The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued its hunting forecast for this fall’s big game seasons.

In general, a relatively mild winter in Northeastern Oregon contributed to high survival rates for deer and elk. Populations range widely, however, with buck and bull ratios above management objectives in some units but below in others.

BAKER COUNTY

Sumpter, Keating, Pine Creek and Lookout Mountain units

Deer

Winter survival for deer was good in Baker County. Animals will be the most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon when temperatures cool off. Hunters should concentrate their efforts in areas of good forage near north slopes that provide good bedding cover.

Elk

Elk herds in Baker County came out of the winter in good shape. Bull ratios are at or near management objective and calf ratios were good in all units. Elk populations in the Keating, Pine Creek and Lookout Mountain units continue to grow and offer good opportunity for hunters.

For the best chance at tagging an elk, get as far away from roads as possible, perhaps by hunting in one of the cooperative Travel Management Areas. Dry conditions can make hunting difficult. Animals will be the most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon when temperatures cool off. Hunters should concentrate their efforts in areas of good forage near north slopes that provide good bedding cover.

Bear and cougar

Bear and cougar hunting should be good this year. Hunt for bears in high elevation open areas with the most berries. Fall bear hunters have best success in higher elevation areas of the Keating and Pine Creek Units on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

GRANT COUNTY

Murderers Creek, Northside, Desolation, and West Beulah units

The area experienced a mild winter, and deer and elk fared decently through the winter. Both deer and elk had lower fawn/calf ratios in the spring than expected given the mild winter conditions and good fall green up.

The spring and early summer were wet and cool; however, the area dried out during an extremely hot period in July. Therefore, hunters should expect dry conditions at the beginning of the season. There were also several large wildfires around Grant County that could affect hunt access this fall. Hunters are encouraged to be aware of fire and access restrictions as they can change rapidly.

Deer

Deer populations remain below management objectives in all units. Buck ratios were at or above management objective. Spring fawn ratios were lower than desired.

Last year, archery and rifle hunters had below average success for Northside and Desolation but above average for Murderers Creek. Similar or slight better results are expected this year.

Deer hunters should look for areas where fire has occurred in past 5-15 years as deer tend to favor vegetation that occurs following fires. The Shake Table Fire on Aldrich Mountain, Canyon Creek Complex, and the Monument Rock burns are starting to show signs of increasing deer and may be a good place to find a buck.

Elk

Hunting prospects are average for the district. Elk populations are steady in most of the district and above management objective in Murderers Creek and Northside but below in Desolation and West Beulah. The district has had slightly lower calf ratios and good bull ratios in most areas.

Elk hunters should focus on areas with no open roads as elk tend to move away from traveled roads during hunting seasons.

Bear and cougar

Bear populations appear to be increasing slightly and hunting should be similar to recent years. Look for bears around old orchards in mid-September. The fruit crop appears to be good.

Cougar populations appear to be increasing and hunters are encouraged to have a tag while out hunting other big game, as that is when most cougar and bear harvest occurs. If using calls, remember cougars respond slower than coyotes so be prepared to spend more time.

MORROW COUNTY

Heppner, Fossil, East Biggs, southern Columbia Basin units

Deer

Mule deer numbers should be similar to last year but large fires in the Heppner and Fossil units will displace animals into new areas.

The Heppner Regulated Hunt area was reduced in size last year so hunters will want to make sure of the current boundaries before heading to the field.

The Columbia Basin is mostly private land so hunters will need to secure access. Or, hunt on some of the limited private land where ODFW has access agreements with the private landowners to allow public hunting access, such as the Open Fields access areas in the Columbia Basin unit.

These access areas are expected to be open by the opening of buck rifle season.

Elk

The Heppner and Fossil unit fires will displace elk into neighboring areas and elk hunters will have to adjust to the new elk use of the national forest lands.

The elk populations in the Heppner and Fossil units are at management objective. Bull ratios have remained constant from last year for both units. The elk calf ratio for both units is a little better this year so hunters should find it a little easier to find spike bulls.

There are still good numbers of older age class bulls throughout the forest.

Bear and cougar

Hunters are still seeing plenty of cougars in the Heppner District so there is opportunity for hunters to harvest an animal. The district has low densities of bears throughout the entire forested portion, but you might see one when deer and elk hunting, so carry a tag.

UNION COUNTY

Starkey, Catherine Creek, and East Mt. Emily units

The region has been very dry with little late spring or summer moisture. There have not been catastrophic wildfires as in other parts of the state, so habitat and access is relatively unchanged on that front. However, due to the drier than normal spring and summer, a lot of vegetation is dying off earlier than years past and deer and elk are going to be more localized to areas with better forage. Look in north-facing drainages because these areas typically hold onto forage longer than south-facing slopes and drainages.

The Starkey Unit Travel Management Areas are a great place to start for big game hunters new to the area; maps are available online or at the La Grande office. General spike season provides plenty of opportunity to elk hunt in the Starkey unit without the crowds of first season. Look for elk in the steep terrain of the Starkey and Catherine Creek units. The Access and Habitat program continues to provide genuine hunting opportunities within Union County and should not be overlooked.

Deer

Deer populations remain below management objectives. Catherine Creek buck ratios have been holding steady and above management objective for several years and hunters continue to have good success.

Starkey’s buck ratios are above management objective; however, the rifle deer hunt is still a difficult hunt. Deer populations came out of this mild winter in really good shape with good fawn recruitment and overall survival. East Mount Emily buck numbers are stable and above management objectives.

White-tailed deer in the district experienced a hemorrhagic disease outbreak three falls ago but overall population numbers remain stable and buck ratios are high. The Grande Ronde muzzleloader hunt is a good opportunity for hunters to harvest an animal.

Elk

Elk numbers are strong throughout the district. Elk populations are above management objectives in Catherine Creek and Starkey, with bull ratios at or near objectives. The calf crop was average to above average this year, and the overall elk herd came out of this winter in relatively good condition, thanks to a very mild winter.

Last year’s harvest in Starkey was below normal for the rifle hunt, but harsh weather might have reduced hunter numbers. Catherine Creek harvest was about average between archery and rifle hunts. Mt. Emily still offers a trophy quality elk hunt.

Bear and cougar

Bear and cougar numbers are strong in all units. Look for cougar sign on ridge tops in areas of high elk use. Calling or glassing for long periods of time can be effective when looking for mountain lions.

Bear harvest has been consistent over the past several years. Look for bears in areas with high berry densities. Road closure areas within the Catherine Creek and Starkey units will provide good walk-in access to bear habitat.

WALLOWA COUNTY

Wenaha, Sled Springs, Chesnimnus, Snake River, Minam, Imnaha units

Deer

White-tailed deer numbers are good in all units. White-tailed bucks are nocturnal, but patient hunters often have success stand hunting between bedding and feeding areas.

Mule deer numbers are still well below management objective, though recruitment continues to be moderate, with good overwinter survival of fawns in most units.

Elk

Elk numbers are stable in all units and hunters should have good opportunities, though recruitment has been low due to drought conditions the past two years.

Early season hunters may choose to utilize remnant deep forest forage, as well as springs and wallows. When cooler temperatures and snow hit at higher elevations, watch for deer and elk to move down to lower elevations.

Travel management areas (TMA) and/or road closures are in effect in the Sled Springs (Noregaard and Shamrock/Whisky Creek), Chesnimnus, and Imnaha (Grouse-Lick/Canal Creek) units.

Hunters interested in accessing the new Minam River Wildlife Area should note that access is by foot and non-motorized bikes only. Camping is not allowed.

Bear and cougar

Late spring and early summer rains produced good berry crops. Hunters can look for bears at lower elevations in drainages, orchards, and meadows near edge habitat.

Populations are moderate throughout Wallowa County. Most lions are taken incidental to other hunting. However, calling with fawn bleat, or locating a cougar kill and waiting for a cat to return are often successful techniques. Please remember to check in your harvest at your local ODFW district office to help with population estimates.

UMATILLA COUNTY

Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, Ukiah, eastern portion of Heppner, northern Columbia Basin units

Deer

Umatilla County had average overwinter survival for both deer and elk due to mild conditions on winter range. Although mule deer populations continue to struggle and remain below management objectives throughout the district, buck/doe ratios are at or above objectives.

Harvest rates in Walla Walla and Mt. Emily are stable to slightly increasing. Ukiah mule deer harvest bounced back last season from a dip in 2022. Deer will be scattered widely throughout the national forest so hunters may have to cover lots of ground to find bucks.

White-tailed deer numbers have yet to recover from the Epizootic Hemorrhage Disease (EHD) outbreak in 2019. That outbreak coupled with smaller EHD events in subsequent years has reduced white-tail numbers and, thus, hunter harvest.

Elk

Elk numbers continue to be strong in the Ukiah unit where the population is at management objective. Mt. Emily and Walla Walla elk populations remain steady. Bull ratios are steady and both units still provide great opportunities to harvest trophy class elk. A second year of below average calf ratios will likely limit spike hunter success across all units in Umatilla County.

July was extremely hot and dry and water holes may be fewer and farther between.

Bear and cougar

Bears are high up early in the season and will pull down slowly. Look in hawthorn and elderberry concentrations to find them; early on they will be on edges of clearings near berry crops in high country. The best bear hunting is north of I-84 in Mt Emily and Walla Walla units.

Cougar populations are healthy; carry a tag while hunting deer or elk as you may get the chance to take a cougar The best cougar hunting will be north of I-84 in the Mt. Emily and Walla Walla Units. The Ukiah Unit has a lower density of cougars than the two northern units, but has been increasing in density for the last few years.