Quick Tips
- Fish for big lake trout in Wallowa Lake
- Kokanee fishing in Wallowa Lake
- Cell phones don't work in most of the wilderness
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 80"-90" | 100"+ |
| Elk | 280"-310" | 320"+ |
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 150"-160" | 170"+ |
On The Ground
Known among hunters mainly for the sprawling Eagle Cap Wilderness, this unit holds good numbers of elk, mule deer and whitetail deer along with mountain goats and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
This unit has a lot of rugged terrain that is roadless and remote, so hunting pressure is minimized, allowing some animals to reach trophy size. Record-book goats, Rocky Mountain bighorns, elk and mule deer have come from here.
Terrain
This unit contains most of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, which covers more than 360,000 acres. The wilderness is mostly rugged, steep terrain between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. About 30 high ridges and peaks exceed 8,000 feet with the highest in the 9,000 to 9,838 level. North and northeast of the wilderness are some deep canyons, steep slopes and foothills of the Eagle Cap Mountains, and some flattened ridges are between them. The mostly flat Wallowa River Valley is on the northeastern edge and contains towns such as Wallowa, Joseph and Enterprise. Wallowa Lake is in the eastern tip and is south of Joseph.
Roughly 576 square miles
74% public land
Elevations from 3,000-9,800 feet
Vegetation
Evergreens, such as spruces, firs, pines, larches and hemlocks, cover most of the Eagle Cap Wilderness below 7,500 in elevation as well as most National Forest lands and some higher private lands outside the wilderness. Above 7,500 feet is mostly treeless or sparsely timbered. Much of the high country is so rocky that little grows there, but there are big alpine basins and slopes that are covered by grasses, wildflowers and dozens of different shrubs and forbs. The Wallowa Valley is mostly grassy with trees and brush lining creeks and rivers. Much of the valley’s flat lands are divided into rectangular hay and crop fields. Hills and steep canyons north and northeast of the wilderness are mostly timbered with conifers.
Access
Most of this unit is inside the Eagle Cap Wilderness and is closed to vehicles. Some public lands bordering the wilderness are well-roaded. Most of the Enterprise Wildlife Area is open to hunting seven days a week, and no entry permit is needed, but some parts of the wildlife area are closed to hunting. Also closed to big game hunting are lands within a quarter-mile of the Wallowa River from Wallowa Lake upstream to the falls and within a quarter-mile of the west side of Wallowa Lake from Wallowa Lake State Park to the Wallowa River outlet.
Camping and Lodging
Lodging is available in several towns along the northern border, but most of this unit is in wilderness, where it’s necessary to camp in a tent to hunt effectively. Lodging options include 1910 Historic Enterprise House Bed & Breakfast in Enterprise, Minam River Lodge in Minam and Mingo Motel in Wallowa. Wallowa Lake Lodge is on Wallowa Lake near Joseph. Cabins may be rented at Flying Arrow Resort on the Wallowa River six miles from Joseph. Many campgrounds are in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Wallowa Lake State Park offers many full-hookup and tent sites.
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