Hunt 543D2 (Deschutes River Ewe)

All of the canyon, both sides

Unlike the ram hunts that split the canyon by bank, this one covers all of the Deschutes River canyon north of Sherar's Bridge. Elevations run from the river to just under two thousand feet on the rim.

That gives you more ground to learn. You can hunt either bank, so the choice comes down to where you find animals, and where you can get in.

Access still runs through the river

ODFW's description puts a good share of the canyon in public hands, with limited access from the top. The nearby ram hunts say boat or foot access is required, and the same geography applies here. Private land lies along the rim and in places along the bank, so confirm each crossing.

This hunt has a longer window than the ram hunts, and ewes are the target. Ewes travel in bands with lambs and young animals, so you'll often see several at once. That changes how you pick one: be sure of the animal and the backdrop before you shoot.

Look at benches, side draws and rock outcrops where grass meets cliff. Sherman County roads reach the rim, but getting down is the work. Study the map for side draws that give a real route to the river, and don't assume an old track is still open.

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 land. All of the Deschutes Rvr canyon north of Sherar’s bridge" 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.

Pick your animal from the group

A band of sheep gives you many eyes watching you. Move slowly, stay downwind and let the group settle before you set up. Take your time sorting ewes from young rams, and confirm your tag allows the animal you've picked.

Use a spotting scope. You'll need it to read horns and body size at distance.

Long days, careful carrying

The extended window lets you wait for good weather and calm water. Take advantage of it. Float the river if you can, camp where it's legal and hunt the cooler parts of the day.

A ewe is smaller than a ram but still heavy to carry out of a canyon. Bone the meat, load it into game bags and plan a route to the river or the rim. Hunting with a partner makes it practical.

Remember the canyon has private holdings. Get permission where it's needed, leave gates as you find them and avoid shooting toward the benches near houses or livestock.

Tell someone where you're going, and check wind and heat before each day. Because the window runs long, you can afford to walk away from a bad shot or a poor backdrop and try again tomorrow, which is the best habit a ewe hunter can have.

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.

• 543D2 Deschutes Rvr Ewe: Sep. 21 - Oct. 16, 19 resident tags; in 2025, 15 taken on 20 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.