The Telltale Signs of Fall in Oregon

By Jerry Hicks, Principal Broker, Licensed in OR

Today, as I head to my office with the windshield defroster on high, I park near a tree glistening with bright yellow, red, and orange leaves. As I step out into the cold autumnal morning air, I probe in my pocket for my office keys and instead feel a half dozen rifle rounds from my quick morning hunt before work. I laugh – it’s that magical time of year for the sportsman: FALL!

 Marketing some of Oregon’s very best big game ranches has its benefits: I get to see some of the biggest animals taken each year and often get to hear the riveting stories that go along with the hunts. Each year, there continue to have been some real trophies taken.

A huge 6-point bull harvested during archery season on the Flying S Ranch

Last year, I was able to catch up with Justin Aamodt of Diamond A Guides, who has been guiding hunters at Flying S Ranch since 2002. “This year, I harvested my best bull ever during archery season (330 green score) and have seen one equally large bull and three larger bulls,” said Justin. “The biggest bull will score 360-365. In the past, the ranch has produced bulls scoring 356, 381, and 394. These are all world-class bulls on the best-valued ranch on the market.”

A velvet Muley that appears to be a top 5 record in Oregon taken by rifle just last week on the Flying S Ranch

Justin went on to explain how the Flying S Ranch began a management program four years ago, cutting back the number of hunters and removing unwanted genetic patterns. They are beginning to see amazing results from this effort. “In the last four years, we have seen an explosion in the deer population. The younger ranching generations are saying this is the most deer they have ever seen on the ranch. We are now seeing several bachelor groups with up to 19 bucks in one herd. The ranch has produced several bucks over 180 inches in the past, and this year, our client killed one going 180 and in full velvet. What a trophy.”

Double drop tine 30″ buck from the Debaca Ranch

We got a big surprise from the Debaca Ranch in Prineville… A monster double drop tine, 30-inch mule deer buck. This toad has been hanging around for a while, a little too smart for us, but he’s now going to make an outstanding mount with many stories to follow. Powell Butte has a long history of producing some great mule deer, too. Here’s a dandy four-point muley, taken by Hunter Hicks’s better half, Morgan. This great buck was found on the currently listed A/L Ranch.

Our Oregon Hunting Ranch inventory is outstanding, and there has never been a better time to see what we have to offer!