Oregonian's

[Mike in Oregon]

If you're living in Oregon, sound off.

I posted in the Varminter & Hunting Forum to see how many we have here that enjoy getting out and varmint hunt and what you enjoy hunting. I am seriously addicted to this sport and what all it involves. I wonder if you share the passion as I do. Then I'll ask, is it common or not to get out and do a meet & greet with one another? Better yet perhaps organize something and round-up the wagons for an annual Varmint-Fest trip. I don't know, just putting out there.

 

[boltfluter]

Sounds like a good time to me! I am in extreme Eastern Oregon, close to Baker City.
Paul

 

[K22]

Don't live in Oregon, but I am addicted also. I started in the mid 60's in Western PA hunting in the summers except for breaks during my time in college and the Army. Took a break for about 13 years, from 87 to 99, due to job and family requirements but resumed full bore in the 1999 but in Eastern PA.

My varmint of choice is the eastern groundhog or as known by others, woodchuck. My favorite way to hunt was stalking, walking the fields with a pistol which I did extensively from about 72 to 87 in Western PA where the terrain was such that it provided ample stalking opportunities. I hunted with an open sight 357 Magnum, S&W Model 27 revolver. I was quite effective with a pistol back then. I attribute my proficiency to being a NRA Precision Pistol competitor attaining a Distinguish Expert Classification with a revolver. I also competed in Hunter Pistol Silhouette with a revolver attaining a AAA classification. Prior to that it was all rifle, first with a 22 LR then a 243 Win.

In 1999 I resumed the activity full bore in Eastern PA. Back then I had 8 to 9 farms to hunt. There were hogs everywhere. I wasn't unusual to see 12 to 15 every safari. Because of terrain and declining skills with a pistol, I switch exclusively to rifles, 243, 22 250, 223.

Then came the developments, the passing of several of my farmer friends, and finally the change in farming practices from alfalfa to corn and wheat. Gone were the rolling fields of alfalfa. Now I am down to 3 farms and at least 50% or more of the fields are not huntable for hogs.

Today, as the 2025 season dawns, I am probably at the end of this sport for all practical purposes due to a deteriorating spinal condition. It's kind of an irony because I finally reached the point where I have perfected my performance in the sport (technique, reloading, field shooting, and equipment) but I no longer have the physical capability or places to hunt to exploit these skills to the fullest. Such is life.

But I can't complain, I had a tremendous run and some great memories of fantastic hunts. In addition, I enjoyed the friendships I made with the farmers, my kind of people. But most of them have passed, farms sold to developers or city types that won't let you hunt varmints.

But I understand your passion - there is nothing quite like spending the day in the field in spring and summer weather enjoying God's creation.

 

[MTPaul]

Mike,

Does an expat, who visits his place of birth (Oregon) regularly but who currently resides in SW MT count? I grew up on a farm outside of Philomath and my two brothers still live in the Willamette Valley. We also had a ranch in eastern OR between Silver Lake and Fort Rock. Although the Oregon we knew many years ago is a far cry different place politically than when we grew up there.

I still visit my family in OR on a regular basis and if the opportunity to gather with like-minded fellow shooting enthusiasts presents itself, I just might have to extend my visit... ;-)

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Mike, sounds like a fun idea, and I'd be on board too.

But I must ask where do you propose to 'round-up the wagons' and be able to shoot sage rats as a group? I've been on some industry PD shoots with groups, and it's always been a fun experience, but finding a ranch here in Orygun to group or even individually shoot rats has become like looking for chicken lips in the past ten years or so. "Outfitters/guides" and the cabbage poison has severly limited the opportunities. I've been at this seriously since returning to The World in '68, and the changes I've seen do not make me smile.

'They' say, "if you build it, they will come". So I'm saying if you find that place, we'll all come. So as not to reveal any honey-holes on a online forum, PM me with your ideas.

And MTPaul.....you may be an Orygun expat, but you'd be more than welcome in my book.

 

[jxb]

I'm an Oregon native who grew up west side on a small farm south of Philomath, grade school was middle of nowhere then into Corvallis for middle/high schools. At 18ish I'd had enough of the rain and moved to NE Oregon. Rain isn't so bad now like it was back then, but it's raining libtards over here, so...

Lived in Joseph, La Grande, Borddom/Hermistion areas many years with a short stint in Idaho/Salmon-Challis in the early 80's and Colorado/COS 2000-2003 then back home. I'm still planning to get a place in EO as I never fit well here and the libtards are even infecting conservative LO.

In the 90's our go to places were greater Burns area and we thinned out a slug of them there over the years, but there were many other places to find sage rats, Baker to Enterprise offered spots although not huge numbers.

I plan to pick it back up and hopefully find a spot that's not cabbage killing after I retire. Might make trips back to central Idaho for some too as I know ranchers over there I've shot their places over the years. Maybe even a trip to Wy for some pdogs since I'd be over that way.

Used to do rock chucks but once numbers went way down due to some clubs over killing I quit, just didn't have the heart to kill em when so few numbers. Now I shoot those with the camera. lol

Anyhow if all goes to plan I'd probably be up for a trip in the spring '26, need to get past my current health issues and hoping to be ready for some SE Oregon R&R late summer and fall if treatment goes as planned. I'll probably use that same time to visit places I used to shoot rats over there and see who's got em and will let a person shoot. I generally only do high power so I'm pretty selective where I shoot due to wanting a good backstop.

I'd be up for meeting and hanging out with most any fellow Oregonians.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Sounds like a good time to me! I am in extreme Eastern Oregon, close to Baker City.
Paul

I've only been through there a couple times when headed over to Idaho to scout it out for retirement. Love it over in your neck of the woods!

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Mike,

Does an expat, who visits his place of birth (Oregon) regularly but who currently resides in SW MT count? I grew up on a farm outside of Philomath and my two brothers still live in the Willamette Valley. We also had a ranch in eastern OR between Silver Lake and Fort Rock. Although the Oregon we knew many years ago is a far cry different place politically than when we grew up there.

I still visit my family in OR on a regular basis and if the opportunity to gather with like-minded fellow shooting enthusiasts presents itself, I just might have to extend my visit... ;-)

You certainly do sir! Ft. Rock is where it all started for me. I had never been east of Bend prior to 98. I love it over there!

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Mike, sounds like a fun idea, and I'd be on board too.

But I must ask where do you propose to 'round-up the wagons' and be able to shoot sage rats as a group? I've been on some industry PD shoots with groups, and it's always been a fun experience, but finding a ranch here in Orygun to group or even individually shoot rats has become like looking for chicken lips in the past ten years or so. "Outfitters/guides" and the cabbage poison has severly limited the opportunities. I've been at this seriously since returning to The World in '68, and the changes I've seen do not make me smile.

'They' say, "if you build it, they will come". So I'm saying if you find that place, we'll all come. So as not to reveal any honey-holes on a online forum, PM me with your ideas.

And MTPaul.....you may be an Orygun expat, but you'd be more than welcome in my book.

Well, I was hoping you could take us on a guided tour sir? With all those pictures, you hooked up. LMAO!!!

I hear you on the issue. Right now, I'm just putting my feelers out to see if there is even any interest. Doesn't have to be a rat shoot. Just circle the wagons outside of a location and people could take off to a rat patch, coyote hunt, or jump rabbits. It's about the camaraderie and the story telling at the end of the day.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I'm an Oregon native who grew up west side on a small farm south of Philomath, grade school was middle of nowhere then into Corvallis for middle/high schools. At 18ish I'd had enough of the rain and moved to NE Oregon. Rain isn't so bad now like it was back then, but it's raining libtards over here, so...

Lived in Joseph, La Grande, Borddom/Hermistion areas many years with a short stint in Idaho/Salmon-Challis in the early 80's and Colorado/COS 2000-2003 then back home. I'm still planning to get a place in EO as I never fit well here and the libtards are even infecting conservative LO.

In the 90's our go to places were greater Burns area and we thinned out a slug of them there over the years, but there were many other places to find sage rats, Baker to Enterprise offered spots although not huge numbers.

I plan to pick it back up and hopefully find a spot that's not cabbage killing after I retire. Might make trips back to central Idaho for some too as I know ranchers over there I've shot their places over the years. Maybe even a trip to Wy for some pdogs since I'd be over that way.

Used to do rock chucks but once numbers went way down due to some clubs over killing I quit, just didn't have the heart to kill em when so few numbers. Now I shoot those with the camera. lol

Anyhow if all goes to plan I'd probably be up for a trip in the spring '26, need to get past my current health issues and hoping to be ready for some SE Oregon R&R late summer and fall if treatment goes as planned. I'll probably use that same time to visit places I used to shoot rats over there and see who's got em and will let a person shoot. I generally only do high power so I'm pretty selective where I shoot due to wanting a good backstop.

I'd be up for meeting and hanging out with most any fellow Oregonians.

I too have been out of the scene for 20+ years. I'm slowly rebuilding and plan to get back out asap! Need to retire first so I make it my priority. Meanwhile, plenty to prep for and lots of OT to pay for the addiction!

 

[shoot4fun]

If you support 2A and you're an Oregonian then you should consider being "Oregone".
I think back to what a friend living in southern Oregon told me about 18 years ago.
"it used to be a great State until CA started moving here."

 

[jxb]

If you support 2A and you're an Oregonian then you should consider being "Oregone".
I think back to what a friend living in southern Oregon told me about 18 years ago.
"it used to be a great State until CA started moving here."

It's not that bad (yet), more annoying than anything and unlike WA folks we have a really strong state constitution so there's only so much they can do. At least until the libtards get a 2/3rds majority (of those that actually vote).

I'm still hoping eventually Greater Idaho will happen and by then I'll likely be on that side of the line.

There's still a lot to love about Oregon, it's got all climate zones except one (Tropical), so don't like the weather or scenery in one place or just need a break, everything is close. I liked Colorado fine while there but needing to get on a plane or drive two days just to see the ocean was not desirable. I missed both water and real trees as well, of which we have plenty.

 

[jxb]

@Mike in Oregon

A nice place for a gathering in the fall is Page Springs or if still too warm and buggy up at Fish Lake. There's plenty to do and folks that have not been there are in for a real treat between what the mountain offers and the occasional run to Fields Station for famous milkshakes and burgers. Close enough for a day run over to Hart Mountain too.

Oh yeah, and virtually unlimited places a person can shoot long over varied terrain.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Just an FYI, if this takes place I'm not up and running till September of next year. I'm just putting it out here to see if there is any interest. Looks like there is, so I'm going to try and put some plans in motion and try to spearhead this for next year. My thoughts are to make a list of all who are down with this and make a DL so I can send out a group PM or Email. That way we're off the board and can coordinate better with one another. This will not be easy to do, so please bear with me as I try to put together details, options and ideas, as well as the does, don'ts and what to expect. Perhaps I should put this out there now. If you are interested in being a part of this, please PM me. I will then have an idea of numbers and if I move forward with this. From there I will want personal email address and be able to work on my own without AS. Thanks guys!!!

 

[kyotekiller25]

I'm in EO, the Hermiston area.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

If you support 2A and you're an Oregonian then you should consider being "Oregone".
I think back to what a friend living in southern Oregon told me about 18 years ago.
"it used to be a great State until CA started moving here."

So, after rereading this, I have to ask, was that a jab?

 

[shoot4fun]

So, after rereading this, I have to ask, was that a jab?

Not a jab. Maybe a "left" hook?

 

[Bc'z]

Just an FYI, if this takes place I'm not up and running till September of next year. I'm just putting it out here to see if there is any interest. Looks like there is, so I'm going to try and put some plans in motion and try to spearhead this for next year. My thoughts are to make a list of all who are down with this and make a DL so I can send out a group PM or Email. That way we're off the board and can coordinate better with one another. This will not be easy to do, so please bear with me as I try to put together details, options and ideas, as well as the does, don'ts and what to expect. Perhaps I should put this out there now. If you are interested in being a part of this, please PM me. I will then have an idea of numbers and if I move forward with this. From there I will want personal email address and be able to work on my own without AS. Thanks guys!!!

September?
Thats bow season

 

[Mike in Oregon]

September?
Thats bow season

Choices...

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Not much in the way of sage rats in September, nor rockchucks.