Unit 39 Metolius

The Metolius is one of Oregon's premier mule deer units — ODFW notes some of the state's best bucks are taken here on the late-season limited-entry tag, and the unit also holds good numbers of mule deer/blacktail crosses reflecting its Cascade-transition position. The high public-land base makes it a coveted DIY draw. Late-season migration deer are the trophy story.

• →The late-season limited-entry hunt times the migration — glass the mid-elevation transition and Green Ridge country as storms push deer down out of the high Cascades
• →In earlier seasons, hunt the ponderosa and mixed-conifer benches and the forest-desert edge on the east
• →Glass open slopes and juniper transitions at first and last light
• →Get off the dense road grid into steeper, less-roaded timber and canyon breaks for mature bucks
• →Watch the Green Ridge / Metolius corridor migration lanes when weather turns

Elk (the Cascade herd) are present but at low density; ODFW reported a record spring count in recent years, though chronically low calf recruitment holds the herd down. Elk favor the timbered west and the roadless wilderness fringe. A tough elk unit relative to its deer reputation.

• →Hunt the timbered west and the roadless margins of the Mount Jefferson/Mount Washington wilderness where elk hold cover
• →Glass high meadows and burn/park edges at dawn and dusk
• →Push into less-roaded conifer pockets — elk are thin and pressure-sensitive here
• →Locate rutting bulls in the high timber during early archery, then be patient with low densities

Black bear are hunted on a general season here (Unit 39 is among the units with a Sept 15-Oct 31 general fall black bear season), plus spring controlled opportunity. The forested west and Metolius drainages hold good bear numbers with berry- and forb-rich habitat.

• →Glass green-up south slopes and meadow edges in spring as bears feed on emerging forage
• →Work huckleberry and berry patches and forb-rich openings in the western conifer in fall
• →Hunt the Metolius drainages and timbered draws where feed concentrates bears
• →Cover ground glassing openings at first and last light

Rocky Mountain goats inhabit the rugged high country around Mount Jefferson on the western boundary; a 900-series once-in-a-lifetime controlled tag applies. Goats are tied to the steepest rock and cliff bands — realistic only if you draw the extremely long-odds tag.

• →Focus the steepest rock, cliff bands, and high rimrock around Mount Jefferson — ignore the mid-elevation forest
• →Glass long from vantage points; plan demanding, technical alpine terrain
• →Treat as a true once-in-a-lifetime draw — scout the specific goat pockets before the season

California bighorn use the rimrock and canyon breaks of the Deschutes/Crooked river country toward Lake Billy Chinook on the unit's east side; a once-in-a-lifetime-caliber controlled tag applies. Confirm the exact hunt boundary and sheep locations if drawn.

• →Concentrate on the rimrock and rocky canyon breaks near Lake Billy Chinook — not the western forest
• →Glass long from canyon vantage points and plan steep stalks
• →Scout heavily; treat it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Cougar range throughout, following the strong deer base through the timber and canyon breaks. Available on the general statewide tag; the deer-rich Metolius and Green Ridge country supports good cat numbers.

• →Hunt where deer concentrate — migration corridors, timbered draws, and winter range
• →After fresh snow, cut roads and ridgelines for tracks, then follow into cover
• →Use predator calls in broken timber and canyon country
• →Leverage the strong road access to cover ground cutting sign