Salting on USFS w Game Camera

[Blue Steel]

Today in NF while bird hunt I was seeing all sorts of elk sign which is good for my upcoming spike season.

Then I just realized why: I found someone’s salt block and a cellular game cam which the former I think is prohibited in Oregon.

Either it was a bowhunter who hasn’t collected it yet, or someone likely with a hard to draw (22+ years) branch bull tag starting later this month.

Took photos and threw the salt over the side of the ridge. Also gave the camera a pose of, “like really?”, with the salt block. Also took up close photos of the camera. Didn’t see a lock on it which is odd, but I didn’t touch it.

Maybe I’ll bump into him first day of elk season with him already tagged out.

 

[Jnasa]

Did you report it to your game management agency?

 

[Blue Steel]

Not yet just found it a but ago and still hunting but dropped a pin. Since the owner probably got notified of me goofing around he may haul tail up here and get it.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Some of you don't watch enough crime television and it shows.

Never mess with the site. Now your DNA is all over it!

 

[elkduds]

Some of you don't watch enough crime television and it shows.

Never mess with the site. Now your DNA is all over it!

Is there DNA in urine? Asking for a friend.

 

[TayBou]

Today in NF while bird hunt I was seeing all sorts of elk sign which is good for my upcoming spike season.

Then I just realized why: I found someone’s salt block and a cellular game cam which the former I think is prohibited in Oregon.

Either it was a bowhunter who hasn’t collected it yet, or someone likely with a hard to draw (22+ years) branch bull tag starting later this month.

Took photos and threw the salt over the side of the ridge. Also gave the camera a pose of, “like really?”, with the salt block. Also took up close photos of the camera. Didn’t see a lock on it which is odd, but I didn’t touch it.

Maybe I’ll bump into him first day of elk season with him already tagged out.

Bait is legal in Oregon for game animals except for Bears by my reading of the regs. Whether or not it's allowed on NF is another issue, and I've found plenty of game cameras and bait sites in wilderness ares that are not legal, but not due to the game laws. Certainly let me know if you read/find something different.

https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25ORHD-LR3.pdf

 

[Blue Steel]

Thats a good point, I’ve always assumed it was prohibited because I’ve never known of anyone doing it esp. on National Forest, and because it doesn’t seem like fair chase. I usually cover quite a bit of area up there and the only other salting spot I’ve seen was about 20 years ago farther along the same ridge.

If I’m wrong maybe I’ll go back up there and staple a $20 to the game cam tree to reimburse for his salt. On the other hand it looked like the elk were programmed to that spot digging into the ground for salt, so it did its job and he shouldn’t have much trouble tagging out.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Did you report it to your game management agency?

Sounds like he'd be reporting himself..

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Are there any cattle grazing in the area? I frequently find salt blocks left out by ranchers in that situation.