2016 Deer Season

[benjblt]

Has anyone hunted the Metolius muzzle loader? I have enough points to draw this year and I'm wondering if its worth it. I'm also thinking about the Whitehorse and Heart Mountain muzzle loaders...

If I wait I could hunt the Trout Creeks in a couple of years. I hear it is not as good as it used to be though. Any input would be helpful from those who have hunted or heard about these units.

 

[ore hunter]

Ive bow hunted in metolius a lot,,it appears that muzz in that unit is mid October,,problably will still have warm weather most likely,,it seems to me that the "big bucks" don't come out till the snows knock them down out of the high cascades,,plenty of forks/small deer to be had,but the big ones will still be far higher than any roads go,,trout creek also burnt hard a couple years back,,so ya know that too.

 

[Tim McCoy]

You might play around with some of the success and 4 point + numbers you can find below. The 4 point + stats tend to support the big bucks not being too prevalent during the Muzzy season, but in the Nov. archery, the 4 point number is huge, 1/3 vs approx 90%.

https://sites.google.com/site/oregontags/home

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Has anyone hunted the Metolius muzzle loader? I have enough points to draw this year and I'm wondering if its worth it. I'm also thinking about the Whitehorse and Heart Mountain muzzle loaders...

If I wait I could hunt the Trout Creeks in a couple of years. I hear it is not as good as it used to be though. Any input would be helpful from those who have hunted or heard about these units.

Are you a resident or nonresident?

 

[Timberstalker]

I've hunted both Metolius and Whitehorse muzzy. Feel free to pm me.

 

[benjblt]

You might play around with some of the success and 4 point + numbers you can find below. The 4 point + stats tend to support the big bucks not being too prevalent during the Muzzy season, but in the Nov. archery, the 4 point number is huge, 1/3 vs approx 90%.

https://sites.google.com/site/oregontags/home

Thanks Tim. I've heard that it can be a bit of a gamble with the weather. If there's snow then the big bucks will show up. If there's not then it is a bit more challenging.

 

[benjblt]

Are you a resident or nonresident?

Hey Umpqua. It's Ben T. from Roseburg, Larry's son If I hold on for a couple more years I could probably get the Trout Creek rifle. Me and two other guys average out to 11 right now. I've dreamed about this hunt for years. I used to talk to Kenny Moulton (an old time trapper) and he was one of the first to hunt the area. I just haven't heard the best thing about this unit lately, like many other used-to-be-good Eastern Oregon hunts.

 

[benjblt]

I've hunted both Metolius and Whitehorse muzzy. Feel free to pm me.

I sent you a PM.

 

[benjblt]

So what do you all think, Metolius Muzzy now or Trout Creek rifle in 2 years with 2 other friends?

 

[Joe Hulburt]

So what do you all think, Metolius Muzzy now or Trout Creek rifle in 2 years with 2 other friends?

That is like apples to oranges. Either hunt could produce a dandy buck but they have different challenges. Do you want to hunt the desert in the heat or hike into the timber in some cooler weather?

 

[benjblt]

That is like apples to oranges. Either hunt could produce a dandy buck but they have different challenges. Do you want to hunt the desert in the heat or hike into the timber in some cooler weather?

I like the desert better. I've been to the Trout's grouse hunting and antelope hunting. I knew an old-timer that hunted it way back and I've always wanted to go there. But ultimately I want a hunt that gives me the a great experience and give me opportunities at massive bucks. I don't know if the hunting experience would be as good in the Metolius but the bucks might be bigger. I don't want to go the Trout's and see a couple good bucks. For a 13 point draw in Trout Creek I want to see at least one monster (28 or 30" range, 180 class buck).

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Hey Umpqua. It's Ben T. from Roseburg, Larry's son If I hold on for a couple more years I could probably get the Trout Creek rifle. Me and two other guys average out to 11 right now. I've dreamed about this hunt for years. I used to talk to Kenny Moulton (an old time trapper) and he was one of the first to hunt the area. I just haven't heard the best thing about this unit lately, like many other used-to-be-good Eastern Oregon hunts.

Hi Ben, I definitely know who you are I'm sending you a PM on Facebook.

 

[randy01]

I have the Whitehorse tag this year...any info would be appreciated.

 

[randy01]

Did you draw Whitehorse? I have the tag this year...if you drew, any help would be appreciated.

 

[randy01]

I have been hunting Hart Mtn. since the early 70's. It is nothing like it used to be....too many lions and coyotes. My last tag was in 2002. I shot a 8x6 on the face of the rim above the CC camp. I used to see a 100 bucks a day during open archery season (before it was a draw). Now you are lucky to see a half a dozen, and no real good bucks. If you still have your points, hold out for 168M, the Trouts, or even the Juniper late hunt. We drew the Whitehorse tag with 11pts.

 

[EOHunter]

I have hunted Whitehorse for the regular rifle season and we do OK normally. I have never been down there this time of year but the muzzle loader tag is intriguing. My advice would be to get as close to the Idaho border as possible and try to catch them coming off south mountain to winter. That Unit 40 tag in Idaho has been going on since 11/1 so maybe some hunters and this nasty weather we are having has pushed them over. Good luck and let us know how you do!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

How did the hunt go?