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Intensive herbivory by domestic and wild ungulates may affect riparian vegetation establishment and long-term sustainability. These effects are of particular concern in rangeland riparian systems of the western U.S., where long-term herbivory by ungulates can substantially reduce or eliminate deciduous, highly palatable species such as aspen (Populus tremuloides), willow (Salix spp.), and cottonwood (Populus spp.). These species are often key components of riparian plant communities systems that support healthy salmonid habitat and thus benefit fish populations. Thus, most riparian restoration activities targeted for salmonid conservation include labor-intensive and costly efforts such as planting thousands of deciduous seedlings, often in protective exclosures. Despite recognition that ungulates can markedly affect the success of riparian restoration, little is known about effects of domestic versus wild ungulates on restoration plantings for effective recovery of riparian systems. Here we report results of phase I of a long-term study of riparian restoration, including a new livestock grazing system, at Meadow Creek within the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range in northeastern Oregon. We examined effects of wild ungulate (mule deer [Odocoileous hemionus] and elk [Cervus elaphus]) browsing on a subset of >40,000 seedlings in the absence of cattle (Bos taurus), which will be introduced to the site in 2015. Plants protected from deer and elk browsing by circular wire “pods” were significantly taller than unprotected plants, although differences varied by species. Moreover, seedlings exposed to deer and elk browsing were less likely to survive to year 1. We discuss implications of our results for integrated ungulate management and current riparian restoration practices for salmonids in riparian ecosystems.