Northwest Area

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.

Big game reports updated monthly

Reports are updated the first Thursday of each month. Sign up for email notification.

Currently open

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote

Announcements

Western Oregon 2022 spring bear check-ins

As of May 5, 2022

Cougar check ins for 2022

Successful hunters must present their cougar to an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest. In 2022, successful cougar hunters must check-in their harvest at ODFW offices in person. See page 61 of the 2022 Big Game Regulations for more details.

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)

Black bear: Spring bear season closed May 31. Fall bear opens Aug. 1.

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.

Hunters are reminded if they harvest a bear or cougar, they must have it checked in to an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest. See the 2021 Oregon Big Game Regulations for details.

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

Black bear: Spring bear season closed May 31. Fall bear opens Aug. 1.

Lingering snow in the Cascades condensed accessibility for hunters into the final week or two of the spring season. However, the Santiam and Trask were still the main producers for success in the North Willamette region. Accessibility in the western part of the Trask is easier, so more harvest occurs in those areas. Hopefully a late start to the berry growth means they linger further into early fall bear season.

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. Make sure to buy your cougar tag before going hunting.