Oregon OTC Archery Elk Hunt Need A Pointer

[bguitierez]

Don't worry fellas, not asking about what unit, terrain, broad heads, etc. for my upcoming hunt this September. I am curious (to anyone familiar with the state's elk herds) about rutting periods. Does anyone have experience with bulls in Oregon during the general archery season. Would love to hear your pointers, stories, etc.

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[EsteemGrinders]

Coastal or Eastside?

 

[bguitierez]

Coastal or Eastside?

Gonna be the eastside

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[EsteemGrinders]

Gonna be the eastside

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To be honest the is no real answer on the Eastside. 2 years ago it was on the first week of the season. Last year I saw or heard almost no rutting tell the last few days of the season. If I was coming from Cali I would plan to be there the last full week of the season myself or the last two if you have more time. So in short generally speaking it is the second half of the season when things pick up on the eastside. FYI Keep in mind this years season is Staring a few days earlier and is ending a few days early than the last few. The same amount of days though

 

[WRO]

To be honest the is no real answer on the Eastside. 2 years ago it was on the first week of the season. Last year I saw or heard almost no rutting tell the last few days of the season. If I was coming from Cali I would plan to be there the last full week of the season myself or the last two if you have more time. So in short generally speaking it is the second half of the season when things pick up on the eastside. FYI Keep in mind this years season is Staring a few days earlier and is ending a few days early than the last few. The same amount of days though

They went nuts over Labor day weekend last year.

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[bguitierez]

To be honest the is no real answer on the Eastside. 2 years ago it was on the first week of the season. Last year I saw or heard almost no rutting tell the last few days of the season. If I was coming from Cali I would plan to be there the last full week of the season myself or the last two if you have more time. So in short generally speaking it is the second half of the season when things pick up on the eastside. FYI Keep in mind this years season is Staring a few days earlier and is ending a few days early than the last few. The same amount of days though

I was guess-ti-mating the same thing. Ha-ha. I think either way, it's going to be one hell of a hunt. Preparation has been in full bore since this last October!

 

[WRO]

The last week of season on any unit that is OTC in the public is a shit show with people, I'd do the 2nd or 3rd week around the moon cycles.

 

[arri1942]

The unit i hunt, generally the rut doesn't kick in until the week after archery season ends.

 

[bguitierez]

The unit i hunt, generally the rut doesn't kick in until the week after archery season ends.

Primarily cold calling then? In pre-rut is locator bulging effective in Oregon? Just curious.

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[arri1942]

Yes and no. The unit I hunt, locator bugles are hit and miss. It is so heavily hunted that a lot of the bulls tend to be call shy and don't talk much. In fact many will peel off or go opposite direction when hearing a bugle. Where I hunt if you shoot out a locator bugle you are likely to get hunters in response. I was at full draw on a 330 ish bull last year (no shot ever presented itself because of timber situation) and watched him for awhile before and barely heard him. He let out one little chuckle that was barely audible. Over the 5 years I've hunted there the bulls have not been very vocal. I tend to spot and stalk or frequent transition areas. I try to get away from the crowds as much as I can but with good access where I hunt you are never more than 2-3 miles from a good road.

 

[bguitierez]

Yes and no. The unit I hunt, locator bugles are hit and miss. It is so heavily hunted that a lot of the bulls tend to be call shy and don't talk much. In fact many will peel off or go opposite direction when hearing a bugle. Where I hunt if you shoot out a locator bugle you are likely to get hunters in response. I was at full draw on a 330 ish bull last year (no shot ever presented itself because of timber situation) and watched him for awhile before and barely heard him. He let out one little chuckle that was barely audible. Over the 5 years I've hunted there the bulls have not been very vocal. I tend to spot and stalk or frequent transition areas. I try to get away from the crowds as much as I can but with good access where I hunt you are never more than 2-3 miles from a good road.

I hear ya. I can imagine how many hunters flood Oregon from my state and others. definitely anticipate the elk getting pushed and being call shy. Of course I day dream about being able to call one in, but day dreams and reality hardly ever meet. With call shy elk, has making other noise like loud walking and raking betrayed you? Sorry to hear you didn't get that shot brother. I'm sure you'll be hitting it again out there this year!

I can only do so much terrain association living in Northeastern Cali (aka Google earth and topos) I've noticed roads are almost as previlant in your state as they are in the cascades down here.

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[arri1942]

I hear ya. I can imagine how many hunters flood Oregon from my state and others. definitely anticipate the elk getting pushed and being call shy. Of course I day dream about being able to call one in, but day dreams and reality hardly ever meet. With call shy elk, has making other noise like loud walking and raking betrayed you? Sorry to hear you didn't get that shot brother. I'm sure you'll be hitting it again out there this year!

I can only do so much terrain association living in Northeastern Cali (aka Google earth and topos) I've noticed roads are almost as previlant in your state as they are in the cascades down here.

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This year I am going to try to incorporate more raking to see if it is helpful, but loud walking definitely has not been successful. I think the elk there are so high pressured every year that they are on high alert all the time. The first week of last season all the bulls I saw other guys take were guys who were in stands sitting over areas they had scouted for a couple months with trail cameras. As the season went on and there was more moisture, spot and stalk was doable. For me sitting there is so hard, so I much prefer spot and stalk, but I did do some still hunting in transition areas and had a couple close calls. I would prefer the traditional calling a bull in, but I love the challenge this annual OTC DIY hunt provides as well. Good luck.

 

[bguitierez]

This year I am going to try to incorporate more raking to see if it is helpful, but loud walking definitely has not been successful. I think the elk there are so high pressured every year that they are on high alert all the time. The first week of last season all the bulls I saw other guys take were guys who were in stands sitting over areas they had scouted for a couple months with trail cameras. As the season went on and there was more moisture, spot and stalk was doable. For me sitting there is so hard, so I much prefer spot and stalk, but I did do some still hunting in transition areas and had a couple close calls. I would prefer the traditional calling a bull in, but I love the challenge this annual OTC DIY hunt provides as well. Good luck.

Well I appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. Best of luck to you to man. Stay safe out there.

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