Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: mjtbackcountry on August 08, 2009, 06:15:57 PM
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Anyone elk hunt around Seneca, Jon Day area? My uncle has been hunting there for years and has invited me down to hunt with him. He has taken a bull the past 11 years I beleive. He is also filiming his hunts and wants to get me on the dvd. Anyone ever hunted in the area? just wondering if it was worth it?
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Yeah my brother and I hunted the unit north of John Day a couple years ago. I like the country and we had a fun hunt but it was tough with us not really knowing the area that well. My brother almost had a chance at a nice bull the first morning but didn't get a clear shooting lane and waited too long to get into a better position for a shot before the bull was gone. I didn't see an elk until the third day, and then I ended up pushing the small herd to a guy on stand and he killed the small raghorn that was running with the herd.
Anyway there are elk all around John Day but I don't think in great numbers, although on private land it could be a different story. A big problem for us is that, like here, the archery hunters were in there before us, and they have a month-long season that starts in late August. There are also lots of roads and cattle all over the National Forest, which doesn't leave much feed for the elk.
I would jump at the chance to hunt with somebody that is familiar with the country and knows how to hunt it. That's even better if your uncle has been successful every year for 11 years! It sure is nice being able to kill any bull you without having to count points. We plan on going back and hunting in a few more years, the same area. It takes about 5 years to draw the unit we hunted.
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Ya I'm hunting Oregon again this year. Took a cow last year on day three. I am not much of a horn eater. I hunt bulls but take whatever presents an offer. We also hunted the north side of John Day, which i believe is the Desolation unit. We were in elk everyday.
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DUH!! :) I'll go in your place....... It sounds horrible.
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That is what I was thinking also ! I say not worth it at all , got Uncle's # ? Mike
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I used to live in John day and would tag along with my brother and dad on there hunts around Seneca. They used to camp in wymer meadow and spent a lot of time around Scotty creek. Some of the most memorable hunts I can remember. But that was 13 or so years ago.
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Hunted up there quite awhile ago can't remember how many years, hunted up around Wolf mountain (I think), took a spike that year (archery). Never did seem to find the time to go back. There used to be some nice Sage Goats around the are down lower.
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thanks for all the input
