Hunters engaging with Unit 48 in Heppner, Oregon, express a need for up-to-date harvest data and precise information on regulations and season dates, indicating a common frustration with outdated resources. Insights into the area's hunting experience highlight challenges with elk distribution on predominantly private lands and frequent encounters with other hunters, intensifying on opening weekends. The presence of wolves adds an additional layer of complexity, as their attraction to elk bugling has resulted in occasional unsettling encounters. For hunters interested in this unit, strategic timing, understanding land ownership restrictions, and wolf activity awareness are advised for a successful hunt.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 100"-110" | 120"+ |
| Elk | 280"-310" | 320"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-65" | 70"+ |
High
Low
Though mostly private, this unit also has a great deal of public land, mostly in the Umatilla National Forest. Hunters take a good number of elk and mule deer every year with a handful of antelope. California bighorn sheep live in rough terrain in the Potamus Canyon area.
This unit is known for producing mature mule deer, mostly on private land and in rougher, isolated sectors of public property.
Dry foothills, wide, flattened ridges and heavily logged mountains comprise most terrain in this unit, which is just west of Ukiah, Oregon. There are some steep slopes, such as those west of Thompson Flats in the Umatilla National Forest, but most hills and mountains are rolling to moderately steep. The Potamus Canyon/Ditch Creek area is extremely steep. Most of the forested areas are between 4,000 and 5,500 feet above sea level. The dry foothills and flattened ridges north and south of the National Forest are mostly between 2,500 and 4,000 feet.
The northern and southern thirds of the unit are mostly covered with wild grasses and sagebrush. Between the ridges and hills are brushy creek bottoms, many of them lined with cottonwoods. There isn’t a lot of farm ground, but a few fields are along the John Day River and other creeks. Sparse firs and junipers grow on some of the dry slopes. The central third of the unit is mostly logging country. Parts are covered by firs and pines; other parts are in various stages of regrowth, varying from grassy and brushy meadows to woods.
Roughly 1,441 square miles
36% public land
Elevations from 1,900-5,900 feet
The northern and southern thirds of this unit are mostly private, while the central third is mostly in the Umatilla National Forest. The Heppner Travel Management Area offers public hunting, but fires and camping are not allowed in posted areas. Driving is allowed only where designated. Fire closures are common. These two online maps show the Heppner Travel Management Area: Map 1; Map 2. Thousands of acres of BLM land are along the John Day River and its north fork east of Kimberly. A thin strip of the Bridge Creek Wildlife Area is along the eastern boundary of the unit. South and east of Buckaroo Flat in the southwestern corner of Umatilla County are some large tracts of BLM land.
Umatilla National Forest has several campgrounds, including Coalmine and Bull Prairie Lake campgrounds. Lodging options include Heppner Lodging motel and RV park and Willow Creek RV Park (phone: 541-676-5576) is in Heppner. Antlers Inn (phone: 541-427-3493) is in Ukiah, just a few miles east of the unit. River Bend Motel and Lazy Wolf Resort are in Spray in the southwestern corner of the unit.