Monday, July 13, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Pistol Caliber Carbines for the Pacific Northwest: Why the 9mm PCC Deserves a Place in Your Safe

Pistol Caliber Carbines for the Pacific Northwest: Why the 9mm PCC Deserves a Place in Your Safe

Pistol caliber carbines in 9mm fill a genuine niche for Pacific Northwest shooters: suppressor-friendly, low-recoil, indoor-range legal, and capable of sharing ammo with your carry gun. Here's a complete breakdown of the top platforms, optics, ammo, and why the PCC deserves a serious look.

By HFR Staff  ·  July 13, 2026
Reloading the .17 Hornet: Oregon's Most Precise Centerfire Varmint Cartridge
Reloading

Reloading the .17 Hornet: Oregon's Most Precise Centerfire Varmint Cartridge

The .17 Hornet is Oregon's sharpest tool for ground squirrel and coyote work inside 300 yards — flat trajectory, explosive terminal performance, and surprisingly friendly to reload. Here's a complete guide to brass, powders, bullets, and load data for this precision varmint cartridge.

July 13, 2026
Oregon's Warm Springs Unit Archery Mule Deer: High Desert Bucks on Public Land
Hunting

Oregon's Warm Springs Unit Archery Mule Deer: High Desert Bucks on Public Land

Oregon's Warm Springs Unit archery mule deer season offers over-the-counter tags, massive public land acreage, and shootable bucks in high-desert juniper and sage country. Here's how to scout and execute a successful stalk before the August opener.

July 13, 2026
Summer Smallmouth Bass on the Umpqua River: Wade Fishing Oregon's Mid-River Gem
Fishing

Summer Smallmouth Bass on the Umpqua River: Wade Fishing Oregon's Mid-River Gem

The Umpqua River's mid-section between Roseburg and Elkton is one of Oregon's most overlooked summer fisheries. From late June through September, smallmouth bass up to six pounds stack on sun-warmed basalt structure — and you can wade fish to them in crystal-clear water with almost no competition.

July 13, 2026
North Fork Umatilla Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Loop Through Northeast Oregon's Forgotten Timber Canyon
Backpacking

North Fork Umatilla Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Loop Through Northeast Oregon's Forgotten Timber Canyon

The North Fork Umatilla Wilderness draws a fraction of the crowds that pack into the Eagle Cap just two counties over — delivering old-growth timber, a wild trout stream, and genuine solitude for those willing to make the drive.

July 12, 2026
Single-Pin Slider Bow Sights for Western Big Game Bowhunters: Setup, Yardage Tapes, and Field Use
Archery

Single-Pin Slider Bow Sights for Western Big Game Bowhunters: Setup, Yardage Tapes, and Field Use

Single-pin slider sights have taken over western bowhunting — and for good reason. Here's the complete guide to choosing, setting up, and running one effectively when shooting lanes are long and conditions change fast.

July 12, 2026
Annealing Brass for Precision Handloads: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right
Reloading

Annealing Brass for Precision Handloads: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right

Annealing is the single most overlooked step in the reloading process — and the one most likely to unlock tighter groups, more consistent pressure, and dramatically longer brass life. Here's everything you need to know.

July 12, 2026
Glassing Cascade Blacktail Bucks in July: High-Country Velvet Scouting Before Oregon's August Opener
Hunting

Glassing Cascade Blacktail Bucks in July: High-Country Velvet Scouting Before Oregon's August Opener

The Oregon archery deer opener is five weeks away. Here's how to locate Cascade blacktail bucks right now — when they're in full velvet, feeding hard, and far more visible than they'll ever be again.

July 12, 2026
Chickahominy Reservoir: Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass in Oregon's High Desert Summer
Fishing

Chickahominy Reservoir: Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass in Oregon's High Desert Summer

Chickahominy Reservoir is one of eastern Oregon's best-kept summer secrets. Here's how to target slab yellow perch and hard-fighting largemouth bass on this high desert gem.

July 12, 2026
Cathedral Ridge to Elk Meadows: Mount Hood's Best Summer Overnight for Wildflowers and Views
Backpacking

Cathedral Ridge to Elk Meadows: Mount Hood's Best Summer Overnight for Wildflowers and Views

The Cathedral Ridge Trail to Elk Meadows delivers one of Oregon's most dramatic subalpine overnights with a fraction of the Timberline Trail crowds. Here's the complete guide.

July 11, 2026