Friday, July 31, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Field Ballistic Calculators for Western Hunters: Kestrel, Applied Ballistics, and Getting Your Data Right

Field Ballistic Calculators for Western Hunters: Kestrel, Applied Ballistics, and Getting Your Data Right

Modern ballistic calculators have transformed long-range hunting. Here's how to choose the right tool, enter your data correctly, and actually trust your firing solution in the field.

By HFR Staff  ·  July 31, 2026
Reloading the .22 Nosler: High-Performance AR-Platform Loads for Varmints and Deer
Reloading

Reloading the .22 Nosler: High-Performance AR-Platform Loads for Varmints and Deer

The .22 Nosler delivers genuine high-velocity performance from a standard AR-15 platform. Here's a complete reloading guide covering components, load data, and what to expect in the field.

July 31, 2026
Oregon's Grizzly Unit Archery Mule Deer: Blue Mountains Public Land Bucks
Hunting

Oregon's Grizzly Unit Archery Mule Deer: Blue Mountains Public Land Bucks

The Grizzly Unit in Grant County offers serious DIY archery mule deer hunting on public land. Here's how to find velvet bucks now and convert your tag in August.

July 31, 2026
Elk River Fall Chinook: Oregon's Premier South Coast Salmon Destination
Fishing

Elk River Fall Chinook: Oregon's Premier South Coast Salmon Destination

The Elk River in Curry County punches far above its weight for fall Chinook salmon. Here's everything you need to know to fish it right from August through November.

July 31, 2026
Grassy Knob Wilderness: Backpacking Oregon's Remote South Coast Rainforest
Backpacking

Grassy Knob Wilderness: Backpacking Oregon's Remote South Coast Rainforest

Tucked in the Siskiyou National Forest above Port Orford, the Grassy Knob Wilderness is one of Oregon's smallest and least-visited designated wilderness areas — but it delivers old-growth Sitka spruce, dramatic coastal views, and genuine solitude.

July 30, 2026
Reloading the .300 Savage: A Classic Short-Action Deer Cartridge Worth Rediscovering
Reloading

Reloading the .300 Savage: A Classic Short-Action Deer Cartridge Worth Rediscovering

The .300 Savage may be 100 years old, but it's still a deadly deer cartridge — and a rewarding one to reload. Here's everything you need to know about components, load data, and getting the most from this underrated round.

July 30, 2026
Oregon's Desolation Unit Archery Mule Deer: Public Land Bucks in the John Day Canyon Country
Hunting

Oregon's Desolation Unit Archery Mule Deer: Public Land Bucks in the John Day Canyon Country

The Desolation Unit sits in the heart of Oregon's John Day country — open canyon terrain, light hunting pressure, and genuine trophy mule deer. Here's how to scout and hunt it before the August archery opener.

July 30, 2026
Illinois River Summer Steelhead: Wild Fish in Oregon's Most Remote Siskiyou Canyon
Fishing

Illinois River Summer Steelhead: Wild Fish in Oregon's Most Remote Siskiyou Canyon

The Illinois River is one of Oregon's last truly wild steelhead rivers — remote, uncompromising, and worth every step of the approach. Here's what you need to know to fish it in July and August.

July 30, 2026
Low-Light Archery Hunting: Equipment, Setup, and Shot Execution for Oregon's Best 20 Minutes of the Day
Archery

Low-Light Archery Hunting: Equipment, Setup, and Shot Execution for Oregon's Best 20 Minutes of the Day

The last 20 minutes of daylight produce more big game encounters than any other window of the day. Here's how to set up your compound bow, choose the right accessories, and execute the shot when the light is barely there.

July 29, 2026
Semi-Auto Hunting Rifles for Western Big Game: Platform, Calibers, and Field Performance in Oregon's Mountains
Shooting

Semi-Auto Hunting Rifles for Western Big Game: Platform, Calibers, and Field Performance in Oregon's Mountains

Semi-automatic hunting rifles have crossed into serious big game territory. Here's a practical look at the best platforms, calibers, and real-world performance for elk, mule deer, and blacktail hunters in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

July 29, 2026