Hunting on private lands: Access & Habitat Program

September 11, 2017

Private lands accounts for just over half of Oregon’s land base and include farms, range lands, wetlands, forests and stream corridors. To improve landowner-hunter relations and engage landowners in the conservation of fish and wildlife, the Oregon Legislature created the Access & Habitat (A&H) Program in 1993. The law established a funding mechanism to provide grants to private landowners, timber and agriculture corporations, sportsmen groups, natural resource agencies, and others for projects designed to increase public hunting access to private lands and/or improve wildlife habitat.

The program’s motto, “Landowners & Hunters Together for Wildlife,” conveys the program’s basic mission - to foster partnerships between landowners and hunters for the benefit of the wildlife they value. The program also seeks to recognize and encourage the important contributions made by landowners to the state’s wildlife resource.

Private land hunting opportunities

NORTHWEST

North Coast Access Area Law Enforcement Project

North Region Map (pdf); South Region Map (pdf)
Project information: These industrial timberlands are a conglomerate of forest land that has multiple owners. A&H funds are being used to hire 5 Oregon State Police Senior Troopers to patrol the private timberlands from August to December. The increased law enforcement provides an incentive to the private landowners to continue to allow hunting access. The following industrial timberland owners participate in the program: Hancock Timber Resources Group, The Hampton Tree Farm Affiliates, Stimson Lumber Company, Weyerhaeuser Company, Longview Timber Corporation, and the Lewis & Clark OR Timber, managed by the Green Wood Resources.
Contact: ODFW Sauvie Island, 503-621-3488 or Tillamook, 503-842-2741

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Portions of Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill counties	Saddle Mountain - 10, Scappoose - 11, Wilson - 12, Trask - 14	estimated 1 million	elk, deer, bear, predators, grouse, quail, band-tailed pigeon	may vary by landowner	may vary by landowner	Area under travel management restriction, consult current Big Game Hunting Regs

Project cooperators:
Green Wood Resources, Seaside Office: 503-738-6351
Weyerhaeuser Columbia Timberlands - Longview: 360-575-5112; Seaside 503-717-8288
Stimson, Forest Grove Office: 503-359-0116
Hancock, Vernonia Office: 503-429-4410
Hampton, Astoria: 503-458-6111; Wilson Unit: 503-365-8400
State Forestry, Astoria: 503-325-5451

Willamette Private Timberlands Law Enforcement Project

Stott Mtn/N Alsea Map- front (pdf), Stott Mtn/N Alsea Map-back (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to hire 6 Oregon State Politce Senior Troopers to patrol these industrial timberlands which have multiple landowners, from August to December. The increased law enforcement provides an incentive to private timberland owners to continue to allow hunting access. The following industrial timberland owners participate in the program in the Stott Mtn/North Alsea TMA: Hancock Forest Management, Plum Creek Timber, Weyerhaeuser, and Simpson Resources Co. In other areas, OSP troopers patrol private timberlands that are open to public hunting.
Contact: ODFW Newport 541-867-4741, Corvallis 541-757-4186, or Springfield 541-726-3515

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Portions of Lincoln, Polk, Benton, Marion, Lane, and Linn counties	Santiam Mountain - 17, Alsea - 18, McKenzie - 19, Siuslaw - 20, Indigo - 21	Estimated 1.25 million	elk, deer, bear, predators, grouse, quail, band-tailed pigeon	may vary by landowner	may vary by landowner	Some areas under travel management restrictions. Consult the current Big Game Regs for more info.

Project cooperators:
Avery Family Forest: 503-589-2701
Frank Lumber, Mill City: 503-897-2371
Freres Timber Inc, Lyons: 503-859-2121
Giustina Resources, Eugene: 541-485-1500
Hampton Affiliates, Salem: 503-365-8400
Hancock Forest Management, Independence: 503-838-1610
Longview Timberlands, Silverton: 503-873-6457
Miami Corporation, McMinnville: 503-472-7186
Rosboro Lumber, Springfield: 541-746-8411
Starker Forests, Philomath: 541-929-2477
Stimson Lumber: 503-357-2131
Weyerhaeuser Co (Toll free hunter hotline): 1-888-741-5403
Cascade Timber, Sweet Home: 541-367-2111
State Forestry, Dallas: 503-623-8146, Sweet Home: (541) 367-6108,
Philomath: 541-929-3266
US Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest Office: 541-750-7000
BLM, Salem: 503-375-5646

Linn County Forest Patrol Project

Project information: This area is industrial timberland with multiple landowners. An A&H grant is used to partially fund a Sheriff deputy to patrol the timberlands in Linn County. The increased law enforcement provides an incentive to private timberland owners to continue to allow hunting access.
Contact: Brian Carroll– Linn County Forest Protection Association 541-367-6108

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Portions of Linn County	Santiam Unit - 16	Estimated 300,000	Elk, deer, bear, predators, grouse, quail, band-tailed pigeon	may vary by landowner	may vary by landower	may vary by landowner

Lincoln County Forest Patrol Project

Project information: An A&H grant is used to partially fund a Sheriff deputy to patrol the multi-owner private, industrial timberlands in Linn County. The increased law enforcement provides an incentive to private timberland owners to continue to allow hunting access.
Contact: ODFW Newport, 541-867-4741

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Portions of Lincoln County	Stott Mountain - 17, Alsea - 18	Estimated 300,000	elk, deer, bear, predators, grouse, quail, band-tailed pigeon	may vary by landowner	may vary by landowner	Some areas under travel management restriction. Consult the Big Game Regs for more info.

SOUTHWEST

Jackson Access & Cooperative Travel Management Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: An A&H grant is used to fund an Oregon State Police Senior Trooper to patrol and enforce the travel management area restrictions. Increased law enforcement on these public and private timberlands provides an incentive for landowners to continue to allow public hunting access and decrease harassment of wintering wildlife. The project also improves access to 32,840 acres of public land.
Contact: ODFW Central Point, 541-826-8774

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Portions of Jackson Co. near Shady Cove and Lost Creek Lake	Dixon - 22, Evans Creek - 29, Rogue - 30	21,710	elk, deer, bear, predators, grouse, quail, turkey	year-round	Open Access	Area under travel management restriction 3 days prior to opening of general Cascade elk season through April 30. Constul current Big Game Regs for more info.

HIGH DESERT

Green Diamond Resource Co (GDRCo) Travel Management Area (formerly JWTR TMA)

Page 1 map; Page 2, North map; Page 3, South map
Project information: These timberlands are patrolled by Oregon State Police Special Trooper using A&H funds. Continued vandalism and/or property destruction could lead to the closing of these lands to public use. Please respect private lands.
Contact: ODFW Klamath Falls, 541-883-5732

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Scattered parcels in Klamath, Jackson, and Lake counties; see map	Sprague - 33, Silver Lake - 76, Interstate - 75, Klamath Falls - 32, Keno - 31, Fort Rock - 77	608,000	Primary: deer, elk, turkey Secondary: blue grouse, ruffed grouse, mt. quail	year-round (seasonal travel restrictions apply)	Open Access	Camping permitted up to 7 days; no fires, be careful with cigarettes; no littering - pick up any trash; report unlawful activities; do not damage roads during wet conditions; leave gates as you find them. Surveillance cameras may be in use.

MALHEUR REGION

Bentz Access Project

Bentz Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner to allow the public to access 4,276 acres of private land and improve access to adjoining public land.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Types of Access	Special Regulations
South of Juntura off of the Shumway Rd.	Malheur River - Unit 66	4,276	Deer, chukar, predator, antelope, sage-grouse	August 1 - March 1 through March of 2021	Welcome to Hunt	Motorized vehicle travel only on BLM access road posted as open

Pine Creek Ranch Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner for access to 12,105 acres of his rangeland property.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
From Burns, travel approx. 35 miles east on Hwy 20, then north on County Rd. 310. Look for access.	Malheur River Unit - 66	12,105	Primary: deer, elk, pronghorn, predators Secondary: turkey, California quail	Aug 1 - March 1 through 2021	Open Access	No camping on private lands; no fires; leave gates as you find them. See map for further regulations.

Kueny Ranch Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner for access. The land includes rangeland, steep rimrock, and brushy, riparian zones.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
East Steens Rd (Co. 201), 28 miles north of Fields, OR	Steens Mountain - 69	4,276	deer, sheep, pronghorn, predators, chukar, quail	year-round	Open Access	Vehicle access restricted to roads posted and mapped as open

Ontario Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds pay for maps, signs and survey permits.
Contact: ODFW Ontario, 541-889-6975

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
City of Ontario	Beulah - 65	800	Primary: pheasant, duck, geese, mule deer (archery only); quail Secondary: turkey	Aug 1 - Mar 1, annually through the 2017-18 season. Hunting permitted for upland birds, waterfowl, and deer (archery) during prescribed seasons only.	Open Access	Parking in designated areas only. Please be mindful of farming equipment on property; vandals will be prosecuted.

Jenkins Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay landowners on a per acre basis for public hunting access.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
About 12 miles east of Diamond	Steens Mountain - 69	13,233	Primary: mule deer, elk, pronghorn, sage grouse, predators, chukar Secondary: quail, mourning dove	Aug 1 - Mar 1 through the 2017-18 season	Open Access	Motorized vehicle travel only on access roads posted as open. No ATVs on property. Consult map for restrictions; camping allowed on adjacent BLM only.

Otley Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner for access to 16,734 acres of his property.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Steens Loop Rd. access	Steens Mountain - 69	16,734	Primary: pronghorn, mule deer, chukar, quail, sage grouse Secondary: elk	Aug 1 - Mar 1 annually through the 2017-18 season	Open Access	Vehicle access restricted to roads posted and mapped as open

Lawen Lane Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay 4 landowners a per acre value for public hunting access. The land includes flat, lake basin pastureland that is wetland during high water years.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Hwy 78, 17 miles east of Burns, south on Lawen Lane	Steens Mountain - 69	6,259	waterfowl, pheasant, deer, pronghorn, predators, quail	Aug 15 - Feb 28 annually through the 2017-18 season	Open Access. Improves access to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge	Walk-in access from Lawen Lane

Alvord Ranch Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner for access to his property and drive-through access to thousands of acres of public land that are virtually inaccessible without this project. The lands made available through this project include rangeland, steep rimrock, and brushy, riparian areas.
Contact: ODFW Hines, 541-573-6582

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
East Steens Rd (Co. 201), 28 miles north of Fields	Steens Mountain - 69	10,100	deer, sheep, pronghorn, predator, chukar, quail, sage grouse	Aug 1 - Mar 1 through March 2017	Open Access	Vehicle access restricted to roads posted and mapped as open. Hunters must check in at Alvord Hot Springs prior to accessing the area.

Mackenzie Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner for access to this rangeland.
Contact: ODFW Ontario, 541-889-6975

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
See map, multiple parcels in central Malheur County	Owyhee - 67	11,029	deer, pronghorn, chukar, quail, sage grouse, predator	Aug 1 - Mar 1 annually through 2021	Open Access	No camping on private land; no fires; leave gates as you found them. See map for further regulations.

NORTHEAST

M.R. King Ranches Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay the landowner on a per acre basis for public hunting access.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
I-84 eastbound to exit 327 at Durkee. Upon leaving the interstate, properties are located on either side of I-84.	Lookout Mountain - 64, Sumpter - 51	3,835	deer, elk, pronghorn, California bighorn sheep, chukar, Hungarian partridge, California quail, bear, cougar, coyote	Aug 1 - Jan 31; through Jan 2022	Open Access	No motorized vehicles on access area; walk-in hunting only (horses and bicycles ok). No camping, no fires, be careful with cigarettes. No littering, pick up any trash. Leave gates as you found them.

Iron Mountain Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: Provides access to 4,215 acres of previously inaccessible BLM land. A&H funds are used to pay the landowner on a per acre basis for public hunting access. The area includes lower/mid elevation sagebrush steppe and high elevation conifer and aspen forests.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
I-84 eastbound to exit 327 at Durkee. Hwy 30 north to Land Rd.; Land Rd. north to Hindman Rd.; Hindman Rd. north to Iron Mountain Rd. Follow Iron Mountain Rd. to property boundary.	Lookout Mountain - 64	3,342	deer, elk, chukar	Aug 1 - Jan 31; through Jan 2021	Open Access	No morotized vehicles; walk in hunting only (horses and bicycles ok). No camping, no fires, be careful with cigarettes. No littering, pick up any trash. Leave gates as you found them.

Widman Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: This project provides access to rolling sage steppe, conifer and riparian areas. A&H funds are used to pay landowners on a per acre basis for public hunting access.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
10 miles east of Baker City	Lookout Mountain - 64	8,430	Primary: pronghorn, sage grouse, mule deer, coycote Secondary: elk, turkey, predators, Hungarian partridge	Aug 1 - Jan 31, through 2018	Open Access	Driving access on designated roads only; see map

Troy Ranches Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay landowners on a per acre basis for public hunting access to this rangeland area which is surrounded by public land.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
From I-84 eastbound: exit 317 Pleasant Valley. Upon exiting, Troy Ranches properties are located on both sides of I-84.	Sumpter - 51, Lookout Mountain - 64	5,696	mule deer, elk, pronghorn, chukar, Hungarian partridge, California quail, bear, cougar, coyote	Aug 1 - Jan 31, through 2022	Open Access	No motorized vehicles on access area; walk-in hunting only (horses and bicycles ok). No camping, no fires, be careful with cigarettes. Leave gates as you found them.

Virtue Flat Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay landowners on a per acre basis for public hunting access.This area is priarmily rangeland and is surrounded by public land.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
From I-84, take Hwy 86 for 4.5 miles east out of Baker City. Turn right onto Ruckles Loop Road and then turn south onto White Swan Road.	Lookout Mountain - 64	7,087	mule deer, elk, pronghorn, chukar, Hungarian partridge, California quail, bear, cougar, coyote	Aug 1 - Jan 31, through 2022	Open Access	Foot traffic only; no ATVs. Motorized vehicles permitted on roads identified in green on the Access Area map. No camping, no fires, be careful with cigarettes. No littering, pick up any trash. Leave gates as you found them.

Glass Hill Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay landowners on a per acre basis for public hunting access. The land is rangeland and is surrounded by public land.
Contact: ODFW La Grande, 541-962-1838

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
7 miles south of La Grande	Starkey - 52	4,164	mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, waterfowl, quail	April 1 - Jan 31 through 2019	Open Access	Permission required to access Zone B (see map); reservations booked on first come, first served basis. Contact ODFW -La Grande to book (541-926-1838).

Noregaard/Shamrock/Whisky Creek Cooperative Travel Manamement Areas

Noregaard Map (pdf) Shamrock/Whisky Creek Map (pdf), Little Catherine Ck (pdf), Meacham (pdf)
Project information: These areas are part of the Hancock Forest Management NE Access Project providing access to industrial timber lands. A&H license dollars and funds from Natural Resources Conservation Service grant provide access to 250,000 acres of private land.
Contact: Enterprise ODFW, 541-426-3279

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Wallowa Co. north of Wallowa	Sled Springs - 57, Catherine Creek - 53, Ukia - 49, Starkey - 52, Mt. Emily - 54	127,000	elk, deer, bear, predators, grouse, turkey	Year-round	Open Access	Area under travel management restriction 3 days prior to opening of archery season through May 31; consult the current Big Game Hunting Regs for more information.

Forsea Ranch

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay landowners on a per acre basis for public hunting access on this rangeland which is surrounded by public land.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Between the Snake River and Lookout Mountain, south of Brownlee reservoir	Lookout Mountain - 64	9,330	deer, elk, sheep, chukar, quail, predators	year-round through July 31, 2018	Open Access	Drive-in access via Connor Creek Rd only; walk-in access from Snake River Road.

Owsley Canyon Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: This area is primarily rangeland adjacent to public land. A&H funds are used to pay landowner on a per-acre basis for public hunting access.
Contact: ODFW La Grande, 541-962-1838

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Approximately 4 miles north of La Grande off Owsley Canyon Road	Mt. Emily - 54	435	Primary: mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, turkey, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, California quail, ruffed grouse Secondary: bear, cougar, blue grouse	April 1 - Jan 31 through 2018	Open Access	Motorized travel on designated roads only. No camping, no fires.

Divide Ridge Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: Primarily rangeland surrounded by public land made available through A&H funds which are used to pay landowner on a per-acre basis for public hunting access.
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Approximately 9 miles east of Joseph. From Hwy 82, take HWY 350 for 4.5 miles east out of Joseph. Turn right onto USFS 39, then turn left onto USFS 3915.	Imnaha - 61	1,160	mule deer, elk, pronghorn, forest grouse, turkey, rabbit, California quail, bear, cougar, coyote	Year-round through July 31, 2021	Open Access	Foot traffic only; no ATVs. Motorized vehicles are permitted on roads identified in green on the Access Area map. No camping, no fires, be careful with cigarettes. No littering, pick up any trash. Leave gates as you found them.

Desolation Creek Access Area

Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H funds are used to pay landowner on a per-acre basis for public hunting access. This area is mixed forest and meadows, surrounded by public land
Contact: ODFW Baker City, 541-523-5832

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Approximately 16 miles south of Ukiah. From the junction of Hwy 395 and Hwy 244, travel 14 miles south. Turn left onto USFS 55 then right onto USFS 10.	Desolation - 50	13,440	mule deer, elk, forest grouse, turkey, rabbit, California quail, bear, cougar, coyote	Year-round through September 30, 2019	Open Access	Foot traffic only; no ATVs. Motorized vehicles are permitted on roads identified in green on the Access Area map. Camping allowed only within 200 feet of open roads. No camping within 50 feet of any water. No unattended campers, tent sites, or camp sites for more than 24 hours.

Hancock Forest Management Access Program

Catherine Creek WMU Map (pdf), Starkey WMU Map (pdf), Sumpter WMU Map (pdf), Walla Walla WMU & Vicinity Map (pdf), Wenaha WMU Map (pdf)
Project information: A&H license dollars and funds from Natural Resources Conservation Service grant provide access to 250,000 acres of these industrial timberlands.
Contact: ODFW LaGrande 541-962-1838

Location	Wildlife Mgmt. Unit	Acres	Huntable Species	Access Period	Type of Access	Special Regulations
Wallowa Co. north of Wallowa, Union Co. east of Union, Umatilla Co. near Meacham	Sled Springs - 57, Catherine Creek - 53, Ukia - 49, Starkey - 52, Mt. Emily - 54	250,000	mule deer, elk, forest grouse, turkey, bear	Year-round through 2021	Open Access	Notice: Hancock F.M. Inc. does not allow unauthorized commercial packing, guiding, or hunting services or commercial gathering of firewood or mushrooms on its lands