To elk or not to elk

[bguitierez]

Here’s a fun thought and question that I’m interested in seeing reflected by fellow roksliders. So you’re bow hunter who can travel to Eastern Oregon. You can take 10 days to bow hunt elk and mule deer or just one of the two. Do you attempt to hunt both animals by splitting up days for areas holding bulls and bucks. As we all know they tend to like different things even if they are seen in the same vicinities. Or do you try to find an area holding both? What would you do, how would you do it, and what would be your tactics. I’m gonna ask the same question in the mule deer forum. Let’s hear it boys.


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[elkocd]

45 year Oregon resident until a couple years ago(WA). Still hunt OR OTC elk with my son. Will probably never buy and OR deer tag again if that helps answer your question.

 

[One-shot]

Elk 1st.

 

[Indian Summer]

If you want to kill elk hunt elk. Focus!

 

[JDMBEND]

Elk all the way.

 

[Clarence]

From what I understand, hunting the dry side of Oregon is perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity. No brainer to hunt elk.

 

[bguitierez]

45 year Oregon resident until a couple years ago(WA). Still hunt OR OTC elk with my son. Will probably never buy and OR deer tag again if that helps answer your question.

Well that’s a pretty powerful expression bud. Coming from 45 years of hunting OR. Is it the quality of deer or the politics of the state? Just curious.


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[netman]

I’ve learned my lesson on buying deer and elk tags for the same trip. I’m retired with unlimited time too. I’m now focusing on one at a time.

 

[bguitierez]

If you want to kill elk hunt elk. Focus!

Lmao!!! I hear ya brother! That was awesome. Haha


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[Pigdog]

Elk!

 

[bguitierez]

I’ve learned my lesson on buying deer and elk tags for the same trip. I’m retired with unlimited time too. I’m now focusing on one at a time.

And that my friend is why I pose the question. I’m a very mentally extreme person. The voice in my head says why not and I usually do. Haha. In the end I don’t really care if I fill both tags but having the option and opportunity intrigues me. That’s why I’d like to see what more level headed dudes think. Thankfully I get to retire at 49. Then it’s just gonna be crazy haha


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[Back Country Hunter 2]

I'd personally focus on one animal at a time.

 

[Pigdog]

Above, I said Elk!, but if money isn't an issue there really isn't any reason not to get both tags. If I had both tags I would start of my trip spending a couple of days getting a good feeling for the area, hike around a bit, glass from several ridges, etc. Once I had a better feeling on what was out there I'd make my decision on which species to go for based on which looked like a more fun/rewarding hunt. If the bulls were bugling, I'd absolutely focus on elk. If the bucks were bedding in areas that provided an opportunity for a fun stalk I might go that rout. Either way, eastern Oregon is absolutely beautiful.

 

[bguitierez]

Above, I said Elk!, but if money isn't an issue there really isn't any reason not to get both tags. If I had both tags I would start of my trip spending a couple of days getting a good feeling for the area, hike around a bit, glass from several ridges, etc. Once I had a better feeling on what was out there I'd make my decision on which species to go for based on which looked like a more fun/rewarding hunt. If the bulls were bugling, I'd absolutely focus on elk. If the bucks were bedding in areas that provided an opportunity for a fun stalk I might go that rout. Either way, eastern Oregon is absolutely beautiful.

Well that seems pretty dam reasonable dude.


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[Kgentry]

I grew up in Oregon and typically we would buy archery elk tags and rifle hunt deer. Now with that being said you can almost bet your going to run into some nice bucks being as you don’t have a tag but don’t let that get in the way of your elk hunt.

 

[Werty]

If money isn't an issue get both tags, but commit to one species.

 

[bguitierez]

I grew up in Oregon and typically we would buy archery elk tags and rifle hunt deer. Now with that being said you can almost bet your going to run into some nice bucks being as you don’t have a tag but don’t let that get in the way of your elk hunt.

Yeah man! I was in somewhere in 66 last year. Bulging into a nice canyon. I look to the left and at the base of some rim rock are two bucks. One very nice and just staring at me. That year saw mule deer a bunch. Didn’t find elk except for their sign. I was always a step behind them. They seemed to like the labyrinths of mahagony and juniper. Haha. That’s when I thought to myself now dammit why didn’t I get a deer tag! Haha


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[bguitierez]

If money isn't an issue get both tags, but commit to one species.

For sure dude. Like the other Gent was saying it’s good to at last have it!


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[elkocd]

Well that’s a pretty powerful expression bud. Coming from 45 years of hunting OR. Is it the quality of deer or the politics of the state? Just curious.

The deer hunting or the move?

The deer situation is so bleak in OR it is nowhere near worth it for me to buy a tag. I can see as many bucks in an afternoon in CO as an entire archery season in OR.

I actually won't be buying an elk tag this year for the first time ever as well. Hunting WY and ID for elk. I will help my son get a bull in OR as he is an OR resident and has limited time to hunt out of state while still in school.

Yes, the politics are one reason I moved! OR makes me puke in my mouth as a state. WA is not too much better, but I don't have to give them 10% of my income. Working my way to WY as soon as my son is out of HS.

 

[bguitierez]

The deer hunting or the move?

The deer situation is so bleak in OR it is nowhere near worth it for me to buy a tag. I can see as many bucks in an afternoon in CO as an entire archery season in OR.

I actually won't be buying an elk tag this year for the first time ever as well. Hunting WY and ID for elk. I will help my son get a bull in OR as he is an OR resident and has limited time to hunt out of state while still in school.

Yes, the politics are one reason I moved! OR makes me puke in my mouth as a state. WA is not too much better, but I don't have to give them 10% of my income. Working my way to WY as soon as my son is out of HS.

Well that’s understandable for sure. I live in CA and to me OR still has awesome opportunities! Lmao. That’s how nuts my state is. I’ll never move because I’m connected to my land. My relatives have been in my valley for thousands of years. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so connected,because I would probably be trying to do the same thing!


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