Quick Tips
- Waterfowl hunting at Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
- Pheasant hunting at Horn Butte public area
- Carry a GPS to find small public tracts on public roads
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-150" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 90"-100" | 110"+ |
| Elk | 280"-310" | 320"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 72"+ |
On The Ground
A largely private, agricultural unit with little public land that is west and southwest of Walla Walla, Washington, this unit borders the Columbia River for about 100 miles. It provides hunting for mule deer, whitetail deer, elk and antelope.
Elk are scarce in this unit, which is composed mostly of farms and rolling range land, but mule deer are common where they can find a bit of cover.
Terrain
Mostly flat, dry farms and irrigated crop fields from 400 to 1,500 feet above sea level, this unit also has some rolling, dry hills along its southern boundary. Most of those are less than 2,500 feet above sea level. The unit borders Washington for about 100 miles and includes the city of Pendleton. Cottonwoods, Russian olives, willows and several other species of brush and trees grow along waterways.
Roughly 2,831 square miles
6% public land
Elevations from 300-3,100 feet
Vegetation
Most of the land is planted in dry-farm wheat and irrigated alfalfa. Many orchards are in the northern third. Grasses and low shrubs cover most foothills. Junipers, conifers and cottonwoods grow in places, but there are no large forests.
Access
This unit has about 45 scattered and separate parcels of public land, most of them less than 100 acres, but is otherwise private. About 6,000 public acres are around Horn Butte southeast of Arlington. It has been managed for curlews but is open to hunting. The Irrigon and Willow Creek wildlife areas are open to hunting as well, but handguns and rifles are not legal for hunting in Irrigon. Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge is closed to deer and elk hunting. No big game hunting is allowed at Coyote Springs Wildlife Area. Big game hunting is allowed in Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge by hunters with permits specific to the refuge. Department of Fish and Wildlife parking permits are required in some areas.
Camping and Lodging
Big game hunters can find lodging in Pendleton, Umatilla, Hermiston, Heppner, Arlington, Milton-Freewater and nearby Walla Walla, Washington. Options include Tillicum Inn in Umatilla, Best Western Hermiston Inn, and Heppner Lodging motel and RV park. Rugged Country Lodge is a traditional family-owned Pendleton motel that is not part of a chain. Pendleton KOA offers tent and RV campsites. Willow Creek RV Park (phone: 541-676-5576) is in Heppner.
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