Oregon deer (big game) questions...

Tundra Tiger

AH legend
Joined
Jun 1, 2019
Messages
2,565
Reaction score
13,689
Location
SW Alaska
Media
79
Hunting reports
Africa
3
USA/Canada
4
Member of
SCI, SCI Alaska
Hunted
South Africa, USA (Alaska, Kansas)
Greetings to one and all.

To those who know me on this site, I've done my fair share of hunting. That said, I am hoping to use some of you as a sort of cheat sheet, as I begin to dig into what I can find out online about my questions.

I have a friend in Oregon who has hunted but not harvested a big game animal. I would like to possibly help this person to hunt this fall. I would love to hunt myself but that's a very, very distant secondary consideration: helping this hunter succeed is priority number 1.

With that in mind, what recommendations, suggestions, or pearls of wisdom would you fine folks be able and willing to share about taking this person hunting this fall. She lives in Aumsville, through traveling isn't an issue. I have a lot of camping experience as well. What species are we looking at? I have to believe deer of some sort are the most numerous/best odds for success. What are the best public access places?

Really anything anyone can or is willing to share is appreciated. Maybe this happens, maybe it doesn't... but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance.

Terry
 
Oregon is full of public land, massive tracks of USFS, State, and BLM. Hard part is drawing a tag for rifle hunts in the Eastern side (mule deer). West side(Blacktail) is wide open for hunting.
Draw hunts are still open and its worth her while to apply. Blacktails to her West in the Willamette NF are a challenge but fun. SE Oregon has bigger blacktails around Medford, Ashland, Rogue river corridor. Lots of public land and more open. My 2 cents.
 
Like said above, lots of land that is open to the public. The deadline to apply for draw only areas of Central/Eastern Oregon is May 15th. Our mule deer population has really decreased over the last few years. Blacktail in the coast range seem to be fairing a little better.
There is a lot of public land near Aumsville.. I have never hunted there, so don't know how much hunting pressure it gets. Department of fish and wildlife have some good resources regarding different areas. https://odfw.com
 
When I get a draw I hunt out towards Austin Junction. Either Desolation or Northside units east of highway 395. I am seeing alot more white tail deer. Probably about 35-40% are white tail ( A SWAG ) and I feel as time goes on the mule deer population will decrease as more and more white tail call this area home. To me a guy that grew up in Michigan white tail deer tast fine to me.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
60,545
Messages
1,320,254
Members
111,802
Latest member
Martyreyese
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Safari Dave wrote on GUN & TROPHY INSURANCE's profile.
I have been using a "Personal Property" rider on my State Farm homeowner's policy to cover guns when I travel with them.
I have several firearms, but only one is worth over $20K (A Heym double rifle).
Very interested.
Would firearms be covered for damage, as well as, complete loss?
I'll can let the State Farm rider cover my watches...
Behind the scenes of taking that perfect picture.....






WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 09.58.07.jpeg
krokodil42 wrote on Jager Waffen74's profile.
Good Evening Evert One.
Would like to purchase 16 Ga 2.50 ammo !!
Rattler1 wrote on trperk1's profile.
trperk1, I bought the Kimber Caprivi 375 back in an earlier post. You attached a target with an impressive three rounds touching 100 yards. I took the 2x10 VX5 off and put a VX6 HD Gen 2 1x6x24 Duplex Firedot on the rifle. It's definitely a shooter curious what loads you used for the group. Loving this rifle so fun to shoot. Africa 2026 Mozambique. Buff and PG. Any info appreciated.
Ready for the hunt with HTK Safaris
 
Top