This unit is composed mostly of flat farm land and rolling hills with a great deal of ponderosa timber, junipers, sagebrush and grass. Much of it is private. Elk are scarce, but mule deer do well and sometimes grow big racks.

This is one of the better Oregon units for finding a mature mule deer buck.

Mountains and hills in the 4,700 to 7,000-foot range cover most of the northern third of the unit. Topography is mild except for a few steep rims, such as the Swan Lake Rim and the Modoc Rim, which borders Upper Klamath Lake, and the slopes of Saddle Mountain. A few low mountains with some steep rims also are in the southern third of the unit, including 6,525-foot Stukel Mountain and the lower Bryant Mountain. Around the mountains are wide valleys and agricultural flatlands.

The northern and southern thirds have large forested areas that are timbered mostly with conifers, mainly ponderosa pine. Many farm fields are below the timbered areas as well as arid foothills that are mostly covered with sagebrush, junipers, scattered pines and grass. Some clearcuts and reseeds attract deer and elk. Many farms are rectangular fields planted in hay, wheat, oats, barley, rye and other crops, particularly along the California border and south of Klamath Falls. Many round, center-pivot-irrigated fields are northeast of Klamath Falls and near Dairy and Bonanza and near the eastern boundary.

The northern third of this unit is mostly in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, while private land comprises most of the southern two-thirds. Much of the southern part is composed of BLM land. The main route in the north is Sprague River Road, and many roads branch from it into the National Forest. Most roads are open to all vehicles, but high-clearance vehicles or ATVs are recommended on some rough routes. It’s hard to get more than a mile from an open road in this unit except in the Saddle Mountain area. This is not the same Saddle Mountain for which the Saddle Mountain Game Management Unit is named. Some roads are subject to seasonal designations.

Roughly 1,251 square miles

36% public land

Elevations from 4,000-7,300 feet

Most hunters camp on Forest Service or BLM land, which is permissible almost anywhere along dirt and gravel roads. Private campsites are at the Klamath KOA, which has electricity and WIFI service as well as some small cabins. Oregon Motel 8 & RV Park also is in Klamath Falls. Several motels are in Klamath Falls, including Cimarron Inn.