2017 Oregon 2nd season Elk
- Thread starter baltz526
- Start date
salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,974
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Well nothing on the meat pole. I saw 28 elk today, two six points, a couple of rag horns and a fork. But no spikes. I had the bulls at distances from 22 feet to 400 yards. Snowed all day, guess we have a foot on the ground. 
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Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,744
- 5,792
So, it's spike only?
Sounds familiar. Good luck!
Guy
Sounds familiar. Good luck!
Guy
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,300
- 5,940
You are definitely set up in a fine camp. I really like the wall tents you set up. You are in the right area, it would seem. It is only a matter of time until you connect.
salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,974
- 4,907
Yes Guy, spike only. I actually took a shot at the big six, missed him with a snowball at 22 feet.
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Silentstalker
Handloader
- Jun 2, 2011
- 638
- 45
Looks like a solid camp! 80 degrees after a long day chasing elk is heavenly.
Good luck finding the ever elusive spike!
Good luck finding the ever elusive spike!
salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,974
- 4,907
Had great hunt yesterday. Snowing lightly when I arrived at my LZ. We had determined the elk were moving down the mountain, fast and had selected an area the would allow us to drop into a canyon and drop a thousand feet to some benches where we had seen elk the evening before.
Snowing lightly, I quite literally had moved 10 yards from the truck and found a bright fresh set of bull tracks. I know, sometimes there is a big old cow standing in them. The game was on. In the next hour I jumped him three times, a small bull, thin antlers, but never could get a positive ID.
The wind was good, squeaking snow was busting me. I took a gamble, shoved my cow call in my mouth and ran like hell, like I was in the movie " Last of The Mohicans". I'm here to tell you I'm not 18 or even 30 any more but it worked. I made a horrible racket running through those lodge pine thickets but I could see the breaks and open ground ahead. As I cleared the timber I popped my scope caps open. Looking down and across an open park, nothing. There he is, drop to sitting, about 300, tie into the sling, add some power and... a small rag horn, confirm with the binos.
About then I become aware of chatter on the radio. One of my guys is hurt. My youngest brothers best friend since kindergarten, he's tougher then woodpecker lips. I have his position marked on my Garmin, about a mile away but thankfully just on the edge of the Canyon.
One of our guys is a hi speed paramedic, believes an ACL is the culprit. The hobble out to the truck is pretty tough. In two hours we have the trucks loaded, it ain't a pretty load out but it's done.
E/R doc in Pendleton was a little stingy with the meds but provided enough to get him home to Portland.
I could have hunted today, but I guide tomorrow afternoon. Two frozen tents in my barn to take care of, my bull season is over.
I'll probably see nothing but spikes on my cow hunt.
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Snowing lightly, I quite literally had moved 10 yards from the truck and found a bright fresh set of bull tracks. I know, sometimes there is a big old cow standing in them. The game was on. In the next hour I jumped him three times, a small bull, thin antlers, but never could get a positive ID.
The wind was good, squeaking snow was busting me. I took a gamble, shoved my cow call in my mouth and ran like hell, like I was in the movie " Last of The Mohicans". I'm here to tell you I'm not 18 or even 30 any more but it worked. I made a horrible racket running through those lodge pine thickets but I could see the breaks and open ground ahead. As I cleared the timber I popped my scope caps open. Looking down and across an open park, nothing. There he is, drop to sitting, about 300, tie into the sling, add some power and... a small rag horn, confirm with the binos.
About then I become aware of chatter on the radio. One of my guys is hurt. My youngest brothers best friend since kindergarten, he's tougher then woodpecker lips. I have his position marked on my Garmin, about a mile away but thankfully just on the edge of the Canyon.
One of our guys is a hi speed paramedic, believes an ACL is the culprit. The hobble out to the truck is pretty tough. In two hours we have the trucks loaded, it ain't a pretty load out but it's done.
E/R doc in Pendleton was a little stingy with the meds but provided enough to get him home to Portland.
I could have hunted today, but I guide tomorrow afternoon. Two frozen tents in my barn to take care of, my bull season is over.
I'll probably see nothing but spikes on my cow hunt.
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DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,300
- 5,940
That's a bummer about the young feller being injured. Hope it isn't too debilitating and he will heal quickly. Sounds as if you did have a pretty good hunt that, had you not bee interrupted would have concluded successfully. Still, glad you were able to get the young man to the truck and find some relief. I know what you mean about the need to rest occasionally. I've discovered that I'm not 29 anymore (or 49, or 59, or...). We're still pulling for you to tag out.
That is too bad that one of your crew was injured 
I sure hope he heals up quickly :wink:.
From the photos you took it looks like you guys had it cased and it was just going to be a matter of time until you had a spiker or 2 down.
I know it is always nice to get your animal but at my age I consider that the bonus and just being with the guys and hunting is what I find real joy in.
Thank you for the post and photos.
Blessings,
Dan
I sure hope he heals up quickly :wink:.From the photos you took it looks like you guys had it cased and it was just going to be a matter of time until you had a spiker or 2 down.
I know it is always nice to get your animal but at my age I consider that the bonus and just being with the guys and hunting is what I find real joy in.
Thank you for the post and photos.
Blessings,
Dan
salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,974
- 4,907
I did have some great and entertaining hunts. Hell I threw a snowball at a 300 inch class bull.
Nothing is a sure thing but as winter comes on we're going to see more cows down low, still hope to fill my freezer.
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Nothing is a sure thing but as winter comes on we're going to see more cows down low, still hope to fill my freezer.
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- Thread starter
- #32
baltz526
Handloader
- Sep 25, 2005
- 1,074
- 8
Elk where not where I expected them to be. Saw 2 sets of Bull tracks all season. #1 was a young bull. #2 was the big herd bull for the area. On day 6 I had him pegged down in an area about 1 mile square. Plan was to go after him on day 7. Woke up to 6" of fresh snow and snowing hard. I loaded camp up and hooked up my travel trailer. To get it over the pass before it got too deep. To late. Got almost to the top and was stuck. Dug out the truck and trailer enough to get it rolling. Then chained up all 4. It was a close thing but I did get over the top. About 16" of very high moisture content snow. Hunted the last 2 days out of the house. Driving 60 miles each way. Got close to elk both days but, but never saw them. I suspect just small pods of cow/calf/yearlings. I'm sure hunters appreciated the groomed road I made for them. One lane, no passing areas, One area with a large snow pile right in the middle of the road. About 40' long and 3' high. Had fun like normal. Saw the deer I hunted all season on Saturday. About 400lb 36-38" wide but not tall. Probable a 12yr old plus, so past his antler prime by a few years. Thin tops. I have been hunting him 4 of the last 5 years, So it was nice to see him during the rut. He always stopped behind something. But did get 2 good looks as he was going away. No time for pictures
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,300
- 5,940
Despite not tagging your elk, it sounds as if you had a great experience. Memories of time spent in the field are priceless. Glad you made it over the pass without too much trouble.
