Hunt 543C (West Deschutes River)

The west side of the same canyon

This hunt mirrors the east-side hunt across the river. It covers the part of the Deschutes River canyon west of the river, from Sherar's Bridge to the mouth, in Wasco County. Elevations run from the river at a few hundred feet to just under thirteen hundred at the highest ground.

It's a smaller, lower unit than its neighbor. Expect narrow side draws, rimrock bands and grassy benches. The slopes face different directions from the east bank, so sun and shade fall differently across the day.

Access limits shape the hunt

ODFW's hunt description says access is limited from the top of the canyon and that boat or foot access is required. Some private land sits along the route, so the description gives rules for crossing it.

Three hunt periods cover the season, and each has the same number of tags. Rather than looking for a hot week, pick the one that fits your fitness and your boat schedule. The Deschutes canyon is public water, and the river is how most hunters will reach the animals.

The ground ODFW draws for this hunt

ODFW's boundary for this hunt covers about 72 square miles, 40% of it public land by ODFW's count. Named features inside the line fall in Wasco County. Elevation runs from about 241 to 2,506 feet. ODFW's description reads: "40% public lands. That part of the Deschutes Rvr canyon from Sherar’s bridge to the mouth that is west 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 ma" 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.

Scout with a spotting scope

This is a glassing hunt. Park the boat or sit on a gravel bar and sweep the benches. Sheep lie on ledges in the shade at midday and feed on grass slopes in the morning and evening, so watch the sun.

If you can, spend a day on the river before your hunt starts. Learn what the canyon looks like from the water so you don't waste hunt days on blind alleys.

Plan the stalk and the carry

Once you spot an animal, work your way up through a side draw and stay below the skyline. Wind in a canyon swirls, so check it often. Wait for a steady shot at a known range.

Weigh the pack-out before you pull the trigger. A sheep that falls on a ledge may be hard to reach. Take game bags, a pack frame, rope and a partner. Boat-based hunters can take more weight, but must still carry it to the river.

Ask before crossing private ground, and don't push on if a landowner says no.

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.

• 543C1 W Deschutes Rvr No. 1: Sep. 12 - Sep. 20, 4 resident tags; in 2025, 4 taken on 4 tags.
• 543C2 W Deschutes Rvr No. 2: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 4 resident tags; in 2025, 4 taken on 4 tags.
• 543C3 W Deschutes Rvr No. 3: Oct. 31 - Nov. 8, 4 resident tags; in 2025, 4 taken on 4 tags.

Roads in and the nearest towns

The longest named roads through this ground are Lower Deschutes Access Road, Freebridge Road and Roberts Market Road. The nearest towns are Grass Valley (8 mi), Dufur (10 mi) and Moro (11 mi), measured from the centre of the unit.