Astoria Area Blacktails

[cycloneshooter]

Anybody ever hunted blacktails way up in NW Oregon near Astoria?
I guess this would be area 10 Saddle Mountain.

I am interested in what quality of deer are in the area and what type of terrain is typical.

I am an avid hunter from Iowa. Always wanted a Blacktail and just got wind from a friend that they have approx 200 acres of timber near Astoria. He seems open to let me hunt sometime. Sounds like they have deer, bear and elk in the area.

I am new to the Oregon licensing system. Is this a general western deer tag, or do non residents need to draw this tag?
What kind of draw odds are likely?

Application deadline is past and I am busy in 2015 anyway, but might be interested in trying something in 2016.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Not hunted them right there, but hunted them in similar terrain. Check the regs, but I believe most of that area is OTC. Thick, very steep/rugged in spots, wet on a dry day, and blacktails are a very tough deer to hunt as far as decent bucks go. Lots of them around Astoria. I know some locals will walk gated roads in the early rut and they do very well around openings. If your buddy has open areas on his 200, sees does regularly, maybe with an apple tree or two, you would have a decent shot late in the season. If it is 200 of just timber, probably a tough spot. Oregon's best blacktail area, arguably, is SW OR.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Tim is right on. Make sure you are there the last few days of the rifle season. The dates are very good this year.

 

[gonhunting247]

I worked on a few projects in that area the last two years and saw a few decent bucks. Some of the locals do well, but I would guess it would be tough at first. Lots of private timber land to add to that 200 acres, so it would probably be a fun hunt. Those late dates will really help. Good Luck!

 

[cycloneshooter]

My assumption then, is that the late dates coincide with the blacktail rut?

 

[OregonJim]

I would agree with Tim as well,

Yes, but the later you go the better the deer weather. Also we have had some dry conditions the past few years.
Access can be a bit of an issue until it gets wet.
I think of Saddle Mountain as a better elk unit but there are some decent bucks.
Having said that, my avatar pic was shot right across the river.
If he has some good intel and a permission to get on some private ground there are some really good bucks.

 

[The Deer]

I would agree with Tim as well,

Yes, but the later you go the better the deer weather. Also we have had some dry conditions the past few years.
Access can be a bit of an issue until it gets wet.
I think of Saddle Mountain as a better elk unit but there are some decent bucks.
Having said that, my avatar pic was shot right across the river.
If he has some good intel and a permission to get on some private ground there are some really good bucks.

grew up hunting saddle Mt as a local the deer are smaller than the bucks that are south and there are not very many deer there anymore.

 

[QuazyQuinton]

Yes, the rifle tag is OTC. The general rifle season catches the beginning of the rut, but definitely not the peak. As others have said, the quality of the hunt will depend on the habitat on those 200 acres. With some good early stage reprod, there will be deer. Otherwise it may be so thick you won't be able to tell.

QQ

 

[cycloneshooter]

All I know is the fellow has 200 acres of timber around Astoria and there are lots of deer, bear and elk.
I guess I am thinking more for a 2016 hunt, as I already have a hunt planned for this fall (assuming I draw).

I am very unfamiliar with the area. Anybody have any pictures to share of general terrain up there and what average bucks look like?
No doubt I am not looking for a record booker. Looking for a quality buck and a new experience.

 

[DRUSS]

I agree with the deer. I hunt saddle,scappoose for last 19 archery seasons. mainly for elk. but head sw for deer. our deer population is hurting up here.

 

[ore hunter]

cold,rainy days or even snow helps,,,get good raingear and go for it.