Recreation Report
South Central Area
Recreation Report
SOUTH CENTRAL 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.
- 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. Current forecasts predict warm dry conditions for the next two weeks. Please be mindful when recreating outdoors, fire season is still active. ATV and vehicles need to have a long-handled shovel and a 2.5# fire extinguisher, or 1 gallon of water while in the field.
KLAMATH COUNTY
Deer: Any Legal Weapon begins Oct 3. Fire restrictions have been downgraded but continue to use caution if you choose to have a campfire. Some new boundary changes for mule deer only will take place this season, primarily for the KB02 (formerly Klamath Falls), and DG04 (formerly Silver Lake). Sprague WMU was dissolved into these 2 new deer hunt areas. Most areas are still open to hunting except for the Wright Springs fire in the KB02 hunt area. All deer hunting requires a controlled deer tag for the hunt area you are hunting in. Expect deer activity to increase during the cooler morning and evening timeframes.
Elk: The Wright Springs fire vicinity is closed to public access through Oct 31. There is a youth antlerless elk hunt for Keno, Sprague, and Interstate WMU. There are elk throughout the district with Keno and Interstate having higher concentrations. Expect rutting behavior as the season progresses.
Black bear: Fall bear season is currently open. Bear populations are increasing in Klamath County. Many berries and fruits were not produced this year due to drought conditions. Bears will be looking for alternative food sources and may be found in areas they typically do not frequent. Looking for a patch of berries that produced a good crop would be a great place to harvest a bear. Hunters should focus on areas with water sources in the early season.
Cougar: Cougar season is open year-round, and populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base. Most harvests occur while hunters are pursuing deer and elk.
Predator calling or locating a fresh cougar kill can increase chances of success. Oregon does offer an additional cougar tag valid all year throughout the state.
Coyote: Populations are currently low but distributed throughout the county. Currently young pups are very mobile and often more susceptible to predator calls. Public lands adjacent to cattle operations may increase opportunities in February and March when calving often takes place. Be sure to secure permission for any private land.
LAKE COUNTY
Deer: Be sure to familiarize yourself with the new Deer Hunt Area boundaries particularly for D0-01 and PB-01.
Elk: Elk densities in Lake County are very low compared to other areas of the state. Most successful elk hunters have scouted and located elk throughout the summer. Portions of the Silver Lake and Fort Rock units where you can get away from roads and find some north-facing slopes would be a good place to start
Black bear: While Lake County has a lower population of bears than other forested parts of the state, the population is on the rise and provides ample opportunity for hunters. Look for ripe berries and wild plums along old logging roadbeds. Predator calls can work as well, just be prepared to be patient as bears can take longer than other predators to move into a call.
Cougar: Cougar populations are healthy throughout the district. Predator calls can be an effective cougar hunting method though bobcats and bears may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species. Hunters should be prepared for predators other than cougar to respond.
Coyote populations are generally low, but some hunting is available throughout the district. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species.