Hunters in Unit 63 - Keating, Oregon, have been discussing preparation strategies and updates for the upcoming seasons. Key takeaways include the importance of locating a good base camp for rifle mule deer, as well as noting recent updates such as draw odds and the transition of archery from OTC. Collaborative updates between hunters and the platform are ensuring users have current information, although the need for ongoing seasonality updates is highlighted. Specific locations like East Eagle Creek Trail are popular for scouting, with hunters seeking advice on finding mule deer in higher elevations, suggesting a focus on high country strategies could be beneficial.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 90"-100" | 110"+ |
| Elk | 260"-290" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-65" | 70"+ |
High
Low
Northeast of Baker City, this unit holds good numbers of elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and pronghorn antelope. Most of the the unit is made up of the public land and parts of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
Some elk, mule deer, whitetails and pronghorns reach wall-hanger status, but this unit is not known for yielding record-book specimens.
Containing the southern tip of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, this unit has steep, forested mountains, open foothills that vary from moderate to steep, agricultural land, high desert prairies and river and creek bottoms. Much of the unit features heavily forested north slopes and grassy, brushy south slopes. The high country is mostly above timberline. Much terrain between 6,000 and 8,500 feet is treeless. Except for a tiny corner, the unit is in Union and Baker counties.
Low grasses and sagebrush cover much of the unit. Timbered and brushy draws cut through foothills, which feature some slopes covered by trees, mostly firs, pines, mahoganies and junipers. Elevations between 4,000 feet and 7,000 feet are mostly forested on north slopes. South slopes above 6,000 feet are mostly grassy and open. Forests are composed of pines, spruces, firs, larches and quaking aspens. Some high country is rocky and barren.
Roughly 608 square miles
57% public land
Elevations from 2,200-9,600 feet
Most hunters camp along dirt or gravel roads. Lodging is available in North Powder, Baker City and Halfway. Pine Valley Lodge is in Halfway, which is on the eastern edge of the unit.
A lot of roads give access to BLM and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands. Most public land is in large parcels and is not blocked by private property. Some roads are closed to vehicles, but hunters may walk. BLM land is in the Vale District. The 14-square-mile Summit Point and 17-square-mile Eagle Creek travel management areas provide access to some areas, but they get a lot of hunting pressure.