All posts by Frank Biggs

Big Game Hunting, Hunting Equipment

The 2 Frank Sr.s Grizzly Unit Elk Hunt

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Bull is tagged!

There was has been a time period when I did rifle hunt for elk, as most of my partners were into the rifle hunting of elk. This particular story is about a great rifle hunt for Rocky Mountain Elk in Oregon. The hunt involved my brother Steve and one of my running partners Frank Phillips.

Frank Phillips and I had drawn Grizzly Hunt Unit -Oregon second season elk tags and poor Steve had not drawn the Grizzly tag and ended up with a general season tag and would have to hunt the Biggs Unit that lay across the rural Highway 218 that split the two units.

In those days those us that hunted the B.L.M., State Lands and some private that were encompassed within or near the “BIG MUDDY“ or to my group named the “Rajneeshpuram“, kept hunting the area as quiet as we could. Not wanting it be known about how many elk lived in the rimrock, Junipers and sagebrush land that was overgrazed by cattle in and around Donnybrook, Ashwood, and Antelope closely guard for many years. The “Bhagwan-Shree-Rajneesh“ and his followers were to thank as they kept more than 60,000 acres closed to hunting, managed the creeks, built lakes and planted crops. I believe we first sighted Elk in about 1983 while bow hunting for the monster Mulies of the area, while glassing back at the at observation towers of the “Rajneeshpuram“ (tower had 365 degree viewing, plus sleeping area for the guards).

2 Bulls with this type of antler taken out of the gene poll!

On with the story that started with Steve and myself meeting Frank in Madras, with him being dropped off by his wife as she was heading to Black Butte Ranch outside of Sisters, Oregon. Keeping a low profile we got a couple of rooms in Madras at Huffy’s Motel easy to come and good to where we were hunting (45 minutes).

Since Brother Steve was going to have to drive down to the lower part near Clarno, Oregon and head into the BLM or maybe even Sorefoot, he would be dropping us off for our hike into the interior. We started out at about 4:30AM by being dropped off at the Microwave Complex on the road and we would check out the main basin near the “Baily Ranch”. The first part of the hike in would be about 4 miles of downhill with lots of rocks to maneuver through.

In that country when it rains the going get rough as the soil is more like clay and most difficult with caking up with as much as 4’ on the soles of your boots. Now both Frank and I were in great shape running as much as 30 races a year and putting in about 150 miles a month running. If it were today and kicking our legs out to get rid of the mud, probably have to have knee surgery. It was tough and one wonders what the heck we were doing and why not wait for the ground to dry out. We had the land to ourselves and during the whole hunt never saw another hunter. A well-kept secret, plus most want to hunt first season to get first lick on the big bulls. Little do they know that the big bulls get pushed out of the National Forest to the south of this area? So easy for them to find refuge in this open country where they can lay and watch there backside.

Looks pretty good from this angle!

We reached the basin that is near the big pine, the only big pine in the area, pretty close to the head waters of Current Creek. We did have access to a number of ranches in those days. Funny all of the land owners are now gone or dead, thus today much of this is not hunt able except with hard cash in the form of 10K or more. The B.L.M. holds elk still, but not in the numbers it once did with the predation from the Cougars, plus all the fires on private land has changed the landscape and habitat.

As for numbers, let me tell you about the 250 plus elk that were spotted by Rick Baily once near the lake. After 2 hours of working into the grazing herd, Rick and his buddies were able to take 9 bulls. This area is B.L.M. and one can sit above this place near Horse Heaven and glass for hours and never get bored!

So we are in the basin and I am starting to glass, as I know the area well and would find the bulls. It is the same spot about 3 years prior that my partners got there a few days early and decided to scout, though my advice was to scout and leave it for the opener. I believe that M.J. made comments on that opener day that they jumped 16 big bulls at the black rock. Oh! Yes! At times one would not believe the bulls that we would find!

My binoculars are Bausch & Lomb Elite 12 X 50. I love big glass with light gathering capacities as that is what I need in the early and late afternoon while glassing canyons and draws. It wasn’t long before I spotted a real nice bull, I would put him at about 320″. Since Frank was my guest, I gave him first opportunity to take bull out. I figured the distance to be about 375 yards and since he has taken deer at great distance in the Eagle Cap of Oregon, it should be no problem. Funny he asked me a question on “how are we getting this bull out of here if I kill him?” Not a problem with the quad for me! Now Frank is sorting out if he wants the bull and I was looking for bigger bulls as this was going to be the last time to hunt with a rifle for me for Elk.

He did not take the shot on the bull and I am sure he was worried about get the bull out of the basin. Some years earlier M.J. killed a bull in the same basin and ended up rolling his quad and having it and the bull on top of him. So the bull survived and with hindsight, I should have just shot the bull and got it over with early.

So now I am wanting to go cross country and head towards Earl’s place near Hwy 218 and that was about 6-8 miles line of sight. We did go cross country and it took a great deal of time, as we were getting tired of stopping every 300 yards and kicking the mud off of our boots. It really sucked and we were not seeing any elk on the way, only big bucks which did help take the mind off of the mud. Lucky for use Earl had a few pieces of land that connected, as we did not have permission to hunt David D. or Lowell F. Ranches.

Now we have gotten across the DMZ and were working up into in Cold Camp Creek on our way to Maupin Butte or Hasting Butte. There was a section prior to Maupin Butte that held a lot of Elk and Mule deer. There was always running water from a spring, plus the good grass that grew in there. We were now getting the chance to use the river bed to move and no more mud. The rain had stopped some hours before and the ground was getting firmer for us.

As we reach the first draw, we were quick to spot three bulls moving quickly through the trees, with one being a rage horn and the other two being spikes. Then came along a couple of decent Mulie bucks and finally a brave coyote taking up the back of the group! At this time I figured there was someone else coming from the Cold Camp Road to the West?

We let things settle for a while and then started to work down the draw and get up on the plateau and glass again. All of a sudden I spot a big and I mean big bull with about 15 or so cows. As I am getting down to take aim on this bull that was at some 600 yards plus I hear Frank say “now if you miss I kill him with my 270”. I wanted dearly to take the shot, but with those thoughts in my mind and the conditions not in my favor, I decide to let the bull drop over the plateau. He was not going anywhere and I could find him easy.

Now I was shooting a Weatherby Mark V Left Handed Custom in 340 Caliber, 26″ Magnaport barrel, Leupold VariX II 2.5 X 10 50MM and cranking out a 210gr Nosler Partition at about 3300 at the muzzle. Not a problem for long range shots. That rifle is still around and is one elk slaying rifle and I can tell you elk have fallen at distances I can see with the naked eye.

So now we are on the move and have gotten on the other side of the plateau and figured the bull was just over the edge. Ah! No bull or any elk around! We made it a couple of steps more and I spot an elk up in a draw off of Maupin Butte at about 1200 yards I figured. The hunt is now on and I asked or more like told Frank to head to left and I was heading to the right and straight forward once I got some cover. It was long as I was running so Frank would not get to the spot before me, he gave up his chance and it was my opportunity to tag the bull. I made it to what I thought would be the best place to have cover and equal height to the bull, but it would be a cross canyon shot. When I get there it is about 5PM or close to it, low light and what I see is a side profile of a big bull. All I see is antler mass and I am on the ground without looking at this point tri-pod down and taking instant aim at the bull that is at around 625 yards. I put the crosshairs on his back and let it rip (the 340 is sighted in at my standards at 500 yards)! I hit the bull in the boiler room, but he didn’t move! The cows made quick escape of the ridge! As they say if it isn’t on the deck, keep shooting. I take another shot quickly and hit the bull in the left front leg above the knee; he now of course falls over as he is on a side hill. Now one has to remember I only saw the side profile and figured it was my big bull I had seen earlier. Frank P. and I reach the bull at the same time! “Damn, it’s the wrong bull! Great mass but the bull had a bad pedestal and the left horn was all distorted and rolled back in! I pulled my tag out and tagged the bull!

The first season, my old time hunting buddy Ben Olson had taken a bull about 10 miles to the southeast at Horse Heaven that had the same issues, his had the right horn with a bad pedestal and the left horn was a massive six point. We did need to get the gene pool out of the area.

Now while we were quartering the elk and capping him, old brother (younger brother) was hunting in the Biggs Unit. He had run into old Mary M., who had a ranch on both sides of Hwy 218, who told him a monster bull that was in her place crippled up. I can’t believe that he did not ask permission to kill the thing. All I know is he worked the line below here fence line looking for the bull. She had told him that he appeared to be heading to the river (John Day). He never found the bull!

It is now coming on darkness as we would have to meet Steve at the gravel pit (which one you ask?) at exactly 6:30 for pickup. With my Hawaiian style of quartering an elk we had the elk capped, skinned and bagged in 45 minutes. With a quick hustle off the mountain, being able to hit Earl’s access road to the Maupin and Hasting Butte we came to the gravel pit at 6:30PM and Steve was there on time for pickup.

We were tired and needed to head back to Madras, get showered up, eat a steak and relax for a while. Frank P.; say “we can get the bull out in the morning”. I said no we get the bull out tonight or I will. I remember Frank P. looking at me a strange way!

We got back and get a hot shower; head over to the restaurant at Huffy’s and have a real dinner. All pain is gone, the temperature is dropping (31degrees) and full moon is now out with the sky opening up to stars and the moon. I got Steve on board and Frank P. is now in favor of getting the bull out at night and being able to hunt for his BIG bull in the morning. There is still was that monster bull in the area for him to take.

We reach the gravel pit at around 10:30Pm, un-load the quad, Steve left the area to go sightseeing and try to talk with Mary M. and try to get permission to hunt her place in the Biggs Unit.

Frank P. and I take the road up between Maupin and Hasting and hit the fence line which we now follow-up as far as we can. Thank goodness the moon was out as we weren’t running with lights, needed to keep the secret of the hot spot. Earl hated quads anyway and only let them be used once in a while… We make it to the spot and quickly load the quarters and head onto the quad. Frank says he will walk back down and I tell him “nobody walks, get on and hold on”. The whole roundtrip took some 45 minutes and Steve was back for the pickup on time.

Steve did not get permission to find the bull on Mary’s place! We get back to Huffy’s in about an hour. Take the bull and put it the shower of one of the rooms. We did not want anyone knowing we had taken a bull. Plus I did not want to haul the elk around with us for the next day’s hunt.

Sunday was going to Frank P.’s day and I would get him in on the big bull for sure. We got dropped off at the gravel pit on Hwy 218 again by Steve and head back to the kill area. Funny where my bull died, walk about 50 feet you could see Hwy 218…

We venture down past Maupin Butte, past the swamp and into the next basin above the Bhagwan’s place. You could see the old school buses and I could see a massive amount of elk bedded down! Surely the big bull was amongst the cows bedded in junipers somewhere. For more than 30 minutes I glassed and never found him. I then said to Frank “remember those large tracks we crossed about 500 yards back in the draw” “yep” “well those have to be the bull’s tracks and he probably knew we were on him and pulled himself out of the herd”. We can get him Frank, let’s haul ass and get him in the next basin, he is going to want to re-group with the herd sometime.

This is where I was blown away on the opening weekend by my running partner. “Bubba, I got a luncheon date with my wife at Black Butte Ranch at 12:30”

Another Position!
In the velvet, this is what Frank P. Sr. could have gotten!

Thus ended the hunt of a lifetime, which I know Frank P. would have killed the biggest bull ever.

The following year Frank hunted the Grizzly Unit with his boys and they got a spike out by Horse Heaven…

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Cobra’s Grizzly Unit Archery Pronghorn Hunt

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Grizzly Mountain Antelope Buck

Most of my friends that have hunted with me over the years, know that I have little patience to sit and wait, though in more recent years I have found that I have grown to be more patient. Thus they know that I love to glass, find and stalk the Mulies and Lopes.

This story is about chasing Antelope in the Grizzly Hunt Unit in Oregon during Archery Antelope Season some years back. In the past one would put in for the premier rifle areas for Antelope and make the second choice for archery, knowing you would get an archery tag. I drew the Gerber Reservoir tag for many years and had a blast chasing and harvesting Lopes in the Sycan area.

Then the Grizzly Hunt Unit became a choice for Archery Antelope and the first couple of years it was easy to get the tag as a second choice. Having hunted for elk and deer in the Grizzly Unit since the early eights and seeing pretty good numbers of Antelope – Pronghorns, it was a great choice to hunt.

There were a great number of areas to hunt Lopes in the Grizzly Unit for public lands in the Grizzly Unit carried Lopes with some numbers. The National Grasslands was a great place, along with the BLM both in the Northern Sector and near Ashwood, Oregon.

Many of friends think I am off the wall with some of my mannerisms when it comes to hunting. First off I would never relieve myself in an area that I hunt and I am going to have a wide stance so none of my sense is getting on my boots or pants.

4x Globe Sight Target Style

Then there is the issue with sunglasses, I would always wear sunglasses during the day and “Photo Grays” for the evening hunts. I felt if the game, especially Antelope can’t see my eyes or movement then I could close the gap on them. I always wore a hat and a backpack with the spotting scope & tripod sticking out of the top. It is what it is with habits and wearing the same pants on every hunt! Terrible that it may be I wore blue jeans as my basic pants! It has never been about hiding from animals, only other humans.

Let’s get onto the Antelope hunt in the Grizzly Unit this time frame in my life! Realizing that story is based on a hunt in the 80’s, things have not changed other than I might hunt more waterholes now as I grow older.

My equipment in those years was P.S.E. Mach Flite 4 Bow 70# 29″ Draw, Easton Arrows, P.S.E. Brute 3 125gr. Broadhead, Stanislawski Sight (Globe), Stanislawski Overdraw Rest (Mel Built for me) and Stanislawski Superb Rest (attached to the overdraw). The length of the arrows are 25 ½’ with a speed of 340 fps!

Couple more years he would have been a dandy buck!

The weather was great and was able to find Antelope in the numbers in the area around Haystack Reservoir and Grays Butte. This was going to be a usual weekend hunt only as I could be make it their in about 1 ½ hours from my home in east Portland. On Saturday I made a number of stalks after spotting lone bucks to within 100 yards. Funny how that distance is workable with Antelope. There were not many does around to mess up my stalks. What I needed was to find Bucks that would be in areas with more cover. The area that I hunted had little water and the Lopes would range into the private for water. Saturday ended with no success, but I would make the most of the following day.

The following day I would work the area on just south of Grizzly Mountain, which was always a great area to find Antelope and Mule deer. It was a time that the road in was not gated off and one could work a lot of area. Now it is gated off, yet it is only because about 100 yards of the road touches private. If one wants to hunt it present day they will have to come around from the west and do a great deal of walking.

I found a lone buck at about 1000 yards while glassing an area that I could find Antelope at any given time. The stalk was on and I was able to move quickly, even run as there were bulldozer cuts in the land for fire lines. Settling down I was within 80 yards of the buck, which I figured to be about 14″ with decent mass making him a shooter on this weekend hunt. The wind was blowing off the mountain as it was getting late into the day. His attention was to the direction of the mountain and with the wind (heavy) I was able to move in on him to 45 yards. It was still a time that I used fingers and as I came up from the crotch position I was a full draw. I aim at this chest and released the shaft, he made no movement as the wind was making a lot of noise and his head was turned away from me. I missed the mark and hit him in the shoulder and the arrow did not pass through him, but yet looked deep enough that he would not go far.

Pretty good mass and cutters
After waiting for about 30 minutes I went to the place of impact and followed a small blood trail, he had gone about 500 yards and laid down in the trees. The area of made up of Junipers, Sagebrush and rocks.
Great way to end a weekend of hunting for Antelope and take a buck that would score around 69″!
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Antelope – Pronghorn Hunting Biggs Hunt Unit – Oregon

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It is funny that I don’t get many people inquiring about the West Biggs Antelope Hunt in Oregon!

I have spent much time over in the unit, which has a great deal of private land, yet there are a lot of Antelope in the Public Areas that are open, mostly to foot traffic with vantage point drive to points.  The Antelope or Pronghorn love to move from some of the neigbhor units.

I have attached a link to a buck that would work both sides, plus a few pictures of a buck that I took pictures of while bow hunting for deer in the unit in August.

I knew where this guy was heading and could have waited!
There was a bigger buck working the area!

LINK:     Back and Forth Lope  

This video is a buck that I took this footage of a few days past the season!

Great spot to camp not to far away! B.L.M. Hunting
Bwana Bubba's RV Newsletters

Bwana Bubba’s RV Newsletter Aug 2011

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It’s Frank from B Young RV in Milwaukie, OR giving you another Monthly News Letter!

August has now past and within a few days cooler days to camp in.   In Oregon and Western Washington the RV Camping season can be year round.  I have gone to the coast during December and even January and had a great time.   A great walk on the beach during a misty day looking for glass balls that don’t exist any longer is always fun!  An RV is meant to be used to escape the fast pace of today’s society of life.   Turn the cell phone off and enjoy the freedom we have here!

I have decided to make the Coachmen Brookstone 295RL Diamond Edition as the RV of the Month!  The Brookstone 5th wheel is the Flagship of the Berkshire & Hathaway Company.  The Brookstone is a luxury 5th wheel that has a great deal more to offer over the competition.  

Brookstone Diamond Edition 295RL
Brookstone Luxurious Inside!

BROOKSTONE Diamond Edition
The Diamond Edition package provides additional value added features that include an exclusive full body paint package, level up 6 point automatic hydraulic leveling system, 40 LB LP bottles, a 12 cu ft refrigerator with ice maker and solar reflective- flush mount- frameless windows. The Diamond Edition package can be added to all of the Brookstone floor plans and comes with all the great features that have made the Brookstone fifth wheel popular among retail customers; the gel coated fiberglass, 165 cu ftof pass thru storage, four step entry, hardwood hickory cabinetry, larger TV’s, one piece round front fiberglass showers, 31″ deep bedroomslides, and stackable washer/dryer ready.

 Ah!  It is now time for another great RV Show at the Expo in Portland, OR.  Time to talk with Reps. and make a deal of a lifetime on a new RV.   We as a dealer will have Tiffin Motorhomes (53%) of the N.W. Market and they only build Class A motorhomes, Coachmen Freelander-Prism-Concord, Prime Time Crusader-Tracer-LaCrosse, Keystone Hideout-Laredo, Coachmen Apex-Freedom Express, Coachmen Brookstone 5th Wheels and much more including used RV’s.  September 15th – 18th 2011!  Ask for Frank!

Link to the Portland Fall RV & Van Show:  Portland Fall RV & Van Show

Link:   Oregon State Parks     Reservations:  Oregon State Parks N.W

I would strongly suggest that you buy an Oregon State Park Day Use Permit there are so many advantages to having one when you have an RV in the State Oregon.  I believe that a Two (2) year permit is $50.00! 

This month I have put Elk Meadows RV Park as the place to go, it is Trout Lake, WA.  From what I understand it very quiet and an area where you might just get to see a Cascade Roosevelt Elk.  They are open into Mid-November depending on the weather.   NO TRAINS!

Roosevelt Elk - Found in the Pacific Northwest!

If you have forgotten, please remember that folks that have bought their RV’s from B Young RV are part of the Priority RV Network, which includes discounts in the Stores and being a priority customer while on the open road at other Priority RV Dealerships.  Another thing you are invited to get a FREE Insurance Quote, one way to see if your insurance company is competitive on pricing. I would suggest that you contact Polly at B Young RV via her email for a Quote: POLLY 

Dumps in the Continental United States. Link: RV Dumps U.S.A.

Successful Hunters 2011

Philip’s 2011 Warner Unit Antelope

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Philip got a hold of me prior to the season on anything I could come up with on the Warner Unit for Lopes.   Philip had a buddy that knew area, plus he spent a great deal of time talking with the Area Biologist.   Funny the biologist told him he would not have a problem in the Warner Unit harvesting an Antelope.   Recently I talked with Garrett at Artistic Taxidermy and he told the average buck coming was about 14 1/2″.   Philip’s buck is a really dandy and I am sure when he has it on the wall in the trophy room he will be glad he decided to have the trophy mounted.

Philip E. & his 2011 Warner Unit Pronghorn

HI Frank,  Here’s my story from the Warner unit. We ended up hunting an area that my buddy had previously hunted which also happened to be near one of the waypoints you gave me.  Thanks for all of your help.

I began preparing for my first ever antelope hunt shortly my hunting buddy and I were drawn.  My buddy loaded several rounds of 130 grain Nosler ballistic tips for my .270 until we finally settled on a load that produced a muzzle velocity of roughly 3,050 fps.  We shot several times at the practice range until I felt relatively comfortable out to 300 yards.  I had my gun zeroed at 200 yards with a 6 inch drop at 300 yards.  I purchased some Stoney Point shooting sticks, open country Camo shirts, knee pads from Salvation Army, and some leather gloves in case I needed to crawl. 

The day for our departure finally arrived, and we got up early the Sunday morning before the Wednesday opener, loaded up my truck with all of our gear including a spare ice chest loaded with block ice and hit the road.  We made it to the first area that we wanted to scout and did some evening scouting.  For the next two days, we scouted some areas that were recommended to us, as well as, an area my buddy had hunted previously. 

Philip must have had a great feeling to walking up on this buck?

On opening day, we ended up settling on the area that my buddy had previously hunted. We got up early on opening day and decided to split up and set up in a couple of areas that we had seen antelope the day before.  I had several does come down off a ridge along with one nice buck.  I was set up on the other side of a Juniper tree because of the sun direction and could not get a decent shot at about 250 yds.  They started to head away on the other side of small depressions.  I tried to put a quick sneak on them by using  Juniper trees as cover but got busted.  No other opportunities on opening day. 

That evening I walked several ridges and plateaus to get to know the area better.  I saw several antelope.  The next day I set up in a different spot.  I tried to put the sneak on a nice buck with 8 does.  I made a big loop to get around where they were loafing.  Unfortunately, by the time I made it to where they were by using Junipers as cover, they had moved and decided to mosey to another area and was now out of range and heading away from me.  I spotted another large group about a ¾ of a mile away and began another sneak.   For some reason, they spooked when I was well over 1,000 yards away.  I thought this was strange as I was being very careful to hide behind Junipers. 

Great photo op! Great horn symmetry! Great Prongs

I decided to continue on anyway to see if there were any others left in the area.  I got set up and was glassing and noticed another hunter hiding under another Juniper about 150 yds.  Away (he probably spooked the antelope that I was trying to put the sneak on).  I waved to him and left to go back to the truck as it was now about 12:30.  My buddy radioed me on the GPS that he was ready to come in and head back to camp for a break.  He said there was a nice buck bedded down between him and the truck.  He said if I could position myself between him and the truck he would try to “push” the antelope towards me.  I thought what the heck, we might get lucky so I positioned myself under a Juniper in the shadows and set up my shooting sticks.   After about 20 minutes I saw my buddy on the top of the ridge about a half mile away.  He headed down and about 10 minutes later I saw a nice buck headed my way about 800 yards out.  I was amazed that he kept on heading for my position.  I glassed him at about 400 yards and he looked pretty nice.  I decided that I would take him if the opportunity presented itself. He kept on walking briskly towards me.  I finally ranged him at 248 yards and knew he was in “the zone”.  There was a very brisk wind so I waited as long as I could for him to come broadside and almost dead down wind.  He stopped for a brief moment.  I swung my rifle from left to right through him just like a duck.  I centered on his front shoulder and moved it back an inch or two.  I sensed he was about to step forward and pulled the trigger.  He folded like a sack of potatoes at 227 yds. 

We played cat and mouse with the antelope for the next three days until we finally got my buddy a nice buck on day 5.  We had a great steak dinner at the Adel store on Saturday night and hit the hot springs on Hart Mt. in the afternoon after my buddy got his antelope. 

The folks at the Adel Store are super friendly (Al and Marcie Prom, Debbie, and Ben).  They let hunters use their walk in cooler to store the antelope.  We purchased ice, gas, and had refreshing cold tap beers for $2 after we brought in my antelope.  They were exceptionally friendly and helpful.  Unfortunately, Al and Marcie have their store and home up for sale so who knows how the set up will be in the future.  For now, I would encourage anyone to patronize them if they are in the area.   Based on my conversation with the taxidermist who was stationed at the Adel store, I decided to have my antelope mounted.  He measured one side at 15 3/8, but did not measure the other side.   The only downside to the trip was that we saw more hunters than we anticipated for the first three days of the season.  After the third day however, all but one of the hunting camps had left and on the fourth day we had the area to ourselves  Unfortunately, several of the hunters on days 1-3 were hunting like the cavalry out of ATV’s, jeeps, etc. and spooking every antelope in sight.  I don’t mind people using ATV’s to retrieve their game, but in my opinion, too many people hunt out of them and screw up the hunting for others in the process.    All in all it was a great trip.  We saw many antelope, sage grouse, mule deer and some wonderful scenery.  I look forward to the next time in another 10 years or so when I will be the ripe old age of 59.

Not much cover! That is Lope Hunting country for sure!
Successful Hunters 2011

Steve’s 2011 Murderers Creek Antelope

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Steve passed up this buck the first part of the season!

Sometimes even I get to see something different!  In all of my years of harvesting Lopes and chasing them, I have never seen a buck that looks like this great buck with sweeping forward horns.   Truly a trophy buck that everyone would love to have hanging on their wall!  Steve had contacted me earlier before the hunt and gave him some landmarks.  Steve was able to find a place to hunt that he found this monster buck on.  For the future if anyone has a friend or hunter that draws the Murderers Creek Antelope Tag, we can get you the information on the ranch!

Steve's Monster Lope - Murderers Creek Unit

 Hello Bwana,

Here are the pictures from my antelope hunt as promised.

 I was hunting the Murderers Creek unit and near Seneca, Oregon. I saw this guy on opening morning pushing some does but at about 300 yards and moving.

16" Long Forward Sweeping Lope

It wasn’t a great shot and it was the first day so I passed. It was tough hunting as these antelope see you coming from far off and run away. I walked miles in pursuit only to have them spot me again and run half a mile or more. There isn’t much to hide behind for stalking in closer. I was within 600 yards on many occasions but couldn’t close the deal. I had been in the field every morning by 5:30 but on Tuesday I was out at 4:30 and headed to a lone tree where I had jumped them twice before. It was about 8:00 when I first saw him at 800 yards and coming my way. He was all alone this time and I had been told the big bucks will frequently be seen that way. At about 275 yards I realized he wasn’t going to get any closer so I dropped him.

This is my first antelope so I’m not an expert but I think he’s pretty good. (Great Buck! Bwana) I had trouble judging him due to his odd horn configuration; note the forward slant of his horns.

Look at the width of the horns - Awsome Display!

This was part of the reason I passed that first day. I have not had him scored but the length is about 16″s. I am anxious to have a pro measure him. Let me know what you think.

We had a great time and stayed at a perfect campsite with a nice creek and fire pit close by.

Thanks for your information.    Steve 

Successful Hunters 2011

Roger’s 2011 Steens Antelope Hunt

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This picture tells it all about the hunt! Great shot after the kill!

Roger had only got a hold of me this summer about the Steens Antelope Tag he had drawn.  I gave Roger some waypoints and I believe even a jpg paper map.   I had another fellow hunting the unit, but it is a large area to hunt, so I felt they would not cross paths which they didn’t!   So here is Roger’s great story of his hunt, which I have enjoyed to read which all of you will!

Hi Frank,

Thanks so much for the advice provided for my Steens Mountain antelope hunt. Your advice was the difference between success and tag soup for me. As requested here is a short story and photo of my buck. A very small price to pay for the knowledge provided.

 After 14 years I was finally able to draw my Oregon Antelope tag. My wife and I decided Steens Mountain would be a great spot to hunt due to the high success rate and legendary scenery. The trip and hunt, although a calamity from start to finish, did end nicely and we were not disappointed!

 I reached out to you after discovering my work would allow no scouting before the trip. In addition, I would be traveling to Steens Mountain on opening morning instead of hunting. I was fretting to say the least. I obtained the hunting GPS maps you recommended and even got a new Garmin 62s GPS to use with them. This was an awesome GPS/map combo that did contribute to my success in the end. The waypoints you provided were great starting points for the search and put us square in the middle of good antelope territory.

 My wife and I started out from Portland early Saturday morning with a lot of high hopes and anticipation. This bubble was soon burst however by a flat tire while crossing Mount Hood. This little delay cost us our Saturday and we were not able to reach Steens Mountain until Sunday afternoon. On Monday, the 3rd day of the hunt, a time when most hunters were finishing up, we found ourselves just getting started, with the antelope scattered and wary. It was Wednesday before things started to settle down and we were able to spot a few small herds, though some were now missing the buck.

 Thursday morning things were looking up, we had a couple of herds to setup on and again anticipation was high. But again a problem… First thing in the morning, we had an axle issue that forced us to miss the whole days hunt and travel to Burns for repairs!

 Friday morning, we were back on the road but a whole week of hunting was fast disappearing. And I had not yet put my sights on a buck. I was starting to dread becoming a member of the “20 Percent Club”, that unfortunate group of Steens Mountain antelope hunters who fail to fill their tag. We tried some road hunting, to cover more ground and find a herd. We were finding them, but once these already fuzzed up antelope saw a truck, approaching them was all but impossible. We tried all the road tricks, like slowing down just enough to drop the hunter out the passenger door and then driving on, but no good, these antelope had seen it all.

 Latter Friday morning, we spotted a herd of antelope from some distance, before they were able to spot us. This allowed for a spot and stalk. I was able to work my way to within 489 yards of the herd but could go no further as there was nothing but wide open space between the herd and me. So, I settled in between some small juniper scrubs and started eyeing the buck. He was BIG. After a few days of looking at bucks, once you see a good one, you know it. I was excited to say the least. I got a good shooting position with rifle and bipod and started to contemplate the risks/rewards and even sanity of a 489 yard shot. No wind… I had practiced at 400 yards and felt somewhat competent at that range, but 489 was another story. About then I noticed the herd was actually feeding toward me and a bit to my left. This was my best chance of the week. Now all I had to do was wait them out! But again it was not to be. The herd became very nervous and they were all looking in the direction of a road that I could not see, about 500 yards to my left. They then bolted, crossed under a fence on their side of the field and disappeared. I suspected another hunter had been stalking the same herd and spooked them. I picked up my gear and had started the hike back to the truck, when I heard it… Bang Clang Clang Bang Bang Bang Clang. The herd had been spooked by a rancher with a rattling horse trailer traveling up the road. The only other vehicle I saw the whole day! Such are the challenges of public land hunting I guess.

 This is where the GPS/map combo came in handy. While back at the truck, we could see where the antelope had traveled almost full circle and were now visible on a far off rise.  The rancher approached our truck on horseback. I explained what had happened and apologies were given and they explained they were in the area to round up some cattle they had grazing the BLM land. I replied, no worries, as the antelope could have just as well spooked my way, which would have been a very good thing. I discussed some property boundaries with the rancher, as the herd had seemed to go under the fence onto private land. I knew this because of the GPS maps. The rancher confirmed that the fence was the boundary between their land and BLM land. The rancher seemed somewhat relieved that I asked about and understood the property boundaries.

 The rancher decided to help me get within range of the antelope again. With me hidden between the horses, the rancher attempted to approach the antelope on horseback. The antelope obviously knew this trick too and bolted to places unknown for the day. I spent the rest of the day finding a spot to setup that would allow a good shot, if the antelope returned the next day.

 On Saturday morning, last day of my hunt, I walked to the setup spot with just enough light as to not require a headlamp, sat down beside a three foot juniper that was on a small rise overlooking the open field. This gave me a perfect 300 yard shot to where the antelope had crossed under the fence the previous day and also allowed me to cover the opposite side, if they showed up there as well. At 7:30am I saw a buck feeding down the BLM side of the fence line. The buck slowly grazed to about where the antelope had crossed under the fence yesterday. Unfortunately, he was not the same buck from the day before. He was smaller. I watched this buck for about 10 minutes, hoping that the rest of the herd might not be far behind, but no others showed.  This buck seemed to be alone. Now I had a decision. Should I take this buck or wait for one that may never show? It was 7:30am, my last day, and some scattered clouds arrived that were beating back the sun. I knew that with the early morning air and clouds, I would be able to get the meat out in good shape. So, I took the buck with one shot from 280 yards with my 25-06. The buck was only 20 yards on the BLM side of the fence. I now have some good meat and stories for elk camp this year!

 This is where the GPS/map combo really shined for me. In years past, I would not have hunted an area with such close public/private land boundaries. But the maps allowed me to hunt with confidence and I got my antelope, which I may not have gotten otherwise.  I hope to hunt the Beulah unit next year. I know an area where some big mule deer hang out and it too is a patchwork of BLM and private land. I cannot wait…

 Thanks again, Frank!

 Roger

Successful Hunters 2011

Roy’s 2011 Steens Mtn Antelope

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Roy's 2011 Antelope Buck after the long wait!

Roy contacted me back in early summer that he had a Steens Antelope Tag.   He also told me that he had hunted deer the Steens and knew that area well.   He was wondering if I would share some extra info on places that he might get into Antelope in the Steens.

Just in case his spots did not work out that there were other avenues to work in the Steens.  The spot that Roy hunted is a great area for lopes which his story tells the end result!

Frank, I got a great picture of some real nice rams in the area and sharing it with you and your readers.

Bighorn Sheep that Roy was able to get close to!

I killed a nice buck on Thursday evening, 14 inch buck, nice ivory tips, and good size!  I gave up on the long range shooting and sat at a water hole for hours and hours. I hunted in the area northeast of Moon Hill Road.

This buck has some Cutters (Prongs) I know why he took this lope!

I had multiple Does bed down below me at the waterhole when I shot this buck. There were antelope everywhere, and the good thing was, when I got a shot it was a mere 186 yards. The buck didn’t even move, he just crumpled right there.

I was pumped, got him to the locker in less than 2 hours, and the meat tastes great.

Thanks Much, Roy Jackson

I really like this buck and he was definitly a shooter and will look great on the wall!  Bwana