Hunt 543B (East Deschutes River)

The legal line is the canyon itself

This hunt covers the part of the Deschutes River canyon that lies east of the river, from Sherar's Bridge down to the mouth. It sits entirely in Sherman County, and the ground runs from the river's edge at a few hundred feet up toward the rim at under two thousand.

That's low, dry canyon country with grass slopes and sagebrush. Read the hunt description for the line between this hunt and its neighbors, because the river is the boundary and the other bank belongs to a different hunt.

Getting in is the real puzzle

ODFW says access from the top of the canyon is limited, so boat or foot access is required. Some of the crossing involves private land, and the description gives conditions for that. Read it, and call ahead.

Three tags are issued across three separate hunt periods, each running a week and a day or so. That's a once-in-a-lifetime style draw, and it's meant to be hunted carefully. The nearest services are along the river, so plan your supplies and your exit.

The ground ODFW draws for this hunt

ODFW's boundary for this hunt covers about 88 square miles, 40% of it public land by ODFW's count. Named features inside the line fall in Sherman County. Elevation runs from about 186 to 2,372 feet. ODFW's description reads: "40% public lands. That part of the Deschutes Rvr canyon from Sherar’s bridge to the mouth east of the Deschutes Rvr. Access will be limited from the top of the canyon and boat or foot access will be required. Access through some private land may be by" ODFW's line is the legal one, so check it against a current land-ownership map, and get permission before you cross private ground or a locked gate inside it.

Hunt it from the water

Boat access gives you the clearest view of the canyon walls. Drift or motor slowly, glass the benches and ledges on the east side, and mark where animals feed. Sheep use ledges close to the river, so a calm morning on the water can show you more than a long hike.

Put in, land, then climb to a glassing perch. A spotting scope on a tripod is the tool for this hunt.

On foot, with a plan for the pack-out

If you hike in, expect steep rock and loose slopes. Practice shooting from a sitting position and over a pack, because that's how most shots on sheep come. Know your range, and take only a ram or ewe your tag allows.

A sheep down in a canyon is a serious carry. Bone out the meat, protect the cape and horns, and plan a boat or a long walk with weight. Hunt with a partner. Check river flows and heat before you go, and tell someone your float plan.

Respect private land. Where the description says permission is needed, get it in writing before opening day.

The 2026 tags and the 2025 result

From ODFW's 2026 regulations and its 2025 reported harvest. ODFW's nonresident tags are shared across a line of hunts, so check the regulations for those.

• 543B1 E Deschutes Rvr No. 1: Sep. 12 - Sep. 20, 3 resident tags; in 2025, 3 taken on 3 tags.
• 543B2 E Deschutes Rvr No. 2: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2 resident tags; in 2025, 2 taken on 3 tags.
• 543B3 E Deschutes Rvr No. 3: Oct. 31 - Nov. 8, 3 resident tags; in 2025, 3 taken on 3 tags.

Roads in and the nearest towns

The longest named roads through this ground are Lower Deschutes Access Road, OR 216, Erskine Road and Rattlesnake Grade. The nearest towns are Grass Valley (5 mi), Moro (10 mi) and Dufur (14 mi), measured from the centre of the unit.