Minum Unit

[zluthi]

My brother and i did a dumb thing and put in Minum Unit in Oregon as our 3rd choice for a group hunt together assuming we'd get one of our first 2 choices. Unfortunately we didn't research the Minum unit much until after we found out that was the hunt we got and soon realized, or so it seems, that you almost have to have horses for that unit. Has anybody else elk hunted the Minum Unit that could let me no yay or nay if horses are a must have for this hunt? Thanks!

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[8x68s]

can't get very far into Minam without horses but you can get deep in a hurry. most entry points on the west rim and at trailheads from the north are on ridges making the hunting "down" and the hiking out "up". they are there though. I've seen some big dudes in there, especially during deer season, of course... you've got to go deep to root them out.

 

[zluthi]

can't get very far into Minam without horses but you can get deep in a hurry. most entry points on the west rim and at trailheads from the north are on ridges making the hunting "down" and the hiking out "up". they are there though. I've seen some big dudes in there, especially during deer season, of course... you've got to go deep to root them out.

Thanks for the info! Yeah we might be up a creek without a paddle unless we can find some horses to rent

 

[8x68s]

good luck!! i'm signed up there for deer this year. I enjoy hunting southwest of the Cougar Ridge trailhead. Have seen big deer and elk but always on the opposite season...

 

[bbbass]

I can't find anything online or in the phone book. I have some friends with horses, they won't rent theirs out but they might be able to give you a lead.

BTW, are you an experienced horse packer? ... That is some real steep/dangerous country going down the breaks from the Mt. Harris side. Most riders I know have broken a bone or two there. You can go in from Moss Springs but it will add a day, just like coming in from the Minam Store would. (Minam, not Minum) Maybe if you want to have a horse/base camp, that would work.

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

good luck!! i'm signed up there for deer this year. I enjoy hunting southwest of the Cougar Ridge trailhead. Have seen big deer and elk but always on the opposite season...

always

 

[zluthi]

good luck!! i'm signed up there for deer this year. I enjoy hunting southwest of the Cougar Ridge trailhead. Have seen big deer and elk but always on the opposite season...

Ys thats how it seems to go haha good luck!

 

[zluthi]

I can't find anything online or in the phone book. I have some friends with horses, they won't rent theirs out but they might be able to give you a lead.

BTW, are you an experienced horse packer? ... That is some real steep/dangerous country going down the breaks from the Mt. Harris side. Most riders I know have broken a bone or two there. You can go in from Moss Springs but it will add a day, just like coming in from the Minam Store would. (Minam, not Minum) Maybe if you want to have a horse/base camp, that would work.

I know how to ride but no i have never packed, my wife is an avid horse rider

I can't find anything online or in the phone book. I have some friends with horses, they won't rent theirs out but they might be able to give you a lead.

BTW, are you an experienced horse packer? ... That is some real steep/dangerous country going down the breaks from the Mt. Harris side. Most riders I know have broken a bone or two there. You can go in from Moss Springs but it will add a day, just like coming in from the Minam Store would. (Minam, not Minum) Maybe if you want to have a horse/base camp, that would work.

i know how to ride but no have never packed, my wife is an avid horse person and grew up with them her entire life and has gone on trail rides and such though. I just don't know if theres many people that are willing to just rent their horses out, might have to find some family or friend that would be willing

 

[41mag]

I hunted Desolation unit for years. N side open S side horse country. Very steep either side. I'm not a horse guy so I hunted entirely without hooved assist.

Understand regs have changed
Catherine Creek used to be productive

 

[Certaindeaf]

Horse steroids are pretty cheap. git ta gittin!

lolz

 

[CHLChris]

You can rent a horse?

If I was a horse owner I can't imagine ever renting out a horse. Presumably anyone who needed to rent a horse (cuz they didn't have their own) wouldn't be great at handling a horse.

I'm not judging your skill, @zluthi, you're probably a skilled rider. But I'm just surprised there is even such a thing as a rented horse.

 

[bbbass]

You can rent a horse?

If I was a horse owner I can't imagine ever renting out a horse. Presumably anyone who needed to rent a horse (cuz they didn't have their own) wouldn't be great at handling a horse.

I'm not judging your skill, @zluthi, you're probably a skilled rider. But I'm just surprised there is even such a thing as a rented horse.

Except there are riding stables where you can rent a horse to go out for a hour or so. Pack horses... I've never heard of them being rented, unless it's with a guide.

 

[bbbass]

I know how to ride but no i have never packed, my wife is an avid horse rider

i know how to ride but no have never packed, my wife is an avid horse person and grew up with them her entire life and has gone on trail rides and such though. I just don't know if theres many people that are willing to just rent their horses out, might have to find some family or friend that would be willing

I understand. But packing horses is a special skill. I know because my former boss used to pack horses. The rigging is special and sometimes the horses are different too. Having seen some of the rigging, I'd not advise attempting it unless an experienced packer was along. And I think you will need to pack... you can go in and out in a day if you want, but what if you get an animal... I don't think just lashing it up to a riding horse is a good idea but I could be wrong... Never done it myself. My horse says Polaris on the sides.

 

[zluthi]

You can rent a horse?

If I was a horse owner I can't imagine ever renting out a horse. Presumably anyone who needed to rent a horse (cuz they didn't have their own) wouldn't be great at handling a horse.

I'm not judging your skill, @zluthi, you're probably a skilled rider. But I'm just surprised there is even such a thing as a rented horse.

Just because you don't own a horse doesn't mean you don't know how to ride or handle a horse, as far as renting a horse i have no idea but i doubt its a common thing as most horses are like pets to their owner and i don't think many horse people are willing to let someone take their horses out into the mountains without them haha

 

[zluthi]

I understand. But packing horses is a special skill. I know because my former boss used to pack horses. The rigging is special and sometimes the horses are different too. Having seen some of the rigging, I'd not advise attempting it unless an experienced packer was along. And I think you will need to pack... you can go in and out in a day if you want, but what if you get an animal... I don't think just lashing it up to a riding horse is a good idea but I could be wrong... Never done it myself. My horse says Polaris on the sides.

Yeah thats what I wasn't sure about, if it takes a special horse to pack or if it takes experience or if your normal good horse will do it. I like your breed of horse though haha

 

[41mag]

there were a number of pack-for-hire outfits over that way years ago. Never could afford them. Also raised in an era where without handlebars & an off switch unsure of how to steer or not collide with Friends of Gravity.

 

[Stomper]

Horse steroids are pretty cheap. git ta gittin!

lolz

Put a WTR ad in PDX Craig's List.... I'm sure there's a Brony or two that will raise their hand for the task!

 

[Argonaut]

there were a number of pack-for-hire outfits over that way years ago. Never could afford them. Also raised in an era where without handlebars & an off switch unsure of how to steer or not collide with Friends of Gravity.

I predict NO ONE will rent a stranger horses or pack animals. The handling and care are mostly lost skills in our world. If you are capeable of operating stock, you would own them already or have family that you could borrow some from. The best is to hire a packer/guide, pay the bill and have a memorable (safe) hunt. I bet less than one out of ten modern people even know how to tie a saddle knot let alone a pack rig.

 

[41mag]

The best is to hire a packer/guide, pay the bill and have a memorable (safe) hunt. I bet less than one out of ten modern people even know how to tie a saddle knot

Yes, packer/guide hire is what I was referring.
I've got backwoods buddy that even with his decades of close ties working with and for horse people, has no options to 'hire a random horse'.

My clan has some ties to a 'rent-a-stable/learn-to-ride' outfit, but that ain't at all like 'rent-a-pack animal'.

 

[CHLChris]

@Stomper I can never unsee that horrifying MLP gif!!!