Northwest Area

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), Coyote, Elk (Check regulations for specific dates and units)

Announcements, resources

Reminder to report your late season 2025 big game tags by April 15: Report your hunt

2026 spring bear seed numbers: 6051029. Spring bear forecast is available now, take a look at your hunt areas to prepare before April 1.

Submit your applications for 2026 controlled hunts by May 15.

Big game harvest statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for this season.

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.

District updates

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

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.

Also, watching deer and elk in clearcuts is another productive way to hunt cougars as they are often seen hunting these game species.

Saddle Mtn/Wilson/Trask WMU's

Elk: Several late season controlled elk hunts will continue through March. Population numbers and bull ratios all remain around management objectives for the North Coast WMU's, with higher densities typically along the western half of each unit. 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 the recent warm sunny weather, expect elk to be less active during the day, likely bedding down on cooler north facing slopes shortly after sunrise. 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. Remember to purchase your 2026 hunting license prior to heading out.

Alsea/Stott Mtn WMUs

Elk: Population and bull ratios are below management objectives for both units. Highest elk densities are on private lands that may be locked up due to fire seasons. Pay attention to fire season levels, changes on private lands and what lands and roads are open and closed to motor vehicles. Private forest land closures, Weyerhaeuser and Manulife lands in the North Alsea and Stott WMUs are enrolled in our A&H TMA project, check out ODFW TMA maps on our website for more information. Additional map resources.

Siuslaw WMU

Elk: Population is below management objectives, but the bull ratio is up at 16 bulls per 100 cows. Elk herds are very scattered in this rugged unit; a lot of scouting is needed to locate elk. Elk are at higher densities on private lands with pastures.

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

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.

Elk: Check for current information on forestland closures. Elk densities tend to be highest on private property although state owned lands and some federal lands with adequate early seral habitat can be great public land opportunities. Ungulates tend to congregate in areas with a diversity of early seral and forested habitat.

Scappoose

Elk: Bull ratios were slightly below management objective in the Scappoose WMU during the 2025 survey season. Access can be difficult in this WMU with many different industrial timber companies having a variety of different access policies. Please pay attention to property ownership and ensure you have the proper permissions and necessary permits, etc. for the area you are hunting.

Eastern Trask

Elk: Bull ratios were slightly above management objective in the eastern Trask. The highest densities tend to be in the easternmost portion of the unit near the transitional areas between the agricultural and industrial timber properties. Check out the North Coast Travel Management area map for information about participating properties that are open for hunting access.