Oregon Pronghorn Elk Deer (Buck)

Unit 68 (Whitehorse)

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

Unit 468 (Warner Pronghorn) is located in Southeast Oregon and is managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Pronghorn hunting in this unit is allocated through ODFW's controlled-hunt draw, so a successful application is the first step for any hunter planning to pursue pronghorn here. Use the Draw Odds chart on this page to see current trendlines for this hunt.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 468

Pronghorn in this southeast Oregon unit occupy the broad sagebrush and grassland basins that define the high desert. Animals key on wide-open country with good visibility, seasonal water sources, and quality forage.

Open Sage Basins

Focus early-morning and late-evening glassing on the larger sage flats and low rolling ridges. Pronghorn typically stay in small bands and feed along slight benches or alkali flats where forage is thickest.

Water Sources

Stock ponds, springs, and isolated reservoirs become focal points during warm, dry stretches. Sitting water in the early morning or late evening is a reliable tactic when active stalking is difficult in open terrain.

Edges and Broken Country

Look for transitions where flat sage gives way to rimrock, drainages, or juniper stringers. Bucks often bed along these edges mid-day, using them as a visual break while staying within reach of feed.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 468

Pronghorn hunting in southeast Oregon rewards patience and good optics. Antelope have exceptional eyesight, so spotting before being spotted is the whole game.

Glass First, Move Second

Park on a high point with good optics and cover multiple basins from one spot. Once you locate a buck you want to pursue, plan a long approach that keeps terrain between you and the animal.

Use Terrain to Close

Dry washes, low ridges, and sage benches can hide a careful stalk. Move only when the buck's head is down, and stay off skylines at all cost.

Sit Water in Warm Weather

When temperatures climb, sitting a reliable water source in a ground blind can be far more effective than trying to stalk pressured animals in open country.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Recent draw results and success trends for Unit 468 pronghorn are shown in the Draw Odds chart on this page. Refer to that tool for hunter-reported success and applicant trends rather than summary estimates.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	131	3,322	3.9%	28

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon uses a 75/25 controlled-hunt draw that combines preference points and a random allocation. Unit 468 pronghorn tags are awarded through that system, and the Draw Odds chart on this page reflects the current trendlines for applicants and tags. Use that chart alongside ODFW's controlled-hunt navigation page when building your application strategy.

Elk Hunting in Unit 68

The E Whitehorse unit (WMU 268) sits in the remote southeast corner of Oregon, covering high-desert rangeland and the eastern flank of the Trout Creek Mountains in Malheur County. With three-year draw data showing 302 applicants for 261 tags, this is one of the more accessible elk draws in the state — but the tradeoff is scattered elk numbers across a vast landscape of sagebrush steppe, rimrock canyons, and juniper-pocketed drainages. BLM land dominates the unit, and the herds that do hold here tend to concentrate around reliable water and the higher mountain pockets.

Where to Find Elk in the E Whitehorse Unit

Elk in E Whitehorse are far from uniformly distributed. We focus on three habitat types that consistently hold animals across the unit's vast sagebrush-dominated landscape.

Trout Creek Mountain Flanks (6,000–8,500 ft)

The eastern slope of the Trout Creek Mountains is the single most productive elk zone in the unit. Aspen pockets, mountain mahogany stands, and small meadows tucked into the upper drainages provide summer and early-fall forage. We glass the timbered stringers and aspen groves at first and last light — elk bed in the cover during the day and filter out to the edges at dawn and dusk.

Rimrock Canyons and Springs (4,500–6,000 ft)

The canyons cutting out of the high country hold elk whenever water is limited. Look for seeps, developed guzzlers, and spring-fed draws. Juniper benches above the rim are common bedding areas, and elk drop into the canyon bottoms at night. Sign tends to concentrate within a mile of reliable water in October.

Sagebrush Flats and Bench Country

Don't overlook the lower benches — scattered herds cross miles of sagebrush between mountain ranges, and bulls have been taken by hunters who caught them traveling at first light. A big spotting scope and patient glassing from a high point will turn up elk that road hunters drive right past.

How to Hunt Elk in the E Whitehorse Unit

E Whitehorse is a glassing and mileage unit. We plan for long drives on dirt roads, long glassing sessions, and long stalks across open country.

Glass Before You Walk

The single biggest mistake in a unit this size is walking before you glass. We set up on a high point above a drainage in the Trout Creeks or a rimrock vantage above a canyon and spend 60–90 minutes systematically picking apart the terrain. The unit's open character means an elk 2 miles away is often visible — and walking into the wind burn from invisible elk is the main reason hunters go home empty.

Water-Focused Stillhunts

By mid-October, springs and guzzlers become magnets. We identify 4–6 reliable water sources on the BLM map, rotate through them at dawn, and look for fresh track sign in the mud. Bulls often water mid-morning in this unit once pressure builds, so a patient sit near an active spring can produce.

Vehicle Strategy

The road network in E Whitehorse is extensive but rough. We use a high-clearance truck (ideally 4WD) to reach trailheads and glassing knobs, then hunt on foot from there. Road hunting the sagebrush flats at dawn can work, but driving through elk country with no plan is the fastest way to push animals out of range.

Weather Triggers

A cold front or early snow in the Trout Creeks will push elk downslope toward the lower canyons and benches. We watch the forecast and shift from high-country glassing to canyon-mouth ambushes when a storm rolls through.

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Elk Success Rates

E Whitehorse is not a top-tier success-rate unit for Oregon elk — the vast open terrain and scattered herd structure keep average success modest compared to the Blue Mountains. Hunters who put in the glassing time and cover country tend to outperform the unit average. Bull quality is a bright spot: the unit's low pressure and rugged access mean the bulls that do live here often reach mature age class.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	83	86	91.9%	12
Rifle— Controlled	83	83	95.2%	5

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon operates a 75% preference-point / 25% random controlled-hunt draw. With 302 applicants chasing 261 tags over the most recent three-year window, E Whitehorse elk is one of the more drawable Oregon elk hunts — most preference-point holders should draw in 1–2 seasons, and the 25% random pool gives zero-point applicants a realistic shot every year. This is a solid unit for a low-point or point-building applicant who still wants a realistic chance at a tag.

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 68

The Trout Cr Mtns WMU (WMU 68) is a high desert mule deer unit in southeast Oregon. Deer are distributed across sage, juniper, and rimrock habitats with seasonal movements tied to weather and forage availability. The controlled draw tag provides a quality hunting experience in this remote open-country landscape.

Where to Find Deer in the Trout Cr Mtns Unit

Mule deer in the Trout Cr Mtns unit are distributed across high desert sage, juniper, and rimrock throughout this southeast Oregon WMU.

Sage-Juniper Transitions

Where sagebrush flats meet juniper woodland, deer find both browse and thermal cover. Glass these transition edges from elevated vantage points in early morning. Bucks bed in juniper stands with clear sightlines and emerge into sagebrush to feed in low-light periods.

Rimrock and Water Sources

Rocky rimrock features provide escape terrain and thermal cover for bedding bucks. In the dry high desert, permanent water sources — springs, reservoirs, and stock tanks — concentrate deer activity and are reliable scouting targets.

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How to Hunt Deer in the Trout Cr Mtns Unit

High desert mule deer hunting in the Trout Cr Mtns unit is a spot-and-stalk game on open country that rewards quality optics and patience.

Glass-and-Stalk

Use high-quality optics to locate bucks from elevated vantage points before approaching. In open high desert, use every terrain feature — washes, ridgelines, sage swales — for concealment during the stalk. Approach from above and downwind when possible.

Water Source Ambush

Permanent water concentrates deer in the afternoon and evening during dry periods. Set a ground blind or sit at comfortable shooting distance downwind from a known water source. This tactic is most effective during warm, dry early-season conditions.

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Deer (Buck) Success Rates

High desert controlled mule deer tags in southeast Oregon like the Trout Cr Mtns unit typically produce rifle success rates of 20-35%. Open terrain allows hunter selectivity, and the draw structure maintains quality buck age structure across the unit.

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	65	3,066	2.0%	26
Rifle— Controlled	248	481	49.1%	14
Rifle— Controlled	138	2	100.0%	2
Rifle— Controlled	110	30	100.0%	9
Muzzleloader— Controlled	22	186	11.3%	16

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 Trout Cr Mtns unit deer tags go to highest-point applicants and 25% are allocated randomly each year. Hunt code 168 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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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping is common on public land. Developed campgrounds are limited in the area.

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Water

Limited — plan to carry water and scout reliable sources in advance. Stock ponds and springs may dry up in late season.

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Road Conditions

Mostly gravel and dirt backroads that become very difficult when wet. High-clearance recommended; 4WD is wise for backcountry routes.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — broad sage basins, low ridges, and occasional rimrock, with long sight lines and sun exposure.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate — pressure is concentrated near road systems and lighter once you move away from main access points.

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Weather

High-desert conditions: warm days and cool nights in early seasons, with the chance of cold snaps, wind, and light snow as seasons move into October and November.

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Cell Service

Very limited across most of the unit. Plan for no coverage and carry a satellite communicator.

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Nearest Town

Nearest services are in small rural Oregon towns typical of the region. Stock up on fuel, groceries, and any last-minute gear before heading into the unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Unit 468 pronghorn?

Unit 468 pronghorn tags are allocated through ODFW's controlled-hunt draw. Apply through the ODFW controlled-hunt application process by the state's published deadline, using the hunt number that matches this unit and season.

Is Unit 468 a good choice for pronghorn?

Check the Draw Odds chart on this page for current applicant and tag trends. Comparing this unit's draw odds and tag counts to neighboring units is the most reliable way to judge whether it fits your point level and hunt goals.

How many preference points do I need for E Whitehorse elk tags?

E Whitehorse is one of the more drawable Oregon elk hunts. With roughly 302 applicants for 261 tags over the most recent three-year window under Oregon's 75/25 preference/random split, most preference-point holders draw within 1–2 seasons, and the 25% random pool gives zero-point applicants a realistic chance every year.

Where is the E Whitehorse unit in Oregon?

WMU 268 sits in the far southeast corner of Oregon in Malheur County, anchored by the eastern flank of the Trout Creek Mountains and the high-desert rangeland around the historic Whitehorse Ranch area. Burns Junction is the closest fuel stop; Burns is the nearest full-service town.

Is E Whitehorse a good trophy elk unit?

Bull quality is better than the success rates suggest. The unit's remoteness, low hunter pressure, and rugged mountain pockets allow bulls to reach mature age class, but elk are scattered across a huge landscape, so finding them is the hard part — not aging them.

How do I apply for the Trout Cr Mtns unit deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 168. 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 Trout Cr Mtns 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 Regs (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundaries and controlled-hunt numbers, Season dates per weapon and species · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Species season structures and regulations, Public-access and access-program overviews · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Per-WMU harvest totals and hunter success rates, Population estimates per management unit · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: 75/25 preference-point and random draw structure, Historical draw odds per controlled-hunt number · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Whitehorse Wildlife Area — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Whitehorse Wildlife Area boundaries and access, Habitat composition (sagebrush steppe, aspen, riparian), Public-access and wildlife program context · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Vale District — Public Land Access — Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM public-land dominance in WMU 268, Road access across Malheur County rangeland, Dispersed camping rules on BLM land · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 68 (Whitehorse)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 468

Open Sage Basins

Water Sources

Edges and Broken Country

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 468

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Elk in the E Whitehorse Unit

Trout Creek Mountain Flanks (6,000–8,500 ft)

Rimrock Canyons and Springs (4,500–6,000 ft)

Sagebrush Flats and Bench Country

How to Hunt Elk in the E Whitehorse Unit

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Deer in the Trout Cr Mtns Unit

How to Hunt Deer in the Trout Cr Mtns Unit

Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Sources & Verification