|
TESTIMONIALS
| The
third day of the season was the warmest yet as we climbed
the mountain once again. Water was scarce and fresh deer
sign was even scarcer. Even though we found the most tracks
at low elevations, close to water and ranchlands, we hunted
up high, looking into draws and scanning beneath the rim
for holed-up mule deer. A big buck was our goal and we
did not expect to find one in the lowlands.
As morning gave way to afternoon, we changed tactics,
hunting the bedding areas on the side slopes. We hunted
downhill and looked over the edge of the canyon into
likely bedding spots. We were slipping quietly through
a patch of juniper trees, when a deer bounded out of
its bed, just 40 yards away. I saw gray flashing through
the junipers and pulled up my binoculars. A doe. Then
a second and third, making an escape. My hunting partner
had his rifle up and ready; but no antlers. Still we
watched, waiting. Too often we had been surprised by
the sudden appearance of a doe or young buck, and then
missed the opportunity at a larger buck when our guard
was down.
|
|
There!
The buck headed in the opposite direction the does had
taken. We followed, walking 40 yards apart, parallel
to each other through the junipers along the rim. The
sun beat down and there was little shade. We followed
the buck as he made his way up and down through washes
and around rocky outcroppings – catching glimpses
of gray-brown hair and golden antler through the green
junipers and silver shade.
He
turned a hard left and came out into the sunlight, running.
I threw my rifle to my shoulder, swinging the crosshairs
across his body. Leading him in the brief opening in
the trees, I clicked off the safety and squeezed the
trigger. Down he went. Pacing off the distance allowed
me to calm my nerves. I counted 137 yards. My hunting
partner slapped me on the back. It was the end of a
hard hunt. We admired the antlers and the fine shiny
coat.
I
was thankful for this public-land buck and the opportunity
to hunt back-to-back years in the dry country I love.
The Oregon Tag Guide is an important part of my long-range
planning. Understanding the way Oregon’s tag draw
system works is essential, whether I pursue western
blacktails, desert mule deer, Roosevelt elk, or Rocky
Mountain elk.
Gary
Lewis
(author of Hunting Oregon and a forthcoming book on
Western Deer Hunting)
Bend, OR
|
“By
far, the best hunting in the west is in limited-entry units
requiring a lottery draw for a tag. That’s the good
news. The bad news is that the process can be complicated
and baffling to those unfamiliar with the different systems
and bonus and preference points. To make matters worse, statistics
for each unit vary widely. That is why the Percentage Tag
program is a must for every hunter who wants to take advantage
of limited-entry hunts. The data is all there, nicely organized
in a fashion that is easy to follow. Let’s face it -
hunting is competitive. The savvy hunter knows how to beat
the odds. Percentage Tags will help you do just that!”
Jim Zumbo, hunting editor, Outdoor Life
One of
the secrets to finding a good trophy hunting area is having
the right information. One key to this information is the
Tag Guides. I have personally used them to help search out
quality hunting areas in different western states. I recommend
them!”
Mike Eastman, publisher/founder, Eastmans’
Hunting Journal
“Serious
do-it-yourself hunters know they will find the best western
hunting in limited-entry units. But how do they know which
units are best? And which units offer the best drawing odds?
That is where Pat Moran and Charlie Middleton of Percentage
Tags come in. It is a must guide for western hunt planning.”
Dwight Schuh, editor, Bow hunter Magazine
“In
spite of today’s highly regulated world of big game
management, more hunting opportunities exist now than ever
before. The controlled hunt process rewards hunters who are
persistent and do their homework. Percentage Tags helps you
make effective and wise choices.” Scott Stouder,
editor, Mule Deer Magazine
“For
three straight years, the Tag Guide told us we would not draw
our elk tags with the points we had, and every year we have
decided to throw caution to the wind. After three years with
no tags, I have learned that shunning the advice of this book
is like arguing with your compass; you may not like what it
is telling you, but you had better pay attention.” Duane
Dungannon, editor & publisher, Oregon Hunter
“The
Percentage Tag book is as essential for the serious big game
hunter as a sighted rifle.” J. D. Gore,
freelance writer / photographer
“It
seems like every year the regulation book grows more daunting
and hunters are further compartmentalized, allowed to hunt
only one unit, or in some cases, just a portion of a unit.
The Oregon Tag Guide helps me cut through the maze of hunt
choices, allowing me to focus on the quality hunts for which
I am looking. The Oregon Tag Guide should be a part of every
serious big game hunter’s preparation for the coming
season.” Gary Lewis, author, Hunting
Oregon
|
