Elk hunting the Fossil , OR area?

[eflanders]

I have been fortunate enough to be invited on a elk hunt in the Fossil, OR area in September with friends.  I have never hunted this area before (I have elk hunted numerous times previously in the Steamboat, CO area previously) and I am looking for all of the advice I can get. Unfortunately I now have some physical limitations so I am likely to focus my energies on water holes rather than a "run and gun" approach.  The others I will be hunting with have all offered to get an animal out for me should I be fortunate enough to get one.  

We are hunting on private land managed by Sarvis Prairie Outfitters.  We will be staying in a bunk-house on the property each night.  

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

[Grizzbear]

Enjoy ! And stick one.

[wingnut]

Looks like a good place and a good hunt.

If you have limitations start now talking with the outfitter about your needs and make sure you both have a clear understanding of expectations long before you get there.

Communication is the key to a great hunt.

Mike

[eflanders]

Mike,

Everyone is well aware of the physical limitations and of my personal expectations.  In fact, it was my good friends who were the ones who arranged for this particular place accordingly.  We are all going to be self-guided.

It is my understanding that the elk hunting here is quite different from the areas we have hunted in the Steamboat area.  The terrain looks to be much more gradual, lower in elevation and the brush looks to be quite different too.  Does anyone have any experience hunting in this area?

[snag]

What part of the season are you hunting in? Waterholes and wallows are a pretty good idea early in the season.

[Tree Killer]

Eric...most the Fossil unit is private property, only 16% public land. Some of the ranches in the unit have really good elk hunting with bulls in the 300 to 320 most common and an occasional bull 350+.

The terrain is fairly easy with pine, fir, and juniper forest in the higher elevations. Much of area east of the town of Fossil used to be Kinzua timberlands, but the mill has shut down and there isn't much left of the town of Kinzua.

I've heard that there's some real nice mule deer bucks on some of those ranches as well bear, lions, and wild turkey.

Good luck and have fun!

[eflanders]

We are leaving the 14th from WI and will be driving straight through to OR.

Tree Killer:  Thanks! This is exactly the info I was looking for!

[wapitirod]

Tree Killer pretty well hit it on the head.  I've never hunted the Fossil unit but I've been through it dozens of times and I used to know people that hunted their on private land regularly.  Their success rates were very good and as was mentioned the country isn't bad to navigate.  It is fairly open in alot of areas unlike the coastal areas I've been hunting around my home the past few years.  Your liable to not want to go home once your here.  Oregon has very diverse country from the rain forest of the coast to rich farming country between the coastal and Cascade range and then east of the cascades you have what I was told is the largest Juniper forest in North America as well as high desert, plains and mixed conifer forests and alot of mountains.  I hope your successful and enjoy your trip Oregon.