Oregon Elk Mule Deer Bear Pronghorn Deer (Buck)

Unit 46 (Murderers Creek)

Oregon Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Bear, Pronghorn, Deer (Buck)

The Murderers Creek unit is legendary in Oregon hunting circles, covering 450,000 acres of Grant County terrain with 82% public land. Named for a historic frontier incident, this unit delivers exceptional elk and mule deer hunting in the Blue Mountains-high desert transition zone. Low-to-moderate hunting pressure, vast public access, and trophy-class bulls make it one of Oregon's most coveted tags. Rifle elk success averages 20-24%.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 46

Where to Find Elk in the Murderers Creek Unit

Elk in the Murderers Creek unit use a wide range of terrain from juniper flats to timbered ridges at 3,500 to 7,500 feet.

Timbered North Slopes (5,000–7,000 ft)

The higher timbered north-facing slopes are the primary elk habitat during rifle season. Mixed conifer forests provide thermal cover and forage. Elk bed in the thick stuff and feed in meadow openings and logged areas at dawn and dusk.

Juniper-Sage Transition (3,500–5,500 ft)

The transition zone where juniper woodlands meet sagebrush flats is unique to this unit. Elk use juniper patches for cover during midday and feed in the surrounding sage meadows. This terrain is more open and glassable than typical elk country.

Murderers Creek Drainage

The namesake drainage is a natural travel corridor and concentration area. Elk move up and down this drainage with the seasons, and the riparian habitat provides water and feed. Focus on the timbered benches above the creek bottom.

How to Hunt Elk in the Murderers Creek Unit

Murderers Creek rewards self-sufficient hunters who can cover ground in varied terrain.

Long-Range Glassing

The unit's open character — more so than typical Blue Mountains units — makes long-range glassing highly effective. Set up on high points and glass miles of terrain. The juniper-sage country gives sight lines that timbered units can't match. A quality spotting scope is essential.

Drainage Hunting

Work the major drainages systematically. Elk use creek bottoms as travel corridors, and the transition from riparian timber to open sage creates natural pinch points. Position at these funnels during early morning when elk are moving between bedding and feeding areas.

Rut Calling in the Timber

September archery hunters find excellent calling opportunities in the timbered northern portions of the unit. The low pressure means bulls are less call-shy than in more popular units. Work ridgelines above creek systems, bugling to locate bulls, then set up for calling sequences.

Late-Season Snow Hunts

When snow hits the higher elevations, elk push into the lower juniper and sage zones where snow depth is manageable. These late-season movements concentrate elk into glassable terrain and can produce the best hunting of the year.

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Elk Success Rates

Murderers Creek elk rifle success averages 20-24%, with archery at 9-11%. The unit's large size and low-to-moderate pressure support consistent success. Trophy quality is high — the vast public land base and lower hunter density allow bulls to reach maturity. This is one of Oregon's best units for a chance at a quality bull on public land.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	385	452	81.0%	11
Rifle— Controlled	248	560	42.1%	8
Rifle— Controlled	193	86	100.0%	2
Rifle— Controlled	930	298	99.3%	11
Rifle— Controlled	50	111	43.2%	4
Rifle— Controlled	22	5	100.0%	1
Rifle— Controlled	413	806	48.8%	8
Rifle— Controlled	50	101	47.5%	8
Archery— Controlled	468	1,331	33.4%	16

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Murderers Creek elk tags are competitive due to the unit's reputation and trophy potential. Under the 75/25 system, rifle tags require 6-12 preference points for the preference portion. The random 25% draw provides annual opportunity for newer applicants. Archery tags are somewhat easier at 3-6 points. The unit's large tag allocation helps offset demand somewhat.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 46

Murderers Creek is Oregon's most storied mule deer unit and one of the top mule deer destinations in the Pacific Northwest. The 450,000-acre unit in Grant County offers 82% public land, low-to-moderate hunting pressure, and trophy-class bucks in the juniper-sage-timber transition zone. Rifle success averages 30-35%, and the unit consistently produces bucks in the 170+ class. For serious mule deer hunters, this is the Oregon tag to chase.

Where to Find Mule Deer in the Murderers Creek Unit

Murderers Creek is prime mule deer habitat — the transition between Blue Mountains timber and high-desert sage creates ideal conditions.

Juniper-Sage Flats (3,500–5,000 ft)

The classic Murderers Creek mule deer habitat is the juniper-dotted sage country. Bucks bed in juniper thickets with good visibility and feed in the surrounding sage and bitterbrush flats. This terrain is tailor-made for glassing — set up high and pick apart the junipers with a spotting scope.

Timbered Draws and North Slopes (5,000–7,000 ft)

Mature bucks move into the timbered draws and north-facing slopes during early season when temperatures are warm. These shaded areas provide thermal relief and dense bedding cover. As temperatures drop in late season, deer shift to more open south-facing country.

Agricultural Edges and Hay Fields

Irrigated hay fields in the valley bottoms draw deer from surrounding public land. Hunt the public land adjacent to these fields for bucks commuting between feed and bedding cover on national forest and BLM ground.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in the Murderers Creek Unit

Murderers Creek mule deer hunting is a glassing paradise. The terrain is built for spotting and stalking big bucks.

High-Point Glassing

This is the primary tactic. Get on a high point before dawn and glass systematically with a quality spotting scope. The juniper-sage country allows you to cover thousands of acres from a single vantage point. Focus on juniper edges, sage draws, and rocky outcrops where bucks bed. Once you identify a target buck, plan your stalk.

Spot-and-Stalk in Sage Country

Sage country stalks require careful planning. Bucks bed with excellent visibility, and the sparse cover makes approach difficult. Use terrain features — draws, ridges, rock outcrops — to stay hidden. Approach from above when possible. Wind is critical in open country; check thermals constantly.

Juniper Thicket Pushes

Dense juniper patches can hold bucks that are nearly impossible to glass. Two-person teams — one pushing slowly through junipers while the other watches escape routes — can be effective. Bucks typically exit on the downhill side of thickets.

Waterhole Sits

During early-season warm weather, water sources become critical. Springs and stock ponds in the sage country draw deer predictably. Set up downwind of water 100-200 yards out and glass deer coming in to drink.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Murderers Creek mule deer rifle success averages 30-35%, well above the state average. Archery success runs 12-15%. The unit's vast public land base, ideal habitat, and moderate pressure all contribute to these strong numbers. Trophy quality is high — Murderers Creek regularly produces 170-180 class bucks, with occasional 190+ animals taken each year.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	704	3,468	19.3%	13
Rifle— Controlled	737	224	100.0%	8
Rifle— Controlled	590	219	99.5%	13
Rifle— Controlled	20	34	58.8%	3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Murderers Creek mule deer tags are among the most competitive deer tags in Oregon. Under the 75/25 system, rifle tags for the premium hunts can require 8-15+ preference points. The random 25% draw is often the best path for newer applicants. Archery deer tags are more accessible at 3-6 points. The unit's legendary reputation keeps demand very high.

Bear Hunting in Unit 46

ODFW manages this Oregon bear controlled hunt. Tags are issued through the state's 75/25 preference-point and random draw process. Use the live draw-odds chart on this page for the most recent ODFW data.

Where to Find Bear in the N Umpqua Bear

ODFW publishes habitat, access, and distribution notes for this WMU on myodfw.com. Consult the current controlled-hunt navigation page and big-game hub for the season you are planning.

How to Hunt Bear in the N Umpqua Bear

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Bear Success Rates

Refer to the draw-odds and harvest chart on this page for the most recent ODFW-published data for bear in the N Umpqua Bear.

Bear Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	880	1,231	68.4%	7

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

ODFW runs a 75/25 preference-point / random draw for controlled hunts. The Draw Odds chart on this page is fed directly by ODFW's published draw statistics for this hunt.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 46

The Murderers Creek pronghorn hunt (446) is an Oregon controlled-hunt opportunity managed by ODFW. Tags are allocated through the ODFW controlled-hunt draw, and this entry summarizes what hunters can expect across access, pressure, and harvest context for the unit.

Where to Find Pronghorn in the Murderers Creek Unit

Pronghorn in this east-central Oregon unit favor open sage flats, grassy ridgelines, and bajadas with nearby water. Look for groups on broad open benches and drainage heads where they have long sight lanes.

Use ODFW's WMU boundary layer with BLM and USFS public-land overlays to pick huntable parcels. Water sources — stock tanks, springs, small reservoirs — concentrate animals, especially in hot, dry seasons.

How to Hunt the Murderers Creek Unit

Drive two-tracks to high points and glass first — locate a shootable buck, then plan a terrain stalk using washes, ridges, and sage cover. Expect 200–400 yard shots and practice off sticks or a bipod from positional shooting positions.

Pronghorn eyesight is your primary obstacle. Keep the sun behind you when glassing, move slowly, and use terrain features to break up your outline. Once committed, close as much distance as you reasonably can.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn hunts in Oregon generally post strong success rates when tag numbers match population. Pull ODFW big-game statistics for this WMU and use trailing-three-year averages as your baseline.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	54	793	6.7%	17

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Pronghorn tags are among Oregon's more competitive draws. Review historical point creep for this hunt number on the ProHunt draw-odds tool and plan your point strategy relative to the 75% point-holder pool.

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 46

The Murderers Cr WMU (WMU 46) supports a mule deer population across central Oregon's ponderosa pine, sage, and rimrock terrain. Controlled draw tags limit pressure and maintain buck quality in this productive high desert and transition zone landscape.

Where to Find Deer in the Murderers Cr Unit

Mule deer in the Murderers Cr unit use ponderosa pine, sage, and rimrock across central Oregon's varied terrain.

Ponderosa-Sage Edge

The transition between ponderosa pine forest and open sage is the most productive zone. Bucks feed in sage openings and bed in pine timber. Glass these edges from elevated points in early morning before deer move into cover.

Rimrock Benches

Central Oregon volcanic rimrock provides thermal cover and wide sightlines. Glass below rimrock edges in morning sunlight — bucks bed on ledges with clear views of the terrain below them.

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How to Hunt Deer in the Murderers Cr Unit

Central Oregon mule deer hunting in the Murderers Cr unit rewards systematic glassing and patient stalking.

Systematic Glassing

Spend significant time behind quality optics from elevated vantage points before attempting stalks. Identify bucks thoroughly before committing to an approach. In Oregon's controlled hunt areas, buck quality improves with hunter selectivity.

Spot-and-Stalk

Use terrain features to close distance. Approach from above when possible, keep the wind in your face, and move when the animal has its head down or is screened by terrain. Patience on the stalk pays better dividends than rushing.

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Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Controlled deer tags in the Murderers Cr unit see rifle success rates typically in the 18-28% range. Oregon's draw system limits hunter pressure and supports above-average buck quality compared to general season areas in similar habitat types.

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	704	3,468	19.3%	13
Rifle— Controlled	737	224	100.0%	8
Rifle— Controlled	590	219	99.5%	13
Rifle— Controlled	20	34	58.8%	3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon's 75/25 preference-point/random draw split means 75% of Murderers Cr unit deer tags go to highest-point applicants and 25% are allocated randomly each year. Hunt code 146 is accessible to newer applicants through the random pool. Check ODFW controlled hunt draw statistics at myodfw.com for current applicant counts and historical odds.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Limited developed RV sites. Dispersed camping works for smaller rigs along forest roads.

⛺

Camp Sites

Extensive dispersed camping on Malheur National Forest and BLM land. Several developed campgrounds nearby.

🛻

Trailer Access

Moderate. Main roads handle trailers, but hunting access roads can be rough.

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Water

Moderate. Major creeks are reliable, but some areas are dry. Carry water for camps away from drainages.

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Road Conditions

Mix of maintained forest roads and rough BLM roads. 4WD recommended for most hunting access.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Varied terrain from rolling sage flats to timbered ridges. Less steep than wilderness units.

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Hunting Pressure

Low-Moderate. The unit's large size absorbs pressure well. Getting away from main roads drops pressure significantly.

🌦️

Weather

20-50°F during rifle season. High desert influence means cold nights and warmer days. Snow can hit anytime after October.

📱

Cell Service

Very limited. Some service near John Day and along highways. Carry a satellite communicator.

🏘️

Nearest Town

John Day or Canyon City (full services). Dayville and Mt Vernon for basic supplies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Murderers Creek so popular for elk hunting?

Murderers Creek combines 82% public land, low-to-moderate pressure, trophy-class bull potential, and varied terrain. It's one of Oregon's best units for a quality public-land elk hunt.

How did Murderers Creek get its name?

The name dates to an 1878 frontier incident in Grant County. Despite the ominous name, the area is known today as one of Oregon's premier big game hunting destinations.

Is Murderers Creek a wilderness unit?

No. Unlike the Wenaha, Murderers Creek is not designated wilderness. It has an extensive road network on national forest and BLM land, though the terrain is remote and the unit is very large.

Is Murderers Creek the best mule deer unit in Oregon?

It's widely considered Oregon's top mule deer unit. The combination of 82% public land, ideal sage-juniper habitat, and trophy-class bucks makes it the most sought-after deer tag in the state.

How many preference points for Murderers Creek mule deer?

Premium rifle tags can require 8-15+ preference points under the 75/25 system. The 25% random draw gives newer applicants a chance each year, and archery tags are more accessible at 3-6 points.

What size mule deer bucks does Murderers Creek produce?

The unit regularly produces bucks in the 170-180 class with occasional 190+ animals. It's one of the most consistent trophy mule deer producers in the Pacific Northwest.

How are Oregon controlled-hunt tags allocated for this unit?

ODFW uses a 75/25 split — 75% of tags go to the highest preference-point holders and 25% are allocated by random draw, giving newer applicants a chance every year.

Where do I find the official regulations for this Oregon unit?

Current season dates, boundaries, and tag quotas are published in the Oregon Big Game eRegulations and on myodfw.com's controlled-hunt navigation pages.

How do I apply for this Oregon controlled hunt?

Apply through ODFW's controlled-hunt system by the May deadline. You'll need a current Oregon hunting license and the correct application for the species and hunt number.

Are preference points used for this hunt?

Yes. Oregon uses a 75/25 split — 75% of tags go to the highest preference-point holders and 25% are drawn at random from the remaining applicants.

How do I apply for the Murderers Cr unit deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 146. Oregon uses a 75/25 preference-point/random draw split. Purchase preference points annually to improve preference-pool odds, or rely on the 25% random allocation each year.

What is the best season for Murderers Cr unit deer hunting?

Season timing depends on your specific hunt code and weapon type. October rifle seasons typically coincide with the rut in Oregon deer units, which improves buck movement and encounter rates. Check current ODFW regulations for exact season dates.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundaries and controlled-hunt numbers, Season dates per weapon/species, Tag quotas per hunt number, License + tag purchase requirements · accessed 2026-04-16
ODFW Big Game Hunting Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Species season structures, WMU-level special regulations, Public-access and access-program overviews · accessed 2026-04-16
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Per-WMU harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Population estimates per management unit · accessed 2026-04-16
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: 75/25 preference-point / random draw structure, Historical draw odds per hunt number, Application deadlines and point purchase periods · accessed 2026-04-16
Oregon Elk Unit Murderers Cr Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
Oregon Mule Deer Unit Murderers Cr Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16

Unit 46 (Murderers Creek)

Elk Hunting in Unit 46

Where to Find Elk in the Murderers Creek Unit

Timbered North Slopes (5,000–7,000 ft)

Juniper-Sage Transition (3,500–5,500 ft)

Murderers Creek Drainage

How to Hunt Elk in the Murderers Creek Unit

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 46

Where to Find Mule Deer in the Murderers Creek Unit

Juniper-Sage Flats (3,500–5,000 ft)

Timbered Draws and North Slopes (5,000–7,000 ft)

Agricultural Edges and Hay Fields

How to Hunt Mule Deer in the Murderers Creek Unit

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Bear Hunting in Unit 46

Where to Find Bear in the N Umpqua Bear

How to Hunt Bear in the N Umpqua Bear

Bear Success Rates

Bear Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 46

Where to Find Pronghorn in the Murderers Creek Unit

How to Hunt the Murderers Creek Unit

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 46

Where to Find Deer in the Murderers Cr Unit

How to Hunt Deer in the Murderers Cr Unit

Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification