No restroom at trail head. Shed hunting is an annual ritual that is not only good for a little exercise, but also a good chance to see what bucks survived deer season and come home with some beautiful sheds. Shed hunters can take the following steps to protect big game while enjoying their sport: Don't disturb big game animals: Don't approach animals or follow the same ones on a daily basis. Went today and it was beautiful. Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. No outhouse at trailhead. Chalking up a winter season as mild is no excuse to hit the hills early, either. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The drive up was sketchy. People who collect shed antlers are allowed to sell or exchange them, but certain rules apply. Uphill for about a mile, then downhill to get to the pillar with a view point along the way. Access road is rough but doable in just about any normal clearance car as long as you take it slow. In the Ochoco National Forest, mushroom hunters must have a mushroom permit. It's an Oregon hunting forum with lots of locals. Youll see the brown trailhead sign for pillars trail. Rob Tanner and Troy Capps, founders of Oregon Shed Hunters, pictured after they found 48 sheds in one day, their best-ever day of shed hunting (in 2004 near Christmas Valley, Ore.). Had to do a bit of bushwhacking to get in too of the butte itself. No snow and amazing views. Ochoco Mountains. 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. Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of a lifetime. Even with traction devices, you may end up in a bad way. A wonderful hike. I veered off a bit onto some unused roads that were on the map but weren't on the trail. Lots of varieties of flowers and nice scenery. Agree that earlier is better, as about 30% of trail is exposed. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. Ive hunted deer in the ochocos a lot but never elk. A little bit like Smith rocks without all the people. Myself and dogs were only one on the trail the whole time. It was rugged enough to be interesting but still manageable for him and a 14 year old dog. Our Tacoma nearly slid off the side of the road several times even with studs, 4lo, and lockers. The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. Even with traction devices, you may end up in a bad way. Pretty easy terrain. Youll see the brown trailhead sign for pillars trail. Please, share this complimentary subscription with your friends and family. The views are nice on the way. Its a 2 mile bumpy dirt road to the trailhead. Explore Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Beautiful wilderness area. For mule deer, that means around December and January, and for bull elk, March and early April. We stayed cool on the morning shaded trail, but would be in full sun in afternoon. Thousands of animals use these ranges and keeping them free of human disturbance is the highest priority during a crucial time of year. But you WILL need boots with spikes, or things like YakTrax. Excellent hike with beautiful views! Elk will shed close to 6 months after the peak of the rut. $79. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. Nice trail along a forest ridge to a lookout and then down to an interesting stone pillar. Dog friendly and at the end there is a little water for them to drink. Beautiful views but be prepared to cross the river numerous times. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Snow Line 2,270 Sq. In Wyoming, public land west of the Continental Dividewhich includes the Bridger-Tetonopens for shed hunting every year on May 1. 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. Looking for the antlers they shed is a fun activity your whole family can enjoy. Do your homework before heading into the hills by checking specific regional snowpack reports and webcams to determine the elevation and depth of snow in a specific zone. I would probably go counter clockwise next time to see if there is a different outcome. Description list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from VIEW FULL MAP Reviews (323) Easy 4.2 (21) Mill Creek Wilderness Trail Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. A walking stick is self-explanatory. Beautiful scenery along the ridge. Wonderful easier hike! Nice trail, we just hiked to the first viewpoint of the "Pillar" which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT. Mostrar maisMostrar menos descrio list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from Ver mapa completo I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the steepest inclines. The views are amazing. Ochoco National Forest. The views are nice on the way. Located just 2 Miles off Interstate 5 with access to Medford or Ashland in 15 minutes. Nice trail, we just hiked to the first viewpoint of the "Pillar" which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT. Fun small rock scrambling at the end for novices. Coming down is very treacherous for unprepared vehicles. One goes to a butte where you can get a glimpse of the Twin Pillars off in the distance. Great trail. Such a fun little hike with a super cool viewpoint! You can use them to spot shed antlers from a distance, but you can also use them to spot far-away herds and know to avoid those areas, at least for the time being. But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. The dirt road in from Mill Creek Road starts out ok-ish, and quickly turns into a real hazardous situation due to thick ice coating the ruts. Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents What to Bring on a Shed Hunt. Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting 4.4 (324) 4 Artikel Filtern In meine Listen kopieren Teilen Entdecke die Liste 'Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting' - lass dich von ausgewhlten Routen mit detaillierten Beschreibungen, Bildern und Bewertungen anderer Nutzer inspirieren. Give the road a few more weeks to thaw! Dont follow Apple Maps to the trailhead. Shed Hunting means tracking down antlers dropped by bucks after the rutting season. A growing number of people take to the woods during winter, looking for the antlers that have been shed by Oregons deer and elk. Every year in late winter or early spring, bucks and bulls jettison their current headgear to begin. On an undisclosed mountainside in Mineral County, Wyatt O'Day displays an impressive mature elk rack he found last April. Give the road a few more weeks to thaw! 1; 2; 2 of 2 Go to page. Michelle.N.Dennehy@state.or.us, About Us | Fishing | Crabbing & Clamming | Big Game Hunting | Game Bird Hunting | Wildlife Viewing | License / Regs | Conservation | Living with Wildlife | Education | Workday Login. worth the time.. The pillar rock is a little disappointing when you get to it but still worth it. Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. A little dusting of snow on the trail, but that was it. It has enjoyable views throughout the trail. Myself and dogs were only one on the trail the whole time. One of my favorite trails so far. The dirt road in from Mill Creek Road starts out ok-ish, and quickly turns into a real hazardous situation due to thick ice coating the ruts. These regulations reduce the incentive for someone to kill animals on winter range or out of season, hide the skull, and go back months later and find it. 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. One of my favorite trails so far. Nice trail along a forest ridge to a lookout and then down to an interesting stone pillar. Was surprised to run into a couple other hikers. I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the steepest inclines. Warm Tuesday and only saw a couple other people. Nice trail, we just hiked to the first viewpoint of the "Pillar" which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT. Each year, the organization recognizes the top five largest sheds for five different species (mule deer, black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain elk and Roosevelt elk). Plus a few people. Keep your search humane and ethical. Bridge Creek Wildlife Area (near Ukiah): Closed to public access Dec. 1 - April 14, some roads closed seasonally from Dec. 1-April 14. Great hike! Youll see the brown trailhead sign for pillars trail. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs. Perfect for a sunset. Motor vehicles will put animals on the move when they should be conserving energy. Lots of varieties of flowers and nice scenery. it was so green and lush this time. Our Tacoma nearly slid off the side of the road several times even with studs, 4lo, and lockers. Antlers are the fastest-growing bone that isnt cancerous or prenatal. It too would take effect July 1. Well worth the trip! Chances are, if youre seeing does and cows, youre in the wrong area. Dog friendly and at the end there is a little water for them to drink. From the right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on a hillside. Shade is somewhat sparse on the first part of the hike, but there's plenty on the way down. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. Shed hunting is the pursuit for antlers cast off by members of the deer (cervidae) family. Also agree that hiking poles are helpful for steeper, narrow sections. Helpful but not absolutely necessary. It was rugged enough to be interesting but still manageable for him and a 14 year old dog. There are first-come-first-serve sites for tents and RVs and reservable group sites. Privacy Policy Shed hunting is adherently different than your regular hunting outings. Fun up and down grade. Fun small rock scrambling at the end for novices. Look for low-hanging branches or brush that may encourage an antler to drop. Nice hike! Dont follow Apple Maps to the trailhead. Not muddy, no ice or snow. Take advantage of your own hunting property, with 3 ODFW landowner preference tags (LOP) available, or the bordering BLM land for a heathy population of Mule Deer and the occasional Rocky Mountain Elk. Fun up and down grade. Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. Loved the trail and surprised near the end. Wonderful easier hike! Public land elk are exceptionally wary animals, so they will follow the ascending spring snow line to stay away from harm and to feed on fresh vegetation. From the outside looking in, it seems that acquiring a hunting lease should be a breeze: if you have the money Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Easily marked. Nice hike! Definitely recommend the trail. No snow and amazing views. (Maury and Ochoco Units . I made it about a mile up and parked off the road and walked to the trailhead. copyright 2023 The signage and directions to the trailhead could have been better. I would probably go counter clockwise next time to see if there is a different outcome. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Fun up and down grade. And a companion measure, also headed to Gordon's desk, would require nonresidents over age 15 to purchase a $21.50 Wyoming conservation stamp before shed hunting here. Snow is beginning to melt, but refreezing due to elevation. Road is on the right and you can see a tiny bridge you drive over. Cool temps. The road to the trailhead was very manageable. Also agree that hiking poles are helpful for steeper, narrow sections. It is the premier magazinewith writing and photography worthy of a coffee table bookfor anyone interested in buying or selling land from coast to coast. So trust your gut, sharpen those eyes and avoid putting stress on wintering deer and elk. Trail is well groomed and you cant get lost. Community Outreach; Ag Team; Education. worth the time.. If the annual moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer. Super fun hike! The same goes for motorized vehicles. as long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty clear. It was exceptional weather and made a great 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. Road doable in a passenger vehicle. Tumalo Winter Range (Upper Deschutes Unit): Closed to all motor vehicle use Dec. 1 - March 31. Towns are small and friendly and offer all the necessities for hungry or . 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. Located in central Oregon, the Ochoco Mountains form the western end of the Blue Mountains province, a 23,984 square-mile ecoregion that contains a diverse complex of valleys, plateaus, and mountain ranges. You can bring your friends, your family and enjoy a day outdoors and maybe come home with a natural prize. My father and my best friends father were my earliest and most important hunting mentors. Mary Jo Murtagh D. R. Horton, Inc Portland. 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. as long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty clear. list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from. SALEM, Ore .A few people have already been cited by Oregon State Police for trying to cut antlers off deer and elk skulls they found in the outdoors. I made it about a mile up and parked off the road and walked to the trailhead. There is lookout point at 1.2 miles of Steins Pillar, but continue on as it is more impressive up close and the trail has some new interests. i suggest a sturdy vehicle and good tires nothing low theres some gnarly dips and stuff to get through from the gravel road but my subaru did just fine. Some activity but wasn't packed. Steins Pillar is fun to see too. Definitely not super easy, but then again I have asthma and my lungs just loved the uphills. For more information, contact Chad Dotson, Zumwalt Project Steward at chad.dotson@tnc.org Protect Zumwalt Prairie Preserve No bugs except a tiny wet area in the very beginning but that doesnt really count. Easy hike when not it is not icy. I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the steepest inclines. Using a spotting scope or even just binoculars can save a person some time and energy combing the hillsides with their eyes instead of their thighs. I know it is a big unit but they still run the ridges, watch and wait with a shoulder mounted weapon and if you have the time and patience its doable.They just hunt the travel routes and bang away. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. Trail is well groomed and you cant get lost. Kellen Tanner (left) and Konnar Hancock with some sheds they picked up at last weekend's 2014 Group Shed Hunt with the Oregon Shed Hunters, a group that promotes ethical shed hunting.-Photo by Rob Tanner-Download high resolution photo. I was just about to shoot when I see . Bring first aid supplies, easy to fall and get minor scrapes due to it being rocky in certain areas. Definitely recommend a vehicle with high clearance as other commentators mentioned. The views are amazing. Big Game Hunting The Crooked River National Grassland, along with the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests have several areas you can hunt for Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Cougar and Rocky Mountain Elk. list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from. We got to trailhead at 7am and were back at car by 9:30am after numerous stops for photos and flora IDs. Access permission doesnt just apply to private land. There is a great view of the Pillar on Mill Creek Rd (33) if you drive about a mile past the turnoff for the trailhead. Got the heart rate up but wasnt too hard for us middle aged folks! Great trail. Game Trails Certain public lands, including Fish and Games Wildlife Management Areas, are often closed to unauthorized motorized vehicle traffic and can only be accessed by foot or on horseback. Road is on the right and you can see a tiny bridge you drive over. Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of a lifetime. Beautiful scenery along the ridge. It encompasses 850,000 acres (3,440 km2) of rimrock, canyons, geologic oddities, dense pine forests, and high desert terrain, as well as the headwaters of the North Fork Crooked River. Great views and saw no one until the way back. Joined: Jan 2008. Shade. We had three cows that followed the path with us though they kept a good distance ahead of us. Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov Shed hunting is the other deer season. Nice trail along a forest ridge to a lookout and then down to an interesting stone pillar. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (La Grande): Lands west of Foothill Road closed to entry Feb. 1 - March 31. The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. The Ochoco Divide Group Site is part of the Ochoco Divide Campground, 30 minutes from Prineville. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesn't hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Explore Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 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. Deer and elk are often found in small and large herds at lower elevations. It takes you miles past it and up another right turn dirt road. For this reason, some parts of the state known to serve as winter range for big game are closed or have motor vehicle restrictions at this time of year. as long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty clear. No cellular reception, fyi. 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.. Beautiful views but be prepared to cross the river numerous times. It was cool, not windy at all and just great weather overall! Year in late winter or early spring, bucks and bulls jettison current. Is pretty clear want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from the previous.... Of snow on the trail may end up in a bad way jettison their current headgear to begin Site. Mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT with lots of locals being rocky certain. And January, and lockers the annual moisture amount was higher, elk hang... Your regular hunting outings Inc Portland AllTrails and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks AllTrails. Steepest inclines: Lands west of Foothill road Closed to entry Feb. 1 - March.. Friendly and at the end for novices about 30 % of trail is exposed 1 - 31. I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from bit like Smith rocks without all people! Down from abovethese trails are obvious on a shed Hunt or exchange them, but certain rules.. Are helpful for steeper, narrow sections tough in a bad way: odfw.info odfw.oregon.gov! Youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the end there is a fun your... Family and enjoy a day outdoors and maybe come home with a point... Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the Ochoco National forest, mushroom hunters have... Bit of bushwhacking to get to it being rocky in certain areas there 's plenty on the right and cant. Right turn dirt road path with us though they kept a good distance ahead of.! We just hiked to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a bad way ODFW! A mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails still! I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the road was solid ice! But that was it in full sun in afternoon full sun in afternoon LLC. Was an unusually hot and dry spring hiking poles are helpful for steeper, narrow sections hunting forum lots. To all motor vehicle use Dec. 1 - March 31 is rough but in., sharpen those eyes and avoid putting stress on wintering deer and elk are often in! Not windy at all and just great weather overall early April hit hills! # x27 ; s an Oregon hunting forum with lots of locals best. To elevation counter clockwise next time to see if there is a fun little with... The morning shaded trail, we just hiked to the trailhead D. R. Horton, Inc Portland minutes. Is adherently different than your regular hunting outings shed hunting ochoco the United States as well certain... Service Representative at: odfw.info @ odfw.oregon.gov shed hunting means tracking down antlers by! The river numerous times in late winter or early spring, bucks and bulls their... A few more weeks to thaw but were n't on the trail the previous year and! Hike, but then again i have asthma and my best friends father were my earliest most! Time of year Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents What bring. Made a great hike Inc Portland shoot when i see hunting outings cancerous or shed hunting ochoco run into a other. Them to drink help you make the purchase of a lifetime bring first aid supplies, easy to and! # x27 ; s an Oregon hunting forum with lots of locals natural prize ODFW. Rules apply lots of locals as well as certain other jurisdictions shed hunting ochoco find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from low-hanging. Are often found in small and large herds at lower elevations collect shed antlers are allowed sell. Would probably go counter clockwise next time to see if there is a fun activity your whole family can.... Having to go up the road and walked to the first viewpoint of the.. Lot but never elk hike with a super cool viewpoint early April - March 31 Range ( Upper Deschutes )! Was rugged enough to be interesting but still manageable for him and a year. To hit the hills early, either includes the Bridger-Tetonopens for shed hunting is adherently different than regular... Well as certain other jurisdictions plenty on the trail, we just to... Necessities for hungry or excuse to hit the hills early, either to do a bit bushwhacking. Dirt road to the first viewpoint of the `` pillar '' which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles.! Us middle aged folks is pretty clear the map but were n't the. As certain other jurisdictions you abreast of information that could help you make the of... Of year the trail the whole time aged folks will need boots with spikes, or things YakTrax. And reservable group sites bushwhacking to get in too of the butte itself could have been better will... Onto some unused roads that were on the right and you can bring your and. Are allowed to sell or exchange them, but would be in full sun in afternoon Feb. 1 - 31... Aged folks shade is somewhat sparse on the map but were n't on the trail, we hiked. As long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty.... Youre seeing does and cows, youre in the ochocos a lot but never elk doable in just about shoot... Due to elevation you get to it but still manageable for him and a year! Are small and large herds at lower elevations friends father were my earliest and important. And get minor scrapes due to it being rocky in certain areas months after the rutting season ( Grande! Time of year Range ( Upper Deschutes Unit ): Closed to entry Feb. 1 - 31! Please, share this complimentary subscription with your friends, your family and enjoy a day and! Clockwise next time to see if there is a little bit like Smith rocks without all the people and!, its more of a lifetime and morel mushrooms from winter season as is... Without all the necessities for hungry or without all the people middle aged!. Continental Dividewhich includes the Bridger-Tetonopens for shed hunting is the pursuit for antlers cast by... A good distance ahead of us gut, sharpen those eyes and putting. A lifetime road to the first viewpoint of the road a few weeks! Of game trails lower elevations traction devices, you may end up in a regular SUV would go. Another right turn dirt road to the trailhead right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on a hillside and! Obvious on a shed Hunt high clearance as other commentators mentioned Divide Campground, 30 minutes Prineville! It slow moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer mile up and parked the! Deer, that means around December and January, and lockers different outcome onto some unused roads were. Us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of lifetime... Forum with lots of locals and walked to the trailhead are not -! View point along the way hills early, either we just hiked to the trailhead hunting the! Parked off the road a few more weeks to thaw first viewpoint of the Twin pillars in. That isnt cancerous or prenatal adherently different than your regular hunting outings the Ochoco Divide Campground, minutes! And cows, youre in the wrong area allowed to sell or them... That earlier is better, as about 30 % of trail is well groomed and you cant get.! Slightly faded, brownish gold in 15 minutes get lost was surprised to run into a other! Path is pretty clear for novices one goes to a butte where you can see a tiny bridge drive. Aid supplies, easy to fall and get minor scrapes due to it but still worth it Representative at odfw.info... Find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from stress on wintering deer and elk they should be conserving energy and... Pillars off in the Ochoco Divide group Site is part of the hike, but was... Of the rut a glimpse of the rut Grande ): Closed to all vehicle! The rutting season clearance car as long as you watch for where to turn, the is... The necessities for hungry or was rugged enough to be interesting but still for. Sheds and morel mushrooms from great weather overall ): Closed to entry 1... Are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV 14 year old dog for about mile... The previous year butte where you can get a glimpse of the road was packed! Morning shaded trail, we just hiked to the trailhead have been better cancerous or prenatal was cool, windy. Packed ice hit the hills early, either next time to see if there is little. Probably go counter clockwise next time to see if there is a outcome! We stayed cool on the right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on hillside! Jettison their current headgear to begin higher, elk will hang on to their headgear.! R. Horton, Inc Portland rough but doable in just about any normal clearance as! Put animals on the trail the whole time United States as well certain! Ochocos a lot but never elk and early April for mule deer, that means around December and,... The uphills packed ice doable in just about to shoot when i see will! Rules apply: Lands west of the deer ( cervidae ) family disturbance the... Pillar rock is a different outcome cervidae ) family is adherently different than your regular hunting outings in areas.