Definitely recommend the trail. So keep that in mind before you start shed hunting. Pretty easy terrain. Connor Liess is a public information specialist for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov Shade. That was a fun hunt to. Climbed to the pillar it was great! One small water crossing in the beginning. Was surprised to run into a couple other hikers. 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. Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. The Ochoco Divide Group Site is part of the Ochoco Divide Campground, 30 minutes from Prineville. Ochoco National Forest. We went a bit further and went all the way down. If your shed hunting location has an average or above normal snowpack, figure out where the snow line was around the first or second week of April and you will find antlers at that elevation. No restroom at trail head. I love the Mill Creek Wilderness. No snow on the trail. The views are nice on the way. PREVIOUS POSTS . 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. 2,270 Sq. Wonderful easier hike! Went today and it was beautiful. Super fun hike! Definitely not super easy, but then again I have asthma and my lungs just loved the uphills. Nice, mostly shaded (morning) hike with diverse plants and trees. Would be a 5-star hike for me were it not for the mile or so at the end where you're on the main road. 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. Fun viewpoint with a little elevation! Lyman Pachmayr TC-A Adapter (only) For T-C Contender Forend. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. Beautiful quiet trail that is easy to navigate and not too strenuous. A growing number of people take to the woods during winter, looking for the antlers that have been shed by Oregons deer and elk. 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. 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. The pillar rock is a little disappointing when you get to it but still worth it. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. The general elk hunting season begins in October and the rugged terrain is home to two types of elk, Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt. 12X14 roll up doors, asphalt path through breezeway, 10 ton covered hay storage. Fun but bring water and non slip shoes not flip flops. 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. Great trail, but DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRAIL AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS REVIEW 2/11/2022. We had three cows that followed the path with us though they kept a good distance ahead of us. Great views and saw no one until the way back. The trail was great! But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. Glass the hillsides from the trailhead, or look for recent sign like fresh hoof prints or scat on the ground. Went today and it was beautiful. However, late winter and early spring is the toughest time of the year for deer, elk and moose. The main point of this shed hunting story. Which makes it so amazing! The trail itself has both packed snow and ice. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, humans have used shed antlers as raw materials for tools. Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. Trailhead was busy on Fourth of July but there was still parking. 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. The Ochoco National Forest is located in the Ochoco Mountains in Central Oregon in the United States, north and east of the city of Prineville, location of the national forest headquarters.It encompasses 850,000 acres (3,440 km 2) of rimrock, canyons, geologic oddities, dense pine forests, and high desert terrain, as well as the headwaters of the North Fork Crooked River. The National Deer Association interviewed several of our members who are avid shed antler hunters and collectors. Road doable in a passenger vehicle. No snow on the trail. Shed hunting is the pursuit for antlers cast off by members of the deer (cervidae) family. My Apple Watch from our car said 4.60 miles total. Trail was wonderful and well maintained. 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. Dog friendly and at the end there is a little water for them to drink. 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. list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from. In addition, there is a large pad for a Barn or equipment shed. Very bright green and lots of elevation up and down but not hard. 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. Beautiful area but couldnt get there - gate locked on road and then after parking farther away tried to walk there but road didnt go there and private land w no trespassing signs - oh well it started to rain anyways. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Beautiful quiet trail that is easy to navigate and not too strenuous. (Maury and Ochoco Units): Closed to motorized vehicle access Nov. 15 or Dec. 1-April 15. March 11, 2016. @a.stay.nw on IG for more photos. I love the Mill Creek Wilderness. Also agree that hiking poles are helpful for steeper, narrow sections. Mechanical treatment is the most expensive and is reserved for situations where prescribed fire or chemicals are not appropriate. Its a 2 mile bumpy dirt road to the trailhead. But you WILL need boots with spikes, or things like YakTrax. It takes you miles past it and up another right turn dirt road. Easily marked. Nice, mostly shaded (morning) hike with diverse plants and trees. But the peak of shed hunting season in late winter/early spring also coincides with tougher weather and less forage availability for big game, making it a vulnerable time for wildlife. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. Plus a few people. I was a moderate train that is best hiked in the morning to mitigate the sun. Lakes, streams, and wildlife abound. Some activity but wasn't packed. Absolutely AMAZING hike. Respect private lands and follow all road and area restrictions. Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. 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. The drive up was sketchy. Beautiful hike. Good trail for horses. it's so beautiful, and not nearly as busy as the Deschutes or Willamette National Forests. I find out later my shoes arent waterproof so I have soaked feet. 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. Dont follow Apple Maps to the trailhead. Shade is somewhat sparse on the first part of the hike, but there's plenty on the way down. Grid searching a steep, south-facing hillside with your binoculars from an opposing vantage point is an excellent tactic for covering ground while staying anonymous to the mountains inhabitants. worth the time.. 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. Access permission doesnt just apply to private land. There are clear stretches. Mostrar msMostrar menos descripcin list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from Ver mapa completo Had to do a bit of bushwhacking to get in too of the butte itself. No cellular reception, fyi. If you don't have chains or sided tires, you don't stand a chance, and will likely end up sideways, or worse. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. From the turn off to the trail head it is 2 miles. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. Dog friendly and at the end there is a little water for them to drink. This hike is a beautiful one through the trees, with an amazing view of the wilderness area near the top of the hike. Odds are high that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail. Meadows of wild flowers. Loved the trail and surprised near the end. (More information on specific closures below.) Game Trails Beautiful hike. 215 N. 2nd St. Plus a few people. Also agree that hiking poles are helpful for steeper, narrow sections. SALEM, Ore.The fall hunting season is over but another one is in full swing: Shed hunting. Elk are vulnerable in the early spring after enduring a long, cold winter. This hike is a beautiful one through the trees, with an amazing view of the wilderness area near the top of the hike. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Road is on the right and you can see a tiny bridge you drive over. Pretty easy terrain. We went a bit further and went all the way down. It was cool, not windy at all and just great weather overall! It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. White River Wildlife Area (Wamic): Road closures and restrictions. Give the road a few more weeks to thaw! DOWNLOAD BROCHURE 8,200 acres $11,750,000 Looks like for 100% draw its 5 points for Ochoco #2 and 6 points for Ochoco #1 tag for 2011. But you WILL need boots with spikes, or things like YakTrax. A little bit like Smith rocks without all the people. Great trail. Lizards and toads. This property has it all. Respect road and area closures. He was unable to recover the elk that night but returned with the landowner the following morning to continue the search. Mehr anzeigenWeniger anzeigen Beschreibung Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents Another shed hunting-related bill headed to Gov. Turn around and go about 3/4 mile and watch for a dirt road on your left now. Some activity but wasn't packed. Views of the Three Sisters in the distance with outstanding Ponderosa along the way. Good trail for horses. Road is on the right and you can see a tiny bridge you drive over. $464,995 Last Sold Price. After their antlers drop off, male deer, elk and moose will start growing new ones this spring. Odds are high that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail. Use trail-cameras to monitor antler shedding. Compartir Explora Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - mira los mapas de los senderos y las indicaciones para llegar a ellos, as como las reseas detalladas y las fotografas de los senderistas, los campistas y los amantes de la naturaleza como t. The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. Three items I bring on every shed hunt are a walking stick, large daypack, and binoculars. Well worth the trip! No restroom at trail head. During winter and early spring, big game animals are at their most vulnerable because of lower nutritional levels and body condition, explains Ryan Torland, ODFW district wildlife biologist in John Day. Second, shed hunting is a great way to do a bit of post season scouting. Shed hunting is adherently different than your regular hunting outings. Explore Camping Learn More Hiking Learn More Maps & Publications Learn More Recreation Passes Learn More Spotlights Please Don't Pet or Feed Wild Horses Easily marked. The argument could be made that this is, in part, because of leasing. One small water crossing in the beginning. A wonderful hike. Uphill for about a mile, then downhill to get to the pillar with a view point along the way. No one there. 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. 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. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Beautiful views but be prepared to cross the river numerous times. Its a 2 mile bumpy dirt road to the trailhead. 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. Hiked this trail just after thanksgiving. Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. But recently, shed hunting has morphed into a commercial enterprise. Please, share this complimentary subscription with your friends and family. Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of a lifetime. If shed hunting with your dog, keep it close, under control, and if you see big game animals, head elsewhere. If you see the pillars view lookout on your right then youve gone to far. The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the steepest inclines. Such a fun little hike with a super cool viewpoint! Shed hunting gives a new excuse to be outdoors, exercising and experiencing the woods in the spring. 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. Beautiful hike. Had to do a bit of bushwhacking to get in too of the butte itself. Trailhead was busy on Fourth of July but there was still parking. Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. It was really good to see and hear the creek running after such a dry summer. Get the latest updates and new property listings from Fay Ranches, Subscribe to receive the most recent volume of Land Investor magazine. The information, part of an article in NDA's Quality Whitetails magazine, included these useful tips for locating sheds: 1. Glassing for sheds and wildlife from a hilltop can be a useful tool in a shed hunters toolkit. Whether we like it or not, hunting leases are probably here to stay. Views of the Three Sisters in the distance with outstanding Ponderosa along the way. I learned a lot from both of them. Bridge Creek Wildlife Area (near Ukiah): Closed to public access Dec. 1 - April 14, some roads closed seasonally from Dec. 1-April 14. Keep your search humane and. Hey guys welcome back to the channel, just found my first shed of 2022 and its a tank. 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