MyEagleNews.com // Grant County Hunting Journal 2019 // 3
Grant County
Welcome Hunting
JOURNAL
In the heart of Eastern Oregon
W
ith eight northeastern big game units located either partially or fully within
its borders, Grant County is a popular spot for bow and rifle hunters. Con-
trolled hunting seasons are staggered throughout the year. Tag drawings
determine when and where hunters may hunt. There are controlled seasons for bighorn
sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, black bear, pronghorn antelope, deer and elk. There are
also general seasons for deer and elk bow hunting, and black bear and cougar hunts,
and anglers have the option of fishing in numerous local rivers, lakes and ponds.
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 established two years later. Grant County
was formed from parts of Wasco and Umatilla
counties, and was named after Ulysses S. Grant.
Grant was assigned to help protect the early set-
tlers in Oregon in the 1850s before becoming
famous for leading the Union Army to victory in
the Civil War.
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. The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is
nearby.
Dayville is on Highway 26, 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 8 miles west of John Day on
Highway 26. The area has premiere mule deer
and Rocky Mountain elk hunting.
Monument, on the North Fork of the John
Day River, is approximately 60 miles northwest
of John Day and 120 miles southwest of Pendle-
Grant County
Hunting
JOURNAL
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ton. The area is known for its fishing, hunting and
whitewater rafting.
Seneca is 26 miles south of John Day. It is a
popular jump-off spot for the Murderers 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 on Highway 395. The area is known for tro-
phy mule and whitetail deer, along with Rocky
Mountain elk.
To learn more about how the area was devel-
oped, visit any of the museums in the county,
including the Ranch and Rodeo Museum in John
Day, the DeWitt Museum at Depot Park in Prai-
rie City, the Grant County Historical Museum in
Canyon City and the Kam Wah Chung State Her-
itage Site in John Day.
For more information about the county,
visit the Grant County Chamber of Commerce
at 301 W. Main St. in John Day or online at
gcoregonlive.com, or call 541-575-0547 or
800-769-5664.
Grant County borders eight counties, more
than any other county in the state of Oregon. It’s
a great place to unwind and get back in touch
with nature. You’ll find the pace slow, the people
friendly, the scenery spectacular and, hopefully,
the hunting successful.
O N THE
COVER
Rylee Browning
with the buck she
shot Sept. 30 last
year. See pages
14-15 for story and
more photos.
Contributed photo
Inside
OL’ FIGHTER .................................................................................................................5
LOCAL HUNTERS PHOTO GALLERY .................................................. 6, 17 & 24
SHARING ARCHERY HUNT EXPERIENCE WITH GRANDSONS ................8
SHOOTING THE BREEZE: FIELD MARKSMANSHIP SKILLS .....................10
LEARNING THE HUNTING LIFESTYLE .........................................................14-15
A POEM: A CHANGING OF THE GUARD .......................................................... 21
RECIPE: HONEY MUSTARD ELK ONE-PAN MEAL ........................................ 21
2019 BIG GAME PREVIEW .................................................................................... 23
MADDEN BAGS FOUR BIG GAME ANIMALS IN ONE SEASON .......26-27
Advertiser index
to Grant County
1st Choice Auto Body ................................................................. 25
Andy’s Plumbing & Sports.........................................................20
Austin House ....................................................................................9
Blue Mountain Chiropractic .........................................................9
Blue Mountain Hospital..................................................................2
Boyer’s Cash Store ...................................................................... .18
Burnt River Market .......................................................................20
Clyde Holliday & Bates State Park .......................................... 13
Dale Store ........................................................................................ 18
Dayville Café ......................................................................................7
Dayville Mercantile ....................................................................... 25
Depot RV Park ............................................................................... 22
DP Home Entertainment ...............................................................7
Duke Warner Realty ......................................................................12
Eastern Oregon Realty................................................................. 13
Ed’s Sinclair & Mobil ..................................................................... 22
Ferguson Surveying .................................................................... 22
Gardner Enterprises ...................................................................... 12
Gibco Ag & Industrial ................................................................... 18
Grant County Building Supply ....................................................9
Grant County Chamber of Commerce ................................... 16
Grant County Fairgrounds & RV Park .................................... 18
Grant County Snowballers ........................................................ 25
Grubsteak Mining Co. ................................................................... 12
Hodgen Distributing .......................................................................9
Hotel Prairie ………… ......................................................................... .7
Huffman’s Select Market ...............................................................4
John Day Auto NAPA .....................................................................9
John Day Farmers Market ............................................................7
John Day Hardware True Value ..................................................4
John Day Polaris .............................................................................. 11
John Day River Trading Post ....................................................20
John Day River Veterinary Center .......................................... 22
Lake Creek Camp ........................................................................20
Len’s Drug ........................................................................................ 25
Les Schwab Tire Center .............................................................. 28
Mills Building Supply ................................................................... 25
Mobile Glass .......................................................................................4
Morrow & Grant County OHV Park ......................................... 16
Mossy Oak Properties Cupper Creek Land Company ..... 16
Nydam’s ACE Hardware ................................................................7
OK Garage ....................................................................................... 12
Oregon Trail Electric Co-op ....................................................... 18
Pioneer Feed .................................................................................. 19
Prospector Ice ................................................................................20
Russell’s Custom Meats & Deli .................................................. 13
Snaffle Bit Dinner House ............................................................. 18
Subway ............................................................................................... 13
Timbers Inn & RV Park ................................................................. 12
Thomas Orchards .......................................................................... 25