Oregon is a sleeper state when it comes to elk, as it is talked about very little in comparison to the other western states. However, Oregon has the 3rd highest elk population, trailing only Colorado and Montana, with an estimated elk population of 133,000. In addition to elk, Oregon also has good populations of mule deer, blacktail deer, whitetail deer and the Columbian whitetail, not to mention black bear, antelope, mountain goat, bighorn sheep and mountain lion. In short, Oregon is a hunter’s paradise that is overlooked by many sportsmen.
This outfitter is based in northeast Oregon, where he has lived the last 30 years. As a teenager, he took up hunting but had no mentor and had to figure it out on his own. The turning point was when he truly became a student of nature and things began to click, which translated into increased and consistent success.
Like most established outfitters, he started out working for others. Some were good and some were bad, but he learned from both and was able to incorporate these lessons in his own outfit, which he started in 2020. This was after being encouraged by clients he guided that, rather than letting other outfitters capitalize on his sweat and dedication, he should start his own outfit.
“Hunting out west can be mentally and physically draining. The highs and lows are like nothing I’ve experienced before but it is so worth it if you’re willing to put in the work. I couldn’t have done any of this without the help from some great guys at this outfit. You guys taught me so much in just a few days. I’ll forever be grateful for the both of you and I’ll never forget the experience we shared on that mountain”
Jordan H. 2023
They pride themselves on being a family business, with no desire to ever be a big name outfitter. His wife and kids help in camp, and he very much encourages clients to bring their families along on their hunt.
We at Hunt Nation appreciate that his fully-guided hunts are standard 1×1 guiding. With many outfitters doing 2×1 instead, this once again shows his dedication to making your trip a personal experience.
The areas they hunt are for the most part public land, and vary from desert to sub-alpine. The guides have spent their whole lives hunting, and share the same passion for hunting as the owner. The camps are spacious and well-appointed, with quality gear and food. Your experience is the most important part of this equation. They work hard to ensure that you have a great time and a quality hunt.
From once-in-a-lifetime hunts to yearly hunts with your family or friends and everything in between, they are here for you. They offer multi-day hunting trips, and even drop camps and scouting services for deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, antelope and bear in north-central and eastern Oregon.
“I have hunted with them for the last couple of years, to guide myself and friends in the field for deer, elk and antelope with great success. They have a lifetime of outdoor experiences in Eastern Oregon which makes them the premier guides in the area. Both these guys live in the area and are entrenched in the communities. I believe this combination gives them a huge advantage, because they know the local people, the land, and the game. This ultimately equals more opportunities and more successful hunts. They are both extremely easy to talk with, professional, hardworking and just good guys. If you are looking to hunt Eastern Oregon in the future, they are a must to talk with before you book your hunt. I look forward to my hunts in 2025.”
Scott M. 2024
They are permitted to offer services in the following units: Catherine Creek, Starkey, Keating, Pine Creek, Lookout Mountain, along with the “Big Three”. The Big Three refers to the Weneha, Walla Walla and Mt. Emily big game units located in the northeastern section of the state. These areas are highly controlled for branched-bull permits with only a couple allotted for non-residents every year. These tags take around 26-30 preference points. However, the Oregon Department of Fish and Game by lottery awards one lucky outfitter that guides in these Units a tag they can sell every year. For the other elk and deer areas, they receive around 20-30 tags per year. Similar to a New Mexico landowner tag, this guarantees you a hunt, but for a license and tag fee of around $1,000, instead of the high cost of New Mexico vouchers.
2026 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received)
Rifle hunts are 5 days and archery hunts are 6 days. Longer hunts can be arranged upon request.
“Guiding-only” hunts include guiding only, and you are responsible for lodging and meals. “Fully-guided” includes lodging, meals and 1×1 guiding. “Semi-guided” includes lodging, meals and 2×1 guiding.
Deer Hunts:
Guiding Only – $4,500
Archery and Rifle, Fully Guided – $5,500. Archery and Rifle, Semi guided – $5,000
Premium Hunt (Premium and Statewide tags) – Start at $7,500 and up, depending on number of guides and spotters.
2026 available deer hunts:
Rifle Mule Deer South Wallowa (SW 102) – October 3-7 or October 10-14 (2 spots)
Rifle Whitetail Deer Weheha – October 3-7 or October 10-14 (2 spots)
Muzzleloader Whitetail Deer Weneha – November 18-22 or 20-24 (2 spots)
Elk Hunts:
Guiding Only – $4,500
Archery, Fully Guided – $6,500. Archery, Semi-Guided – $6,000
Rifle Fully Guided – $5,500. Rifle Semi-Guided – $5,000
Premium Hunt (Premium tag, statewide and Big 3 unit tags)
Guided Only $5,500 – Fully Guided starts at $7,500 and up depending on number of guides and spotters.
2026 Elk Hunts:
Rifle Bull Elk, Sumpter Unit. October 28-November 1 (Sold)
Rifle Bull Elk, Pine Creek Unit. October 28-November 1 (Sold)
Rifle Bull Elk, Keating Unit. October 28-November 1 (Sold)
Archery Bull Elk, Eagle Cap Unit. August 29-September 3, Sept. 6-11, 14-19, 22-27 (4 spots)
Archery Bull Elk, Sumpter Unit (2 spots)
If you elect, you can buy a deer tag on the archery hunts and there will be no trophy fee if you harvest a deer.
Archery Bull Elk, Lookout Mountain Unit
This is a very unique hunt in that you will be using a helicopter to get to the elk, in order to access landlocked public land. There are lots of elk in this area and a very high opportunity and success rate on bulls with archery tackle. This hunt can be conducted the first two weeks of the Oregon archery season, August 29-September 12. Terrain is probably average on a physicality scale, with the outfitter rating it a 5 or 6. This hunt will be conducted via 1×1 guiding if there are two hunters during the same week. If only 1 hunter, it will be 2 guides for the one hunter. Helicopter costs will depend on if there are either one or two scheduled hunters.
6-day hunt 1×1 guiding. – $6,500 (2 spots). Helicopter fee $1,500 if two hunters flying, or $2,000 for a single hunter.
Outfitter vouchers are included so there is no need to draw, making this a guaranteed opportunity to hunt.
Oregon non-resident license $193
Non-resident outfitter elk tag $950
Non-resident outfitter deer tag $644
Cow Elk Hunts:
These hunts will take place mostly in the Keating Unit, on both public and private lands. Tags are over-the-counter. Physically this is a very moderate hunt, where walking will be minimal. Historically this is a 100% opportunity hunt, so if you can shoot straight, chances are you will get your elk. No need to bring a rifle, as you will use the rifle supplied by the outfitter with suppressors. These will be 2 day hunts, and you will be responsible for your lodging and meals. It is preferred that you have 2 hunters as this is a 2×1 hunt.
Dates: November
Prices: $2,500 per hunter. License and tag approximately $760
Bear Hunts:
These are 5-day hunts. They use a tracked side-by-side to access areas in the spring that most hunters can’t get to. These are spot & stalk hunts when bears are feeding on open hillsides after coming out of hibernation; no hounds or baiting is permitted. You will spend many hours glassing and shots can be long in this open country. They have a lot of color-phase bears; maybe even more than black ones. The season is usually April 1-May 31, with the best hunting usually soon after the snow is gone.
Fully Guided – $3,500 (meals and lodging included)
Guiding Only – $2,500 (no meals and lodging)
Antelope Hunts:
Oregon is home to some great antelope, but drawing tags can take many years and preference points. If you are lucky in the draw and are looking to taking full advantage of the opportunity. let us know.
Prices:
Fully Guided – $5,000
Mountain Goat and Big Horn Sheep Hunts:
If you are lucky enough to draw these once-in-a-lifetime tags or win a raffle, let us know.
Prices: Any weapon, fully-guided – $7,500.
Travel: If flying, your best option will be to fly into Boise, ID. From there, it’s about a 2-hour drive, depending on what Unit you will be hunting.
Other Services:
Scouting services: $500 per day. This includes waypoints, camp locations, trail camera and phone scope pictures and videos.
Guiding only service: $4,500-$5,500 per week, including transportation
Game Packing service: $1,300
Drop Camps: Start at $2,000
Observers: $200 ea. per day
Turkey hunts:
These will be 2-day hotel hunts where you are responsible for your lodging and meals.
Price is $1,650 per person and you can take two birds. If you elect to take a 3rd turkey, a fee of $800 will be charged. These hunts will be conducted in the Elgin and Durkee Units.