Scouting for Deer and Elk (Field Day)

This is a FREE instructional field day for anyone who wants to learn how to scout for big game on public land in Oregon in preparation for the upcoming hunting season.

When: 

Saturday August 10th, 2024 from 7:30am — approximately 1:00pm

Where: 

Meeting location: Skyline Road Sno Park

Field day location: Near Timothy Lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest

You will learn:

• How to read maps for hunting and understanding mountain road systems
• Bushwhacking and navigating the woods with GPS
• Looking for big game sign
• Spotting simulated blacktail deer
• Shoot, don’t shoot drills
• Identifying good vs. bad hunting habitat
• How to use trail cameras.

Schedule:  

We’ll meet at Skyline Sno Park and then drive to the woods to scout for about 3-4 hours.  Afterwards, a voluntary homework assignment will expand the hunting area via online scouting.

Nearby shooting, fishing and hiking is available if you’d like to stay on the mountain afterwards.  There are dozens of places to practice  dispersed camping as well. Dispersed camping is how most hunt camps are setup.

What to bring:

• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Long pants
• Personal pack with food, water, and safety gear
• Sunscreen
• Water and lunch
• Notepad with pen/pencil
• Long sleeve shirt (you’ll regret short sleeves!)
• Bug Spray. Wear a long sleeve shirt and bring bug spray!! 
• Binoculars on a chest strap (recommended)
• OnX with a map downloaded on your phone or other GPS (recommended)

What we provide:

• Maps
• Trail cameras
• Flagging tape

Transportation info:

Most any car with a hatchback or bigger will be fine. Small cars with trunks may struggle on gravel, and there is a very short section where they might bottom out on the potholes. My Toyota Rav4 handles the roads just fine.

You will need the physical stamina to hike off trail, crossing logs, ducking brush, and handle a 200 foot elevation gain.

Field day is a fluid event influenced by snow pack, weather, and sudden change. Additional details and contact info will be shared as the event draws closer.

If you have any questions or issues registering, contact Brandon Dyches brandon.dyches@gmail.com  803-543-2296