EASTERN OREGON
As the sun came up on the fourth day, we peered into the shadows of the mountain mahogany and looked for deer, or parts of deer, in the rolling sage. With patience, and our spotting scopes, we would find them.

His antlers shined golden in the early morning light, even at 800 yards away. He browsed, moving in and out of view in the sea of sagebrush and junipers. Soon, we'd picked out another buck and eight does and fawns. As we watched, the deer moved across the hillside and then disappeared into a fold on the slope.

While my partner stayed at the scope, I slipped off the hill and skirted its base, dropping into the dry creek bed for cover. Half an hour later, I began to climb, moving from juniper to juniper.

The wind, which had been in my face, changed and was now at my back: Now the deer would know I was coming. I quickened my pace, feeling the mountain in the tops of my legs and in the pounding of my heart -- 30 yards to go now.

When I hit the bench, the does and fawns were lined out, headed uphill. The bucks had disappeared. Turning right, I walked out the flat through the tall sage. When I'd gone 50 yards, he jumped and headed straight away, a tall, wide-racked 2x3 still wearing his summer velvet in October. This was the buck I'd waited for. In a moment he'd be gone. My rifle came up and I found him with my crosshairs.

This year's mild winter didn't hurt Oregon's mule deer population. Because snow didn't stay on the ground for any length of time, there were no significant losses during the coldest months. But a lack of snow and rain could signal dry times for many eastern Oregon units. Count on the scarcity of water being a factor in September and October.

Tag numbers have declined in recent years in some of north-central Oregon's hunts. These units are, for the most part, dominated by private land. However, opportunity to bag a buck should be good for people hunting in the Biggs and Maupin units. Plenty of feed and water in past years have kept these herds healthy.

James Haley of Wild River Ranch (541-548-4342) hunts in the West Biggs and Maupin units. Last year, his hunters took several nice deer, including a couple of 160-class bucks. Looking forward, he anticipates that a dry summer will concentrate deer around water sources and feed on agricultural land. If you're hunting public land, try to ambush bucks moving between bedding and feeding areas.

Deer numbers in the Grizzly Unit have remained stable, and prospects look favorable. Ochoco deer numbers are down slightly but hunters should still find good opportunities. Reports out of the Maurys indicate that deer numbers in that unit are down. In the driest part of the state, in periods of drought, deer tend to congregate at water holes during dry years, making them easy prey for predators.

According to Corey Heath, an ODFW biologist in Bend, deer numbers in the Upper Deschutes and Metolius units are down. The adenovirus hemorrhagic disease has claimed many deer over the last few years. Heath reports one bright spot, however, pointing to high buck-to-doe ratios in the northern section of the Upper Deschutes Unit.

The nearby Paulina Unit is in good shape. Look for the best numbers of deer in the southern portion of that unit. Last year's robust fawn crop should yield a good number of yearling bucks.

The Wagontire Unit should be a good bet. Heath recommends that hunters use their optics. Hunter success typically runs 50 percent to 60 percent, and the ones who fill their tags are the ones who spend their time glassing and hiking the buttes.