Imnaha or Snake River for Bow?

[Islandwarrior233]

I'm sick of hunting southern Oregon, and not hearing elk bugle, let alone even seeing any. I had a rifle hunt in Imnaha a few years ago, and a huge storm came in the day before. It was miserable, and put miles on my boots without seeing a single elk. I am going to have two weeks of vacation saved up, and I want to go somewhere where I will kill an elk. It doesen't need to be a bull. I am saving my points for Walla Walla, so I am not going to blow them on some lame unit.

A lot of threads I have been reading have said the wolves have pretty much silenced the elk in Imnaha. I have also read a lot of people who used to hunt Imnaha go to the Minam unit. A lot of threads say the Snake River unit is a drop camp only area.

My questions are many. Are the wolves still impacting the elk in Imnaha to where they don't talk in Imnaha? What is the wolf situation in the Snake River unit? Is Minam a decent area? Can I get a medium sized fifth wheel in the Snake River or Minam unit?

I am basically trying to aim for Imnaha because it is the only place I have ever hunted on the east side.

 

[DRUSS]

wow ,that's a lot of questions to tackle . but I think wolves are something that is changing all of our units in that corner of our state and only time will reveal the outcome of each area? could get a fifth wheel into the snake lots of stock trailers make it so no reason yours won't. not sure about minam. good luck in researching

 

[Jerry]

There are still elk in the Imnaha, Minam units. Wolves are a constant when hunting these areas. We were overrun by a pack during our rifle elk hunt in Imnaha this year. A few bulls are taken every year but the numbers are down from years past. Perseverance and knowledge of the area are key to success or maybe access to some private property.

 

[Iron Mike]

I have not hunted the Snake unit but I hunt most years in the Imnaha unit with my bow. I love it. I have not had problems finding plenty of Elk. I am in the Eagle Caps most of the time but do hunt outside the wilderness also. I havnt seen the impact there with the wolves as much as I have in the Sled Springs unit. This year was outstanding!

 

[JonMccully]

I have had success the last 3 years in the unit. I even had success after running in to the pack at the half-way point of Beaver Dam Creek. I hunt the last two weeks of the season and have had the most success in the draws in and around Black Horse creek and Beaver Dam Creek. The wolves are hazed enough that they are not really a factor in my opinion. Although it was a heart pounder running in to the dogs they ran away after a few barks. I am pretty sure they are more scared of us than we are them. The cowboys are a good source of intel as to where the herd has been hanging out if you are ever curious. They get reports almost daily on the location of the collard alpha. I can second that the bugles are being answered if you are in the right area. The most important tip I could give is to make sure your body is conditioned enough to go further down a draw than the next man. I have yet to have one jump into the bed of my truck. Happy Hunting!

 

[Timberstalker]

I have had success the last 3 years in the unit. I even had success after running in to the pack at the half-way point of Beaver Dam Creek. I hunt the last two weeks of the season and have had the most success in the draws in and around Black Horse creek and Beaver Dam Creek. The wolves are hazed enough that they are not really a factor in my opinion. Although it was a heart pounder running in to the dogs they ran away after a few barks. I am pretty sure they are more scared of us than we are them. The cowboys are a good source of intel as to where the herd has been hanging out if you are ever curious. They get reports almost daily on the location of the collard alpha. I can second that the bugles are being answered if you are in the right area. The most important tip I could give is to make sure your body is conditioned enough to go further down a draw than the next man. I have yet to have one jump into the bed of my truck. Happy Hunting!

Welcome back, been a while!

 

[JonMccully]

Welcome back, been a while!

Thanks! Already itching for september.

 

[Timberstalker]

Thanks! Already itching for september.

Me too, I'm planning on hunting the Cascade's again this year. It's been a few years since I bow hunted there.

 

[JonMccully]

Me too, I'm planning on hunting the Cascade's again this year. It's been a few years since I bow hunted there.

Well when the time presents itself give me a shout and I can get you in to some good areas in my neck of the woods. Would bother coming until the end of the second or start of the third week though.

 

[lostinOregon]

I hunt Imnaha for spring bear. I know it's a different tie of the year but I see tons of elk and some good bulls to boot. I don't elk hunt in OR much anymore but if I did I was impressed with the number of branch bus I see in the spring growing antlers.