Thinking about hunting Oregon for big game. Advice??

[hoytxl2009]

Just send it bud is my best advice i got. Tons of opportunities in Oregon in all avenues of hunting, for elk relatively cheap for a NR. A lot of units you can draw with zero to 1 point in First choice. As many I've hunted Oregon my hole life (resident for 25 years) and I go back OTC to start off my archery season every year before I travel to another state.

[trophyhunt]

I applied for oregon spring bear this year, first time buying an oregon license, is it cheap to apply for a special elk or deer tag?  I'd love to start a hunting tradition with my son in law, and we both didn't draw for bear, he's really interested into hunting elk.  I'm gonna try to steer him towards archery, was thinking the east side but the last thing I want is a unit that takes 20+ years to draw, I get that already here in Wa.

[boneaddict]

I think its mandatory to have a trailer with at least one wheeler on it.   

[Ricochet]

Both coastal seasons, (except for certain units) are OTC as is the West Cascades. You have to choose one.

[Farmer72]

I applied for oregon spring bear this year, first time buying an oregon license, is it cheap to apply for a special elk or deer tag?  I'd love to start a hunting tradition with my son in law, and we both didn't draw for bear, he's really interested into hunting elk.  I'm gonna try to steer him towards archery, was thinking the east side but the last thing I want is a unit that takes 20+ years to draw, I get that already here in Wa.

To apply for elk you have to buy a NonRes hunting license ($172) plus a $8 app fee. If you are drawn you then would pay the $588 for the elk tag. Archery areas that have been draw only for years are going need a lot of points to draw usually. Ones that just switched to draw last year however will be an easier draw with little to no points. There are some archery areas on the east side that are OTC but don't know anything about them. I could find out some info from my buddy or my wife's uncle that have been down there for years. I am putting in to archery hunt with my buddy this year and since I have to buy the license if I don't get drawn I am going down there anyway and paying the $16.50 for the bear tag and hunting bear while helping him with elk.

[trophyhunt]

I applied for oregon spring bear this year, first time buying an oregon license, is it cheap to apply for a special elk or deer tag?  I'd love to start a hunting tradition with my son in law, and we both didn't draw for bear, he's really interested into hunting elk.  I'm gonna try to steer him towards archery, was thinking the east side but the last thing I want is a unit that takes 20+ years to draw, I get that already here in Wa.

To apply for elk you have to buy a NonRes hunting license ($172) plus a $8 app fee. If you are drawn you then would pay the $588 for the elk tag. Archery areas that have been draw only for years are going need a lot of points to draw usually. Ones that just switched to draw last year however will be an easier draw with little to no points. There are some archery areas on the east side that are OTC but don't know anything about them. I could find out some info from my buddy or my wife's uncle that have been down there for years. I am putting in to archery hunt with my buddy this year and since I have to buy the license if I don't get drawn I am going down there anyway and paying the $16.50 for the bear tag and hunting bear while helping him with elk.

Ok, that's not too bad since we already have the license.  appreciate the info!  Good idea to just go bear hunt and get to know the unit you'll be hunting eventually for elk.

[kodiak06]

Are the coast tags the otc tags?  And do you specify season or can you do both?  Sorry for so many questions I just want to have a understanding of what I can and can’t do

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Coast tags for archery are over the counter, guns a draw. If ya want to hunt archery, plan on crowded gates. Now that Eastern Or is a draw, everyone that doesn't draw there heads this way it seems. The gates are crowded and the crack heads like to break windows and steal chit when everyone's in the woods... Now that the coast invites the homeless in, it's getting worse monthly.

[kodiak06]

Lots of recommendations on buying points, to get a great unit tag in Oregon will take you 15-22yrs unless you get lucky in the 25% pool due to points creep from the older hunters.

[webbspinner]

Thanks for the info.   Was hoping to put a hunt together.  Will have to see how that works out I suppose


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[kselkhunter]

Thanks for the info.   Was hoping to put a hunt together.  Will have to see how that works out I suppose


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Did your brother draw the eastern tag, or are you doing western rifle elk OTC tags?

[webbspinner]

Was hoping for western otc


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[kselkhunter]

Was hoping for western otc


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That is a general season over the counter rifle elk tag that you can just buy in the app when you are ready to.   Your options to choose which OTC tag to buy are: first coast season (Nov 18-21) or second coast season (Nov 25 to Dec 1), or the cascades season (Nov 11-17).  Just check the regs for which units are open which season.

https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/hunting/elk-seasons

[webbspinner]

Awesome    I will look into each one. Any thoughts on a good season?


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[kselkhunter]

ODFW moved all big game seasons out a week this year.  Which doesn't sound like a big deal, but in some areas will add more snow and make getting out with any kind of towed vehicle a bit more challenging.  So keep that in mind. 

The Cascades are not what they used to be in terms of elk numbers and the fires a few years back didn't help matters, which is a shame as my family spent decades hunting elk in the Oregon cascades.   The coast is still decent as the wolves haven't made it that far yet.  More challenging in rifle season than archery.   And it's the bigger roosevelt elk. 

I'd suggest the first coast season if your schedule allows for it.  It's a short season, and you'll have plenty of company in the woods.   But the elk are in there.   And more units are open in first season vs. second season (and second season has more limits on antler requirements in some of the more popular units).  2nd coast season has the advantage of fewer hunters, but those elk get heavily pressured in 1st season and are still extra aware during that second season.

[webbspinner]

Makes sense. I will see how I can line up my schedule and his so we can get a plan together.  Will be towing my trailer so access to a spot to set up camp will require a trip or two to get the lay of the land

Thanks for the help. Really trying to make this happen this year.


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