Unit 73 Wagontire
Remote, wide-open pronghorn country where 85% public land meets the loneliest roads in Oregon.
ODFW Southeast — High Desert · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
3,122
sq mi
Public land
85%
approx.
Elevation
4,200–6,500
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
The Wagontire Unit is a vast, remote block of south-central Oregon high desert straddling Harney and Lake counties, stretching from near Millican and the Highway 20 corridor south toward Christmas Valley, Silver Lake, and Valley Falls. At roughly 85 percent BLM-managed public land, it is some of the emptiest country in the state — endless sagebrush basins, scattered buttes, and playa lake beds with almost no development. Pronghorn are the signature species across the open flats, backed by low-density desert mule deer, limited elk, and a rare California bighorn segment. Success is a function of glassing enormous ground and managing water and fuel in a place with essentially no services.
Terrain
Expansive high-desert basins and sage tablelands broken by isolated buttes and low mountains such as Wagontire Mountain; gentle overall relief with vast open sightlines.
Cover: Big sagebrush and bunchgrass steppe dominate; western juniper on ridges and buttes; greasewood and salt-desert scrub in the playa and Christmas Valley basins; sparse mountain mahogany on higher rims.
Landmarks: Wagontire Mountain · Christmas Valley · Silver Lake · Glass Buttes area (north edge) · Highway 31 / Valley Falls corridor
Access
Overwhelmingly public BLM with open cross-country access on designated routes; scattered private ranches and irrigated inholdings cluster around Christmas Valley and water. Roads are primitive dirt and sand — remote, unsigned, and easy to get lost or stuck on.
Managers: BLM Lakeview District, BLM Prineville District, BLM Vale District, Private ranchlands (scattered)
Access points: US Highway 20 east of Millican · US Highway 395 (east boundary) · State Highway 31 at Valley Falls · Christmas Valley Highway and county roads · Silver Lake access roads
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityThe unit's marquee species — pronghorn range across the open sage basins and this is prime southeast Oregon antelope country with good horn potential.
- →Glass wide-open basins from any rise at first light
- →Judge horns on a tripod at long range before committing
- →Watch water sources and green flats in early-season heat
- →Plan slow, flat, exposed stalks using the smallest terrain folds
Mule Deer
limited opportunityLow-density desert mule deer scattered thin across huge country; requires persistence and a lot of glassing to turn up bucks.
- →Focus juniper stringers, rimrock, and buttes that break the flats
- →Hunt near reliable water and greener draws
- →Cover ground by vehicle then glass from high points
- →Still-hunt juniper pockets where bucks bed
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunitySmall, scattered elk numbers in a unit not known for elk; occasional bands use juniper and isolated higher ground.
- →Check juniper and isolated buttes with cover
- →Look near water and less-pressured private edges
- →Expect to cover long distances to locate them
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyCalifornia bighorn occupy rugged rimrock segments; a rare, once-in-a-lifetime draw.
- →Glass steep rimrock and rocky escarpments
- →Scout water and bedding ledges
- →Anticipate very long odds and premium quality if drawn
Cougar
limited opportunityLow-density cougars follow deer and pronghorn across the desert; incidental general-season opportunity.
- →Hunt where deer concentrate near water and rims
- →Cut for tracks in fresh snow
Pro tips
- →Come for the pronghorn — this is a premier SE Oregon antelope unit; bring a tripod and judge horns patiently
- →Map every guzzler, spring, and stock tank; water dictates where animals hold in this dry country
- →Deer are sparse — hunt the buttes, rims, and juniper that break the flats, not the open sage
- →Air down for sand and carry two spares — sharp rock and deep sand roads are unforgiving out here
- →Download offline maps and mark your route; unsigned roads and huge sightlines make it easy to get turned around
Watch out for
- !Extreme remoteness — a breakdown, flat, or getting stuck can be life-threatening with no cell service
- !Primitive sand and clay roads turn to impassable gumbo when wet
- !Scattered private ranch and irrigated inholdings near Christmas Valley — verify boundaries
- !Water is scarce and far apart; carry your own
- !Fire-season closures and restrictions are common in late summer and early fall
Logistics
Services are minimal — Christmas Valley and Silver Lake offer limited fuel and supplies, with full resupply only in Burns or Lakeview, both far off. This is one of Oregon's most isolated units: carry extra fuel, ample water, food, and full recovery/tire gear, and expect no cell coverage across nearly the entire area.
Nearest towns: Christmas Valley, Silver Lake, Riley, Burns, Lakeview
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Oregon sources:
Research sources: ODFW Wagontire Unit 73 · ODFW Southeast Oregon Big Game Hunting Areas · ODFW 2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast
FAQ
- How big is Unit 73 in Oregon?
- Unit 73 (Wagontire) covers about 3,122 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,200 to 6,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 73?
- Approximately 85% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM Lakeview District, BLM Prineville District, BLM Vale District, Private ranchlands (scattered). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 73?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Oregon agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 73 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.