Wednesday, August 12, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Twin Pillars Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Ochoco Highlands on a 2-Day Loop

Twin Pillars Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Ochoco Highlands on a 2-Day Loop

The Twin Pillars Trail in the Ochoco National Forest delivers basalt columns, open ponderosa ridges, and real solitude just 35 miles from Prineville. Here's how to do it right.

By HFR Staff  ·  August 11, 2026
Range Bag Essentials for Pacific Northwest Hunters and Shooters
Shooting

Range Bag Essentials for Pacific Northwest Hunters and Shooters

What's in your range bag says a lot about how seriously you take your shooting. Here's what experienced Pacific Northwest hunters and competitors actually carry to every session.

August 11, 2026
Reloading for Suppressed Hunting Rifles: Subsonic and Hearing-Safe Loads for Oregon Hunters
Reloading

Reloading for Suppressed Hunting Rifles: Subsonic and Hearing-Safe Loads for Oregon Hunters

Running a suppressor changes the reloading game. Here's how to develop hearing-safe and subsonic loads that perform on Oregon deer, predators, and target work.

August 11, 2026
Oregon's Santiam Unit Archery Elk: Public Land Setup and Opening Day Strategy
Hunting

Oregon's Santiam Unit Archery Elk: Public Land Setup and Opening Day Strategy

The Santiam Unit holds some of Oregon's most accessible public land elk hunting. Here's how to locate bulls before the opener and put together a plan that closes the distance.

August 11, 2026
Coos Bay Fall Chinook and Coho Preview: Bank Tactics for Oregon's South Coast Estuary
Fishing

Coos Bay Fall Chinook and Coho Preview: Bank Tactics for Oregon's South Coast Estuary

Coos Bay's fall salmon run is one of Oregon's most accessible and underrated fisheries. Here's how to position yourself for success from the bank before the September push.

August 11, 2026
Kiger Gorge Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Most Spectacular Glacial Canyon on Steens Mountain
Backpacking

Kiger Gorge Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Most Spectacular Glacial Canyon on Steens Mountain

Kiger Gorge is one of the most dramatic glacial canyons in North America, carved 3,000 feet deep into the side of Steens Mountain in Oregon's high desert. Here's a complete guide to backpacking this remote and unforgettable route.

August 10, 2026
Diagnosing and Curing Flinch: Drills and Mental Techniques for a Better Hunting Shot
Shooting

Diagnosing and Curing Flinch: Drills and Mental Techniques for a Better Hunting Shot

Flinch destroys more hunting opportunities than poor marksmanship fundamentals, bad ammo, or imperfect optics combined. Here's how to diagnose it honestly and systematically eliminate it before your season opener.

August 10, 2026
Primer Pocket Uniforming and Flash Hole Deburring: The Overlooked Case Prep Steps That Tighten Your Groups
Reloading

Primer Pocket Uniforming and Flash Hole Deburring: The Overlooked Case Prep Steps That Tighten Your Groups

Most handloaders skip primer pocket uniforming and flash hole deburring. These two simple steps address the root causes of velocity variation and can measurably shrink your extreme spread and group size.

August 10, 2026
Fire Season Elk Strategy: How August Burns Shape Oregon's Best September Archery Opportunities
Hunting

Fire Season Elk Strategy: How August Burns Shape Oregon's Best September Archery Opportunities

Wildfire reshapes Oregon's elk country every summer. Hunters who learn to read burn areas and adapt their strategy can turn fire season chaos into next September's best archery opportunity.

August 10, 2026
Fall Chinook on Oregon's Rogue River: A Complete Drift Fishing Guide from Grants Pass to the Tide
Fishing

Fall Chinook on Oregon's Rogue River: A Complete Drift Fishing Guide from Grants Pass to the Tide

Fall Chinook season on the Rogue River draws serious anglers from across the Pacific Northwest. Here's everything you need to know about drift fishing one of Oregon's most legendary salmon rivers.

August 10, 2026