Adapting

[Swede]

This summer I plan to scout out an area I have not bow hunted in the past. The area is close to some well used Forest Service campgrounds, a major trail and has a lot of water scattered all around. It should be a good challenge. There are often some elk in the area, so this should be interesting.
I have long known that one size does not fit all when it comes to elk hunting. Even though we may use the same equipment from area to area, different places require different tactics or the way we approach things. In this new area I plan to focus on bedding grounds, travel ways, heavily used saddles and pinch point where elk need to pass through. To encourage elk to come my way I will do a location call before I climb into my stand. In essence I am using my same old tools and tactics, but in a different way.
I am hopeful but have no assurance how things will work out. Will I get an elk? No one knows for sure, but I should learn something. Never say you can't teach an old dog.

[>>>---WW---->]

Didn't you try a new area a couple of years ago and came home empty handed? Nuff said!

[Tigger]

Better ditch the tree stand and start running and gunning while bugling in monster bulls!

[Swede]

WW, I sure did go home empty-handed last season. Two season back I did well by getting a nice 5X5. For sure everything I try does not work out. I am an eternal optimist and I expect to get a bull this year. But like most public land otc elk hunters, I have no guarantee. I will apply what I know and believe and hunt like my winter meat supply depends on the results I achieve. I do not control the elk. I try to figure out what will give me the best results and go from there. I have hunted a heavily used recreation area for several years with considerable success.

[>>>---WW---->]

Just messing with you Swede. LOL! But really, I was thinking about the two NF campgrounds I used to manage. They were both way overloaded with hunters especially during all three rifle seasons. It was a real fiasco. Just something you may want to consider.

[2MANY]

Leaving elk to find elk can have a steep learning curve.
Get in shape.

[Swede]

I agree with you guys. I did not get an elk last year and I am sure it had a lot to do with my unfamiliarity with the area.
Oregon changed bow hunting the whole NE part of the state where there is extensive elk hunting land to a draw only situation. Now we are playing draw odds as much as anything. They also changed what elk a hunter can shoot in many areas. It seems like the game commission wants to micromanage far too much. I have written and called ODF&W, my state rep. and state senator. Quite frankly I would have enjoyed talking and writing to Saddlesore's mule more than these characters because I think his mule is smarter. At least I would not get stupid replies on why I have to forfeit all 15 of my preference points to go on a hunt that was otc just a couple of years ago. If I wanted to continue putting in for a premium unit for the next 5 or 6 years, I might have a 1 in 1,000 chance of drawing. If I did not draw the premium unit, I would only be eligible for a leftover tag where I have hunted in the past. The geniuses we send to Salem just can't understand why I am not pleased. They tell me that I will get a onetime senior citizen point to start off with when I start over applying for elk hunts in the future. Yea!

[Lefty]

I agree with you guys. I did not get an elk last year and I am sure it had a lot to do with my unfamiliarity with the area.
Oregon changed bow hunting the whole NE part of the state where there is extensive elk hunting land to a draw only situation. Now we are playing draw odds as much as anything. They also changed what elk a hunter can shoot in many areas. It seems like the game commission wants to micromanage far too much. I have written and called ODF&W, my state rep. and state senator. Quite frankly I would have enjoyed talking and writing to Saddlesore's mule more than these characters because I think his mule is smarter. At least I would not get stupid replies on why I have to forfeit all 15 of my preference points to go on a hunt that was otc just a couple of years ago. If I wanted to continue putting in for a premium unit for the next 5 or 6 years, I might have a 1 in 1,000 chance of drawing. If I did not draw the premium unit, I would only be eligible for a leftover tag where I have hunted in the past. The geniuses we send to Salem just can't understand why I am not pleased. They tell me that I will get a onetime senior citizen point to start off with when I start over applying for elk hunts in the future. Yea!

Swede I think we could all complain about management not working for us. Sometimes it is poor biology.
But more than anything many states too many hunters, and not enough game



I never saw a bull during LST this year in Montana, My first years hunting Montana I saw more than one legal bull per day

I used to purchase over OTC antelope tags in Wyoming,,, but those days are long gone

Guess what guy,, this isn't a prediction,, its happening.. No more OTC Idaho resident tags
And a draw may be required for bear too.


Spend a Sunday in elk camp with a fellow. His 50 th consecutive year hunting/camped in the same place in Montana. ( Swede he was Navy) 48 consecutive bulls with a bow. 2023 he killed his bull with a rifle. This year November 12 he still hadn't shot his bull.

Good wildlife management isn't driven by hunter desires and politics; good management is micro-managed.

[Swede]

My point was not mainly to complain, but to explain why I need to move. Getting an OTC tag in a reasonable elk area in northeastern Oregon is a thing of the past.
A lot of hunting tags are distributed to maximize the hunter opportunity for all hunters. I can accept the idea that bow hunters no longer can shoot a cow and additional cow tags can now go to the rifle hunters. The game commission sells all of its allotted bow tags and they can sell more to the rifle hunters. That allows more opportunity for elk hunters. I am ok with that. I just do not think it is right to change the rules on a hunter who has put in for a quality hunt unit for15 years, so now he/she has to either forfeit all the points he/she has purchased or hope for a left-over tag.
It seems to me that you, the state reps. and maybe Saddlsore's mule all have something in common. You can't understand why many hunters are unhappy after a bait and switch change came after waiting in line for up to 20 years for a quality hunt tag. My apology to Saddlesore's mule if he or she understands the issue here feels offended. It was very nice of the ODF&W rep. to remind me that I get an additional point when I start over applying for elk hunts as they pocket the money, I spend on every point I had.

[saddlesore]

With about any Game & Fish department in any state, it just like this forum, let politics enter the game and all goes to hell in a hand baskets.

Swede,my mule does not get offended by any of this. He is quite happy to have fresh green pasture to eat, lay in the sun and let me worry about it. Although I am indeed more critical than most, it is just like our federal government today, I can't do anything about it .

Too many hunters,yea, but G&F departments like to sell every tag that can. More cash to them and more cash from P&R funds.

Sooner or later those who have earned a large number of points are going to be very unhappy. It is like a Ponzi scheme and is about to come crashing down.

[saddlesore]

Double post deleted

[Swede]

I am pleased that Saddlesore's mule is not easily offended. I think I like that animal, but it still chaps my khakis that he/she, or anyone else with no points can draw a first choice northeast Oregon elk bow tag before anyone holding their multiple points. This is true even if we just apply for an additional "point saver" which is what a lot of hunters getting close to retirement do.

[saddlesore]

I am pleased that Saddlesore's mule is not easily offended. I think I like that animal, but it still chaps my khakis that he/she, or anyone else with no points can draw a first choice northeast Oregon elk bow tag before anyone holding their multiple points. This is true even if we just apply for an additional "point saver" which is what a lot of hunters getting close to retirement do.

Colorado started with what they call a hybrid draw a few years ago. Does the same thing

[Swede]

I think Oregon copies Colorado. You guys ae setting a bad example.

[Lefty]

I like the point system,,,even though the draw system seems to work well for my family,, drew 3 Once in a lifetime hunts

Last year we drew in a 3% draw area when the adjoining unit were shut down. With less and less game,, And hunters with technology game needs to be micromanaged IE per Unit instead of general tags

Idaho is continuing to lean and likely implement per unit draws on all big game.

[Lefty]

Getting an OTC tag in a reasonable elk area in northeastern Oregon is a thing of the past. .

Big game hunters need to be managed. My wife use to hunt a 45-60 day two mule deer buck hunts, Now one buk 14 days, The world is changing,, wildlife habitat is dwindling

A freeway runs over the wetland where I caught my first mink and muskrat, first coyote and bobcat is an open pit coal mine
Where I hunted in Perry Utah for pheasant and ducks is a Walmart

And my first duckhunt was Mud lake corn and cow pasture, looks like this

mystic lake.jpg (20.86 KiB) Viewed 1281 times

[saddlesore]

I think Oregon copies Colorado. You guys ae setting a bad example.

Yep, I am ashamed to admit it.

BTW. Thank your game department for sending us wolves that were known livestock predators. Wes sure appreciate it.

[2MANY]

""Guess what guy,, this isn't a prediction,, its happening.. No more OTC Idaho resident tags""

Resident???

[Lefty]

""Guess what guy,, this isn't a prediction,, its happening.. No more OTC Idaho resident tags""

Resident???

Resident??? It may be a few years but it is headed that way. My wife was part of a survey (Lifetime license holder.) I contacted the biologist,, the original plan was to implement what took place for nonresidents, Non Resident was such a cluster if may be put off for a few more years

I got a survey on Blackbears,, Idaho has a two tag area where the will be a draw and unit selected. Spoke to the biologist and in reality it is the way Idaho has to go for non-residents and resident hunters on all being game ( except lions and wolves)
Right now in Idaho we need to draw for some spring bear,

Idaho Antelope whitetail hunts (moose goats sheep too) just toss your name in the hat with unit and get the hunt,,,however, your aren't in any other hunts. I dont like it but thats the next step

Sadly that is the way it will need to be. When I was a SD resident I could get OTC antelope and deer tags, Now the whole state is restricted to a draw even for some residents hunt.
Part of many states the problem is habitat is getting small,, the Animal rights groups have nearly given up on wolves to stop hunting, and grizzlies my not be far behind,, so now its about wolverine and lynx cats to stop hunting.


Fish and game departments are being infiltrated by protectionist that know nothing about management and wont use hunters to manage

Hunters need to represent and manage hunting,,, not farmers and ranchers landowners and bambi big cartoon eye freaks

I can hunt fish , trap in Idaho cheaper than a tank of fuel

I have some solutions, but some people dont like the ideas.
I say 5% of all tags go up for auction,,, yep rich guys game,, but too many big game tags are too cheap, Lets purchase OTC tags a year before the only practical way will be to select a unit( micro manage) ,,, and the remainder can be a draw,, Like Wyoming. , I think its disgusting the line at Walmart the night before

Resident Tags
Bighorn Sheep
$199.75
Details
Bighorn Sheep
$166.75
Details
Black Bear - Adult
$13.75
Black Bear - Adult
$11.50
Black Bear - Adult Second
$13.75
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Black Bear - Adult Second
$11.50
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Black Bear - Jr/Sr/DAV
$7.75
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Black Bear - Jr/Sr/DAV
$6.75
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Black Bear - Jr/Sr/DAV - Second
$7.75
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Black Bear - Jr/Sr/DAV - Second
$6.75
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Deer - Adult
$24.75
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Deer - Adult
$19.75
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Deer - Jr/Sr/DAV
$12.50
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Deer - Jr/Sr/DAV
$10.75
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Elk - Adult
$36.75
Elk - Adult
$30.75
Elk - Jr/Sr/DAV
$18.75
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Elk - Jr/Sr/DAV
$16.50
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Moose
$199.75
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Moose
$166.75
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Mountain Goat
$199.75
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Mountain Goat
$166.75
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Mountain Lion - Adult
$13.75
Mountain Lion - Adult
$11.50
Mountain Lion - Adult (Second)
$13.75
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Mountain Lion - Adult (Second)
$11.50
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Pronghorn Antelope
$36.50
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Pronghorn Antelope
$31.25
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Sage-Grouse Tag
$22.75
Sandhill Crane
$22.75
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Sandhill Crane
$18.00
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Swan
$22.75
Turkey - Adult Extra
$12.25
Turkey - General
$22.75
Turkey - General
$19.75
Turkey - Jr./Sr./DAV
$12.50
Turkey - Jr./Sr./DAV
$10.75
Turkey - Jr./Sr./DAV Extra
$12.50
Turkey - Jr./Sr./DAV Extra
$10.75
Turkey - Special Unit
$5.00
Details
Wolf
$13.50