NE Oregon Snow

[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