|
|
|
Discussion Forums
Forum Index
> Medium and large game hunting
> Pacific Northwest coast elk strategy
Pacific Northwest coast elk strategy
@ 07:32 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifI live in Oregon, a short distance from the “Pacific temperate rainforest,” the world’s largest temperate rainforest. It spans the western coast of North America, from Northern California to Alaska. Even though I can drive 45 minutes west and be in it, I never hunt elk over there because the vegetation is so thick. The TV hunters, such as “Meateater” and Randy Newberg, don’t hunt elk there either, even though the forest is laced with logging roads. The local archery elk hunters know how to call bulls during the September rut, when hunting with firearms is not allowed. Their strategy is to drive the logging roads, stopping frequently to issue a challenge bugle. When they get a response, they move into the woods, and continue challenging the bull to lure him within bow range. That strategy is useless for rifle hunters, who must wait until November to hunt, long after the rut is over. Rifle hunters are normally limited to seven days to hunt. The success rate is about 8%.I got lucky and drew a tag that allows me to hunt elk this coming January 1 through March 30. The success rate for the tag is 40%. I’m hoping someone who follows this forum will see this and offer some advice on how to find coastal elk in the winter. Water and food are everywhere, although food is obviously going to be more abundant in clearings that get some sunlight. The only strategy that occurs to me is to drive around hoping to spot something from the road. Then, park a few hundred yards past it, and try to stalk close enough to get a shot. |
Replies
@ 08:44 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Pacific Northwest coast elk strategyHi Scott, I am familiar with the area only in that I buddied a local resident who would send me daily photos throughout the hunting season each year for several years as well as trail cam photos.One of the issues, is that the animals tend to search out the edges of farmland, areas hunters (not connected with farmers) cannot easily access. The mobs are quite large and the Elk appear to maintain good health but thats not much help if you cannot get to them. As you will no doubt be aware, there are some areas where logging has opened up hill sides and valleys. There are a few places where you can sometimes obtain a wider view and hopefully broaden your chances. Lots of waiting, glassing and hoping but as you say, success rates are low. I guess for your logging roads, depending on their condition, you could try a pushbike if you want to cover a lot of ground quickly and quietly. We have similar places over here. The same general rules apply - work out what the animals are mostly feeding on at each time of the year and the elevation they prefer and habits thereof. Watch your wind and try to get to your hunting area well before first light rather than at first light. |
|
@ 02:33 pm (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: Pacific Northwest coast elk strategyThanks Nathan. You’re right about elk preferring agricultural land. Last year Oregon started selling “Elk Damage” tags to hunters wanting to hunt farmlands. The tags are good from Aug 1 -Mar 30. You have to have landowner permission, which I don’t have.The hunting area my tag covers doesn’t have much farmland on its east side, like the coastal areas north of it. They run along along the western side of the Willamette River valley, the river that starts here in and flows up to Portland. I love your bicycle idea, but I’m going to look into renting an e-bike. My GaiaGPS map software has a satellite image layer which I’ve never used. I can see clear cuts all over the place. Ninety percent of the land is owned by either the US Gov or a few logging companies. So yeah, glassing the clear cuts should work. The map software will show me the road to get to the clear cut if I spot an animal. Trying to walk through the woods would be impossible. |
|
@ 08:06 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: Pacific Northwest coast elk strategyI don’t discuss hunting at the local watering hole because most of the regulars are full of shit. However, I asked a guy who I know and respect if he hunts. Turns out, a couple years ago he had the same elk tag I’ve got. He had a dozen pictures on his phone of herds of elk grazing on private agricultural land on the outskirts of town. He said one was taken at an organic dairy farm that allows hunting. The elk apparently like the organic grasses. I doubt the farmer appreciates the elk decimating his 80 acres. That begs the question, What is hunting? To me, it’s getting out in the woods and outsmarting the animal in its natural environment.Same goes for using a guide. I spoke with one recently. The amount he quoted was less than half of the usual rate for a guided hunt: $2700. The discount is due to the fact that only a handful of hunters have the tag I’ve got. His main selling point was that he has private landowner permission. Shooting an elk grazing in a farm field like a cow is not my idea of hunting. On the other hand, if I get skunked in the woods, I might have second thoughts. If I do wind up hunting a small parcel, I need a bullet that can penetrate a shoulder. I can’t risk an animal running onto surrounding private land. I’m thinking a Scirocco 180 grain in the 30-06. |
Please wait
ABOUT USWe are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.
|
KNOWLEDGEBASE |
KNOWLEDGEBASE |