Owyhee Unit deer

heywouldya · Feb 9, 2021

I'm looking at burning my points in Oregon this year. Just wondering how the deer herd is doing there. I know the southeastern part of the state is struggling. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of the unit? Thanks in advance.

aaron1975 · Feb 9, 2021

heywouldya said:
I'm looking at burning my points in Oregon this year. Just wondering how the deer herd is doing there. I know the southeastern part of the state is struggling. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of the unit? Thanks in advance.

Sorry I don't have first hand knowledge for owyhee but I do in bordering units. To say they are struggling is an understatement. I would say all mule deer units in oregon are poor. But the chances of them improving are slim to none. So burning them this year might be the way to go.

Togwotee · Feb 9, 2021

It's not just the SE part of the state , deer numbers are awful in all mule deer units.

I haven't hunted deer there but I hunted chuckar there some late last fall and I saw few deer and none I'd shoot. deer numbers were bad anyway and we had a really bad winter in that are a couple years ago that really put the hurt on them.

How many points do you have and what are your expectations ?

heywouldya · Feb 10, 2021

Togwotee said:
It's not just the SE part of the state , deer numbers are awful in all mule deer units.

I haven't hunted deer there but I hunted chuckar there some late last fall and I saw few deer and none I'd shoot. deer numbers were bad anyway and we had a really bad winter in that are a couple years ago that really put the hurt on them.

How many points do you have and what are your expectations ?

Thanks for the reply. I have 14 NR points and I'll be hunting with a couple of Oregon friends, from Lakeview. I guess my expectations will be adjusted based on the feedback I get. I have a cowboy friend over in Jordan Valley, so I'll pick his brain some too.
Thanks again!

Togwotee · Feb 10, 2021

With 14 points you'd draw Steens and it's a much better hunt, which still isn't great. . Owyhee only takes 7 for a NR and for good reason.

But if you want to hunt with your friends that's a factor. and if they have any connections to private land that's a big bonus too.

heywouldya · Feb 10, 2021

Togwotee said:
With 14 points you'd draw Steens and it's a much better hunt, which still isn't great. . Owyhee only takes 7 for a NR and for good reason.

But if you want to hunt with your friends that's a factor. and if they have any connections to private land that's a big bonus too.

I was also considering the Steens, but I don't think they have enough points. I'll check with them this weekend. Thanks again for the input!!

Togwotee · Feb 10, 2021

If they hunt much it's doubtful, residents need 7 to draw.

Steens is a lot better, but still not that great so maybe it's not a big deal.

kickerbuck · Feb 10, 2021

Deer hunting and numbers in Oregon flat out SUCK! It amazes me that deer are still even hunted in this state. Let alone adult hunters who have killed many deer still kill dinks when they should eat their tag if they can't find a mature buck. But let's face it hunters can't police themselves! I think you should consider the Silvies or Murderers Creek units. You would probably still have a miserable hunt but I think there are a few more deer in those units so it might actually feel like you have a chance?

Togwotee · Feb 10, 2021

Agreed. at least where there's timber you can lie to yourself and pretend a big buck might be there and you just can't see him.

If you're old enough to remember when Oregon had deer it's just flat out depressing now days.

heywouldya · Feb 11, 2021

kickerbuck said:
Deer hunting and numbers in Oregon flat out SUCK! It amazes me that deer are still even hunted in this state. Let alone adult hunters who have killed many deer still kill dinks when they should eat their tag if they can't find a mature buck. But let's face it hunters can't police themselves! I think you should consider the Silvies or Murderers Creek units. You would probably still have a miserable hunt but I think there are a few more deer in those units so it might actually feel like you have a chance?

I've archery hunted the Silvies, Warner and Interstate units. Things have changed and the locals agree with you guys, the hunting sucks!
Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

huntindad4 · Feb 13, 2021

I hunted the Owyhee unit about 17 years ago. The deer were sparse then. We killed bucks but nothing big. I saw one nice buck and one big buck killed by other hunters but other than that the 23 inch 3 point 3-1/2 year old buck I shot was the biggest we saw.

You will see some of the most beautiful country in the state in my opinion, but I love desert country. We went and camped there last June because my kids who were young when we hunted wanted to see it again. It did not disappoint...

I have hunted the Silvies a couple of times the last in 2016. There are more deer there. The timber of the unit hides some of them well. There are a LOT of hunters. But you can get away and there is a chance, albeit slim of killing a big buck. I was lucky enough to find this one in 2016.

We didnt see much for deer in the Owyhee unit in June but didn't look too hard. We did see a ton of rattlesnakes and we weren't searching for those either.

heywouldya · Feb 14, 2021

huntindad4 said:
I hunted the Owyhee unit about 17 years ago. The deer were sparse then. We killed bucks but nothing big. I saw one nice buck and one big buck killed by other hunters but other than that the 23 inch 3 point 3-1/2 year old buck I shot was the biggest we saw.

You will see some of the most beautiful country in the state in my opinion, but I love desert country. We went and camped there last June because my kids who were young when we hunted wanted to see it again. It did not disappoint...
View attachment 24634 View attachment 24635 View attachment 24636 View attachment 24637 View attachment 24638

I have hunted the Silvies a couple of times the last in 2016. There are more deer there. The timber of the unit hides some of them well. There are a LOT of hunters. But you can get away and there is a chance, albeit slim of killing a big buck. I was lucky enough to find this one in 2016.
View attachment 24639

We didnt see much for deer in the Owyhee unit in June but didn't look too hard. We did see a ton of rattlesnakes and we weren't searching for those either.

Huntindad, where was that buck killed? The Silvies? Those are great pictures, thanks for sharing.
I guess the best way to describe my hunt is, we want to find some deer. They don't have to be monsters, just respectable bucks. If I know that it's a meat hunt, then we will approach it that way, and I'm ok with eating a tag. But that country looks awesome, and that may be worth the time to drink a few cold ones and call it a vacation after hours of glassing and hiking! Thanks again, maybe we'll see you on the mountain

heywouldya · Feb 14, 2021

I do want to thank all of you that have given me your input. I do appreciate it. Anyone that wants to help with solid info, I'll offer to take you on a wild pig hunt in Northern California. As I'm sure you are, I'm picky about who I hunt with, but the offer is out there. Thanks again guys!!

huntindad4 · Feb 14, 2021

heywouldya said:
Huntindad, where was that buck killed? The Silvies? Those are great pictures, thanks for sharing.
I guess the best way to describe my hunt is, we want to find some deer. They don't have to be monsters, just respectable bucks. If I know that it's a meat hunt, then we will approach it that way, and I'm ok with eating a tag. But that country looks awesome, and that may be worth the time to drink a few cold ones and call it a vacation after hours of glassing and hiking! Thanks again, maybe we'll see you on the mountain

Yes, that buck is from the Silvies. That Owyhee country is unbelievable. Those pictures don't even come close to doing it justice. That canyon is huge. I recommend anyone who gets a chance go see it. Not sure if you should burn points on a tag there. But you should go check it out.

heywouldya · Feb 15, 2021

huntindad4 said:
Yes, that buck is from the Silvies. That Owyhee country is unbelievable. Those pictures don't even come close to doing it justice. That canyon is huge. I recommend anyone who gets a chance go see it. Not sure if you should burn points on a tag there. But you should go check it out.

Thanks again! I have a rancher friend in Jordan Valley that I'll take advantage of

. I definitely will look at as much of the unit as I can, and have a week of fun. Thanks again for the input, and maybe we'll meet on the road and have a cold one this fall.

steiny · Feb 27, 2021

PM me and I might have some info for you.

heywouldya · Feb 28, 2021

steiny said:
PM me and I might have some info for you.

pm sent

Catfish · Mar 20, 2021

kickerbuck said:
Deer hunting and numbers in Oregon flat out SUCK! It amazes me that deer are still even hunted in this state. Let alone adult hunters who have killed many deer still kill dinks when they should eat their tag if they can't find a mature buck. But let's face it hunters can't police themselves! I think you should consider the Silvies or Murderers Creek units. You would probably still have a miserable hunt but I think there are a few more deer in those units so it might actually feel like you have a chance?

Thank you for the info for MD in 2021, i have 5 pts an buddy has 3, they have hunted silvies. Nvr been there, had heard NWarner may be good, any thoughts. Thank you

heywouldya · Mar 21, 2021

Catfish said:
Thank you for the info for MD in 2021, i have 5 pts an buddy has 3, they have hunted silvies. Nvr been there, had heard NWarner may be good, any thoughts. Thank y

You will need a lot more points to draw N.Warner. It's a great unit. with big bucks, but I'm not waiting 10 more years to draw it.
That's why I'm looking at the Owyhee's