First time Murderer's Creek

foxmeadow · Jul 21, 2025

In my somewhat ancient past, I've hunted many units in Eastern Oregon with varying success. All have been memorable. due to the location, terrain, company and season. I've drawn murderer's Creek for Buck Deer this year after 4 attempts. Never been there, don't know the terrain. I had a stroke 3 years ago that left me with crappy balance and slightly weak legs. I walk a mile every day with my wife down hill and back up for an altitude change of 300 +/-ft. I don't have topo maps yet, so I don't really know what to expect. Am I going to walk a lot on somewhat level ground, or sit on a stump all day? in the past I'd march all over hell and back, but those days are long gone.
Anyone out there with hack on this unit?
I'm 76....

Tlock · Jul 21, 2025

Can a old dog learn new tricks? Onx is a app for the computer or phone, I suggest getting it. I always bad mouthed it, then I ended up with a criminal trespassing ticket while running a lion with the dogs(thats a story for another time). Onx would have saved me all the bs time in court and what not. It has lots of tools that will give you a good idea of what your getting yourself into. As for the unit im not much help, I know mule deer numbers are down right now. You can reach out to the local odfw biologist for additional information. Im sure you would qualify for the "road hunter permit" too

foxmeadow · Oct 6, 2025

Wound up not going. One of our party went over to scout and saw very few deer and they were paranoid. A local guy told him that the wolves had moved in.....

Bobbygun · Oct 6, 2025

foxmeadow said:
Wound up not going. One of our party went over to scout and saw very few deer and they were paranoid. A local guy told him that the wolves had moved in.....

I've never hunted Murderers Creek, but I've elk hunted four of the five units that border Murderers Creek with Northside being the exception. There are areas in all of those units that are flatter and more accessible. My experience has been that the less accessible the country, the better the hunting. But as I age (Medicare signup is on my calendar) I am getting to the point where some of the areas I've hunted in the past (Hell's Canyon for example) just don't seem as enticing as they used to. And yeah, the wolves haven't helped matters over east. We hunted Imnaha bow season for elk this year and it was one of the two worst seasons we've had over there in the past twenty years. Even so, my son and I didn't grumble about going. We set up our canvas tent, and it turned out to be 10% hunting trip and 90% camping trip. Got lots of exercise and generally enjoyed the scenery and company. Elk sightings were few and far between. I did see one good bull, but he was moving and out of bow range.

I usually hunt blacktails on this side for my deer tag choice. This year I went with a rifle tag. The Emigrant Fire and it's closure area has ruined a lot of my favorite hunting spots for at least this year. But I will still be getting out because that's better than staying home.