NE Oregon Rifle Muley Unit Choices

[pickardjw]

Please PM for any specific, not publicly available unit details. Don't want to spot burn.

I'm living in Pendleton through October and will have 2 points to spend on the rifle mule deer draw. Being new to the area, I've been out coyote hunting, turkey scouting and exploring in several units trying to narrow down where I might want to apply for my tag. I'd like to pick a unit that's close so I can scout just about every weekend. I'll also have a WA mule deer / muzzy elk tag so the border units are attractive for that.

Units I've been in and could draw: 48, 49
Units I could draw but haven't explored much yet: 54 (west), 55, 56

I hate hunting areas where there are a lot of roads and trucks/sxs/dirt bikes/four wheelers all over the place so I'm really more interested in those latter units.

Unit 54 West - very close, easy access. Majority is scattered with roads though and the small wilderness area is heavy on trails. I have received some "inside info" on an area to check out in this unit.
Unit 55 - Also close, but limited on public land comparatively. Some networks of road systems with roadless areas between them though. Borders WA unit.
Unit 56 - Furthest away but large wilderness area. Borders WA unit that might be attractive as well.

Any thoughts on which I should focus on/apply for? I'm hoping to go check out 55 and 56 this weekend snow levels permitting. I'll continue to do so until the application deadline on 5/15. Posting with the idea that others might be able to point out pros/cons of these units before I waste weekend time in a unit I shouldn't really be considering.

I joined the OHA and will be attending the local meetings to try to meet folks and discuss as well.

Thanks in advance.

[go4steelhd]

What's your goal on the hunt? Is it to shoot a trophy or just find a buck?

[pickardjw]

What's your goal on the hunt? Is it to shoot a trophy or just find a buck?

No trophy aspirations. Would mainly like to see good deer numbers. Bigger than my last 3 point would be nice (not hard to achieve). Since I'm planning to scout a ton I'm hoping to find one and keep tabs on him until the season starts. But with October muley hunting that's certainly no guarantee.

[abhold87]

I’ve hunted the pine creek and sumpter units the 2 times I’ve been selected so far. Wasn’t able to get down and scout before the hunt started so just did the best I could e-scouting before we headed down.
Pine creek unit was a beautiful area and I liked that you could hunt the snake river breaks and sage brush but at the same time you could hike into the wilderness and get away from the roads if you wanted to. We spent most of our time up near the wilderness and I hiked in one day by myself while my buddy cleaned his small 2 point he shot. Lots of road hunters and lots of little bucks and does. A giant buck got killed next to our camp by some guys road hunting. I believe there is a store around there with some very large bucks in it too that the guys said you need to get up into the granite rocks to shoot the big ones.
The sumpter unit I hunted by myself. Same thing with the e-scouting and planning. Hiked way in to some of the peaks overlooking baker city. Saw a few does and the one buck that I ended up shooting. Beautiful area and never saw another hunter up there.
Pine creek I believe was 1 point to get drawn and sumpter took me 4 points.

[abhold87]

Here is my Sumpter unit Buck from 2020

[pickardjw]

That's a sweet buck! We had this buck hanging out in the draw next to the house. Couldn't figure out how to slip an air tag on him  .

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pcywi7db1WrpLnyk9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/h6yzSiaeoeZUcta7A

[abhold87]

That’s a great buck! Jealous of you and the other guys that get to see awesome animals like this from the house.

[go4steelhd]

What's your goal on the hunt? Is it to shoot a trophy or just find a buck?

No trophy aspirations. Would mainly like to see good deer numbers. Bigger than my last 3 point would be nice (not hard to achieve). Since I'm planning to scout a ton I'm hoping to find one and keep tabs on him until the season starts. But with October muley hunting that's certainly no guarantee.

I grew up in eastern Oregon in the area you listed. Finding a three point in any of those should be doable. None of those units have good deer numbers, but all will have a few great deer. I would not pick any of those three if you want to see a decent number of deer. But if you are set on them I would hunt the Walla walla or the Wenaha. They both have steep canyons in them and that is were I would look for a nicer buck.

[kodiak06]

Please PM for any specific, not publicly available unit details. Don't want to spot burn.

Sorry but that cracked me up.

[pickardjw]

Please PM for any specific, not publicly available unit details. Don't want to spot burn.

Sorry but that cracked me up.

How so?

[kodiak06]

Please PM for any specific, not publicly available unit details. Don't want to spot burn.

Sorry but that cracked me up.

How so?

Spreading info even through PM's blow places up if ya want to be real. Hopefully ya get some good intel but, I know some people will steer you away from their preferred areas.

[pickardjw]

Please PM for any specific, not publicly available unit details. Don't want to spot burn.

Sorry but that cracked me up.

How so?

Spreading info even through PM's blow places up if ya want to be real. Hopefully ya get some good intel but, I know some people will steer you away from their preferred areas.

A lot less than posting it where it can be found publicly. It's just me hunting here for one season solo. I don't see how sending me a PM to check an area out will "blow it up".

I didn't ask for a honey hole or specific areas to check out, just a point in the right direction or other things I should consider. But some people offer specific info up and I wanted to make it clear that anything specific like that should be through PM.

[finnman]

Here is my Sumpter unit Buck from 2020

Great Buck!
I am deciding between Sumpter and Malhuer. My wife and I have hunted Malhuer in the past and have camped in Sumpter. Checking numbers and hunter success they are close to the same. The Malhuer has lots of far flung remote ground south of Hwy 20. Not sure if I have time to get there and scout much. Sumpter is closer.
Decisions decisions!!