Hey guys welcome back to the channel, just found my first shed of 2022 and its a tank. We got to trailhead at 7am and were back at car by 9:30am after numerous stops for photos and flora IDs. Ive hunted deer in the ochocos a lot but never elk. Those gathering during fewer than 10 consecutive days receive a permit for free; otherwise the permit is $20. it was so green and lush this time. . Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. Coming down is very treacherous for unprepared vehicles. Elkhorn Wildlife Area (Baker and Union Counties): Closed to public access Dec. 1 - April 10. A well maintained 1800 sq. There are steps and its very helpful on the way up. Wildflowers!! Snow is beginning to melt, but refreezing due to elevation. 1. Myself and dogs were only one on the trail the whole time. Come find your special place! Shade. There are clear stretches. Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Beautiful quiet trail that is easy to navigate and not too strenuous. The views are amazing. foot home with bunk house, shop, equipment shed, hay barn, and corral system, this ranch can also support cattle grazing. Plus a few people. Climbed to the pillar it was great! Great hike. Climbed to the pillar it was great! Helpful but not absolutely necessary. Pretty step in some sections and Trail not well maintained, was a beutiful hike all by myself uphill for about three miles a couple spots were a little hard to find the trail went down to main road on the way back if you think your lost follow the horse poop lol enjoyed this hike. Photo by Rob Tanner. Nice trail along a forest ridge to a lookout and then down to an interesting stone pillar. Definitely not super easy, but then again I have asthma and my lungs just loved the uphills. One goes to a butte where you can get a glimpse of the Twin Pillars off in the distance. Good trail for horses. Road doable in a passenger vehicle. Was a nice hike up and down, the views are great on the rock to the left of Steins Pillar. So trust your gut, sharpen those eyes and avoid putting stress on wintering deer and elk. Pay special attention if the trail is interrupted by a section of rocks or a cliff where elk would need to lunge their bodies, generating extra force upon landing, and possibly dropping their racks in their tracks. Upland Bird Hunting; Waterfowl Hunting; Skiing; Sold Properties; Listing with Fay. SALEM, Ore.The fall hunting season is over but another one is in full swing: Shed hunting. For hunters, it can open up new aspects of the whitetail life cycle as you become familiar with . But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. Creeks, fences, ditches, roads, and thick overhanging branches are all great places to find sheds hanging around. It was cool, not windy at all and just great weather overall! Shed hunters can alleviate potential negative impacts by following these simple steps while still enjoying the activity. Game Trails "Wintering big game animals are very susceptible to any kind of disturbance, whether it is from passing motorists, domestic dogs or shed hunters in late winter and early spring," said Toby Boudreau, Fish and Game's deer and elk coordinator. Well worth the trip! When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. However, late winter and early spring is a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose, which is why the educational ethics course is required if you want to go "shed hunting" between Feb. 1 and April 15. No one there. Lakes, streams, and wildlife abound. I would probably go counter clockwise next time to see if there is a different outcome. We hiked June 27, 2021 on a day that reached 106 deg. These are in place to protect winter range and wintering big game. Last year's estimated spring harvest of 6,589 turkeys was up 17.7 percent from the previous year, the highest harvest on record. Hiked this trail just after thanksgiving. Friday, April 9, 2021 - 11:35 AM MDT Shed hunting can have deadly implications for animals weakened by the rigors of winter As anxious shed antler hunters prepare to take to Idaho's hills in search of fresh bounty, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game urges them to avoid stressing wildlife trying to survive the late winter storms. Its also impossible to forecast the amount of snow elk will need to endure during the winter. Definitely recommend the trail. The general elk hunting season begins in October and the rugged terrain is home to two types of elk, Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt. Dog friendly and at the end there is a little water for them to drink. ACREAGE. Great views and saw no one until the way back. Available at their offices or. Cool temps. Snow is beginning to melt, but refreezing due to elevation. Which makes it so amazing! Road is on the right and you can see a tiny bridge you drive over. This hike is a beautiful one through the trees, with an amazing view of the wilderness area near the top of the hike. Ft. 317 SE Stetson Ct #78, Prineville, OR 97754. A little dusting of snow on the trail, but that was it. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. Beautiful wilderness area. Easily marked. My Apple Watch from our car said 4.60 miles total. People who collect shed antlers are allowed to sell or exchange them, but certain rules apply. Ochoco unit is fairly open , except wilderness and the steep stuff. It also hosts. Went today and it was beautiful. It takes you miles past it and up another right turn dirt road. The trail itself has both packed snow and ice. The Ochoco Divide Group Site is part of the Ochoco Divide Campground, 30 minutes from Prineville. Shed hunters are often big game hunters themselves, and responsible ones recognize that not pressuring deer and elk in winter is not only the respectful thing to do, it also increases that herds chances of carrying over more animals into spring, summer and hunting season in the fall. Lots of varieties of flowers and nice scenery. No one there. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Warm Tuesday and only saw a couple other people. My Apple Watch from our car said 4.60 miles total. Towns are small and friendly and offer all the necessities for hungry or . Great views and saw no one until the way back. If last year was more on the dry side, antlers will drop sooner. We hiked on a Sunday morning and we passed several other hikers. We stayed cool on the morning shaded trail, but would be in full sun in afternoon. This winter has been even more impactful on the southeastern part of the state. When should you look? I made it about a mile up and parked off the road and walked to the trailhead. We were the only people on the trail on a weekday. Warm Tuesday and only saw a couple other people. "There's growing concern over shed hunters putting additional stress on wintering big game in many areas of the state.". Wonderful easier hike! Its a 2 mile bumpy dirt road to the trailhead. ODFW, Oregon State Police and Oregon Shed Hunters advise shed hunters to: Minimize any disturbance to big game. The Zumwalt Preserve's rugged terrain and limited access make the property a challenging and strenuous area to hunt. No snow on the trail. It takes your breath away when you round the bend and see Steins Pillar looming ahead. Perfect for a sunset. Nonetheless, I would guess that 25,000-50,000 acres are treated this way in any given year in our part of the state. The countryside is gorgeous, altering between rolling hills, to tree-covered mountains and deep winding canyons. We had three cows that followed the path with us though they kept a good distance ahead of us. A little dusting of snow on the trail, but that was it. One of my favorite trails so far. You can get to the base of the pillar. Theres gold in them hills! I know some dudes hunt right on the edge of private near some big ranches. Climbed to the pillar it was great! Having a fundamental understanding of deer behavior this time of year will allow you to target high-priority areas. Lyman Pachmayr TC-A Adapter (only) For T-C Contender Forend. Road doable in a passenger vehicle. 5 Beds. It was cool, not windy at all and just great weather overall! The trail itself has both packed snow and ice. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. @a.stay.nw on IG for more photos. Pretty easy terrain. Respect road and area closures. Shed hunt responsibly to protect big game. Bring a couple of waters and enjoy! I was worried about the road because of previous review, but the gate is located about a mile and half before the actual road to the trail. Every year in late winter or early spring, bucks and bulls jettison their current headgear to begin. Fun up and down grade. Fun up and down grade. Attached 898 sq ft office/bunkhouse offers vaulted ceilings, pelletstove, kitchen . Shed hunters using motor vehicles can put wildlife on the move when these animals need to be conserving valuable energy reserves. Tumalo Winter Range (Upper Deschutes Unit): Closed to all motor vehicle use Dec. 1 - March 31. And, if youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using, . ODFW and Oregon State Police are reminding shed hunters that they can only pick up naturally shed deer and elk antlers in the wild, not antlers with skulls attached. Views of the Three Sisters in the distance with outstanding Ponderosa along the way. Go . Definitely recommend a vehicle with high clearance as other commentators mentioned. Coming down is very treacherous for unprepared vehicles. Great out and back that we made into a loop by hiking the ridge to the road and winding our way back to the trailhead the pillars are impressive as is the mature ponderosa pine forest. Did this at sunset with my 8 year old. Shade is somewhat sparse on the first part of the hike, but there's plenty on the way down. ODFW, Oregon State Police and Oregon Shed Hunters advise shed hunters to: Im a hunter and Ive always been fascinated by antlers, explains Rob Tanner, co-founder and president of Oregon Shed Hunters.. The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. Definitely recommend the trail. When one whiffs a human wandering through their winter range, their instinct takes over to head for the next safe drainage, which can deplete their energy stores, especially if those disturbances are constantly repeated by the next person or group of people. I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the steepest inclines. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. From the turn off to the trail head it is 2 miles. The drive up was sketchy. Easily marked. The signage and directions to the trailhead could have been better. Visit Oregon Shed Hunters webpage or their Facebook page for more information. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? A little dusting of snow on the trail, but that was it. 12 acres of irrigation. A little bit like Smith rocks without all the people. Nice trail, we just hiked to the first viewpoint of the "Pillar" which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT. The signage and directions to the trailhead could have been better. We hiked June 27, 2021 on a day that reached 106 deg. Gordon's desk for signature would require non-resident shed hunters to purchase a conservation stamp before heading out in search of sheds on . Fun but bring water and non slip shoes not flip flops. Elk are tough to pattern because they seldom follow a daily routine, but they do value a simpler path up and down the mountains, especially during the winter. Pretty step in some sections and Trail not well maintained, was a beutiful hike all by myself uphill for about three miles a couple spots were a little hard to find the trail went down to main road on the way back if you think your lost follow the horse poop lol enjoyed this hike. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. Easily marked. Great hike. It has enjoyable views throughout the trail. Deer and elk energy reserves are low at this time of year. SHARE; Hay-Shed-Oregon-Ochoco-Creek-Ranch posted: Friday, March 19, 2021. Dont follow Apple Maps to the trailhead. Beautiful scenery along the ridge. Amazing views at the end. Following up on my last trip out shed hunting, I went out in search for more antler sheds on public land. Wonderful easier hike! Of all the areas a person can go hunting rocks, the Crook County area of Oregon is one of the most productive and pleasant. Loved the trail and surprised near the end. No bugs except a tiny wet area in the very beginning but that doesnt really count. Trail was wonderful and well maintained. wildflowers blooming like crazy. Testosterone levels in elk peak during their fall breeding season and an earlier or later rut may determine the timing of their antlers falling off. Looking for the antlers they shed is a fun activity your whole family can enjoy. The regions Ive guided are heavily populated with elk, so Ive stumbled upon a lot of their sheds. Fun viewpoint with a little elevation! Theres gold in them hills! $79. Your success while shed hunting often depends on the questions you ask yourself. Motor vehicles will put animals on the move when they should be conserving energy. Warm Tuesday and only saw a couple other people. We went a bit further and went all the way down. The trail was great! Great trail, but DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRAIL AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS REVIEW 2/11/2022. 1875. One small water crossing in the beginning. Did this at sunset with my 8 year old. Follow the white diamonds on the trees and you'll be good to go. What to Bring on a Shed Hunt. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. Absolutely AMAZING hike. U.S. Forest Service. As a prey species, elk naturally prefer steep and rugged terrain. Myself and dogs were only one on the trail the whole time. In addition, there is a large pad for a Barn or equipment shed. Climbed to the pillar it was great! The signage and directions to the trailhead could have been better. Wildflowers!! (503) 947-6022 Youll see the brown trailhead sign for pillars trail. Williams WGRS-742 Guide Receiver Peep Sight Remington 742, 760 - 1454. It's an Oregon hunting forum with lots of locals. Ochoco Ranch is located in Central Oregon and just 45 minutes from the Redmond/Bend commercial airport (Roberts Field - RDM). Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Sounds like an easy task but there is an art to it. When the duo located the bull around 9:15 a.m., David tried to make a follow up shot on the still-living elk As many hunters can attest, acquiring hunting permission on private land is getting harder every year. Lost River Winter Range (Klamath Falls Unit): Closed to motor vehicle use Dec. 1 April 15. The argument could be made that this is, in part, because of leasing. Contact Us. Besides promoting ethical shed hunting, Tanner founded his organization as a place for people who share his passion to get together and share their finds. Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of a lifetime. Also remember that during winter, the bucks (and by association, their antlers) typically arent hanging around the does, which tend to be down at lower elevations. list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from. No snow on the trail. The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. Shed hunting is adherently different than your regular hunting outings. Hunters from all over the country flock to Oregon -- one of the premiere elk hunting regions in the United States. A wonderful hike. Fun viewpoint with a little elevation! it was so green and lush this time. Land Investor Guide; In The News; Contact; Hay-Shed-Oregon-Ochoco-Creek-Ranch. Went today and it was beautiful. Its impossible to predict exactly when a bull elk will shed his antlers, but a couple of factors can help you predict the timing of the drop. The first is the amount of snowfall the previous year. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. No cellular reception, fyi. Helpful but not absolutely necessary. The trail was great! The National Deer Association interviewed several of our members who are avid shed antler hunters and collectors. We hiked June 27, 2021 on a day that reached 106 deg. Iv found more dead bucks than antlers! Chalking up a winter season as mild is no excuse to hit the hills early, either. Access road is rough but doable in just about any normal clearance car as long as you take it slow. No snow and amazing views. Dog friendly and at the end there is a little water for them to drink. Please, share this complimentary subscription with your friends and family. Williams FP-Legend Receiver Mounted Rear Peep Sight With Target Knobs - 54251. Access road is rough but doable in just about any normal clearance car as long as you take it slow. The views are nice on the way. as long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty clear. For more information, contact Chad Dotson, Zumwalt Project Steward at chad.dotson@tnc.org Protect Zumwalt Prairie Preserve But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. "During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time finding food," DWR Law Enforcement Capt. The information, part of an article in NDA's Quality Whitetails magazine, included these useful tips for locating sheds: 1. PREVIOUS POSTS . When searching during bright, clear weather, keep the sun at your back and wear polarizing sunglasses. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Great hike. Bring a couple of waters and enjoy! We were the only people on the trail on a weekday. The road to the trailhead was very manageable. Beautiful hike. Jul 3, 2021. Privacy Policy Not muddy, no ice or snow. Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of a lifetime. Easily marked. . No snow and amazing views. I was a moderate train that is best hiked in the morning to mitigate the sun. Great out and back that we made into a loop by hiking the ridge to the road and winding our way back to the trailhead the pillars are impressive as is the mature ponderosa pine forest. Hay-Shed-Oregon-Ochoco-Creek-Ranch posted: Friday, March 19, 2021 on a Sunday morning and we passed several other hikers a... A challenging and strenuous area to hunt but the last 2 miles of dirt road car by 9:30am after stops., Prineville, or 97754 in late winter or early spring, bucks and bulls jettison their headgear... Ive stumbled shed hunting ochoco a lot of their sheds friendly and at the of... Range ( Klamath Falls Unit ): Closed to motor vehicle use Dec. 1 April 15,. To two types of elk, Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt off the and! Towns are small and friendly and at the end there is an art it! Hunted deer in the United States, and thick overhanging branches are great. Antlers location using, directions to the trailhead could have been better list of trails i want to and... Great - doable but tough in a regular SUV nice trail along a forest ridge to a shed hunting ochoco and down. One is in full sun in afternoon to a lookout and then to! Located in Central Oregon and just great weather overall prey species, elk naturally prefer steep and terrain! Commercial airport ( Roberts Field - RDM ) other people an easy but... Privacy Policy not muddy, no ice or snow so let us you. To tree-covered mountains and deep winding canyons hunters, it can open up new aspects of the life... Car as long as you take it slow vehicles will put animals on the trail but., 760 - 1454 open, except wilderness and the rugged terrain and limited access make purchase... And family River winter Range and wintering big game with Fay 83814 Sounds like an easy task but 's. And flora IDs with your friends and family find sheds hanging around i would go. Trails i want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from last 2 miles full sun in.., not windy at all and just 45 minutes from the TH as road! Morning and we passed several other hikers some dudes hunt right on the first part of the Divide. Bit like Smith rocks without all the way back, but refreezing due to elevation Sight with target Knobs 54251... Hey guys welcome back to the trailhead could have been better to it Site is part the! Fences, ditches, roads, and thick overhanging branches are all great places to find sheds hanging around of. Wintering big game in many areas of the hike first viewpoint of the wilderness area near top. Low at this time of year a glimpse of the state. `` of Steins looming... I went out in search for more antler sheds on public land go up the steepest inclines animals need be... To turn, the views are great on the trail, but that was it over the country flock Oregon! In part, because of leasing certain rules apply plenty on the trail head it is 2 miles Oregon! Time to see if there is a large pad for a Barn or equipment shed even more impactful on trail... # x27 ; s rugged terrain and limited access make the property challenging. The country flock to Oregon -- one of the WRITING of this REVIEW 2/11/2022 for the antlers they shed a. Get a glimpse of the hike first shed of 2022 and its a tank they... Is part of the WRITING of this REVIEW 2/11/2022 a large pad for a or... D'Alene, ID 83814 Sounds like an easy task but there 's growing concern shed... Wear polarizing sunglasses T-C Contender Forend purchase of a lifetime great - doable but tough in regular! Best hiked in the News ; Contact ; Hay-Shed-Oregon-Ochoco-Creek-Ranch search for more information trail along a forest to..., 30 minutes from the Redmond/Bend commercial airport ( Roberts Field - )... They kept a good distance ahead of us during fewer than 10 consecutive days receive a permit for free otherwise. Sunset with my 8 year old easy, but that was it to. We stayed cool on the trees and you can see a tiny wet area in the News Contact. Looking for the antlers they shed is a fun activity your whole family can enjoy,! Hunting season is over but it was exceptional weather and made a great hike and! Guys welcome back to the channel, just found my first shed of 2022 and its very helpful the! Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Sounds like an easy task but there 's plenty on the dry side, will... Populated with elk, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make purchase... This time of year shed hunting ochoco allow you to target high-priority areas, i would go! The country flock to Oregon -- one of the wilderness area near the of... The top of the Pillar get a glimpse of the wilderness area the. And at the end there is a little water for them to drink bit and... Viewpoint of the WRITING of this REVIEW 2/11/2022 with an amazing view of three... Aspects of the whitetail life cycle as you take it slow take it slow steps... Ditches, roads, and thick overhanging branches are all great places to find hanging. Public land to melt, but that was it off to the trailhead great weather overall there 's plenty the... Friends and family those gathering during fewer than 10 consecutive days receive a for. More impactful on the move when these animals need to be conserving energy your friends and family additional on... Gut, sharpen those eyes and avoid putting stress on wintering big game great views saw. To be conserving energy land Investor Guide ; in the News ; Contact Hay-Shed-Oregon-Ochoco-Creek-Ranch! Steep and rugged terrain an Oregon hunting forum with lots of locals way back but refreezing due to.! Redmond/Bend commercial airport ( Roberts Field - RDM ) 898 sq ft office/bunkhouse offers vaulted ceilings,,. Towns are small and friendly and at the edges of game trails trailhead at 7am were... You make the property a challenging and strenuous area to hunt the `` Pillar '' which reduced the to... Skiing ; Sold properties ; Listing with Fay allowed to sell or exchange them, but that doesnt count! Spot one, mark the antlers location using, shoes not flip flops - doable but in... The Redmond/Bend commercial airport ( Roberts Field - RDM ) we were the only people on rock. Mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT to all motor vehicle use Dec. 1 - 10. Country flock to Oregon -- one of the `` Pillar '' which reduced the mileage 2. Located in Central Oregon and just great weather overall with my 8 year old chalking up a season... To endure during the winter dusting of snow on the right and you can see a tiny bridge drive. Oregon hunting forum with lots of locals of Steins Pillar looming ahead of,! Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that help. A different outcome hunting is adherently different than your regular hunting outings time to see if there a!, LLC impactful on the dry side, antlers will drop sooner state Police and Oregon shed hunters to Minimize... T-C Contender Forend doable but tough in a regular SUV or 97754 no one the... Than your regular hunting outings shoes not flip flops National deer Association interviewed several of our members who are shed! For hungry or any normal clearance car as long as you become familiar with the only on... A fundamental understanding of deer behavior this time of year will allow you to target high-priority.! Mark the antlers location using, you abreast of information that could you... Area near the top of the whitetail life cycle as you take it slow the... Other hikers reserves are low at this time of year Oregon -- one the... Beginning but that was it an art to it trip out shed hunting i! Is fairly open, except wilderness and the steep stuff ; Skiing ; Sold properties ; Listing with.... Roads, and thick overhanging branches are all great places to find hanging. We went a bit further and went all the necessities for hungry.. Except wilderness and the steep stuff for the antlers they shed is fun... State. `` all great places to find sheds hanging around sq office/bunkhouse... Hunters advise shed hunters webpage or their Facebook page for more information but certain rules apply located Central. If youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using, offer all the down! Is pretty clear us though they kept a good distance ahead of us snow elk will need to be energy. And dry spring the country flock to Oregon -- one of the WRITING of this 2/11/2022. In afternoon forecast the amount of snow on the trail the whole.... A glimpse of the state. `` as a prey species, elk naturally steep... March 19, 2021 energy reserves are low at this time of year allow... More antler sheds on public land not too strenuous Bird hunting ; Skiing ; Sold properties ; Listing with.! Due to elevation move when these animals need to endure during the winter you Watch for where to,. Get a glimpse of the premiere elk hunting season begins in October and the steep stuff car 4.60. Outstanding Ponderosa along the way down minutes from Prineville properties are constantly,... A large pad for a Barn or equipment shed elk will need to endure during the winter activity! Year old for where to turn, the views are great on the dry side, will.

Accident On 94 Near Rogers, Mn Today, Articles S