Oregon mule deer

[rob270340]

Hi, I currently have 10 points for deer in OR as a non resident and am leaning towards putting in for the Steens Mountain tag. All I typically hear is low deer numbers and too many cats. But good genetics with potential for finding a big buck. Any thoughts? Areas in Steens to concentrate or avoid? Pics of bucks killed there?
Thanks!

 

[Travisitguy]

I hunted this unit last year. Lots of deer with out horns is what I found and many hunters. If your willing to pack in to areas your chances will go up. Weather last year was 60* at 9500' so I imagine this played a huge role as well in the deer behavior.

 

[coastalarms]

I am looking at putting in for Steens as well. Everything I have seen says if you get away from the other hunters, hike in a bit, your odds significantly improve. I hope to get a couple scouting trips in before summer hits and then one closer to the season.

 

[rob270340]

Travis did you hunt the wilderness area at all? I'm assuming that would be a great way to get away from most of the hunters. Since the season is fairly short I'd imagine that hunting the opener vs. end of season probably wouldn't matter much? Sounds like some cooler weather would help too.

 

[ore hunter]

there are other great options out there with 10 non-res points,,,steens seems a bit overrated to me,,id check out whitehorse,owyhee and even bulah units

 

[tttoadman]

We took a couple 5 1/2 yr olds out of there in 2012. My pic is one. My brothers outscored mine slightly. Don't get excited. They were both only in the 160 area. I would have expected better for 5 1/2yrs. We learned the area a little, and we are looking at taking my son and my niece in there this year. A huge area. Make sure and go to the ODOT webpage and see all the private land that is open to hunting on the edges of the wilderness area. I am not going to tell you where we plan to go, but it is high and past where most people are willing/able to go. We had hot weather also, but I don't consider that a huge factor. When it is hot out, they are more predictable but move less. It is a give and take.

I have never played the points game. I don't know if I would burn 10pts on it unless I did some serious scouting. We had our bucks located in august within 1/2 mile of where we got them on opening day of the season. We scouted 3 times during the year.

Good luck to you wherever you choose to go.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I don't know if it tells you anything, I burned 16 points a few years ago on a blacktail hunt (White River Late) over going mule deer hunting. I could not find a mule deer hunt in Oregon that I couldn't draw an equivalent or better quality hunt, in several states with far fewer points.

 

[rob270340]

So how was the White River hunt? I've shot lots of blacktails but would really like to hunt muleys again. I tagged along on a Beattys Butte deer hunt two years ago and was not impressed. We passed on a handful of small bucks but couldn't even find a decent 4 point. The Steens mountains tho has always been an area I've wanted to hunt.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

So how was the White River hunt? I've shot lots of blacktails but would really like to hunt muleys again. I tagged along on a Beattys Butte deer hunt two years ago and was not impressed. We passed on a handful of small bucks but couldn't even find a decent 4 point. The Steens mountains tho has always been an area I've wanted to hunt.

It is the best deer hunt in the state, or was at the time. Fantastic for big blacktails.

 

[badgerbob]

I hunted Steens a number of years ago, and came to a few conclusions you may be interested in.

1. I saw bucks every day. There were plenty of forks and three points, shooters seemed to be in short supply.
2. I observed a definite pattern in horn development being that a lot of 2X3 bucks were sighted with the 3 point actually being a
smaller curved drop tine on the right side. I spotted four such bucks.
3. For a good number of years the State only allowed 4pt and better to be taken in the unit. It is my belief that they have modified the
gene pool, causing a degenerated horn pattern. It has been a good number of years since this practice has been stopped, so there may
some rebounding.

This being said I did see some large bucks on private property along the western edge of the unit. I would concentrate on the BLM land bordering these ranches.
Did you draw your tag?

 

[rob270340]

I did in fact apply for the tag. Tired of just gaining points and figured now is as good as ever to try for the tag. Results should be out in June. Sometimes I get worn out thinking about burning my points and the pressure of using up 10 points on any hunt tho. If I hold out for a big buck and come home empty handed then people think you're crazy. Likewise if I shoot a small buck people think your crazy to have wasted 10 points on a dink. I understand you have to play the points game to go on some better hunts, but the pressure sometimes has me wondering if it's all worth it.
Sorry for the ramble. And thanks to those that have offered help and advice.