OR Mule Deer Unit METOLIUS — Metolius

# Metolius (OR) — Tactical Analysis ## Terrain & Access Mid-elevation mixed forest and sagebrush at 1,945–7,768 ft elevation with 71% public land access. A 12% wilderness component means most hunting is accessible via roads and short hikes; nonresidents do not face guide requirements. Moderately accessible unit for self-guided hunts. ## Herd Quality & Trend Buck:doe ratios have improved sharply—from 19:100 (2021) to 35:100 (2023) and stabilizing around 30:100 (2025)—indicating solid population recovery and good age structure. The unit is trending **toward** better trophy potential, though recent record-book production has declined significantly from pre-2000 standards. ## Trophy Potential Jefferson and...