Folks relocating to Portland area

[Dos Perros]

My folks are relocating to the Portland area (Washington side), which has me interested in the big game hunting out that way. If a guy (non-resident) were willing to get on a plane, then drive a few hours, and backpack in way back there, how should he go about it? Interested in archery elk mostly, archery mule deer a distant second. Hoping there are some good archery OTC hunts available in Washington or Oregon? Or maybe a tag I could draw every few years? Or do you think I shouldn't even bother, just keep hunting Colorado? Thanks for the help folks.

 

[badgerbob]

Most of Oregon archery is OTC. A few hours from Portland will put you in some pretty good elk units. I don't know if you will have a better opportunity than you have in Colorado though. Most areas take a while to figure out. I would look at the NE corner including the Elkhorn and Eaglecap Mts. Good luck.

 

[Iron Mike]

Most of Oregon archery is OTC. A few hours from Portland will put you in some pretty good elk units. I don't know if you will have a better opportunity than you have in Colorado though. Most areas take a while to figure out. I would look at the NE corner including the Elkhorn and Eaglecap Mts. Good luck.

I second what badgerbob says and the areas he has pointed out. We do have some good hunting here even though there are some on this forum from Oregon that may not quite think that way. That is probably due to the reason that if you hunt with a rifle waiting to draw a fairly good area may take a few years. But if you bow hunt we have some great hunting especially if you get away from folks. This usually requires hunting a Wilderness but not always. I have been chasing Elk with a bow in Oregon for about 3 decades and have never failed to find Elk. I have definitely seen changes for the worst in some areas especially the Cascades where logging has just about stopped on Federal lands. I typically hunt the NE part of the state but I have hunted all over and find Elk within spitting distance of just about anywhere in the state. There are also lots of Elk in the coastal mountains all the way down to the waters edge! I have seen them strolling along the beach! The west side can be steep and thick. Sometimes you may be less then 20 yards from Elk but all you may see are small patches of hide. I would give it a go. Good luck!

 

[Musket Man]

You can get otc tags for deer and elk in Washington and there could be some good hunts if you get to know the areas but I dont know much about that side of the state.

 

[Tim McCoy]

You should check out the WA elk opportunity in the castle rock/packwood/MT. St. Helens area. Elk are there, not familiar with seasons, but a quick check of the regs will infom you if there are general season opportunities. Very close to Vancouver/PDX area. Day hunts would be possible.

 

[Dos Perros]

Thanks for the responses folks. I'll have to do some digging. The nice thing...hopefully I can talk my dad into doing some scouting for me. He's not a hunter but he does love the outdoors and is really into photography.