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Hunt ‘The Edge’ for Deer on October’s Rifle Opener
I crossed the road from camp into the timber, grateful for the cover that the trees afforded from the driving rain. It had been falling since 4 a.m. and the tree tops were saturated, leaving precious few places where one could find dry shelter. Waiting for first light, I was grateful for the pound of…
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Backtrailing for Next Year’s Blackpowder Deer Hunt
In 1853, a pioneer named Alfred Beeson stopped for water at Tub Springs in southern Oregon. On August 27, 1853, he wrote in his journal, “… 15 miles over hilly stony roads through very heavy timber to mountain spring. Good wood, water and grass. Saw several bears, killed two deer.”
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Handloading can add Accuracy and Versatility to Hunting Rifles
We followed the old logging road into timber company land behind a locked gate. It was mid-morning after an early hunt in which I saw a coyote and my wife had a bear feed to within 20 yards of her in the brush. I traced its tracks with my fingertip and wished I had seen…
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Blacktails in the Mist
High above the river, there’s a quiet place on a mountaintop where a few rocks have been piled atop one another. It was a place where young Indians used to go in search of their vision. I’ve been there. As we passed the trailhead, I remembered.
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Gateway to Good Deer Hunting
Road Closures are Key to Success for Oregon Hunters. It was opening morning. The sun was pushing back the shadows. It had been a long climb in the hour before dawn, but I was here now. I told myself to slow down, to be patient, to not settle for anything less than a mature buck:…
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Football Season’s Biggest Game
Every year, thousands of parents and their offspring are forced to make a decision between two great passions of autumn: football and hunting. This year, 12 year-old Jacob Lum, a wide receiver on his middle school football team, had to decide what was most important to him. Fortunately, his football coaches understood.
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Thanksgiving Day Blackpowder Blacktail
On a November morning, a hunter poured a careful measure of powder down the muzzle of his rifle and seated a round ball against the charge. He looked to the priming, pinched the percussion cap and slipped it under the hammer. Then he put his hand on his brother’s shoulder to wake him. They slipped…
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Hunting Oregon’s Mysterious Open-Country Muleys
Over on the dry side, where water holes are few and far between, it isn’t hard to find deer sign. Spend a day scouting near water and you’ll find evidence aplenty. Once you locate a buck’s track, stop and look around. Chances are he’s no more than a half-mile away. We know this, but mule…
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Drug Bust Mule Deer Hunt on the Umatilla NWR
You’re missing something if you don’t apply for the 600-series antlerless deer hunts. Halfway down page 57 in the 2007 Oregon Big Game Regulations, you’ll see there is a One Deer bag limit for Hunt No. 644A3 Umatilla NWR No. 3. There are a couple of other One Deer opportunities, but this one is special.…
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Briefly Noted: White River Unit, Oregon
Simply stated, Oregon’s Cascade crest divides mule deer country on the east side from blacktail country on the west slope. But a hunter can find blacktails in several east side units, including the White River Unit, a large controlled hunting area east of Mt. Hood.
Field Guide
Deer
Gary has been deer hunting in Oregon for over 20 years, and his experience has led to several books, including the newest edition of Hunting Oregon (pictured to the right). Gary has also written hundreds of articles on deer hunting in Oregon, which we provide for you here.