Southwest Area

SW BIG GAME HUNTING

October 1, 2026

Currently open

Bear, cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel.

• Western general and select controlled deer season opens Oct 3

*Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required tag before hunting.

Announcements and resources

Reminder -- tag sale deadline and sports pac tag pickup for deer, bear, and cougar – by Oct 2!

Get tested – hunters must check in for CWD at these locations.

Make a plan with this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game!

Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season.

Check the Leftover Tag List, don't miss an opportunity to hunt this year.

Youth can register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online, find more youth hunting opportunities here.

Point Savers available for purchase now through Nov 30, 2026.

Please report elk with hoof disease - If you see elk showing signs of elk hoof disease, including lame or limping elk or elk with damaged, injured, missing or deformed hooves, please report it using this online form.

Coyote and wolf ID - Coyote hunters need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall. Test your ID skills. Please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to ODFW using the online reporting system.

For the most current fire closures and restrictions--KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.  

District updates

Habitat conditions:

Watch local weather reports and prepare for possible weather changing conditions over the extension of your hunt. Areas are showing dry conditions with fire danger remaining high through most of the hunt areas, please be mindful when recreating outdoors. Reminder to please check fire conditions before heading out on a hunt.

COOS COUNTY (west Tioga, west Powers, north Sixes, southwest Siuslaw)

Black Bear: With the strong berry production this summer, expect early season bears to be found gorging on ripening berries along seldom-used roads and trail systems. Hunters may find luck cruising these areas for fresh signs and shifting locations to follow the progressive ripening throughout fall either by elevation or sun exposure.

Cougar: Across western Oregon, cougars can be very difficult to locate despite their high abundance compared to other regions. The most productive way to hunt cougars is by using a predator call in areas where elk and deer are present. Keep in mind that cougars, unlike bears and coyotes, are ambush predators and will attempt to approach call boxes quietly from a downwind direction. Having a second person set up at the same calling location can greatly increase your chances of harvesting a cougar. Be sure to check the ODFW regulations regarding cougar check in before hunting.

Coyote: Numbers are strong throughout Coos County. Using predator calls to lure them in can be an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

Elk: Youth only elk hunts opened Aug 15. Hunting early on youth tags can be very productive, especially on public lands where elk have not yet felt the pressure of other hunting seasons.

DOUGLAS COUNTY (Dixon, S. Indigo, NW Evans Creek, Melrose, SW Siuslaw, E. Tioga and NE Powers Units)

Black Bear: With the strong berry production this summer, expect early season bears to be found gorging on ripening berries along seldom-used roads and trail systems. Hunters may find luck cruising these areas for fresh signs and shifting locations to follow the progressive ripening throughout fall either by elevation or sun exposure.

Cougar: Look in areas adjacent to agriculture and within areas of higher concentrations of deer. When fresh tracks are found, set up and call with either mouth or electronic predator calls. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call.

Coyote: Numbers are strong throughout Douglas County. Using predator calls to lure them in can be an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

Elk: General season antlerless elk damage hunts opened on Aug 1. Youth only controlled elk hunts opened Aug 15. Hunting early on youth tags can be very productive, especially on public lands where elk have not yet felt the pressure of other hunting seasons.

Deer: For the Western Oregon general opener hunters should be looking at North slopes in cascades in the boundaries of old wildfire scars. We have had another hot and dry summer so targeting existing water sources could be a good tactic. In the coast range hunters should be looking at 3-5 clear-cuts in the morning and evenings. During the middle of the day, hunt the older open timber along the clear-cut edges.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES (Applegate, Chetco, Evans Creek, Rogue, portions of Dixon, and Sixes)

Black Bear: Bear harvest has been steady for this time of year and is expected to increase as we move into fall. The best recommendation for hunters this time of year is to focus on areas with oak trees as acorns will be a vital natural food source for bears this year as they prepare for winter.

Cougar: Season is open statewide year-round or until zone quotas are met (see zone quota page). Hunting cougars can be a great way to extend your season now that other seasons have come to an end. Cougar hunting is more of an opportunistic hunt as cougars are primarily nocturnal. If a person is willing to spend the time, a successful harvest during daylight hours can be accomplished.

Place game cameras in locations that are easy for you to access, but away from the busy roads or trails. Game cameras give the hunter an idea of the best time of day to sit, in a safe spot, as cougars are very quiet and stealthy, and use predator calls. Be prepared to sit for an extensive amount of time, as still as possible, to keep movements to a minimum.

If you are successful in harvesting a cougar, call the Central Point office at (541) 826-8774 to schedule an appointment to check in your harvest.

Coyote: Coyotes are opportunistic predators who are always on the hunt for food. Scout areas with decent populations of rabbits, ground squirrels, and other small game animals.

Coyotes are found in nearly all habitat ranges, including rural areas and farmed fields. Areas around meadows, brush piles, and ditch banks can be a great place to search as these types of habitats are home to a multitude of prey species. Remember to ask for permission to hunt on all private lands.

Predator calls are very useful when used in conjunction to a known prey base. Set up in a high vantage point, upwind of your target, when calling as coyotes have sharp eyesight and a keen sense of smell. Being above them will make it more difficult for them to detect you. Remember to identify your target.

Elk: General season antlerless elk damage hunts opened on Aug 1. Youth only controlled elk hunts opened Aug 15. Hunting early on youth tags can be very productive, especially on public lands where elk have not yet felt the pressure of other hunting seasons.

Deer: General Any Legal Western Oregon Deer opens Saturday Oct 3. While we had a good amount of moisture earlier in September, the past couple weeks have been dry and warm. Hunters can expect hotter temperatures this weekend during the deer opener. Deer will likely still be at higher elevations within their summer range for the next couple weeks. With the hotter weather it would be best to focus on shaded areas and north slopes early in the morning and later in the afternoon. Deer numbers for all units in Jackson, Josephine, and Curry counties are in line with past years' averages. Once we start getting some more fall like weather, deer hunting this season should be productive for hunters.