Hunting in Oregon?

[jason97496]

I have not been hunting for many years and now my sons really want to go hunting. I am a bit of a novice, but I do not want to deprive my boys of this experience.

I am looking for advice on what we should hunt, when we should hunt it, where we should hunt it, and how we should hunt it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I live near Eugene, Oregon. I do not mind a little travel, (<200 miles).

Thank you

 

[Albatross]

As an out of state college student who tried very hard to find hunting opportunities in Oregon: Good luck, buddy. You'll need it. I killed 4-7 deer a year growing up back home (Alaska). But I found the barriers to hunt here in Oregon to be great.

I found it hard to get specific information as to where hunting was legal and the few places I was directed to were not exactly good hunting opportunities (completely void of deer).

I found it to be like trying to join a secret club were if you didn't have someone to show you the way all you got were dead ends. I found calling the various state agencies to be entirely worthless with only the most vague answers provided. I am sure that the answers are out there, but I haven't been able to find them. I suspect it has a lot to do with private land being the only viable place to hunt with all the public areas inaccessible due to distance or all the deer are hunted out.

There is a wildlife preserve west of Corvallis were you can hunt (shotgun only) cotton tail rabbits. It was fun, but I'm not a huge fan of rabbit meat. You can call for more info at 541 745 5334. It's 10 miles north of Corvallis on 99W in Monmouth.

The only helpful info I can give you is to contact the Izaak Walton League (A conservative conservation organization with a shooting range just south of Eugene). The President is Gary Thomsen (747-0789) or the Secretary Kathryn Thomsen (344-2728). They might have some ideas about the Fern Ridge area.

I also found this, which is interesting but vague.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/map/index.asp

/Maybe someone will enlighten us.

 

[72IH]

Coyotes are thick in that area. Stop in and ask at any farm around and if you are polite and respectful they will be the same. Don't expect that they will all give you access but they might. Just be aware of the number of houses around and be safe.

 

[Cascades]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[Cascades]

I grew up in Western Oregon. Now live in Central--Redmond.

There are many places to hunt over there. Elk, deer, cougar, bear, coyotes, rabbits, nutrea, .....squirrels, birds.

I used to work for the ODFW there at E. E. Wilson north of Corvallis, raising pheasants and "improving" the place for the public. When I was younger, not too many people knew about the rabbits there. Best rabbit hunting anywhere!--and it was open to roam and shoot! That place has changed a bit much since my teen years.

You, living in Eugene, are in the middle of excellent areas to hunt critters and birds.

The McKenzie unit to the east is full of big game. All of the coast range to the west is teeming with wildlife.--and much of it is open to hunters.

I was up the road from you in Corvallis for a few decades--spent most of my free time hunting the valley and the woods. Things have changed a bit since I was there, but it is still a wonderful area for hunting.

We have plenty of animals over here too.

I have three sons who have recently left the nest, so I know how important it is for you and your son to get out together.

PM me and I can better help.
I'm new at posting on this site, so if you PM and don't get an answer, let me know on this thread. I'll help.

Also, do you know of this site? http://ifish.net/board/index.php
Sign up, go to the Hunting area, and ask there. I'm certain you will find good people in Eugene to advise you, maybe even take you out!

 

[R3dundantC]

If your into pheasents, there is a private ranch that raises them then releases them into the wild about a day before you hunt. Its out near Condon, Ore. Been there once, one hell of a hunting ground.

 

[jason97496]

Thanks for the advice. I looked at several places that offer pheasant hunting in this area. They all charge hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. I am afraid that this is a little out of my league.

 

[Cascades]

If it is pheasants you want and can't find public birds, why not buy several birds from a local breeder? I raise pheasants just to have them around, so it has been years since I knew the going rate for birds.

You could buy the birds, drive out to an area, carry the birds into the field, swing each one around (windmill action) set it down under a bush, repeat with all the birds, go back to the rig, get the boys in a line, walk into the field, flush the birds, BOOM!

Not the most romantic hunt, but this is what many of the pay-to-hunt places do. And your sons would get some shooting.

Or, buy the chicks in the Spring, raise them up, and gun them down.

Jason, did you receive my PM?

 

[jason97496]

I like that idea

 

[usmc1371]

I don't know if I would call it hunting per say but in the next couple months the sage rats will be popping up in eastern and central oregon and if you own a .22 you can have a great time for not much money and in a good feild shoot all the rats you can stand. Great practice. There are places on public land that have good rat population but if you ask around the farm houses you can usuly find a good field to shoot in. I live in portland but have family in burns so thats where I usuly do my rat shootin but there are closer places.