Northwest Area

Oct. 23, 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

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), bear, coyote

Announcements, resources

Black bear harvest update

See the latest numbers for black bears harvested to date in each hunting unit.

E-taggers: Update your app

ODFW's Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and the MyODFW companion app got a major update on Monday, Sept. 30. Be sure to visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone and update your MyODFW app to version 4.0.

About black-tailed deer hunting

If you've got black-tails in your sights this season, here are a couple of helpful resources.

• Identifying Columbia white-tailed and black-tailed deer. A quick video and related graphic to help you identify your target.
• Hunting black-tailed deer in Oregon. This podcast features ODFW biologists Tod Lum and Stuart Love talking about habitat, biology and hunting.

CWD – what you can do

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease infecting deer and elk across North America. It has now been found in three bordering states – Idaho, Washington, and California, but has not yet been detected in Oregon. Hunters can do their part to protect local herds by getting their deer or elk harvest tested.

Check stations for 2024 opening weekend rifle Rocky Mtn elk season:

• Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction), Nov. 2-4, 2024, 9 a.m. to dusk. (Google map coordinates)
• Elgin Stampede Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave, Nov. 2-4, 2024, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Google map coordinates)
• Baker City, ODOT parking lot off Hwy 86, Nov. 2-4, 2024, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Google map coordinates)
• Prineville, Crook County Fairgrounds, 590 SE Lynn Blvd, Nov. 2-4, 9 a.m. to dusk. (Google map coordinates)

Smaller check stations will also be open in some districts throughout the state, and hunters should contact their district directly for more information on potential locations.‌ Learn more about CWD and the threat to Oregon wildlife.

If you encounter a CWD check station while transporting an animal carcass you are legally required to stop.

Hunting tips for Roosevelt elk, both kinds

Learn more about the two kinds of Roosevelt elk in western Oregon – their biology, life history and hunting strategies – in these ODFW podcasts.

• Cascade elk tend to act more like Rocky Mountain elk due to their preferred habitat.
• Coastal elk live in rugged, wet terrain and offer a very different hunting experience.

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:

Multiple rainstorms are forecasted and the fall green up has begun. This provides a new food source to elk and deer, especially in areas that were dried out during the summer heat. Due to the wetter conditions and decreasing fire danger, multiple timber companies are reopening their lands to public access. Hampton's forestlands are now open to walk in access by the public. Manulife is open as well but have travel management restrictions on some roads. Look for "No Motor Vehicle" signs to know what roads are accessible to motorized vehicles and which are walk in only.

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 10/16/24.

General ALW deer: ALW deer seasons continue through Nov. 8. The season had a slow start with hot and dry conditions causing deer to be primarily nocturnal and rest in thick vegetation/timber during the day. Rain is forecasted throughout the week though so hunting conditions should improve. Deer can often be found in open clearcuts and meadows during the early morning and late evening, but hunters should take advantage of quiet conditions to stalk deer in thick timber during midday. The rut hasn't appeared to of started yet, but should soon with the incoming rain and colder weather.

ODFW is still trying to collect CWD samples. Contact your local ODFW office to get your animal sampled!

Black bear: The statewide fall bear season opened Aug. 1. 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.

Black bears are currently feeding on berries, apples, pears, and any other fruit that is still on the landscape. Look for berry bushes that are in partially shaded or cooler areas as they may still have fruit on them.

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.