Artistic Taxidermy
Address: 5700 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206
Phone: (503) 771-3337
Angelo’s Tannery
Address: 10724 SE Highway 212 # 3, Clackamas, OR 97015
Phone: (503) 655-2886
Ingersoll Taxidermy
Address: 14320 Leland Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: (503) 656-2230
Natural Instincts Wildlife
Address: 15370 Holcomb Blvd, Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: (503) 722-1178
Braggin Rights Taxidermy
Address: 22815 Abilene Ct, Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 317-1177
For the best tasting table fare you can process your own Game meat and wrap it at home using a Vacuum pack system; or you can take it into to a commercial processor and have them do the work for you.
Be sure and take excellent care of your game meat. Make sure you have a sharp knife or two, a way to sharpen it, game bags and a plan to get your meat from the field to the freezer as quickly as possible. Be prepared to follow the three rules for the best tasting table fare possible.
Here’s a few meat processors we’ve used and can highly recommend:
Shy Ann Meats and Sausage CO
14798 Henrici Road, Oregon City, OR 97045
phone: (503) 518-7006
fax: (503) 518-7007
http://www.shyannmeats.com
Gartner’s Country Meat Market
7450 NE Killingsworth St.
Portland, OR 97216
503.252.7801
www.gartnersmeats.com
Emertt Buxton Meats
37101 Se Dunn Rd
Sandy, OR 97055
(503) 668-4838
Well this past week I’ve been out doing some target shooting and scouting for this seasons hunts around Mt. Hood.
Of course the weather has been hot in the 90’s and sunny. Luckily for me I decided it might be a good idea to wear my Under Armour Heat gear. This stuff is truly a life saver.
I have to admit until I worked in the Archery Pro Shop I never bothered with fancy base layers. But then I started using Under Armour for the late season hunts and man this stuff is the BOMB! It does an absolutely incredible job of keeping your body temperature well regulated and moisture off your skin. It is without a doubt the first layer on when getting dressed for all of my outdoor adventures.
Remember for best performance to use the Heat gear in hot weather and Cold gear during cold weather; it can truly be a life saver!
One of the very best things that any hunter or shooter can do for your rifle is to properly break in a new barrel.
A little bit of elbow grease and a healthy dose of patience will do wonders to enhance your new rifle’s accuracy.
I used these techniques with my own .270 winchester back when I spurged and bought another rifle that I didn’t really need, but wanted very badly.
First steps are to take your rifle home and perform the basic setup or have the gun shop do the work for you, your choice. This would include mounting and bore sighting your chosen scope, selecting initial ammo/loads to shoot and any basic accurrizingthat you want performed prior to initially shooting the rifle.
Next take your rifle to the range with your usual shooting gear, selected ammo, eye and hearing protection, most impotant don’t foreget your cleaning kit.
Starting with a clean barrel shot your first sight in shot.
Now clean the barrel. Use your normal cleaning process; nothing fancy is required.
Shoot your second shot. Now clean the barrel.
Repeat the shoot and clean procedure for the first twenty shots.
After the first twenty shots clean after every fifth shot for the first 100 rounds. After 100 rounds you can clean after every trip to the range.
By shooting your shots through a clean barrel, we’re not allowing fouling to buildup and score the bore. You’ll also get a much better idea of the accuracy potential for you individual rifle. And it doesn’t matter if your shooting a standard or magnum caliber.
Better accuracy in any rifle guaranteed!
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that the North Central Oregon Deer herd experienced good winter fawn survival. This followed good fawn survival last year and the expectation is to see plenty of yearling and forked horn bucks this fall. Hunting opportunities should be at least as good as last year.
Increasing use of off-road vehicles is impacting game herds in and around the White River Wildlife Area; look for more restrictions and enforcement for OHV use in North Central Oregon.
Elk populations are up in the region and Elk on the east side of the Cascades are slowly increasing and should provide good hunting this season.
Summer’s in full swing and now is the time to get ready for fall hunting. If you’re planning a hunt this coming season you’ll need to do your planning, conditioning and equipment preparation now. You definitely don’t want to procrastinate!
I just finished getting my SUV Tuned-up, tires, battery and other essentials taken care of this week. My vehicle is still my primary method to get to happy hunting grounds.
I’ve also been busy getting in shape, even though conditioning should really be a year round activity.
Besides getting some conditioning in don’t forget to get a physical checkup, including an eye exam. Make sure you are as prepared as possible. You don’t want to run out of gas while packing out your big bull this season.
If your a bow hunter you don’t have a lot of time to your bow setup, it’s definitely crunch time for gettin your practice shooting in.
Did you get that new rangefinder or pair of binoculars you’ve been needing for the past two seasons? Now is the time to get the new gear and take it out scouting.
July and August are the best times to get to the range and do some addtional shooting. Get out and put several weekends of scouting your chosen unit in; take your pack, wear your boots and use that new range finder while you scout it’s the best way to make sure your equipment will work for you.
If the high cost of gas has put a kink in your scouting check out Google Earth, it provides an excellent way for you to get a birds eye view of your hunting area.
Backpacking has come along way in the past three decades. Ultra light equipment, gortex fabrics and food that is actually good for you!
Remember to only carry about 1/5 your body weight as every ounce counts! Also, be sure to buy and use only top of the line gear your life depends on your gear!
For the ultimate challenge on your next hunting trip try the backpack style of hunt! You’ll really get into the game!
This list is for a typical cold-weather hunt in late season. You can lighten up on the clothing for early-season bow hunts. Be sure to customize your gear as you see fit and definitely use a checklist while packing to avoid forgetting anything that may prove critical.
Gear
1) Colorado Elk
This one’s a no brainer. Lots of Elk, excellent success rates and over the counter tags. At $526 for non-residents it’s not a bad deal. 2007 boosted a 22% hunter success rate. Look to Northwest Colorado in the areas of Craig and Steamboat Springs.
For up to date information contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife. www.wildlife.state.co.us
2) Idaho Elk
Idaho is a sleeper destination for Western Elk hunters. With over the counter tags available and excellent habitat and hunting Idaho should not be overlooked. Hunter success rates approach 20%. Look to the Clearwater and St. Joe National Forests or Payette National Forest for excellent Public land hunts.
For up to date information contact the Idaho Fish & Game. www.fishandgame.idaho.gov Idaho’s hunt online planner is one of the best available.
3) Oregon Cascade Elk
Oregon’s Cascade Elk hunts are some of the best and least known among Western hunters. Elk are scattered throughout the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and many Big Bulls fall to hunter’s each season. This hunt just keeps getting better and better every year. Oregon’s Elk tags are available over the counter. Look to the Wilderness areas in the McKenzie Unit or near La Pine.
For up to date information contact the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. www.dfw.state.or.us
4) Oregon Blacktail Deer
Oregon hold the Top spot in the Boone& Crockett Record book for Blacktail Deer. With the largest population of Columbia Blacktail and plenty of Public land Oregon is a Top choice.
Look at Tillamook County and the Alsea areas for some of the best hunting. The late season tends to have higher success rates, as storms make finding the bigger bucks easier.
For up to date information contact the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. www.dfw.state.or.us
5) Wyoming Pronghorns
There are more Pronghorns than Human beings in the cowboy State.With the highest density in the nation and 50% public lands Wyoming is your destination. A hunter success rate of 96% makes this an excellent hunt for first timers, old timers and anyone who loves a challenging hunt. Check out the areas around Gillette for some of the better hunting.
For up to date information contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. www.gf.state.wy.us
Are you thinking about heading to the Mt. Hood National Forest for the Fourth of July?
Be sure to check out the Recreational Activities report for the Mt. Hood National Forest found on the US Forest Website.
Pay particular attention to fire restrictions and fire danger in your recreation area.
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/conditions/index.shtml
July and August are the traditional times when hunters get out and scout for this coming falls hunt.
Let us know if you have a favorite game or area you enjoy near Mt. Hood.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the left over tags for the 2008 hunting season will go on sale starting at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday July 1st.
The tags are offered on a first come-first served basis and historically have sold out within several minutes of going on sale. Tags are available at all point-of-sale agents (POS) statewide.
For hunters who didn’t draw there Eastern Oregon Rifle Deer tags check out the 142A Hood Unit Buck Deer hunt. It is a challenging area to hunt, but offers hunting on the Mt. Hood National Forest, several Wilderness areas, and private land Hood River Valley hunting opportunity. There are Big Bucks in this unit, if you’re willing to hunt for them.
The list of available tags has been posted on the ODFW website at: www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/controlled_hunts/docs/2008_leftover%20_tags.pdf