Grizzly, Oregon

Terrain is highly varied: steep, broken, rimrock-edged canyons and mountains in the southeastern Ochoco Range (4,000–6,200 ft), transitioning through ponderosa and juniper foothills to open high-desert plains and rolling sagebrush-grass flats in the west and north (1,300–3,500 ft). The John Day River canyon along the northeast boundary adds dramatic basalt-rim canyon terrain. Overall elevation range is approximately 1,300 to 5,900 feet.

The unit boundary is defined by US Hwy 126 (west), US Hwy 97 (northwest/southwest), Crooked River and Deschutes River (west), S Junction County Road and US Hwy 197 (north), Antelope Creek Road and Hwy 218 to Clarno on the John Day River (northeast), the John Day River and Bridge Creek to US Hwy 26 near Mitchell (east), and US Hwy 26 southwest to Prineville (south). Public land (27%) is concentrated in two primary areas: (1) the Ochoco National Forest in the southeastern Ochoco Mountains, accessed via Mill Creek Road (Forest Service Road 33) off US Hwy 26 approximately 9 miles east of Prineville, leading to Wildcat Campground and four trailheads for the 17,400-acre Mill Creek Wilderness (motorized equipment prohibited in wilderness); and (2) the Crooked River National Grassland occupying the eastern third of the unit, accessible from Hwy 380 north via Teaters Road connecting to BLM North Fork Crooked River lands. The Ochoco National Forest MVUM designates all legal roads and trails; hunters should consult this map before driving. A portion of BLM Prineville District land lies along the lower John Day River (Clarno area, northeast boundary). Much of the National Forest land is effectively difficult to reach on foot without crossing private, gated land. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Clarno Unit) is within the vicinity and closed to hunting. Rimrock Springs Wildlife Area within the unit is closed to hunting. Contact: Prineville ODFW office (541-447-5111) and Ochoco National Forest Supervisor's Office (541-416-6500).

The Ochoco Mountains portion of the unit holds ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forest (Douglas-fir at higher elevations). Lower elevations and the foothills grade into western juniper woodland and then open sagebrush-steppe with native bunchgrass. Riparian corridors along the Crooked River, Deschutes River, Bridge Creek, and John Day River support willows, cottonwoods, and alders. The Crooked River National Grassland (eastern third of unit) is a mix of native and introduced grasses with scattered shrubs. Private agricultural lands in the western and southern portions consist of wheat, hay, and irrigated pasture that provide critical winter range for deer and elk.

The unit supports Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope as the primary big game. Black bear and cougar are present and huntable. Mule deer buck-to-doe ratios in this unit were near management objectives (approximately 20 bucks per 100 does) per the 2025 ODFW forecast, though overall deer numbers remain below long-term targets due to drought and predation. Elk bull-to-cow ratios fall below management objectives; the Grizzly herd population is considered stable. Pronghorn occupy the open sagebrush and grassland flats in the western and northern portions of the unit. Elk and deer tend to summer at higher elevations in the Ochoco Mountains and use lower elevation private agricultural lands and canyon-bottom riparian areas as winter range. Burn areas from the Crazy Creek and Rail Ridge fires within the unit are open to hunting and provide emerging forage and movement opportunities. Greater sage-grouse and ferruginous hawk are present in sagebrush habitat.

1. Mule deer: Starting in 2026 ODFW transitioned eastern Oregon deer hunts from WMU boundaries to new herd-based Deer Hunt Areas. Hunt codes 138/138R and quota of 770/660 reflect 2025 structure; verify new codes at myodfw.com. 2. Elk tag quota of 142 is confirmed sum from 2026 eRegulations (238X 66 + 238Y 66 + 238T 10); 238B1 and 238B2 private-land tag counts are unconfirmed. 3. Bear spring application deadline corrected to March 31 (not Feb. 10 as in earlier draft). 4. Bighorn sheep (500 series) and Rocky Mountain goat (900 series) hunt series exist for unit 38 per ODFW, but no active hunt descriptions confirmed within unit 38 boundaries for 2025-2026; excluded from species array. 5. Public land 27% per ODFW official unit page (GoHunt states 28%; ODFW figure used). 6. Cougar Zone D quota of 100 is zone-wide across units 38, 40, 43, 44, 45.