The State of Oregon still has some great mule deer hunting. People applying for mule deer in
Oregon need to be educated and aware of the changes coming up for the 2026 hunting season.
The unit boundaries will probably change to some extent. Also, the current season dates are
supposed to stay the same or so we have been told by ODFW Staff. Eden Ridge Outfitters, LLC is
still unaware of what the tag numbers will look like or how this will reflect on the current
preference point system. This will definitely be a learning curve for everyone starting in 2026 so
make sure to pay close attention. Give us a call if you have any questions.

Eden Ridge Outfitters, LLC is also engaged to help you find the best mule deer hunt according to
each hunter’s personal goal, ability and reasonable expectation. We are here to help every
hunter look for the best opportunity at success and also locate the trophy quality mule deer
hunt that is currently available to meet those expectations for that up-coming hunting season.

Guide/Outfitter Tags are also readily available with Eden Ridge Outfitters, LLC. These tags don’t
require you to have the necessary preference points needed to acquire guaranteed mule deer
tag for that current fall. With this also being said these so-called Guide/Outfitter Tags can only
be sold to non-residents. 50% of these tags are taken from the successful non-resident pool
from the prior year for each hunt series. When you acquire one of these Guide/Outfitter Tags
you can also gain a preference point in the draw for that given year.

The Fossil #2 Late Season Mule Deer Tag (145A) is one of the best tags in the state in our
professional opinion. You need to have private access to assure of a mature buck. This tag
usually takes 17+ preference points as a resident and 26+ points as a non-resident. This tag is
only available to non-residents every other year in the Big Game Draw.

The Heppner #2 Late Season Mule Deer Tag (148A) is another great rut hunt. This tag also has a
great opportunity to turn up a giant buck. This tag is taking around 18 preference points for a
resident to acquire in the Oregon Big Game Draw. This tag is also only available to non-
residents every other year and should take 27+ preference points.

The John Day Canyon Late Season Mule Deer Tag (143C) is also another great tag that has a
potential to turn up a big buck. This tag is taking 17 preference points for a resident and 26+
points for a non-resident to acquire in the Oregon Big Game Draw. You need to be ready to
float the river in a raft or have access to private property to ensure of success.

The Metolius Late Season Archery Mule Deer Tag (139R2) has been historically one of the best
archery tags in the state. This tag is taking Oregon residents 23+ preference points and 25+
points as a non-resident to acquire in The Oregon Big Game Draw. There are a few great bucks

wandering around rutting does. The Metolius Late Season Archery Tag is also only available
every other year in The Big Game Draw due to the G/O Program.

The Trout Creek Mountain Rifle Tag (168A) is not what is once was. Be prepared to scout long
and hard to find a good buck. You have to put the time in during the summer months to locate
a great buck. This unit still holds a giant or two but they are not around every corner.

The Steens Mule Deer Rifle Tag (169A) is one of the most majestic places to pursue mule deer
in Oregon. You must be in shape and ready to hunt hard. Make sure you also have a cougar tag
in your pocket as we had 17 sightings during the 16 days of the hunting season and scouting in
2024. The deer numbers are a little lower in our opinion but it can still produce great bucks with
the right hunter and putting forth lots of effort.

The Owyhee Mule Deer Rife Tag (167) is another sage brush type mule deer hunt. You can hunt
the breaks along The Owyhee River. The deer numbers are coming back here and if you have
the time to invest into the scouting this area can produce a big buck.

The Beulah Mule Deer Rifle Tag (165) has quite a few tags. We have recently acquired a new
25,000-acre ranch in this unit. This unit has some great genetics. It’s just the matter of locating
that older age class buck and therefore scouting in a must.

 

The (165R2) late season Beulah Archery Mule Deer Tag is an exciting time to pursue some great bucks with your archery gear. This tag normally takes a non-resident 23+ years to draw. Another tag we are super excited about is the Beulah Youth Rifle (165T). The early season of Sept 29th through Oct 15th allows young hunters of the age of 12-15 years old the ability to have a little jumpstart before the regular rifle season kicks off. The kids could harvest a great buck on this hunt.

Give us a call at Eden Ridge Outfitters, LLC to let us help you develop a plan for your next mule
deer hunt. People need to make sure that they pay close attention to what is coming up for the
2026 season. One of our recommendations is going to have clients buy preference points and
sit back and monitor what transpires over the 2026 season.