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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Hunter Dug on September 21, 2017, 10:25:29 AM


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Title: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: Hunter Dug on September 21, 2017, 10:25:29 AM
The hunt started approximately 9 years ago when I started applying for preference points in Oregon.  This year I finally had enough points to apply for a Eastern Oregon Blue Mountain Archery Bull tag, and was fortunate enough to draw one of 10 nonresident tags.  My hunting partner and I scouted the unit several times in July and set out trail cameras on several water holes due to the extreme heat we were having in attempts to see a general idea of what caliber and quantity of elk were in the area we had selected to hunt.  Unfortunately due to the fire danger closures we were unable to check these cameras until the season had started.  I planned a trip up to check cameras and do a two days of hunting on my way through the area for work.  Little did I know it would turn into total madness.  I arrived at the hunting area on the 29th of August in the morning hours and elected to wait and hit the woods in the early afternoon hours.  Due to there being no motorized access to the area where my first camera was located I elected to hunt a large patch of timber for the three miles to the camera location.  Along my path to the first camera I could see that there were lots of elk in the area with lots of sign of raking, and tracks.  I continues on till I was about a 1/4 mile from the camera and noticed the area was currently being logged where my camera was located.  I reached the camera which fortunately was still there.  Little did I know what I was about to observed when I popped the card into the my portable camera.  After looking though about 3000 pictures I got to the 26th 27th and 28th of August and seen 5 different bulls visiting the water hole that where in the 300 to 320 inch range all between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.  I immediately looked at my watch.  4:08 p.m.  I tested the wind found a location where the wind was blowing my hair back and pulled out my ultralight chair I carry everywhere and began the sit.  After about an hour for no reason I look behind me and see a cougar walking up a trail leading to the water hole.  Well I failed to buy the 15$ tag for nonresidents and had to watch this cat at 40 yards for nearly 3 minutes taunt me and eventually it moved off.  I remained till after dark and only a small mule deer came into the water hole.  Keep in mind there is logging equipment located about a 100 yards from where I'm sitting so I start to have some doughts about the set up. Well I show up the next morning and am greeted by some loggers that inform me that I cant ride up the road to my set up until they finish for the day so I bounce to town and kill off most of the day.  I get back to the area around 4 and head in on my mountain bike to the waterhole.  I walk in the last 1/4 mile and get set up at around 5, the wind is perfect and the waterhole is at 40 yards.  I let out a locate bugle, and do a little cow talk and settle in.  About 30 minutes later I here this growling/grunting sound and look to my 8 and see elk legs walking my way, then antlers, I say to my self oh big antlers.  The bull was coming in on the same trail the cougar had been on the night before. I had ranged ever possible location and animal could enter and new the bull was going to walk in to my shooting lane at 30 yards.  The bulls tongue was hanging our and slobber was pouring out of his mouth as he grunted with every step like he was saying damn I just want a drink of water.  It was 90 plus out so I could understand.  He walked behind a tree at 40 yards at which time I drew my bow, placed my pin in the shooting lane, the bull walked through the opening and I made a really soft cow sound at which time he stopped perfect broadside.  I released and the bull crashed out of view.  He ended up being my biggest bull to date at just over the 300" mark.   
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: vandeman17 on September 21, 2017, 10:32:10 AM
great bull and story. NE Oregon sure is a fun place to hunt. Hoping to go back myself next season if I can make it work.
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: JLS on September 21, 2017, 10:56:28 AM
Great bull!


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Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: full choke on September 21, 2017, 12:06:38 PM
Great bull! :tup:
Thanks for sharing the hunt.
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 21, 2017, 12:52:07 PM
Congrats man nice bull :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: ryanj on September 21, 2017, 12:54:31 PM
nice!    :tup:
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: elkrack on September 21, 2017, 01:01:51 PM
Awesome congrats 👍🏻
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: Stein on September 21, 2017, 01:03:21 PM
Great looking bull.
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 21, 2017, 05:18:32 PM
Nice bull :tup: Congrats
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: Elkfever on September 21, 2017, 10:41:20 PM
Way to get it done Scott!
Title: Re: Eastern Oregon Success 2017
Post by: redi on September 21, 2017, 11:38:10 PM
Nice Bull. Congrats
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