Monday, August 10, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Oregon's Izee Unit Archery Elk: A DIY Guide to Hunting Public Land Bulls in the John Day Country

Oregon's Izee Unit Archery Elk: A DIY Guide to Hunting Public Land Bulls in the John Day Country

The Izee Unit's John Day country holds a healthy elk population, modest archery pressure, and genuine DIY public land opportunity. Here's how to hunt it right before the September rut.

By HFR Staff  ·  August 9, 2026
Bow Quivers for Hunting: Hip, Back, and Bow-Mounted Options for Oregon Deer and Elk Hunters
Archery

Bow Quivers for Hunting: Hip, Back, and Bow-Mounted Options for Oregon Deer and Elk Hunters

Your bow quiver rarely gets discussed until it causes a problem at the worst moment. Before Oregon's archery opener, here's how to choose the right system — and how to actually practice with it.

August 9, 2026
Hunting Tripods and Shooting Sticks for Western Big Game: Carbon vs. Aluminum, Height, and Field Setups That Work
Shooting

Hunting Tripods and Shooting Sticks for Western Big Game: Carbon vs. Aluminum, Height, and Field Setups That Work

At 300+ yards with a bull elk in your crosshairs, your field rest matters more than your rifle. A practical guide to hunting tripods, shooting sticks, and the systems western hunters actually need.

August 9, 2026
Tahkenitch and Eel Lake Summer Fishing: Bass, Cutthroat, and Perch on Oregon's Coastal Dune Lakes
Fishing

Tahkenitch and Eel Lake Summer Fishing: Bass, Cutthroat, and Perch on Oregon's Coastal Dune Lakes

Tucked inside the Oregon Dunes NRA south of Florence, Tahkenitch and Eel Lake produce largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish, and sea-run cutthroat all summer long — with almost no crowds.

August 9, 2026
Blood Trailing and Recovery After the Shot: A Complete Guide for Oregon Deer and Elk Hunters
Archery

Blood Trailing and Recovery After the Shot: A Complete Guide for Oregon Deer and Elk Hunters

What you do in the minutes after the shot determines whether you recover that animal. This complete guide covers reading blood sign, when to wait, systematic search techniques, and recovery in Oregon's varied terrain.

August 8, 2026
Reloading the .458 Winchester Magnum: Heavy Elk and Bear Loads for Oregon's Big Game
Reloading

Reloading the .458 Winchester Magnum: Heavy Elk and Bear Loads for Oregon's Big Game

America's original dangerous game cartridge can be tailored perfectly for Oregon black bear and elk. Here's a complete handloading guide for the .458 Win Mag — from powder selection to field performance.

August 8, 2026
Oregon's Keating Unit Archery Mule Deer: Baker County Bucks on Public Land
Hunting

Oregon's Keating Unit Archery Mule Deer: Baker County Bucks on Public Land

Baker County's Keating Unit is one of Oregon's most overlooked archery mule deer destinations — solid buck populations, good public land access, and far less pressure than the headline high-desert units.

August 8, 2026
Siuslaw River Fall Chinook Salmon: Oregon's Mid-Coast Sleeper Run
Fishing

Siuslaw River Fall Chinook Salmon: Oregon's Mid-Coast Sleeper Run

While crowds hit the Tillamook and Wilson, the Siuslaw quietly delivers consistent fall Chinook fishing. Here's everything you need to know about Oregon's most overlooked mid-coast salmon river.

August 8, 2026
Hunting Optics in the Pacific Northwest: Keeping Your Glass Clear, Fog-Free, and Reliable in Wet Conditions
Shooting

Hunting Optics in the Pacific Northwest: Keeping Your Glass Clear, Fog-Free, and Reliable in Wet Conditions

Oregon and Washington hunters face some of the harshest optical conditions in North America. Rain, fog, temperature swings, and condensation can render a $2,000 scope useless at the moment of truth. Here's how to buy right and field-prep your glass for PNW conditions.

August 7, 2026
Reloading the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum: High-Octane Loads for Open-Country Elk and Mule Deer
Reloading

Reloading the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum: High-Octane Loads for Open-Country Elk and Mule Deer

The .300 RUM sits at the top of the commercial .30-caliber performance pyramid, driving 180-grain bullets past 3,200 fps. If you own one of these cannons, handloading is the only way to feed it economically and unlock its full potential.

August 7, 2026