Northwest Area

Jan. 8, 2025‌‌‌‌

‌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), coyote

Announcements, resources

Last big game update of season

With most big game hunting seasons done or winding down, the big game hunting section of the Recreation Report will go on hiatus after this week. Updates will resume in August 2025 with publication of the Big game hunting forecast.

Coming up next

• Report your hunt by Jan. 31. If you bought a tag to hunt in 2024, you must report your hunt by Jan. 31, 2025 – even if you didn't hunt or harvest an animal. Here's information on who needs to report and how to do it.
• Look for the spring bear hunting forecast. The forecast is published in late March, offering hunters a look at the upcoming season.
• Spring bear hunting season opens April 1. The deadline for tag applications is Feb. 10.

District updates

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

Habitat conditions: High winds and heavy rains are common along the coast this time of year. Be prepared for 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 into January. 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.

Deer: Post-season deer counts conducted on the North Coast revealed buck ratios to be above benchmark (20 bucks per 100 does) in the Saddle Mountain, Wilson and Trask WMU's. Fawn ratios were average in all 3 units.

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: Season closed Dec. 31.

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: Season closed Dec. 31

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.