NE OR Elk

Just moved to OR from UT...going to be hunting OTC archery this year in NE OR. What general elevations should I concentrate my efforts at? What type of habitat should I be focusing on..favorite foods? How much water is available in the area...and how does it effect elk movement? Lastly...what type terrain do the elk seek for breeding?

I don't need site specific info...or secret spots...Just would like to make sure I focus my scouting efforts in areas where I reasonably stand a chance of finding elk.

Also looking at possible hunt in NW OR...Saddle Mt. or Trask Units.
3,345
TheGreatwhitehunter
Hitup KillerBee he is form Oregon and may be able to help ya out
9
killerbee
yes, shoot me a P.M. , i'll help as much as i can :thumb
9
Default Avatar
Where i hunt in eastern oregon, i see elk around the 3500-5000 foot mark. there is private land that they will hang out on during the night. i usally catch them crossing back over to public land in late morning then around dark they go back to privat land. the saddle mountain unit has some great elk in it, i have friends that bow hunt that unit with very good sucess. either way east side or west side the elk are rutting during the archery season so bugle some and cow call them in.
9
Default Avatar
I live in Eastern Oregon and bowhunted elk for the past 9 years. I will not go back to rifle hunting here in Oregon as it is a nitemare. The highest population of elk are found in the Blue Mountain Zone and you can find useful information on the ODFW website on population and bull/cow ratio. The Blue Mountain zone has a relatively low elevation of 3500-5000ft. Other then the Eagle Caps, the Elkhorns and the Strawberries you will not find elevation much over 6000ft in Eastern Oregon. You will also find the Blue Mt zone to have some of the highest hunter numbers. If you want shoot me a PM and I will give you more information on some of the general areas and units. I have hunted several units in NE Oregon and having lived in the valley for a few long dreary years hunted a little of the "jungle" range :)).
9
Default Avatar
Hi.. I was wondering about the blue mountains... how big of bulls can be found there? Which unit in Oregon produces the biggest bulls for the otc tag?
9
killerbee
as far as OTC unit in the blues??? get a dart- throw it at a map- pick your spot

that sounded rude, but wasn't meant that way. honestly they all have there good areas and over hunted areas. what you need to do is hit a map of a unit your interested in and find a big area that is roadless, and get your walk on! you WILL have some good hunting once your get away from the majority of guys! shoot me a p.m. if you want
9