Wednesday, May 13, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Backpacking the Steens Mountain Wilderness: A 3-Day Route in Oregon's High Desert

Backpacking the Steens Mountain Wilderness: A 3-Day Route in Oregon's High Desert

Steens Mountain is one of Oregon's most remote and spectacular landscapes. Here is a practical 3-day backpacking route, gear considerations, and what to expect in late spring.

By HFR Staff  ·  May 12, 2026
Archery Form Fundamentals: Building a Repeatable Shot Cycle for the Field
Archery

Archery Form Fundamentals: Building a Repeatable Shot Cycle for the Field

Punching the trigger and hoping for the best will not cut it when a bull is at 40 yards. Here is how to build a shot cycle that holds up under pressure.

May 12, 2026
Black Bear Hunting in Oregon: Units, Season Dates, and Field Tactics
Hunting

Black Bear Hunting in Oregon: Units, Season Dates, and Field Tactics

Oregon's black bear population is healthy and huntable statewide. Here is a unit-by-unit breakdown and the tactics that consistently put bears on the ground.

May 12, 2026
Reloading the .300 Winchester Magnum for Elk: Components, Loads, and Field Results
Reloading

Reloading the .300 Winchester Magnum for Elk: Components, Loads, and Field Results

The .300 Win Mag is one of the most versatile elk cartridges ever chambered. Here is how to handload it for maximum field performance at distances from 100 to 500 yards.

May 12, 2026
Spring Chinook Salmon on the Willamette River: Timing, Tactics, and Top Spots
Fishing

Spring Chinook Salmon on the Willamette River: Timing, Tactics, and Top Spots

May means spring Chinook on the Willamette. Here is how to read the river, pick your gear, and land a bright king before the run peaks.

May 12, 2026
Fixed Blade vs. Mechanical Broadheads: Which is Right for Your Hunt?
Archery

Fixed Blade vs. Mechanical Broadheads: Which is Right for Your Hunt?

The fixed blade vs. mechanical broadhead debate has real stakes for hunting success. Each type offers genuine advantages depending on the game, weather conditions, and your bow setup. This guide breaks down when to use each, what the trade-offs actually are, and how to make the right choice for your hunt.

April 25, 2026
3-Day Hunting Camp Gear List for Oregon's High Desert
Backpacking

3-Day Hunting Camp Gear List for Oregon's High Desert

Three days in Oregon's high desert hunting country demands gear that's lightweight, durable, and prepared for temperature swings of 50+ degrees. This complete gear list covers shelter, sleep, water, food, clothing, navigation, and hunting-specific equipment for a self-supported backcountry hunt.

April 20, 2026
Pistol Grip and Trigger Technique for Better Defensive Shooting
Shooting

Pistol Grip and Trigger Technique for Better Defensive Shooting

Pistol accuracy problems almost always come down to grip and trigger technique. This guide breaks down the fundamentals of a proper two-handed grip, explains how to diagnose trigger pull issues, and provides practical drills that will improve your defensive shooting accuracy and speed.

April 18, 2026
Bass Fishing in Eastern Oregon: Hidden Lakes and Reservoirs
Fishing

Bass Fishing in Eastern Oregon: Hidden Lakes and Reservoirs

Eastern Oregon's reservoirs and impoundments hold surprisingly good largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing that most anglers drive right past on their way to the trout streams. From Owyhee Reservoir to the Columbia River pools, here's where to find Oregon bass and how to catch them.

April 12, 2026
Scouting for Mule Deer in Eastern Oregon: Reading the Landscape
Hunting

Scouting for Mule Deer in Eastern Oregon: Reading the Landscape

Eastern Oregon's mule deer country rewards hunters who glass hard, read the terrain, and put in scouting time before the season opens. From locating summer bucks to reading sign and planning a stalk, here's how to hunt big mule deer on the sage flats and rimrock of the high desert.

April 5, 2026