Maupin, Oregon

Rolling plateau with sharp canyon breaks; the Deschutes River cuts a deep rimrock-lined canyon along the western boundary ranging 900–2,600 feet deep, while the upland plateau sits at roughly 1,000–3,000 feet elevation. The unit spans approximately 529 square miles in Wasco and Sherman counties. The boundary runs north from Maupin on US Hwy 197 to Tygh Valley, northeast on Hwy 216 to Grass Valley, south on Hwy 97 to Shaniko, southeast on Hwy 218 to Antelope, then back along the Deschutes River to Maupin. Rough terrain features include Buck Hollow canyon to the north, Deschutes River breaks to the west, and draws along Johnson and McLeod Ridges in the central portion.

Primary highways bounding the unit: US Hwy 197 (north-south, passes through Maupin), Hwy 97 (eastern boundary), Hwy 216 (Tygh Valley to Grass Valley), and Hwy 218 (Shaniko to Antelope). Public access is restricted to approximately 8% of the unit and concentrated along the Deschutes River corridor. The BLM The Dalles Field Office (541-296-4628) manages the Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River (designated 1988 federally; Oregon Scenic Waterway since 1970), accessed via the 36-mile Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway. Sixteen developed BLM campgrounds line the river corridor (first-come, first-served; 14-day maximum stay). The BLM Criterion Tract south of Maupin provides additional upland public access along the Deschutes frontage. Small BLM parcels also exist southeast of Shaniko Junction. The unit has no National Forest land. Virtually all plateau ground is private — hunters must secure landowner permission for access. A boater pass is required year-round for anyone floating the Deschutes. Campfire and charcoal restrictions apply Jun 1–Oct 15 (propane/white gas stoves permitted).

High-desert scrub dominates: big sagebrush, bunchgrass, and scattered western juniper on the upland plateaus. Grain fields (wheat and rangeland) cover the flatter private ground. Draws and canyon margins hold ribbons of shrubs and riparian vegetation along the Deschutes and its tributaries. Scattered ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir appear on higher canyon rim features. The Deschutes canyon itself is a sagebrush-steppe and rimrock habitat with significant riparian vegetation on the river bottom.

Mule deer are the primary big game species and are managed as part of the Jackknife herd (beginning 2026); deer numbers have run below historical averages but buck ratios (22 bucks per 100 does, above the 20-year average per 2025 ODFW forecast) and fawn production (~40 fawns per 100 does) are favorable. Rocky Mountain elk are present but Maupin, Biggs, and Columbia Basin units are designated elk de-emphasis areas with no population management objectives; elk use the canyon breaks and draws seasonally. Pronghorn antelope occupy the open sagebrush-grass plateaus, part of the Columbia Plateau population managed jointly with adjacent units 43 and 44. California bighorn sheep inhabit the Deschutes River canyon walls from Sherars Bridge to the mouth, a small but established population with carefully limited controlled hunts requiring boat or foot access. Black bear range throughout the unit, primarily using the canyon terrain and draws. Cougar are present but rarely encountered. Chukar partridge are found on canyon slopes.