Thoughts On Oregon & Washington As Hunting States

[elj1973]

Being a Washington resident I would keep a eye on the Greater Idaho movement. It is the east side of Oregon trying to become Idaho. Washington is nice but not sportsman friendly and is pushing not to use hunting as conservation tool (google search about it). Timber companies have also started charging sometime outrageous prices to hunt timber owned lands. And to top all that off the climate agendas has drove fuel prices through the roof, more expensive then California. I quit giving Washington my money and hunt Wyoming have family there. I have heard Oregon has some weird gun rules you may want to check on. Visit both first pick the less of the two evils. Good luck with your move.

 

[Flintlock shooter]

Washington state's hunting is under attack and why you should pay attention

The time to let your voice be heard is now!

www.gohunt.com

 

[Elkeater]

I am thinking of moving West and finally got my wife on board. She wants to be somewhat close to the ocean (within 5 hours drive) so we agreed that Oregon or Washington would do (we wouldn't live in California). Unfortunately we have to be within 25 minutes drive of a JW Kingdom Hall as my wife is Jehovah Witness, but I think I can get that to work. Which state of the two has the best hunting culture? Which state has the most obtainable tags as a non-resident? Which state has the longest hunting seasons for rifle? I archery hunt as well, but rifle hunting is my passion. I know this is an elk hunting thread, but I am looking to hunt all big game with bolt action rifles (not AR's, not that I am opposed to that). Any crazy hunting laws I should be concerned of? I have really been looking around Bend, OR as it seems like a good mix of being close to high desert and dense Pacific North West forest. We love mountains and I also love to fish. Looking to cash out here on the East Coast and go all in on 40+ acres and a new home within the next couple years. Any suggestions, thoughts etc., would be appreciated. Thanks.

As many in here know I work in natural resources management. I've been all over the western US and have made multiple moves over my career. Neither of those two states (or most other western states) are in any of my future moves. Basically the cost of living is no longer worth it especially in places like Bend OR. If you have the ability to cash out and move good for you but it's still not the value I'd put my money into. Is there public land? Sure. Is the hunting pressure in every state in the western US with decently accessible tags insane? Yup. We were just in Texas last week visiting family and I'll say my next move will be east to an ocean. We looked at a bit of real estate while we were there. I could sell my house here in AZ and easily buy a harbor front home with sweet flats boat for the cost of my suburban hell house here.

My point is you and everyone else wants to move to those places and it kinda ruined what made the west special. Not to mention the politics of the west coast states are not my cup of tea. Oh and if you do move out there plan on either not being able to get home owners insurance or be prepared to pay a premium for it. Due to wildfire becoming a (ecologically necessary) bigger part of our lives out here insurance is challenge for some folks in high risk (read scenic in the woods) areas. Smoke is a big part too. Plenty of smoke in the air these days for those with any kind of respiratory issues. Again necessary smoke but smoke nonetheless.

Not trying to discourage but the reality of living in the western US is not sunshine and rainbows like it is during hunting season.

 

[elj1973]

Washington state's hunting is under attack and why you should pay attention

The time to let your voice be heard is now!

www.gohunt.com

Thanks Flintlock that's what I was referring to.

 

[xsn10s]

As many in here know I work in natural resources management. I've been all over the western US and have made multiple moves over my career. Neither of those two states (or most other western states) are in any of my future moves. Basically the cost of living is no longer worth it especially in places like Bend OR. If you have the ability to cash out and move good for you but it's still not the value I'd put my money into. Is there public land? Sure. Is the hunting pressure in every state in the western US with decently accessible tags insane? Yup. We were just in Texas last week visiting family and I'll say my next move will be east to an ocean. We looked at a bit of real estate while we were there. I could sell my house here in AZ and easily buy a harbor front home with sweet flats boat for the cost of my suburban hell house here.

My point is you and everyone else wants to move to those places and it kinda ruined what made the west special. Not to mention the politics of the west coast states are not my cup of tea. Oh and if you do move out there plan on either not being able to get home owners insurance or be prepared to pay a premium for it. Due to wildfire becoming a (ecologically necessary) bigger part of our lives out here insurance is challenge for some folks in high risk (read scenic in the woods) areas. Smoke is a big part too. Plenty of smoke in the air these days for those with any kind of respiratory issues. Again necessary smoke but smoke nonetheless.

Not trying to discourage but the reality of living in the western US is not sunshine and rainbows like it is during hunting season.

I'm almost to the point of looking for somewhere to move where no one wants to move to lol. Get some peace and quiet.

 

[xsn10s]

Washington state's hunting is under attack and why you should pay attention

The time to let your voice be heard is now!

www.gohunt.com

Pretty much watch what WA and CA does and expect OR to compete with them. It's a competition to see who is most liberal.

 

[memtb]

I am thinking of moving West and finally got my wife on board. She wants to be somewhat close to the ocean (within 5 hours drive) so we agreed that Oregon or Washington would do (we wouldn't live in California). Unfortunately we have to be within 25 minutes drive of a JW Kingdom Hall as my wife is Jehovah Witness, but I think I can get that to work. Which state of the two has the best hunting culture? Which state has the most obtainable tags as a non-resident? Which state has the longest hunting seasons for rifle? I archery hunt as well, but rifle hunting is my passion. I know this is an elk hunting thread, but I am looking to hunt all big game with bolt action rifles (not AR's, not that I am opposed to that). Any crazy hunting laws I should be concerned of? I have really been looking around Bend, OR as it seems like a good mix of being close to high desert and dense Pacific North West forest. We love mountains and I also love to fish. Looking to cash out here on the East Coast and go all in on 40+ acres and a new home within the next couple years. Any suggestions, thoughts etc., would be appreciated. Thanks.

Assuming that your reasons for "not" considering Kalifornia is political and tax related…..Oregon and Washington are no better. The coastal cities dominate the political direction of the two states…..a few minutes spent researching what is happening in Portland and Seattle should give you a great deal of enlightenment.

The eastern sides of both states is sportsman friendly…..but as mentioned, the west coast cities (large population base) dominates the politics of the state!

Things have gotten so bad, that there is a strong, heavily supported push by the eastern portions of both states to leave Oregon and Washington and become part of Idaho. memtb

 

[xsn10s]

Assuming that your reasons for "not" considering Kalifornia is political and tax related…..Oregon and Washington are no better. The coastal cities dominate they political direction of the two states…..a few minutes spent researching what is happening in Portland and Seattle should give you a great deal of enlightenment.

The eastern sides of both states is sportsman friendly…..but as mentioned, the west coast cities (large population base) dominates the politics of the state!

Things have gotten so bad, that there is a strong, heavily supported push by the eastern portions of both states to leave Oregon and Washington and become part of Idaho. memtb

One can dream, one can dream.

 

[memtb]

I'm almost to the point of looking for somewhere to move where no one wants to move to lol. Get some peace and quiet.

I did that 38 years ago, and then 23 years ago relocated to a different part of the same state to get farther away from the things/people that I wished to avoid!

One shouldn't look at any one particular state as the absolute answer to your desires. Wyoming has a great deal to offer in some respects, but also some huge negatives …….namely Laramie, Albany, and Teton Counties. Those counties are rapidly changing to the negative geopolitically speaking! JMO memtb

 

[xsn10s]

I don't want to seem exceedingly bleak to the OP. I just want to give my impressions after moving to Oregon. I moved here back in the early 2000's for the hunting/ fishing/ quieter life. I moved to the Bend area even though it was a larger city than I want and life was pretty good. But things started to drastically change ten years ago, the locals would say twenty years ago. Now I wouldn't consider moving back to Bend due to the regional politics, rise in homelessness, crime, and general disdain the state has towards hunting/ firearms. It might seem really good at first but the trend is set as of now.

I did that 38 years ago, and then 23 years ago relocated to a different part of the same state to get farther away from the things/people that I wished to avoid!

One shouldn't look at any one particular state as the absolute answer to your desires. Wyoming has a great deal to offer in some respects, but also some huge negatives …….namely Laramie, Albany, and Teton Counties. Those counties are rapidly changing to the negative geopolitically speaking! JMO memtb

Which is why the plan is to move where no one wants to move lol.

 

[memtb]

One can dream, one can dream.

A dream is only a dream until you act upon it making it reality! Though I must say, moving into an area giving the qualities that you appear to desire takes some adjustments and sacrifices!

Example: Our closest Walmart is very close to 90 miles away….We go the other direction 95 miles for a much improved social environment!

We are very limited to high quality emergency/hospital care…..the closest cities with a population greater than 50K people is 150+ miles away (2 different cities in opposite directions). This is also a huge plus as…..the larger the cities, the greater concentration of pestilence!

Our interstate highway system, while great for travel…..is also a "main artery" to/from large cities, which are the primary sources of everything that those wanting freedoms wish to avoid. If you live near an interstate… In a matter of minutes, the worst elements of society can be on your doorstep! The farther away from an interstate…..the better! The closest interstate to our location is 100 miles…..across a mountain pass!

Solitude of this nature is not for everyone! memtb

 

[memtb]

I appreciate everyone's comments and insight. If it was my decision I would choose Idaho, Montana or Wyoming, but it was a lot just to get my wife to agree to just Oregon or Washington. At least if I want to hunt Idaho or even NW Montana I would be within reasonable driving distance. I am getting on a plane at the end of October for a NW Montana Elk/Mule Deer hunt. I am terrified BWI airport is going to take my precious custom rifles and throw them against a wall and stomp on my 2nd amendment rights.

Some parts of Idaho and Montana are rapidly taking a hard left turn! memtb

 

[xsn10s]

A dream is only a dream until you act upon it making it reality! Though I must say, moving into an area giving the qualities that you appear to desire takes some adjustments and sacrifices!

Example: Our closest Walmart is very close to 90 miles away….We go the other direction 95 miles for a much improved social environment!

We are very limited to high quality emergency/hospital care…..the closest cities with a population greater than 50K people is 150+ miles away (2 different cities in opposite directions). This is also a huge plus as…..the larger the cities, the greater concentration of pestilence!

Our interstate highway system, while great for travel…..is also a "main artery" to/from large cities, which are the primary sources of everything that those wanting freedoms wish to avoid. In a matter of minutes, the worst elements of society can be on your doorstep! The farther away from an interstate…..the better! The closest interstate to our location is 100 miles…..across a mountain pass!

Solitude of this nature is not for everyone! memtb

The dream is the greater Idaho movement. I've moved plenty of times in the past twenty years.

 

[Allen Kitts]

Neither state is preferable for gun owners as in the next ten years you probably wont be able to own a firearm in those states. The liberals in the big cities are just making a total mess of both of these states. I cannot speak from a hunting standpoint other than every year western Montana get inundated with Washington and Oregon hunters, I can only assume the same is true for Idaho. That alone speaks volumes to me. Good Luck with your decision and your move!