good luck!!  Take lots of photos, we all love good stories and lots of photos! 

We will for sure. Now the training begins