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November 17, 2022

Hunting on private lands: Oregon Open Fields Program

Oregon Open Fields is a grant that the A&H Program has been awarded from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. First awarded in 2008 and renewed in the 2014 and 2020 Farm Bills, this program provides block grants to state agencies and tribes to increase public hunting access to private land and improve wildlife habitat on enrolled lands.

Canada geese

Willamette Valley goose hunter access Open Fields Program

Open Fields funding is used to pay landowners on a per-acre basis to allow public hunting on private land in the Willamette Valley. Properties that experience goose damage are given priority. Landowners may choose to enroll on a “Welcome to Hunt” or a “By-Permission” basis. All By-Permission hunting reservations are coordinated through ODFW Staff.

Interested landowners should contact the Willamette Valley Open Fields Coordinator, David Stroppel, 541-757-5237.

Google-based driving directions, interactive property maps, and search functions are available at www.OregonHuntingMap.com.

A daily hunting permit is required on all Open Fields Access Areas. Permits are available from self-serve permit boxes located on each property. Hunters should reference the Detail Map for location of permit boxes/parking areas.

Property NameDetail Map (pdfs)Access TypeSize (acres)WMUOpen Period
Manning Access AreaSeven Mile
Morgan
Sand Ridge/Rock Hill
Welcome to Hunt2,137McKenzieSep 9 - Mar 10
Galen Kropf Farms Access AreaGalen KropfWelcome to Hunt913McKenzieSep 9 - Mar 10
Calvin Farms Access AreaClear Lake
Calvin Farms
Welcome to Hunt203WillametteSep 9 - Mar 10
Tenbusch Farms Access AreaTenbusch FarmsWelcome to Hunt298McKenzieSep 9 - Mar 10

 

Columbia Basin access Open Fields Program

The Columbia Basin Access Program operates similarly to the Willamette Valley Goose Hunter Access Program, but focuses on upland hunting opportunities on private lands in the Columbia Basin. Landowners may choose to enroll on a “Welcome to Hunt” or a “By-Permission” basis. All By-Permission hunting reservations are coordinated through ODFW Staff.

Interested landowners and hunters should contact the Columbia Basin Open Fields Coordinator, Gabe McNassar, at 541-676-5230 Hunting Opportunities.

Note: for By-Permission properties, you must call 541-676-5230 to make a reservation.

Google-based driving directions, interactive property maps, and search functions are available at www.OregonHuntingMap.com.

A daily hunting permit is required on all Open Fields Access Areas. Permits are available from self-serve permit boxes located on each property. Hunters should reference the Detail Map for location of permit boxes.

Property NameDetail Map (pdf)Access TypeAcresWMUOpen Period
Social Ridge Access AreaSocial RidgeWelcome to Hunt7,039Columbia BasinYear Round
Bunker Hill Access AreaBunker HillBy reservation1,345Columbia BasinThe second Saturday of rifle deer season to Jan 31
Four Mile Access AreaFour MileWelcome to Hunt1,506Columbia BasinYear Round


Access and Habitat Program online hunt reservation system

Oregon’s Access and Habitat Program provides public hunting access to private lands throughout Oregon. Many of these properties do not require permission to hunt. These “Welcome to Hunt” properties are all posted on our interactive Oregon Hunting Map, click on the green flags for information. "By Permission" properties are indicated with a yellow flag and require permission or advance registration. The yellow "By Permission" flags are located at the nearest District office to the property and have information on how to acquire access. 

The following two A&H Access Areas require reservations via internet. Please select the area you would like to hunt to begin the reservation process. Note that all hunters must have the appropriate tag for the hunting area.

PropertyWMUAcresTag Required
Aspen ValleyMaury - 368,480136, 236X, 236Y, 236A, 136R, 236R, 236T, or General Season Cougar

 

Program contacts

4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE
Salem, OR 97302
Tel: 503-947-6087
Fax: 503-947-6330
Travis.R.Schultz@odfw.oregon.gov

Gabe McNassar
Columbia Basin Open Fields Coordinator
Heppner District
Tel. 541-676-5230
Fax. 541-676-9075
Gabriel.J.McNassar@odfw.oregon.gov

David Stroppel
Willamette Valley Open Fields Coordinator
S. Willamette District
Tel. 541-757-5237
David.J.Stroppel@odfw.oregon.gov