Northwest Area

Dec. 18, 2024‌‌‌‌

‌If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

Submit your hunting photo  to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.

Currently open (general seasons)

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), bear (closes Dec. 31), coyote

Announcements, resources

Recreation Report holiday break

Due to the upcoming holidays, we'll be taking a break from the Recreation Report the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30. The Rec Report will resume publication the week of Jan. 6, 2025.

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.

District updates

NORTH AND MID-COAST (Saddle Mt., Wilson, western Trask, western Stott Mt., western Alsea, north Siuslaw wildlife management units)

Habitat conditions: We saw freezing temperatures hit the coast over the last week. Expect some snow in high elevations of the Coast Range and carry a saw in your truck to move any downed trees from the road. Always have emergency supplies (food, water, change of clothes, flashlight, etc.) in your vehicle in case you become stranded.

Check the Oregon Forest Industries Council website for timber company contact information and changing access conditions. The North Alsea-Stott Mountain Travel Management Area(West TMA, East TMA) remains open to the public. Weyerhaeuser land enrolled in the TMA is open to public access until IFPL 4. Be sure to abide by all TMA rules and "No Motor Vehicle" restrictions on specified roads. Last updated 11/20/24.

Elk: Many coastal controlled elk hunts continue this week. Elk numbers (and bull ratios) are good across most north coast management units, particularly as you near the coast. Elk are typically active in openings only for the very first portion of the morning after daylight and will usually move quickly into cover afterwards and bed down for the bulk of the day. They may emerge again just before dusk to begin feeding for the evening.

Weather can play an important role, with fog or heavy rain extending elk use of forest openings later into the morning or find them leaving cover earlier in the afternoon. Hunters may find better success in areas with less vehicular traffic or in areas of non-motorized access as elk are keen on avoiding busy forest roads.

Please, get any harvested elk or deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). ODFW is still trying to collect CWD samples. Contact your local ODFW office to get your animal sampled! Remember, hunters are now required to stop at ODFW check stations when transporting a deer or elk carcass.

Black bear: The statewide fall bear season continues through Dec. 31. A large portion of black bear harvest occurs while hunters are targeting deer and elk. Make sure that you have a fall general season black bear tag before heading out to hunt elk and deer.

Typically, by December, most bears have become inactive and have gone into hibernation. On the north coast, the bears have mostly denned up for the winter but may occasionally be active on exceptionally warm days. Those that are still active will be looking to feed on whatever might still be available, such as apple trees along rural areas or old homesteads, carrion or possibly salmon carcasses along spawning areas. If you harvest a bear, you must have it checked in to an ODFW office within 10 days. Here's more information.

Cougar: The most productive way to hunt cougar on the north coast is to use a predator call. By mimicking the sound of a cougar's prey (elk, deer, etc.), a cougar can be enticed into entering an area. They are normally very cautious when approaching, so keep an eye out and bring a buddy to help.

Most cougar harvest occurs while hunting deer or elk. Make sure that you have a cougar tag before heading out into the woods and keep your eyes open while trying to call in elk, sometimes you will end up with a cougar instead!

WILLAMETTE UNITS (Scappoose, eastern Trask, Willamette, Santiam, McKenzie, N. Indigo wildlife management units)

Black bear: Black bear season continues through May 31. The snowpack is variable this year in the Willamette Basin, so hunters may have some difficulty accessing certain locations until early to mid-May, especially on north facing roads and slopes.

If you want to get out early, start along riparian corridors at lower elevations and focus on south and southwest facing slopes. The key to early success is to target days with some sun and mild weather.

Cougar: A productive hunting technique is to use predator calls to mimic a distressed prey species, but don't be afraid to switch up your sound and experiment with something different. Cougar vocalizations have been known to entice other cougars into range as well. Approaching cougars can be difficult to see when you are predator calling so hunting with a partner is advised.