Hunters in Unit 39 - Metolius, Oregon, highlight that early snow improves access to elk by prompting them to move out of higher wilderness areas, though the elk often return as snow melts. The unit's draw odds, especially for archery controlled hunts, seem to be a point of contention, suggesting potential discrepancies in GOHUNT’s algorithm. Muzzleloader hunters note a decrease in deer quality and density compared to past years, emphasizing the hunt's heavy reliance on weather conditions, particularly snow, to boost deer movement. Overall, scouting remains crucial, with some hunters reporting success after extensive ground coverage, while others stress the importance of timing and location to find mature bucks.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 230"-260" | 270"+ |
High
Low
This unit starts at the top of the Cascade Mountain Range and falls to desert lowlands to the east and is home to low numbers of elk and good numbers of mule deer and mule deer/blacktail crosses.
This unit is one of Oregon’s better mule deer areas. Some of the better deer in the state are harvested this unit with the late season limited entry tag.
South of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and northwest of Redmond, this unit is part of the east side of the volcanic Cascade Range and is just south of Mount Jefferson, the second highest peak in the state at 10,495 feet. The higher parts of this unit are mostly between 4,500 and 6,000 feet in elevation and consist of the main ridgeline of the Cascades and another north-south mountain, Green Ridge. Much of Mount Jefferson Wilderness is in the western part. The lower parts of this unit are farms, desert range and foothills between 2,300 and 3,500 feet above sea level. Lake Billy Chinook forms part of the northern boundary.
Most of the western third of the unit is quite open with burned timber, lots of manzanita brush covering the land. The eastern third is open high desert with sagebrush, grasslands, juniper woodlands, stringers of conifers, irrigated and dry farms and willows, river birch, poplars, oaks and other riparian plants along creek bottoms. The middle third is mostly forested with spruces, firs and pines.
Roughly 667 square miles
67% public land
Elevations from 2,200-6,400 feet
Hunters may camp along dirt and gravel roads on most public lands. The Forest Service maintains many campgrounds as shown on this list. Link Creek Campground is on the shores of Suttle Lake and includes a boat ramp and has the best RV sites. Several motels are in Redmond. Hunting groups also may rent the Green Ridge Lookout, which is a 20’ by 20’ cabin mounted on on a two-story tower.
The western half of the unit is almost entirely public land in the Deschutes National Forest, which publishes two online maps showing roads open to motor vehicles: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3794517.pdfa northern map and a southern map. Many roads are restricted to street-legal vehicles. Mount Jefferson Wilderness in the far western part and is closed to motor vehicles. Hunters must have free Forest Service wilderness entry permits to enter the Mount Jefferson Wilderness between the Friday before Memorial Day and Oct. 31. The eastern half of the unit is a mixture of private and public land. and include the BLM’s Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area, Steamboat Rock Recreation Area, Northwest Recreation Area, the Lower Desert and part of the Crooked River National Grassland. About five square miles of Metolius Wildlife Refuge are closed to hunting, and part of the refuge is closed to motor vehicles. See state big game regulations for boundaries of the closed area.