Never hunted for mule deer/ Where to go next year?

[Tacklebuster]

Howdy,
I am what most people would call a "part time" hunter. Fishing makes up most of my passion but I do like to get out into the sticks from time to time. I carried a gun for awhile in the Army while serving in a light infantry battalion so "hunting" has always been in my blood. I grew up in South Alabama shooting whitetails and quail but this kind of hunting up here is a touch different. I have hunted blacktails with "limited" success. The places I like to hunt are changing for the worst and I really need to get my wife and myself some change of scenery.

I am wanting to mule deer hunt next year but have no idea where to go or really what to do. The Fort Rock or Upper Deschutes unit will probably be where we put in for due to the success rate of drawing. I am not looking for anyones stomping grounds here, only a place to get me going. My wife likes to hike and the thought of actually shooting a deer in the open country makes her giddy. We are not looking for any monster bucks, just something with enough horn to shoot. I am in really good shape but will be limited on the amount of ground and pound time because I want to make this enjoyable for my wife.

I don't have a camper but will be looking at someplace in the area to rent like a cabin or something of that nature. Anybody have any info they would be willing to share?

Thank you.

[Ryan Pultz]

The white river unit has a good success rate. And there are deer there just ask Jokster. rp

[Bendman]

Chris, I’ve got some ideas for you. Get in touch with me and we’ll talk. I can’t remember if I have your phone number or not I’ll pm you mine.


Pete

[traks44]

There were some dandy bucks taken in the desolation and ukiah units this year!

[Quackhead]

I don't know much about all the eastern units but I do know that I have hunted the desolation the last two years and there are a lot of forkies and spikes if you are not looking for a brute.(there are also a few of those) It is common to see 50 plus deer a day. I passed up atleast 12 bucks in the week that I was there this year. I ended up shooting a 3x3 17in tall and 14in wide. Not a trophy but the biggest one I could find. Desolation is great for meat hunting though. And it has some beautiful scenery to boot.

[oregonmuley]

I also hunt Desolation - have for about the last 15 years when I draw a tag, which takes usually 1 preference point. Like some have said, good unit for getting deer with a really good chance at a real wallhanger if you know your area. Only my dad had a tag this year, he's 70 years young and Sunday morning he killed a forky that was with 4 other bucks - some bigger but he did score. Anyway its a good unit - Heppner right next to Desolation is also good, lots of hunters but is easier to draw and always seems to put out the deer, is maybe a little more open than Ukiah in some places. Good luck - nothing better than chasing bucks in Eastern Oregon.
Frank

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Why not pay out of state and go this year in Eastern Washington. Season opens Sat