Unit 72 Silvies
Desert-to-timber unit north of Burns that grows big bulls and above-objective bucks.
Blue Mountains — Ochoco/Malheur Transition · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,797
sq mi
Public land
67%
approx.
Elevation
4,100–6,900
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
The Silvies Unit wraps around Burns and climbs from high-desert lowlands in the west up into the forested foothills of the Ochoco and Malheur National Forests to the north and east. At roughly 67 percent public land, it blends open BLM sage country, private ranch and marshland in the Silvies River valley, and Forest Service timber on gentle, rolling mountains. It is one of southeast Oregon's better elk units — producing more mature 5x5 and 6x6 bulls than young ones — and its mule deer buck ratios have held above management objective even as overall deer numbers dipped slightly. Pronghorn are present in lower numbers on the desert edges.
Terrain
West end is flat-to-rolling high desert and marshy river bottom around 4,100 ft; the central and northern unit rises into moderate, non-rugged forested mountains topping near 6,900 ft.
Cover: Sagebrush steppe and wet meadow/marsh in the Silvies Valley; western juniper on the foothills; ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and mountain mahogany in the Ochoco and Malheur NF uplands.
Landmarks: Glass Buttes · Silvies River valley · South Fork John Day River · Ochoco NF (south end) · Malheur NF (north/east)
Access
Good public access via an extensive Forest Service road network in the timbered north and open BLM in the desert west; the Silvies River valley core is largely private ranch and marshland requiring permission. Dirt and gravel roads reach most public country.
Managers: USFS Malheur National Forest, USFS Ochoco National Forest, BLM Burns District, Private ranchlands (Silvies Valley)
Access points: US Highway 20 west of Burns · US Highway 395 north from Burns · Forest Road 37 / FR 3750 network · Glass Buttes access roads · South Fork John Day River road
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityA genuinely good elk unit that produces more mature 5x6 and 6x6 bulls than young bulls, though herd numbers sit below objective and bull ratios have softened recently.
- →Hunt the timber-meadow edges in the Ochoco and Malheur uplands
- →Work north-facing conifer for daytime bedding elk
- →Locate herds near private-forest boundaries and water
- →Cover ground early to find the mature-bull pockets
Mule Deer
common opportunityBuck-to-doe ratios above management objective despite a slight overall decline; a solid opportunity unit spanning desert and timber.
- →Glass the juniper-sage transition and forest edges
- →Hunt higher timber early season, then benches as deer shift
- →Focus on draws and springs holding green feed
- →Still-hunt ponderosa parks midday
Pronghorn
limited opportunityLower pronghorn numbers on the open desert west end; a modest controlled-hunt opportunity rather than a strength.
- →Glass the open sage flats near Glass Buttes
- →Watch water and open basins
- →Spot-and-stalk using terrain relief
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bear in the forested Ochoco/Malheur north end; a spring green-up opportunity.
- →Glass south-facing slopes and meadow edges in spring
- →Check creek bottoms and logging units for feeding bears
Cougar
common opportunityCougars track deer and elk through the timber and canyons; incidental general-season opportunity.
- →Hunt where deer and elk concentrate
- →Cut for tracks on fresh snow in the uplands
Pro tips
- →This is an elk unit worth the effort — target the Ochoco/Malheur timber-meadow edges for the mature bulls it's known for
- →The private Silvies Valley core holds game but needs permission; hunt the public timber and BLM around it
- →Deer straddle two worlds — glass juniper-sage benches low and ponderosa parks high depending on weather
- →Learn the FR 37 / FR 3750 road system before the season to reach the better public timber
- →Watch early snow — it's your friend for locating elk but can lock you out of the top roads
Watch out for
- !Silvies River valley is heavily private ranch and marsh — verify boundaries and get permission
- !Only ~67% public; checkerboard and private-forest edges require map discipline
- !High Forest Service roads can close on early snow or mud
- !Fire-season restrictions and closures common late summer
- !Remote north end has long distances between services
Logistics
Burns/Hines is the main hub for fuel, food, lodging, and the ODFW office; Seneca and John Day sit off the north end. Forest roads in the Ochoco/Malheur are well developed but rough — high-clearance is recommended and gates or snow can close the highest roads late in fall.
Nearest towns: Burns, Hines, Seneca, John Day, Riley
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Oregon sources:
Research sources: ODFW Silvies Unit 72 · ODFW 2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast · Oregon Hunters Association 2025 Big Game Outlook
FAQ
- How big is Unit 72 in Oregon?
- Unit 72 (Silvies) covers about 1,797 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,100 to 6,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 72?
- Approximately 67% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Malheur National Forest, USFS Ochoco National Forest, BLM Burns District, Private ranchlands (Silvies Valley). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 72?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Oregon agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 72 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.