Grant County’s
In Grant County
you’ll find the pace slow, the people
friendly, the scenery spectacular and,
hopefully, the hunting successful.
G
rant County borders the most counties — eight — in the state.
It’s a great place to unwind and get back in touch with nature.
Grant County was established Oct. 14, 1864, from parts of
Wasco and Umatilla counties, and was named for General
Ulysses S. Grant. Grant was assigned to help protect the early
settlers in Oregon in the 1850s before becoming famous for leading the Union
Army to victory in the Civil War.
The county is 4,528 square miles of mostly mountain country and range-
land, and is drained primarily by the four forks of the John Day River, which
eventually flows into the Columbia River.
Gold was discovered in Canyon Creek in June 1862. The towns of Canyon
City and John Day were born during this time, with Canyon City named as the
county seat when Grant County was formed two years later.
To learn more about how the area was developed visit any of the museums
in the county, including the Grant County Ranch & Rodeo Museum in John
Day, the DeWitt Museum at Depot Park in Prairie City, the Grant County His-
torical Museum in Canyon City and the Kam Wah Chung Chinese Heritage
Museum and Visitors Center in John Day.
There are several campgrounds in the area
— the Malheur National Forest has 21 of them
— and there are two major national wilderness
areas — Strawberry Mountain and Monument
Rock — within easy reach of John Day.
The Mt. Vernon
area has premier
mule deer and
Rocky Mountain
elk hunting.
For more information on the county, visit
the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, 301
West Main St., in John Day; 800-769-5664;
www.gcoregonlive.com. They have brochures and good advice for all new-
comers to the area.
Prairie City is 13 miles east of John Day along the John Day River. It is
near Beulah, Northside, Malheur, Desolation and East Murderers Creek Units.
Dayville is located on Highway 26 and is 32 miles west of John Day. The
Northside, Murderers Creek and Ochoco hunting units intersect at Dayville,
and the area is popular throughout the state for deer, sheep and elk hunting,
as well as upland game birds.
Mt. Vernon is eight miles west of John Day on Highway 26. The area has
premier mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk hunting, as well as terrific trout
fishing in local rivers, lakes and ponds.
Monument is located on the North Fork of the John Day River, approxi-
mately 120 miles southwest of Pendleton and 60 miles northwest of John Day.
The area is known for its fishing, hunting and white water rafting.
Seneca is 26 miles south of John Day. It is a popular jump-off for the Mur-
derers Creek, Malheur and Silvies Units. The area is great for pronghorn,
Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer.
Long Creek is about 45 miles north of John Day. This area is known for
trophy mule and whitetail deer along with Rocky Mountain elk.
Published by the Blue Mountain Eagle • 2015
Inside:
Welcome to Grant County..................................................................................2
Ad Directory ................................................................................................................3
Shooting Range.........................................................................................................3
Photo Scrapbook ..................................................................................................4,5
Among Elk....................................................................................................................6
Good Deals ..................................................................................................................9
Taking Down a Titan.....................................................................................12,13
Two Shots, Two Deer, Three Smiles ...................................................16,17
Trophy Care and Field Dressing..................................................................20
Friendly Competition ...................................................................................24,25
Hunt Tales..........................................................................................................28, 29
Advertiser Index:
1st Choice Auto Body ............................................8
Andy’s Plumbing & Sports .................................19
Austin House .........................................................13
Bates State Park ................................................... 26
Bear Valley Roadhouse ...................................... 10
Blue Mountain Chiropractic Health Clinic....... 8
Blue Mountain Hospital..................................... 31
Blue Mt. Mini Market .......................................... 26
Boyd Britton Welding......................................... 26
Burnt River Market.............................................. 22
Clyde Holliday State Park .................................. 26
Cupper Creek Realty ............................................. 7
Dale Store ................................................................ 8
Dayville Café......................................................... 19
Dayville Mercantile ............................................. 10
Depot RV Park ...................................................... 27
DP Home Entertainment/Radio Shack .......... 17
Duke Warner Realty............................................ 11
Eastern Oregon Realty ....................................... 23
Echanis Distributing ........................................... 19
Ed Staub & Sons................................................... 22
Ed’s Fast Break...................................................... 11
Frontier Equipment ............................................ 11
Grant County Chamber of Commerce ........... 26
Grant County Economics................................... 15
Grant County Fairgrounds RV Park................. 11
Grant County Snowballers................................ 30
Grubsteak Mining Company............................ 22
Historic Hotel Prairie........................................... 22
Hodgen Distributing .......................................... 30
Huffman’s Select Market.......................................8
John Day Auto NAPA.......................................... 14
John Day Hardware True Value .......................... 6
John Day Polaris .................................................. 18
John Day River Trading Post............................. 30
John Day Trailer Park Laundry............................ 8
Len’s Drug.............................................................. 14
Les Schwab Tire Center ...................................... 32
Malheur Lumber Company .............................. 14
McDonald’s ........................................................... 23
Mills Building Supply.......................................... 10
Mobile Glass ......................................................... 22
Morrow county OHV Park ................................. 26
Muzzy’s 1, 2, 3 Dollar Store ................................22
Nydam’s Ace Hardware...................................... 23
Oregon Trail Electric Co-op............................... 14
Prairie Hardware & Gifts .................................... 30
Prospector Ice....................................................... 10
Riley Store & Archery.............................................8
Silver Spur ............................................................. 30
Squeeze In Restaurant ....................................... 11
Stage Stop Motel & RV ....................................... 10
Subway................................................................... 27
T&H Automotive.................................................. 30
Thomas Orchards ................................................ 10
Wilburn Realty...................................................... 27
ON THE COVER:
Joe Beers of the Longview Ranch
took this photo over looking the
valley near the ranch.
VISIT US ONLINE: www.MyEagleNews.com
FOLLOW US: facebook.com/MyEagleNews
EMAIL US: office@bmeagle.com
WRITE TO US: 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845
Grant County’s Hunting Journal by the Blue Mountain Eagle
Copyright © 2015 Blue Mountain Eagle • All rights reserved. • EO Media Group
MyEagleNews.com
3