Oregon Expectations

[BlacktailTracker]

What is the status of oregon mule deer? I've been mostly hunting the westside because all I read is oregon mule deer hunting sucks. Anybody shot any nice bucks out of oregon?

 

[kota]

What is a nice buck to you?

In terms of status of Oregon mule deer…you know that feeling when you get hit in the nuts and your stomach hurts so bad you are about to puke…it’s kinda like that.

The previous unit I hunted had counts of 4-600 deer on the ODFW flights up until about 10 years ago, and they stopped flying it now because the counts were so low it wasn’t worth the cost. The last time I checked it they saw 53 while flying the exact same area for sheep. Tag cuts have not helped.

5 years ago switched to a new unit and things are trending the same way. Have seen notable population decreases in that time, and notable increases in elk populations. 20% tag cuts due to a myriad of reasons, and still saw few deer and lots of hunters. Talked to guys tickled pink to have multi day pack outs on 110 inch bucks that were taken with long range rifles.

Are there deer? Yes, but it is a shadow of what it was even 10-15 years ago. Expect lots of competition, and to work really hard for marginal levels of success.

 

[BlacktailTracker]

What is a nice buck to you?

In terms of status of Oregon mule deer…you know that feeling when you get hit in the nuts and your stomach hurts so bad you are about to puke…it’s kinda like that.

The previous unit I hunted had counts of 4-600 deer on the ODFW flights up until about 10 years ago, and they stopped flying it now because the counts were so low it wasn’t worth the cost. The last time I checked it they saw 53 while flying the exact same area for sheep. Tag cuts have not helped.

5 years ago switched to a new unit and things are trending the same way. Have seen notable population decreases in that time, and notable increases in elk populations. 20% tag cuts due to a myriad of reasons, and still saw few deer and lots of hunters. Talked to guys tickled pink to have multi day pack outs on 110 inch bucks that were taken with long range rifles.

Are there deer? Yes, but it is a shadow of what it was even 10-15 years ago. Expect lots of competition, and to work really hard for marginal levels of success.

I consider a good buck 160". I'm trying to decide if I should just stick to blacktail hunting.

 

[DRP]

There are plenty of 160” bucks in Oregon left on private property, still “some” on public if you look hard enough. Have to be willing to pass up the small ones and go home empty handed. I agree our mule deer numbers are a shadow of what they used to be but there is still some decent bucks to be found if you work hard enough.
Not a 160” bucks but still a decent buck I killed two years ago in a 1pt unit

 

[BlacktailTracker]

There are plenty of 160” bucks in Oregon left on private property, still “some” on public if you look hard enough. Have to be willing to pass up the small ones and go home empty handed. I agree our mule deer numbers are a shadow of what they used to be but there is still some decent bucks to be found if you work hard enough.
Not a 160” bucks but still a decent buck I killed two years ago in a 1pt unit
View attachment 1013941View attachment 1013942View attachment 1013943
View attachment 1013944

That's a really nice deer. I'm happy with any fully developed 4x4 muley. Oregon really does feel doom and gloom when it comes to Muleys.

 

[Oregon]

Oregon Mulies. I’ve seen plenty of nice bucks killed in last 15 years. My camp is awesome. We see 3-4 dandies a year. Kill one maybe. I get pictures from buddies that hunt marginal units and they kill 160-175” deer. 2 years ago I saw 46 bucks in the 12 days. A few were probably same bucks. It is definitely a location location location thing.
I hunted Wyoming a few years ago. 6 point unit. I’d say it was equivalent to my Oregon unit. Hunted Colorado 2 years ago. It was much better than my Oregon unit. Overall deer seen.
I’m of the opinion most people that think Oregon mule deer is poor are the same people that go to the same spot they’ve been going to for 30 years
I have to edit this: Oregon mule deer is poor compared to late 80’s 90’s. My Oregon unit in 1991 was every bit as comparable to any Colorado unit. Deer everywhere. Literally, everywhere. I have a VHS tape just driving around and it has 10 different 150plus deer on it. From the truck after I had tagged out.
Our demise was the 92-93 winter. Killed 70% of deer, then same year they passed the no dogs/bait for cougar/bear. Steady decline since.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I have to edit this: Oregon mule deer is poor compared to late 80’s 90’s. My Oregon unit in 1991 was every bit as comparable to any Colorado unit. Deer everywhere. Literally, everywhere. I have a VHS tape just driving around and it has 10 different 150plus deer on it. From the truck after I had tagged out.
Our demise was the 92-93 winter. Killed 70% of deer, then same year they passed the no dogs/bait for cougar/bear. Steady decline since.

I was gonna say. The stories from the old timers of the 70s and 80s

It’s trash now. Even up to the 90s they had legitimate opportunity at 190 bucks on even mid tier units.

Now the top end is 175 and you have to be a highly motivated hunter 2 find one.

My dad smoked 2 packs a day and couldn’t walk a mile and killed several big bucks.

 

[WRO]

If you’re idea of deer hunting is drinking beer and staying in your truck for the weekend then Oregon sucks, if you’re willing to grind and put in a week, most units can produce decent bucks. The dates suck which means if you don’t get lucky weather it’s going to be challenging.

 

[BRTreedogs]

If you’re idea of deer hunting is drinking beer and staying in your truck for the weekend then Oregon sucks, if you’re willing to grind and put in a week, most units can produce decent bucks. The dates suck which means if you don’t get lucky weather it’s going to be challenging.

What is decent tho?

 

[BlacktailTracker]

What is decent tho?

I would consider 160 good.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I would consider 160 good.

How many do you want to see in a 9 day hunt to call it a good hunt vs a man geez that was rough hunt?

 

[WRO]

What is decent tho?

A 4.5 or older deer..


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[BlacktailTracker]

A 4.5 or older deer..


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Agreed.

 

[DRP]

If I see one mature 4pt on public land during a 7 day hunt in Eastern Oregon I consider myself lucky. I take hunting very seriously and hunt hard. I’ve also had the privilege to hunt private property a few times in Oregon and could see a dozen or more mature bucks in a day.

 

[Oregon]

So. Last year. We were extremely happy with these 22” bucks. In Oregon. This is our happy spot anymore.

 

[BlacktailTracker]

If I see one mature 4pt on public land during a 7 day hunt in Eastern Oregon I consider myself lucky. I take hunting very seriously and hunt hard. I’ve also had the privilege to hunt private property a few times in Oregon and could see a dozen or more mature bucks in a day.

That's kinda tough. I want to see a buck almost every day.

 

[BlacktailTracker]

So. Last year. We were extremely happy with these 22” bucks. In Oregon. This is our happy spot anymore.
View attachment 1014270

I'd be happy with those buck! Nice job.
They are probably around 130's.
Do you have picture of the mount?

 

[Oregon]

I'd be happy with those buck! Nice job.
They are probably around 130's.
Do you have picture of the mount?

No mounts. If you’d been around in the 90’s you’d understand why those are lopped of and in the shed.

 

[betelgeuse]

 

[betelgeuse]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself