Sunday, June 7, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Reloading the .450 Bushmaster: Straight-Wall Deer Loads for the AR Platform

Reloading the .450 Bushmaster: Straight-Wall Deer Loads for the AR Platform

The .450 Bushmaster punches a .452-inch hole through deer at carbine ranges, runs in an AR-15 lower, and is legal for straight-wall cartridge restrictions in multiple states. Here's what you need to know to handload it well.

By HFR Staff  ·  June 7, 2026
Building a DOPE Chart for Long-Range Hunting: Field Data, Apps, and Confirmed Drops That Actually Count
Shooting

Building a DOPE Chart for Long-Range Hunting: Field Data, Apps, and Confirmed Drops That Actually Count

A ballistic app is a starting point, not a solution. Building a verified DOPE chart at the range — confirmed at real distance with your actual rifle and load — is the only thing that lets you make ethical long shots on animals in the field.

June 7, 2026
California Quail Hunting in Oregon's Umpqua Valley and Rogue River Country
Hunting

California Quail Hunting in Oregon's Umpqua Valley and Rogue River Country

Oregon's most abundant upland bird doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. California quail thrive in the brushy draws and oak woodlands of the Umpqua and Rogue valleys — and the September opener arrives faster than most hunters are ready for.

June 7, 2026
Summer Trout on the McKenzie River: Wade Fishing Oregon's Classic Wild Cutthroat Water
Fishing

Summer Trout on the McKenzie River: Wade Fishing Oregon's Classic Wild Cutthroat Water

The McKenzie River runs cold and clear through June, and the wild cutthroat and rainbow trout that hold in its riffles and pocket water are as willing as they'll be all year. Here's how to read the river and catch fish from Eugene to the headwaters.

June 7, 2026
Drift Creek Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Trip Through Oregon's Old-Growth Coast Range
Backpacking

Drift Creek Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Trip Through Oregon's Old-Growth Coast Range

The Drift Creek Wilderness in Lincoln County protects one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth temperate rainforest on Oregon's Coast Range. Here's everything you need for a weekend trip.

June 6, 2026
Reloading the .300 PRC: Long-Range Precision Loads for Open-Country Elk and Mule Deer
Reloading

Reloading the .300 PRC: Long-Range Precision Loads for Open-Country Elk and Mule Deer

The .300 PRC is one of the most capable long-range hunting cartridges available today. Here's a practical guide to reloading it for field accuracy and terminal performance.

June 6, 2026
Oregon Mountain Goat Hunting: Trophy Permits, High-Country Units, and What It Takes to Find a Billy
Hunting

Oregon Mountain Goat Hunting: Trophy Permits, High-Country Units, and What It Takes to Find a Billy

Oregon mountain goat tags are among the rarest draws in the state. Here's what you need to know about units, season timing, and how to hunt these high-country animals effectively.

June 6, 2026
Summer Smallmouth Bass on the Owyhee River: Kayak and Wade Fishing Oregon's Canyon Country
Fishing

Summer Smallmouth Bass on the Owyhee River: Kayak and Wade Fishing Oregon's Canyon Country

The Owyhee River canyon in southeastern Oregon is one of the most underrated smallmouth bass fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. Here's how to fish it in summer.

June 6, 2026
Home Defense Shotgun: Patterning, Load Selection, and Technique for the 12-Gauge Defender
Shooting

Home Defense Shotgun: Patterning, Load Selection, and Technique for the 12-Gauge Defender

The 12-gauge shotgun remains one of America's top home defense tools. Here's how to pattern your gun, choose the right load, and build the manual of arms into reliable muscle memory.

June 5, 2026
Tree Saddle Hunting for Bowhunters: A Lightweight Alternative to Traditional Treestands
Archery

Tree Saddle Hunting for Bowhunters: A Lightweight Alternative to Traditional Treestands

Tree saddles are revolutionizing how bowhunters access the vertical world. Lightweight, versatile, and deadly quiet — here's everything you need to get started with saddle hunting before the season opens.

June 5, 2026