Oregon Pronghorn Elk Deer (Buck)

Unit 73 (Wagontire)

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

ODFW manages this Oregon pronghorn 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.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Pronghorn in the N Wagontire

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 Pronghorn in the N Wagontire

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Pronghorn Success Rates

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

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	38	1,254	3.0%	26
Rifle— Controlled	15	426	3.3%	24
Rifle— Controlled	6	55	9.1%	13
Muzzleloader— Controlled	11	154	6.5%	18

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.

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

The North Wagontire unit (WMU 273) is true southeast Oregon high desert — sage flats, juniper breaks, and scattered BLM ranges between Wagontire Mountain and the northern edge of Lake County. Elk numbers are low in absolute terms, but the herds that do use this country are concentrated around a handful of water sources and ranch-edge alfalfa, making them findable if we do the glassing work. Three-year data shows 85 tags against 180 applicants — a moderate-odds unit with outsized public-land opportunity.

Where to Find Elk in the North Wagontire Unit

North Wagontire elk live on water. In 500,000-plus acres of sage and juniper, a small herd patterns around a few reliable springs, stock tanks, and ranch edges — find those, and we find the elk.

Archery Season (August–September)

Early-season hunting centers on BLM water developments on the north and east slopes of Wagontire Mountain. Elk water between sunset and sunrise, then push into juniper-rim country for bedding. Sitting water or hiking a shaded rim at dawn produces most archery sightings.

Rifle Season (October–November)

Cooler fall temperatures spread the herds. We glass burn edges and old juniper-removal projects during the day and move on any sign at first and last light. The herds that survive summer on water often shift toward ranch-edge alfalfa after frost.

Seasonal Patterns

Drought years concentrate elk sharply and make the hunt easier in a literal sense; wet years scatter them and reward hunters who cover a lot of country. Either way, fresh sign on a two-track at dawn is the single most valuable scouting asset in this unit.

How to Hunt Elk in the North Wagontire Unit

North Wagontire is a glassing unit first, a hiking unit second, and a calling unit almost never.

Water-Source Reconnaissance

We start with BLM and USGS water data, plot every spring and developed tank in the unit, and drive-glass each one the week before the hunt. Elk tracks within 48 hours of the opener narrow the hunt down to a handful of real candidates.

Rim and Ridge Glassing

The juniper-rimrock country on the east side of the unit offers classic elevated glassing positions. We post up before sunrise on a rim overlooking 2–3 miles of open country, burn an hour with 10x binoculars, then switch to a spotting scope to verify antler class on any body we locate.

Stalk Discipline

High-desert wind swirls unpredictably around juniper and rim edges. Plan long stalks with multiple wind-check stops. Elk in this country will leave the unit on a single bad wind event — they don't tolerate pressure the way timbered-unit elk do.

Vehicle Support

A truck with good clearance and two full-size spares is a near-requirement. Volcanic rock eats tires. Carry at least 10 gallons of extra water — nearest fuel and services can be 60 miles away.

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Elk Success Rates

North Wagontire produced 85 tags over the last three years against 180 applicants — a moderate-odds unit. High-desert elk success rates in Oregon typically run 20–30% rifle and 10–15% archery once a hunter commits to water-source tactics. The herd is small in absolute numbers, which keeps pressure low but also demands disciplined scouting.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	28	78	35.9%	8

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon's 75% preference-point / 25% random split applies here as everywhere else in the state. With 85 tags against 180 three-year applicants, the preference pool typically clears in 1–2 points and the 25% random pool gives zero-point applicants a 12–15% shot every year. This is a strong unit for hunters who want yearly opportunity without burning premium preference points.

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 73

The Wagontire WMU (WMU 73) 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 Wagontire Unit

Mule deer in the Wagontire 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 Wagontire Unit

High desert mule deer hunting in the Wagontire 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 Wagontire 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
Rifle— Controlled	138	383	35.0%	9
Rifle— Controlled	44	11	100.0%	14

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 Wagontire unit deer tags go to highest-point applicants and 25% are allocated randomly each year. Hunt code 173 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 many preference points do I need for North Wagontire elk?

Typically 1–2 points to clear the preference pool. Oregon's 25% random allocation gives zero-point applicants a 12–15% shot every year regardless of point balance.

Is North Wagontire an archery or rifle unit?

Both weapons hunt well with the right tactics. Archery hunters sit water sources at dawn and dusk; rifle hunters glass rims and work burn edges. Rifle success rates run higher (20–30%) simply because the terrain favors long-range identification.

How remote is the North Wagontire unit?

Very. Nearest full services are 60 miles north in Burns or 90 miles south in Lakeview. Cell service is essentially non-existent inside the unit, and water is scarce. Bring extra fuel, tires, and a satellite communicator.

How do I apply for the Wagontire unit deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 173. 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 Wagontire 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 (ODFW) · supports: WMU boundaries and controlled-hunt numbers, Season dates by weapon and species · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) · supports: Species season structures, WMU-level special regulations · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) · supports: Per-WMU harvest totals and hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) · supports: 75/25 preference-point / random draw structure, Historical draw odds per hunt number · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 73 (Wagontire)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Pronghorn in the N Wagontire

How to Hunt Pronghorn in the N Wagontire

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Elk in the North Wagontire Unit

Archery Season (August–September)

Rifle Season (October–November)

Seasonal Patterns

How to Hunt Elk in the North Wagontire Unit

Water-Source Reconnaissance

Rim and Ridge Glassing

Stalk Discipline

Vehicle Support

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Deer in the Wagontire Unit

Sage-Juniper Transitions

Rimrock and Water Sources

How to Hunt Deer in the Wagontire Unit

Glass-and-Stalk

Water Source Ambush

Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Nearest Town

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification

Unit 73 (Wagontire)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Pronghorn in the N Wagontire

How to Hunt Pronghorn in the N Wagontire

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Elk in the North Wagontire Unit

Archery Season (August–September)

Rifle Season (October–November)

Seasonal Patterns

How to Hunt Elk in the North Wagontire Unit

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Deer in the Wagontire Unit

How to Hunt Deer in the Wagontire Unit

Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification