I was wondering if anyone knows where to find traditional only bowhunting areas? I think Idaho and Oregon have some, I would like to confirm this and have some added if they exist. I would like to try and do a hunt in one of these areas.
Oregon does. At least two different areas and I think they are talking about more. The big game guide is available on the ODFW website and can be figured out in about 20 hours of reading????
Okie...do you know the number or name of the districts?
Idaho used to have some units that had hunts for trad bowhunting and muzzleloaders. Once the inline users got in a scrap with Fish & Game, all the trad hunts disappeared, even bows. :banghead:
This happened two seasons back, if I remember correctly.
I just looked at the 2009 regulations and archery hunts statewide include all bows, except crossbows for qualified disabled people with a permit.
I periodically let them know that I would like to see a trad hunt in each region. Brian K. and I are not holding our breath!
Ray
Oregon has the Canyon creek area in Murderers creek unit ,its only trad for opening week . Then there's Trout Creek Mt in the Whitehorse unit, been trad only for a few years now .I've never hunted either place but I'm going to try to get to Trout Creek this year.
What type of game can one find in the Trout Creek Mountain area? Is it the whole Whitehorse district that is trad only or just a small portion of it? Where can I find maps of the trad only areas boundaries and trad equipment regulations or definitions? So far I can't find it on their website...
Okie, there's one in Oklahoma- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, McAlester, OK.
Im interested in this one also, I dont know of any myself.
Both hunts are not great hunts. I have talked with a bunch of guys who have hunted them and it seems the game commission threw us a bone with these hunts. Minimal game and in the case of the Canyon Crk unit it borders private ranch land. As soon as elk get bumped they all head for the protection of private land. It gets hunted after the first week by all archers. So these animals are pretty smart as to how to avoid interaction with the archers.
Trout Creek Mountains unit in Oregon is a Trad Only Bowhunting area. Hunted there a couple of years ago. It is in the Whitehorse unit but no the whole thing. Be happy to share my experience. Feel free to PM me. dino
There are much better places to hunt than the two Trad only areas in Oregon.
John
Canyon Creek, Unit 46 appx. 35.5 sq. miles, is a mule deer and elk hunt and is trad only for the first week of the season, Aug. 29-Sept. 4.
Trout Creek Mtns, Unit 168R1, not sure how big, maybe 1/5th the entire Whitehorse Unit, but there is plenty of room and is trad only for the whole season. It is a mule deer hunt, plus if you draw, sagegrouse, look at the bird regs. There are also antelope, cougars, coyotes and bighorn sheep, though you're more likely to win Powerball than draw a sheep tag.
I've been to the Trout Creeks 4 times. The biggest issue is that it's a long ways from anything and the weather can be fickle, 2 out of the 4 times I've been chased out by snow. You DO NOT want to be stuck up there. There are deer there, including some dreams are made of, but they seem to be in pockets and you could look for days before getting on them. I got lucky and found a spot that holds deer every time I go. If a guy is in good shape and finds the deer, he can have multiple stalks. Bring good binos and spotting scope, you'll need them. The terrain is steep, sagebrush with patches of aspen, and water in most of the canyons. It is beautiful, rugged country, just be prepared for anything. I've not taken a deer there yet, though plenty of stalks. Most stalks are on your hands and knees, working through the sage, difficult, but fun! If you go, bring among other things, 2 spare tires and plenty of gas, flat tires are the rule and you could do a fair amount of driving to find deer. PM me if you have any other questions! Hope this helps.