Heppner Help

ORsouthpaw · May 4, 2005

I was wondering if anyone has any info about the Heppner unit here in OR. I've hunted Ukiah, Desolation and Silvies and this is the first time I've put in for Heppner. I've always heard that it had a decent number of deer so I thought I'd give it a shot. Any info would help, Thanks

traks · May 4, 2005

drough has been a killer but there are some real good bucks left. I only saw 2 bucks over 180 last year and that was real late in the season. There is also alot of private property so I would get a good map. Good luck and let me know if you want any more specific info.

oregonmuley · May 4, 2005

Find a map, look for Sunflower Flats, its in the national forest but I can't remember the road # but west of Sunflower always held nice deer and good numbers. Granted, you will be hunting with 5,000 of your closest friends but every year people kill nice bucks in Heppner. Fivemile Creek area is also OK, again lots of people but has deer. You can also drive in from the east side of the unit by the town of Ukiah, once you are above the private you can find deer out towards Potamus Creek Canyon - big and deep but has deer. Good luck on your draw you will probably get it, thats the one nice thing about Heppner, I think you can still draw with 0 point. I have it as my 2nd choice this year.
Frank

muleyman · May 4, 2005

Traks you better check your eyes. I don't think there is a deer over 140 in Heppner....

Yep 50,000 other hunters ( 5000 tags + 45,000 drunk family members and friends will be there to. Good luck!

muleyman

Jamie · May 4, 2005

The bigger bucks will be on the private but it your just looking for some meat you should do fine. The closer to the river you get the better your chances for a larger buck. Watch out in Potumus they got them bighorns in there now. Lots of outfitters working the private and you may talk to them. The locals have most of the private locked up.

ORsouthpaw · May 5, 2005

Thanks for the replies, we hunted the southeast portion of Desolation last season and it was so crowded that I can't imagine Heppner being any worse. In Desolation everytime that we would move spots we passed 40-50 vehicles. Only when we attacked the bigger draws that were off the beaten pass did we seem to get away from the other 2000 tag holders. Anyway I'm not concerned with scoring on a 180+ buck although I wouldn't pass on one, I will be happy just getting the oppourtunity to get out in the field. Thanks Again!

traks · May 5, 2005

muleyman, The smallest buck I have shot in the heppner unit is 160 and my biggest is 175 B&C

muleyman · May 5, 2005

Private or public ground? I've never seen anything real big on public, just private. Can you post the pics of the 175? What part of Heppner were you in? I'd love to see the deer!

Thanks - muleyman

oregonmuley · May 5, 2005

muleyman,
You must have really hunted the unit a time or 2 because you are certainly correct, if you add in the methhead family members you are probably looking at 50,000 people chasing deer in Heppner. I also agree, like to see the pictures of that guys deer and if they came off of public versus private land.

traks · May 5, 2005

I will try and get you pics, they were posted on here ouce before but I will post again. The buck borderd some property in the northern end of the unit!

Buckmania · Jun 21, 2005

Hi, I don't have any info to help you on your question but am hoping you could help me on one of my own. I drew a rifle deer tag for the Silvies unit this year. What can I expect? Where is a good place to start my scouting? Are there a lot of deer in this unit? Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

J